Category Archives: Weekly Newsletters

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter August 21st 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Consultation on our next steps...

Thank you so much to the whānau who attended one of our two 'Community Conversation' sessions this week, to input your ideas and contribute to our way forward. 
If you did not get the chance to attend, there are still two opportunities to share your ideas.
One is by responding to this survey where you will find the questions we discussed at the conversations meetings.
The other is to come along to the Whānau Rōpū Hui, now rescheduled for  Wednesday 2nd September from 5:30pm - 7pm.
We have also sent an email today to caregivers of our 2019 Year 8 students, inviting them to come and give feedback on Thursday 27th August from 3:45pm. 

New Learning Spaces to be built

The Ministry of Education has advised us that we have qualified for two new learning spaces, to replace the Hangere block, that runs adjacent to the Treemendous area and parallel to Eastern Terrace. In this instance, the particular building design has been pre-determined by the Ministry, and we will work with them to ensure that the interior fit-out meets our teaching and learning needs. We have been advised that the demolition of the current block is likely to begin after this school year finishes, with completion ready for the start of Term 2 2021.

Staff Only Days - Monday 31 August & Monday 12 October

Please ensure that you add these dates to your calendar. We have received feedback from some whānau that the first day of term is not their preference for Staff Only Days and we will take this into consideration when planning these dates next year.

Ngā mihi nui 
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Sat 22 Aug - Quiz Night - Hall
Wed 26 Aug - PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - All welcome.
Thu 27 Aug - Past Y9 students afternoon tea and consultation 3:45pm 
Fri 28 Aug - Kauri Ski Trip BUS DEPARTS 6am
Mon 31 Aug - Staff only day.  SCHOOL CLOSED                                                                        
Wed 2 Sep - Whānau Rōpū Hui  5:30 - 7pm
Fri 4 Sep - Wacky Wig and Hair Day - gold coin donation please
Thu 10 Sep - BOT Meeting - Staffroom 5:30pm, All welcome

Term Dates

Citizen of the Week

Jain Cooper - Year 8

Jain, you are a stunning member of our team. You show a love of learning by putting a focused effort into your learning tasks. Jain, you are so reliable in the way you carry out leadership responsibilities. You demonstrate grit and teamwork on the sports field and you make us laugh every day with your dry sense of humour. 

School Notices

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Better Beckenham Project

Over the next six months, our students from our kura will be involved in a special project - the Better Beckenham Project. The project is part of the NZTA (New Zealand Transport Association) Innovating Streets Fund.  It is designed to help communities retrofit streets to reduce vehicle speeds and create more space for people.  This could be anything from pop-up community-led street events to pilot a new walking or cycling facility, to a low-traffic neighbourhood to re-allocating more street space for people to connect with each other.  One part of the project will be designing and making benches to be placed around the river for people to sit on and enjoy the surroundings. 

This Sunday 23 August, from 10:00, at the St Saviours building at 200 Colombo Street, a group from the Cashmere New Life Church is going to deconstruct some palettes and start to prep the wood for these park benches. Anyone is welcome to join in the fun! There will also be a working bee on this project in 2 weeks time - we will keep you posted.

A new Student???


Who is this who has arrived at Beckenham? Ask your child if they know anything about him/her... Watch this space for more news

Student Council Event

The student council are excited to announce that Wacky Hair Day will be happening on Friday, 4th September, in support of the Child Cancer Foundation.


Dress up your head with your favourite hat, wacky hairdo, or wig, and bring along a gold coin in support of the Child Cancer Foundation.

Board of Trustees Update

Casual Vacancy for an elected trustee

A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative.
The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.
If ten percent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.
Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
71 Sandwich Road
Beckenham
Christchurch 8023

by: 12noon, 17 September 2020.

Sports News

Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival 

Are you interested in taking part in the Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival taking part on the weekend of 12/13 of September. The competition is open to all school children. You can compete individually or in pairs or teams. Courses to suit all range of abilities. Beginners welcome.  Contact Sarah Wright on tandswright@xtra.co.nz for more information.
More details on the competition can be found on the website http://papo.org.nz/

Community Notices

(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)





Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 14 August 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

What a fabulous end to our Readathon and Book Week we are having today with Book Character Day! It is so lovely to see the children and staff getting into the fun of the day. I haven't managed to capture photos today other than this one... I know teachers will be putting some into their next blogs!


Today marked the end of the Readathon. The PTA will be at the flagpole every morning next week, collecting the readathon cards and money, and giving out bookmarks. Please remember to return the cards and money raised as soon as you can.

COVID Announcement at 5:30pm today

We are all waiting for the announcement by the Prime Minister today at 5:30pm for a clearer picture of what next week might look for us. In the event that we move to Level 3, we would ask that you keep a close eye on your emails and our Facebook page for further information about our plan.

IF we move to Level 3, we will be communicating with you this evening about:
  • making our Learning @ Home site available again for home learning
  • arranging for students to borrow Chromebooks again, if needed
  • setting up '@School Bubbles' for children of essential workers
In preparation, we have asked teachers to ensure that children who already have BYOD or assistive technology devices bring these home today, along with chargers. All children are being asked to bring home at least one exercise book, and writing tools/pencil case, and library books.

Whilst we all hope that this isn't what next week will look like, we have done this before and our systems and procedures are ready to meet this possibility.

Community Conversation options next week

Whilst we plan for the worst, we hope for the best... Next week we have three opportunities for you to come along to school and be part of a conversation around our future focus.

Tuesday 18th August    5:30pm - 7:00pm       Whānau Rōpū Hui - children welcome

Tuesday 18th August    7:15pm - 8:30pm        Community Forum

Friday 21st August        9:00am - 10:15am    Community Forum

We hope that each family is able to be represented at one of these events.

Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Tue 18 Aug - Whānau Rōpū Hui 5:30pm - 7:00 pm - Staffroom
Tue 18 Aug - Community Forum - 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Fri 21 Aug - Community Forum - 9:00am - 10:15am; Staffroom
Sat 22 Aug - Quiz Night - Hall
Wed 26 Aug - PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - All welcome.
Fri 28 Aug - Kauri Ski Trip

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 and 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Iris Beumelberg - Year 6

Iris, you are such a valued member of our Pōhutukawa Team.  You are a quiet achiever who works hard, leads by example and supports others to succeed in their learning.  You choose kindness every time, and are thoughtful and respectful.  Thank you for being yourself and living our school values every day.

School Notices

Board of Trustees - Notice of Casual Vacancy

The Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Carmel Wade as a Parent Trustee. The Board wishes to publicly thank Carmel for her support of our school and Board and wish her and her family all the very best with their permanent relocation to Auckland.

Casual Vacancy for an elected trustee
A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative.

The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.

If ten percent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
71 Sandwich Road
BeckenhamChristchurch 8023

or email: office@beckenham.school.nz by 12noon, 17 September 2020.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Thomas Lyall who has been awarded a leadership scholarship for Cashmere High School.  These scholarships are highly sought after and this is a significant acknowledgement of the leadership Thomas has given to our school, and the recognition of his potential. Well done Thomas!


Otis Yeoman has had the honour of his artwork being published in Toitoi, a journal which features articles and artwork from young writers and artists. 
Toitoi celebrates the ideas, imaginations and creative spirit of our young writers and artist and reflects the cultures and experiences of life in New Zealand.
Congratulations Otis! (Story and illustration below)

Caught a Baby Pig!

Dad and his friend went for hunt out the back of our farm and chased a pig for a bit.  After catching it, they made their way back from the bush to the truck and saw another mob of pigs.  The pigs ran away but one baby pig was too slow.  Dad couldn't catch it so one of our dogs, Mungo, grabbed it.  She was about to rip the bay pig into little bits when Dad took it from her.
Dad took the baby pig home and we fed her some milk from a little lamb bottle.  We kept her in a bucket with blankies and I go up at one o'clock in the morning to feed her.   I did that for several days.  Once we knew she was going to survive, I named her Bacon.

Words by Ryan Campbell, age 12
Pictures by Otis Yeoman, age 11, Beckenham

 Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Student Council News

Wacky Wig and Hair Day - Friday 4th September

Raising funds for the Child Cancer Foundation. 
Glam up your hair and bring a gold coin to donate to the Child Cancer Foundation.


Sports News

Last week Jenny and Sandy received the following email from the Head of Sport at Hillview Christian School, which we felt was most worthy of sharing. Congratulations to all of our great sportspeople who model our school values in their games.

Hi Jenny and Sandy
I just had to write a note to compliment your wonderful tamariki from Beckenham at sport yesterday at Beckenham Park. In the game that I was part of the Beckenham Year 7/8 B Hockey team were outstanding in their behaviour and we were blown away at the end of the game when they came over and talked to us and suggested a Player of the Day from our team. I also had a report that the Year 5/6A Beckenham Hockey team were outstanding in their Fair Play and encouragement. Please pass on our thanks to those teams. We really appreciate the opportunity to play sport locally and Jenny and the Beckenham team do a great job in setting up the fields and making us feel welcome.
Thanks
Paul

Community Notices

(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)


Subsidies for neighbourhood events held between 23 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.
'Summer with your neighbours' is about bringing people together. It's an opportunity to organise a small get-together or local gathering to get to know your neighbours.
The Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board is making small subsidies available towards neighbourhood gatherings in its Board area.
Apply online at: ccc.govt.nz/GetTogether
Or request a hard-copy application form by phoning CCC Call Centre 941 8999.
Applications for subsidies close on 6th September 2020


Friday Whānau Fun Nights at South Library

An evening of stories, family and fun at the library!
Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, or bring your uncle and cousins – the whole whānau is invited!
Join us on the second Friday of the month for a short storytime, followed by fun, hands-on activities to do as a family. We’ll be building, making, and exploring right here in South library! Come along, create some great family memories, and get your weekend off to a fun start.
Friday 14 August 5-6pm (Colour)
Friday 11 September 5-6pm (Bees)
Friday 9 October 5-6pm (Life in the past)
Age: This is aimed at 5-12 year olds and their family members of any age.
Cost: Free, no bookings required





COVID-19 Alert Level 2 update Tuesday 11 August 2020

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Kia ora e te whānau


Following the Prime Minister's announcement late this evening about the confirmed cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in NZ, we are required to move to Alert Level 2 tomorrow (Wednesday 12th August) and remain at that alert level for the rest of this week.

I have spoken with Ester, our Board Chair this evening and we have synthesised the available information from the various communications from Health, Education and the Prime Minister's messaging.

What this will mean for you and your children tomorrow, and for the rest of this week is:

  • School is open and functioning (pretty much) as normal!
  • The MOE website (updated tonight) states: 
    • It is safe for all children and students to be onsite (some children vulnerable to illness may choose to remain at home).
    • Anyone self-isolating, waiting for a test result or who is ill, must remain at home.
  • Our handwashing, sanitising and surface cleaning routines will be stepped back up to the gold standard again immediately
  • Unless it is an emergency, we are asking everyone who are not staff, itinerant teachers or students to stay off site - this means a return to dropping off and picking up at the gate. We will have teachers at the gates to support children to transition into school.
  • If you do have to come on site for any reason, please visit the office FIRST and sign in using either our digital sign-in register or the paper register. Please ALSO use the national COVID Tracer App to register by scanning a QR code on one of our entry doors.
  • If your child is unwell, please keep them at home.
  • Assembly will be cancelled, however BOOK CHARACTER DAY on Friday will still go ahead.
  • If you have a meeting booked with a member of staff, they will be in contact with you to either reschedule this, or book it via a ZOOM.
  • As we did at Alert Level 2 last time, the CSM Outreach music lessons and band programme will continue at school, with distancing as required.
As always, please keep sick children at home, AND remember to let the office know you are doing this. (We purchased a new cellphone this week for our text messaging so the issues that we have had around receiving text messages from parents last week should now be resolved.)
The school cellphone number is 021 027 94107 or you can email office@beckenham.school.nz

At this stage, there has been no public health message suggesting that we should adopt the wearing of masks. We are aware that New Zealanders have been asked to prepare for this possibility over the past week. We are expecting that this may become a public health recommendation going forward and encourage you to prepare your family for this possibility. 

If you have any questions or worries, please contact us by phone or email and we will respond as quickly as we can.

We've got this!

Sandy and the team


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter 7th August 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Your voice is important!

At Beckenham we strive to be a 'Learning Community' working in partnership with our caregivers, staff and students to achieve the very best outcomes for all of our learners.

A successful community knows the direction it is heading in, and works together to periodically review and reset that direction. They work together to establish a pathway for achievement of equity and excellence.

We would like to invite all of our caregivers to attend one of the following opportunities to have a conversation about our direction for the next three years.

Tuesday 18th August    5:30pm - 7:00pm       Whānau Rōpū Hui - children welcome

Tuesday 18th August    7:15pm - 8:30pm        Community Forum

Friday 21st August        9:00am - 10:15am    Community Forum

Sandy Hastings - Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates 

Upcoming Events

READATHON - one more week to go! Cards due back from Mon 24 Aug

Wed 12 Aug - Canterbury Cross Country - Halswell Quarry
Fri 14 Aug - Book Character Day!
Fri 14 Aug - Celebration Assembly 2:20 - 2:50pm
Tue 18 Aug - Whānau Rōpū Hui 5:30pm - 7:00 pm - Staffroom
Tue 18 Aug - Community Forum - 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Fri 21 Aug - Community Forum - 9:00am - 10:15am; Staffroom
Sat 22 Aug - Quiz Night - Hall
Wed 26 Aug - PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - All welcome.
Fri 28 Aug - Kauri Ski Trip

Term Dates

Click here to view 2020 and 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Connor Ingram - Year 7

Connor, you are a dependable and trustworthy member of the Kauri whānau. Whether it's carrying out leadership responsibilities or completing learning tasks to the best of your ability, we know we can depend on you to get it done. You treat others with kindness and respect and show a love of challenge on the hockey field. Thank you for the way that you show our school values everyday and all that you bring to our team.

Ashleigh Maule - Year 4

Ashleigh, you are a fantastic role model in our hub. You consistently demonstrate a positive, supportive and caring attitude. You work hard to do the right thing at all times and are extremely polite and respectful. You have excellent self-management skills and are very responsible. Thank you for always demonstrating our school values. Well done, Ashleigh!

School Notices

Mana Ake drop ins

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

BOOK Character Dress-up Day - This coming Friday 14 August! 

Go all out, or take a subtle, understated approach! Everything goes when we dress as our favourite book character.

BOSCO

BOSCO will be open on Monday, 31st August for the Teachers Only Day. We have a fun day planned with the kids baking chocolate chip cookies, doing scratch art and building a mini city.

You can book using the online booking or contact Juanita at supervisor@bosco.org.nz

Crusaders vs Highlanders

We have been given a special offer for families to be able to purchase cheap tickets to the next home game for the Crusaders. $5 KIDS & $10 ADULTS TICKETS - THANKS TO ISAAC CONSTRUCTION

Crusaders v Highlanders
When: Sunday 9 August, 3.35pm
Where: Orangetheory Stadium
The link to tickets is:  Purchase tickets for Crusaders
Promo code: Isaacs

Sports News


Congratulations to our Senior Girls Basketball team, who came 4th overall in Canterbury at the Canterbury tournament on Monday 27th July.
A huge thanks Anna, Cory and Grant for coaching, managing and supporting the girls. It definitely sounded like an exciting competition - one where the girls rose to the challenge, gave of their best and applied qualities of great sportsmanship. To get 4th in Canterbury is an outstanding achievement and, we’re pretty sure, a first for Beckenham.

PTA News

READ-A-THON 2020

Hopefully, your child’s Read-a-Thon sponsorship card came home on Friday - check those bags for the sponsorship cards. If your child still has not received their card, please contact their teacher.

Their reading journey will end on Friday 14th August. Every child who brings their sponsorship card back will be given a bookmark.

Bring your sponsorship form to the school reception by Thursday 27th August and, during assembly on Friday 28th August, we will have a lucky dip draw for one child in each team (for children who have brought their sponsorship form back).

Enjoy your book / books of choice and remember Dr Seuss' wise words...


BOT Update

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Community Notices

(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy - Come out of your Shell

Do You Want your child to:
 Grow in Confidence
 Increase their Self Esteem
 Develop Speech and Language skills
 Express themselves Creative
 Have Fun and Make Friends
 Be Part of a Team
We can help Your Child achieve all this... and more

Helen O’Grady Drama Club’s
For DRAMA with a DIFFERENCE
Call Now: 0800-161-131, enquiries @helenogrady.co.nz,  www.helenogrady.co.nz

Garden City Rotary McDonalds Youth Duathlon 2020 update

This is a reminder that we are on track to run this popular event on Sunday September 20.. 2020

A limited number of spaces are still available so we would appreciate your support in passing this reminder on to your students and encouraging them to book online www.mcdonaldsduathlon.co.nz

BMX Clubs

Registration Day is 16th August.  there are a number of great tracks around the Canterbury region.  find the one closest to you and have a go.
ChCh City BMX Club 11am - 1pm, Kyle Park, Waterloo Road, Hornby. chcbmx@hotmail.com  North Avon ChCh BMX Club, 12 - 2pm  Bexley Reserve, Pages Road, nacbmx@gmail.com.
Nth Canterbury BMX Club, 12 - 2pm.  32 Millton Avenue, Waimakariri, ncbmxclub@gmail.com.




Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Quiz Night

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Quiz Night Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Every Year the Kauri hub have a week-long camp, usually this is in Term 1 but due to Covid 19 it was postponed to Term 4.  We are off to Dunedin and Waihola, our programme is packed with learning about wildlife, history, a sports morning at Carisbrook School and more. We will be travelling by bus, leaving at 9am on Monday and returning late on the Friday afternoon.

To help with the cost the Yr 7/8 hub raise funds to reduce the cost for every student.
Our biggest fundraiser this year is a quiz night. We are very lucky to have secured the exceptionally talented and witty Jarred Skelton to be our Quiz master for the night.

Supper and nibbles are provided with a cash / eftpos bar, Raffle tickets will be on sale and our main prize is a 15" Haro flightline Mountain bike worth $530.

There is a maximum of 6 persons per team and the cost is $10 per person.

Payment is through the schools online account : 12 3148 0131 641 00 (ref Quiz and Name) or at reception with cash or eftpos.

This is the only Adult only event in the school calendar this year, it will be a sell out event so please get in early to guarantee a table / seat.

Click on the link below to book your tickets.