Welcome to term 2. It has been fabulous to see so many smiling faces this week.
As part of our long term whole school focus on Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L), this term we have a whole school focus on encouraging positive relationships including the use of good manners e.g.

Thank you for all you do as parents to help make our children the best they can possibly be.

Nga mihi nui

Sue, Nigel, Paulette and the team.

Citizen of the Week

Annabel Grantham - Year 4

Annabel, your positivity and enthusiasm radiate through all that you do. You are an active and reflective learner in the way you focus on learning, always putting in your best effort, and seeking feedback to enable you to set new learning goals. You are a polite, caring and considerate member of our hub and your manners and courteous nature are appreciated by many. You are a kind and thoughtful friend to all and we love your willingness to lend a hand no matter the task. Tino pai rawa atu!

School Notices

School Cross Country

We will have our school cross country this coming Monday 6th of May. The senior races (Year 5-8) will begin at 1.30 pm starting with Year 8 and concluding with Year 5. The junior races (NE-Year 4) will begin at approximately 2.15 pm, starting with Year 4 and concluding with NE students. 
We are anticipating that each race will be roughly 10 minutes in duration. To ensure you do not miss your child’s race, we recommend that you are here 15 minutes before the race is due to start. Students can wear their house top or school polo shirt, will need sensible running shoes and a drink bottle. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Paid Union Meeting Early closing - Tuesday 7th May

As you may be aware, the negotiations between our teachers' union, NZEI, and the Ministry of Education continue with no agreement yet in sight. 

School 2019 Board of Trustee Elections

Friday 10th May - Nomination forms will be posted to everyone on the school’s caregiver roll.
Friday 24th May - NOMINATIONS CLOSE at noon. An election will then take place if the number of nominations exceeds vacancies. There are three parent vacancies for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto.
Wednesday 29th May - Voting papers will be sent by post to all on the school caregiver roll.
Friday 7th June - Voting closes at noon.
Thursday 13th June - Votes are counted, and you will be advised of the results.
Friday 14th June - New Board takes office.If you have any questions about our 2019 BOT elections, please contact the school office or one of our current Board members.

Term 2 Interim Reports

Following on from Learning Conferences at the beginning of Term 1, we will be sending out a 
Term 2 Interim Report in week 6, this term. The purpose of this report is to give you an overview of your child's engagement with school, with their peers and with learning so far this year.  
In week 7, we will be holding learning conferences with your child’s home group teacher. At this conference, teachers will share your child's progress and achievement in relation to the curriculum levels and identify the next learning steps.

The format for the Term 2 interim reports will look like this.


BOSCO - Teacher only Day
BOSCO is open for the full day and has spaces available for the teacher only day on Monday 20th May.
Bookings/Queries can be done via www.bosco.org.nz, or contact Yvette on 0276456632.

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 3 2019 is out and will be coming home with your child this week.
Scholastic recommend you submit your order online by Friday 17 May 2019
Close date is Saturday 22 June 2019. 

Book Amnesty

This term we will be doing a stocktake of our reading books at school.  Please would you have a really good look for any readers that may be lurking behind the bookshelf at home, under a bed, or (as in our case) the toy box! Please send these books back to school as soon as possible.

Kauri Fundraiser

Jennian Homes Mother's Day 5km fun run/Walk in Hagley Park.
Sunday 12th May.  Join us for a run, walk or stroll this Mother's Day.  It'll be a great start to the day and you'll be doing your bit to help beat heart disease.  All participants receive an event t-shirt designed by Dick Frizzell.  Register online at jennianmothersday.com

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

An extra and brief newsletter today as it is the end of the term.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Year 7/8 camp at Wainui this week. The teachers have put weeks of planning into this and I want to acknowledge their huge efforts. Thank you also to all the parents and whānau who supported with baking, fundraising, attending camp and various other activities. I know that a terrific week of learning about stretching personal expectations and limits took place, with learning about the power of persistence, determination and self-belief were key learning outcomes for many. I am sure that there are around 125 extremely tired adults and children this evening, glad to be home again.

Early closing - Tuesday 7th May

As you may be aware, the negotiations between our teachers' union, NZEI, and the Ministry of Education continue with no agreement yet in sight. We are hosting a paid union meeting at Beckenham on Tuesday 7th May (replacing the meeting that was cancelled last term following March 15th events). We will be closing at 1:45pm on that day and request that you arrange for your children to be collected at 1:45pm, please.

It has been a very busy term, and I would like to thank both staff and whānau for their support and commitment to our children and their learning. I know that staff and children, and hopefully families too, are looking forward to the holidays to recharge and relax.

I am heading away on May 3rd and will be away for 8 weeks. On my return to NZ I will be attending the NZPF conference in Auckland in the last week of Term 2, and look forward to being back on site again in Term 3.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Measles

Increasing tamariki vaccination rates is crucial to containing Canterbury’s measles outbreak.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink says the upcoming school holidays is a great opportunity to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date.

The most effective way to stop the current measles outbreak is to vaccinate those aged 12 months to 28 years who have never received an MMR vaccine.

As well as vaccinating those who have never been immunised, to prevent the transmission of measles, and to protect those most at risk of developing serious complications from measles, a second MMR vaccine is being made available to more people. A second MMR vaccination is available to:
all those aged 12 months–28 years
caregivers of infants aged up to12months
those aged between 29 and 50 who work with children
Dr Pink says if you are travelling these holiday’s please make sure your tamariki are fully vaccinated before departing.

For more information visit https://www.cph.co.nz/news-events/

Football Goal Posts in Beckenham Park

The local football club has erected goal posts in Beckenham Park.  We have been contacted by the Club with a plea that these are not treated as climbing frames.  One of them has a net - these cost over $300 to replace - and should not be pulled/bounced off like a trampoline or other similar actions likely to cause damage.
The goals are quite obviously not a piece of play equipment so please do not use them as such.

Sports News

Huxter Mountain Bike Relay 

On Friday 4th April, 22 children from Pōhutukawa and Kauri battled the elements at McLean’s Island in a fantastic display of perseverance and determination. Despite the challenging conditions, there were lots of smiles visible from beneath the mud.


Erik was just telling us just yesterday that rain and mud made for more fun; well, he got his wish! Tino pai to all our riders! Congratulations to Ben Evans who achieved an impressive 6th place in the individual category.

Canterbury Swimming

We had a record number of children qualify for Canterbury Swimming this year. We recognise that these children put in a lot of work into their training outside of school.

Congratulations to:
Zoe Clarke - 6th place Year 6 Freestyle
Charlotte O’Connor - 6th place Year 8 Breaststroke
Thomas Lyall - 5th place Year 7 Backstroke

BOT Update

Trustee Elections are happening in Term 2. Have you considered putting your name forward for election to the Board?

Becoming a Trustee

Trustees 
Trustees are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.

Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be school trustees. School boards need to represent the diversity of their school communities to ensure a bright future for all our children.

The trustee elections are the opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for children’s education. We need more people willing to use their skills and experiences for the benefit of students!

"Board members are entrusted by the community to ensure the success of our schools and a bright future for our children. We need an education system where all children are expected to succeed and one where we all take shared responsibility in ensuring this happens. As a member of a school board, you can make things happen - you can make a difference."

- Lorraine Kerr, NZSTA President

A call for nominations will be happening at the start of Term 2. Please keep an eye out for nomination forms and information.

Community Notices

St Martins Scout Group Book Fair and Table Top Sale

Sat & Sun 27-28 April, 9am-3pm
297 Centaurus Road (near Rapaki)
We would LOVE your book donations before the sale - please drop off on the top door step of the den or email cubs@smartscouts.co.nz if you are unable to deliver them.
Please also email cubs@smartscouts.co.nz if you are keen to book a site for the Table Top Sale (byo 3x3m max gazebo if needed and table). $20 for one day, $30 for two days.

Landsdowne Terrace Playcentre

Landsdowne Terrace Playcentre, Cashmere is looking for a learning support worker to provide additional support for one of our tamariki and whānau. The position is for two sessions per week, 9-12 a.m, days negotiable, fixed term for 6 months. The ideal candidate will:
❖ demonstrate a strong interest in Playcentre philosophy
❖ be familiar with Te Whariki and committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
❖ have experience working with tamariki with specific language, social communication, learning and behavioural difficulties.
❖ be able to collaborate with whānau, centre members and external agencies as required to develop and implement an individual education plan for each child
❖ educate and empower other centre members

Contact Sara Moore on 930 0436 or email sara.csc@playcentre.org.nz for an application form.

Principal's Patch

Kia ora e te whānau

Today's rain and cold was a reminder that we are nearly at the end of the summer term, with daylight saving ending this weekend.

Our Year 7&8 team head away to camp at Wainui on Monday morning. We have seen vanloads of food delivered in the past couple of days, and know that they will have an amazing 5 days of learning together in the outdoors.

I will be away for all of Term 2 and Nigel and Sue will be Acting Principal collaboratively in my absence. Paulette Newton will step out of the Year 3/4 hub for the term and act up as Deputy Principal. She will still retain the leadership and oversight of the Year 3/4 Team. Dorinda Hampton will be teaching full-time in Paulette's place.

Congratulations to our intrepid mountain bikers who participated in the Huxter Mountain Bike Challenge today... I haven't caught up with the confirmed results yet, but this picture certainly paints a story of true commitment to the cause!


Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Citizen of the Week

Maria Silva Souza - Year 8

Maria, your smile is contagious! You approach everything with a positive, can do attitude and do everything you can to pass this on to others. You make a difference by using your initiative to look for opportunities where you can lend a hand. Tino pai!

Mac Evans - Year 6

Mac, you are a conscientious, hard working student. You are an active listener and a loyal friend. You can always be relied upon to be doing the right thing at the right place at the right time. Tino pai!

School Notices

Please remember that you need to dismount from bikes, scooters, and skateboards in the school grounds before, during and after school. This applies to adults, as well as children. These are times when there are many people around, and we have seen some close calls from both children and adults who have nearly taken someone out as they have ridden through.

Mobile Phone Collection

It would be great if you could rummage around in your drawers and toy boxes and bring into the office any unwanted mobile phones you may have.
Phones collected help our school gain valuable rewards and the environment also benefits by keeping our landfills free of mobile phones their array of hazardous toxic substances.

Measles Vaccination update from the CDBH

To help contain Canterbury’s measles outbreak a wider group of people are now eligible to receive a second MMR vaccination.
As well continuing to provide the vaccine to those aged 12 months to 28 years old who have never been vaccinated, Canterbury DHB is extending the availability of a second dose of MMR vaccine to:

• all those aged 12 months – 28 years
• caregivers of infants aged up to 12 months
• those between 29 and 50 who work with children.

Extending the second dose to these groups recognises the importance of stopping the transmission of measles amongst young people.

Please don’t export measles these school holidays. The measles virus is incredibly infectious. If you are travelling these holiday’s please make sure your tamariki are fully vaccinated before departing.  It takes two weeks for a person to be fully immune after a vaccination, so please contact your GP team about vaccination as soon as you can.

More information on the measles can be found at www.cph.co.nz/news-events

School Trustees Association

Tēnā koe,
My name is Leigh Kennedy and I am a Governance Advisor with New Zealand School Trustees Association. We have school board of trustees elections approaching this year. To that end, we have scheduled Kōrari (aspiring trustees) community information evenings for Christchurch. These are free and informal information sharing sessions for anyone interested in learning more about the role of a school trustee.

We warmly invite current and prospective members of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto board to attend the session closest to your school. We hope that by attending, you will be able to chat to prospective trustees about your own school, and personalise their queries.
So we can capture the attendance numbers, we ask interested attendees to RSVP to  lshelley@nzsta.org.nz
We hope to see you there.

Sports News

Canterbury Duathlon

Race report by Daniel Smith

On Monday the 25th of March, the Canterbury Duathlon was held at Ruapuna Raceway and I competed for the 2nd time. When we got there we put our bikes into the transition zone and all of our bags into our allocated area and then waited to be marshalled for our races. The starting 2km run was a bit tiring, but surprisingly the 9km bike was the toughest part for me because I was on a mountain bike rather than a road bike, and having a road bike is a huge advantage, so I was passed by a lot of people on the bike. Then there was the last 1km run where your legs feel like jelly, but my training helped me and I managed to run the whole thing and pass a lot of people who just couldn't make it. I really enjoyed the day and it was a great experience. All of the Beckenham students did amazing and it was an awesome time.

Special congratulation to
Petra Cooper - 5th place in Year 5 Girls
James Stoney - 9th place in Year 5 Boys

South Island Mountain Bike Championships 

Well done to Winni and Boyd Goldsbury, who represented Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto at the South Island Mountain Bike Championships last weekend. Both children took on the enduro, downhill and cross country events in three days of racing at Mount Hutt bike park. Winni came first in both the enduro and cross country and, was on her way to securing a third first placing in the downhill, when a flat tyre prevented her from finishing the race. Boyd placed really well in his division, ensuring to get in lots of gnarly jumps along the way.

Kiwi Volleyball League

For the past term, three teams from Kauri have been developing their volleyball skills each Wednesday after school with coaches from Volleyball Canterbury. It was fantastic to see many children trying out this super fun sport for the first time and the coaches commented on the children’s perseverance and improvement.

PTA News

BECKENHAM BOOTY- Car Boot Sale: What a huge success this was- we were FULL.

Thanks to all those that came for a shop or booked a spot!

The NEXT car boot sale will be on SUNDAY 28th APRIL, 9am-11am. (LAST Sunday of the school holidays)

Whether you are a 'Marie Kondo' wanabee & want to set free those items that no longer "spark joy"

OR love searching for those treasures amongst other people's "loot in their boot"

Make sure you are at the next  BECKENHAM BOOTY & let's Re-cycle, Re-use and Re-wear

BOOK in your car boot NOW- $25, spaces are limited.
To keep in the loop on all things Beckenham Booty LIKE the  Beckenham Booty Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/beckenhambooty

PTA SURVEY

It’s that magical time again when we ask YOU for your thoughts & ideas. How, when & if you can assist when any of our planned events for 2019. And most importantly, how you would like those raised funds spent. Thanks to everyone who has already completed the survey.

The PTA SURVEY 2019 is out NOW. Thanks in advance for answering our questions

Community Notices

April Holiday Spanish Immersion Programme 

Ages 5 to 12 years old.
Options for children with or without knowledge in Spanish.
Small & personalised groups: ratio is 10 children per teacher.
Affordable options: Early Bird (before 31st March) & Sibling Discount

For more information please visit our website: https://enrolmy.com/speak-spanish/activity/88-April_Holiday_Immersion_Programme

Antarctic Centre Holiday Programme

“Experience Antarctica” $69.00 (6 – 12yrs)
Do your children like adventure and having fun then during the holidays have them join the explorers at the Antarctic Centre! They will discover the Little Blue Penguins, chill out in the snow and ice room, ride the awesome Hagglund, find out how to survive in Antarctica, play games and much much more…!
The adventures will be running Mon 15th – Thurs 18th April 2019 from 9.00am  – 4.30pm during the first week of the holidays, and as each day is different book for one day or more!.


“Be a Penguin Keeper for a Day” $79.00 (10 -13yrs)
Join our penguin keepers and assist them in their daily routine to look after the Little Blue and White Flippered Penguins. Includes an exclusive back stage access to other areas including the vet room and penguin feeding pulpit. Other activities include the 4D and Hagglund Ride.
This programme will be running Mon 15th – Thurs 18th April 2019 from 9.00am – 4.30pm during first week of the school holidays.

Limited number of places each day.
All the information is in the attachment and please feel free to forward this onto any friends/family who may be interested in our holiday programmes.
All bookings are now via our website - https://www.iceberg.co.nz/our-experiences/school-holiday-programmes/

Please remember to complete the additional medical information.
For enquiries email Education: education@iceberg.co.nz

The Patricia Paul School of Dance

Your local dance school, is currently giving Jazz and Ballet lessons in your area. The school’s director is teacher, choreographer & ex-ballet dancer Patricia Paul A.R.A.D. (London). Ballet lessons from 3 years through to Advanced, and all levels in Jazz, Contemporary, Tumble and Hip Hop starting from age 7. For all enquiries please phone 372-9191 or email info@studioone.co.nz

Sunshine Football

Since 2009, Sunshine Football has provided an inclusive safe, fun and rewarding football programme designed for children and young adult players with developmental delays. We have a ratio of 1 Coach to 3 players, and can consider options for those with higher needs.

We run 1 ¼ -hour long sessions for children and young adults on Mondays from 4.15-5.30pm during school Terms.  Terms 1 and 4, are 6 weeks of sessions outdoors at Christchurch Football Centre on Yaldhurst Rd. For Term 2 and 3, 8 weeks of sessions at Action Indoor Sports, Iversen Tce.

We currently have 45 players of varying ages..

We are volunteers based, coaches and trustees. Our coaches range from youth to adult, all with compassion for the game and the players.

Players are provided with a uniform for games. There is no charge to be part of Sunshine Football. We ask for an annual donation of $50. We are predominantly funded by the efforts of passionate Trust members.

Sarah Stewart
Sunshine Football Administration
Mobile: 027 2002651
Email: sunshinefootball@xtra.co.nz

https://www.facebook.com/sunshinefootballchristchurch

Friday 22nd March was a day where, across our nation, each of us paused at some point and recalled the change that has happened in our country since the previous Friday.

Thousands of people gathered in Hagley Park, to show their respect for those who lost their lives and their loved ones just one week ago. Around the country, people paused and showed their respect in different ways.

Out of this dark event in our history, we need to find a way to move forward, both for ourselves, for our children and for those in our community who have been singled out in this act.

In our schools we have as our guiding document, the New Zealand Curriculum. This curriculum is underpinned by a Vision, Principles and Values.

An event such as happened last Friday, forces us as individuals, as a community, and as a nation, to deeply question and explore our values and the way that our actions demonstrate these values on a day to day basis.

At school we often talk with children about being a 'bystander' - someone who watches an event without getting involved, even when they know that what is happening is wrong and doesn't align with their values. As a nation this last week, we have seen many examples of being an 'upstander' - someone who steps forward and says 'this is wrong and I will support you'. Our challenge, as individuals, as a community, and as a nation, is to carry this behaviour forward into the future and not let it be something that we do just to make ourselves feel better, but to truly act on our values and show courage and integrity by always stepping forward and being an upstander.

Whilst we are not specifically talking with the children about Friday's events, we always try take opportunities to talk with them about showing respect, tolerance, empathy and understanding for others.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to all of the families who have been impacted by the events of 15th March.  

He aha te mea nui o te ao
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people

Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Citizen of the Week

Jayda Taylor - Year 6

Jayda, you have displayed amazing engagement so far this year and it is clear that You Love Learning. You show tremendous initiative and your eagerness to learn and contribute ideas is a great example for everyone in the team. Ka rawe tō mahi!

Zone Swimming Sports

We had an amazing day at Zone Swimming with 28 students from Pōhutukawa and Kauri. The students' demonstration of sportsmanship was exceptional. My favourite moment was hearing them cheering like crazy for Toby, (I had to do a quick mental check as I was sure that we didn't have a Toby with us - we didn't). A child from another school had fallen behind the pack. The children had found out his name and were chanting 'Let's go Toby! Let's go' all the way home. They did this a lot, cheering for every competitor.

Results:

Freestyle
Year 8 Girls: 1st Charlotte O'Connor
Year 6 Girls: 1st Zoe Clarke
Year 5 Girls: 2nd Stella Gillman

Breaststroke:
Year 8 Girls: 3rd Gemma York
Year 8 Boys: 2nd Ben Evans
Year 7 Boys: 1st Thomas Lyall
Year 6 Boys: 2nd Fergus McMillan
Year 5 boys: 2nd William Pooch

Breaststroke
Year 8 Girls: 1st Charlotte O'Connor
Year 7 Boys: 3rd Ben Newton
Year 6 Boys: 1st Cooper Reddecliffe, 2nd Connor Ingram

Butterfly
Open Boys: 2nd Thomas Lyall

The top two go through to Canterburys in Week 9.

Hanmer 4 Hour Mountain Bike Race 

On Saturday, March 16th, teams from all over the school put their bikes on their cars and drove over to Hamner to compete in a four-hour bike race. The aim was to get in as many laps as you could. There were two categories that we had entered: the super juniors and juniors. The super junior teams,(aged 6 to 11) raced one course, whereas the juniors, whos ages went up to 18, raced another. Both teams raced on laps of 6 ks. Although it was a competition the atmosphere was very friendly. Everybody was very cheerful and encouraging, no matter the age or team.

Race report by Paolo Reid

Huxter Mountain Bike Relay

We are promoting the Huxter Mountain Bike Relay again this year. This fun, team event is being held on the 5th of April at Mclean’s Island and is open to years 5 - 8. Children complete laps of a non-technical, single-track course with the aim of completing as many laps as they can within the allotted time. Children may compete as a team, (two children) or as an individual. While we encourage and support children to participate in this event, a teacher will not be present at the event. Therefore, transport and supervision of the children participating is the responsibility of the caregiver.

The cost is $25 for a team or $15 for an individual.

This year entries are being made through the school. To enter, please email Jenny with the child’s name and year level. Payment of entry fees should be made to the office at the time of registering your entry. Entries close on the 29th of March.

For more information visit the Huxter Mountain Bike facebook page or email Jenny on jenny.diggle@beckenham.school.nz.

PTA News

TOP TEAM: 

It is with great pleasure to announce Beckenham's Top Team for 2019 is "The Reddies"

It was a close competition with only 2 points between 1st & 2nd

2nd Place- "Bad As Dads"

3rd Place- "The ABs"

Best Dressed - "The Black Cats" ( who had the highest tower Sports Canterbury have ever seen-1.2m)

Thanks to all the competitors who braved the drizzle & cold. Take a LOOK  at ALL the Action shots of the day....TOP TEAM CHALLENGE 2019 Again thanks to our roving photographer, Gail Harris from Platform Design Ltd 

A HUGE shout out to ALL the helpers- whether you sizzled a sausage, donated baking, set up/ packed up or scored on a top team station, today could not have happened without your contribution.

Thanks again to Cory Harris, from www.peaktraining.co.nz , for leading the energetic warm up!! Finally thanks to Sarah, from Sport Canterbury for your expertise & patience.

BECKENHAM BOOTY:

 We are proud to announce the launch of BECKENHAM BOOTY - a Car Boot Sale located in the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto car park every LAST SUNDAY of the month

The first car boot sale will be on SUNDAY 31st MARCH, 9am-11am.

Whether you are a 'Marie Kondo' wanabee & want to set free those items that no longer "spark joy"

OR love searching for those treasures amongst other people's "loot in their boot"

Make sure you are there for the first ever BECKENHAM BOOTY & let's Re-cycle, Re-use and Re-wear

A HUGE shout out to Platform Design Ltd for supporting the PTA with another amazing design. We really appreciate all the wonderful work you do

BOOK in your car boot NOW- $25, spaces are limited.

PTA SURVEY:

 It’s that magical time again when we ask YOU for your thoughts & ideas. How, when & if you can assist with any of our planned events for 2019. And most importantly, how you would like those raised funds spent.

The PTA SURVEY 2019 is out NOW. Thanks in advance for answering our questions

Jennian Homes Fun Run - Mother's Day

Sunday 12th May 2019.  South Hagley Park, Deavs Avenue, chCh.  9:00am.  Join us for a run, walk or stroll this Mother's Day.
It'll be a great start to the day and you'll be doing your bit to help beat heart disease.
Register online at jennianmothersdat.com

Bookings for the April Holiday Program
are now open!
Monday 15th April – Thursday 18th April
Closed Friday 19th April (Good Friday)
$52 for the week.
Email: info@starfishswimschool.co.nz
Or phone us at: 03 3381795
2 Nash Road, Aidanfield


Free Bouncy Castles, free face painting, sausage sizzle, waffles, clothes, books, white elephant, lucky bottle, live entertainment, baking and much more.

Host Families needed

OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE A NEW CULTURE AT HOME, IMPROVE THEIR LANGUAGE STUDIES, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, REDISCOVER AND SHARE THE BEAUTY OF NEW ZEALAND

In April, May, June and July we will be receiving exchange students from France, Denmark, Finland and Germany. Our new arrivals will live with a host family and attend a local school for 3, 5 or 10 months. As we plan for their arrival, we are keen to hear from suitable families who might be interested to host a student.

Host families come in all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and ages.

Hosting an exchange student can be a truly rewarding experience. It allows a family to experience a foreign culture first hand, be exposed to a new language and pass on a bit of our own culture. They might even make a friend for life!

All students have at least basic levels of English, would attend a school in your local area and live the life of a local.
If you have any questions about hosting an exchange student or would like to view profiles of students arriving from other countries, they can call our office on 0800 440 079 or visit our website. Our staff members will be happy to discuss which student might be best suited to their family. No obligation.

Kia ora koutou

Thank you all for the support you gave to our staff during the extremely challenging afternoon that last Friday developed into. Whilst we practice lockdowns at school with staff and children, we became very conscious that we have not ever really communicated to whānau what your role in a lockdown is, and so we appreciate that you trusted our messaging and the processes that we were asked to follow by the Police. This made our job of looking after all 470 of our children, much easier to do.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to everyone in our wider community who has been impacted in some way by the acts of violence that took place in our city on Friday. That such a thing could happen to people in our city is beyond our comprehension.

We know, as adults, how challenging and confronting it has been over the past 48 hours to process and to try and make sense of what has happened.

How challenging might this be for our children?
How do we ensure that they continue to feel safe?

These are the questions that are on all of our minds, as we head back to school tomorrow.

Our leadership team met for two hours this afternoon, to ensure that we have a plan that will support our staff, our children and you, our community, over the days ahead.
I would like to share this with you below.

Flag:

The New Zealand flag will be flying at half mast tomorrow, to pay our respects to those who have passed, and to their families and communities.

We encourage you to set your children up for as normal a day as possible tomorrow. When the doors to hubs open at 8:30am, you being able to leave them with a smile and a 'see you at 3pm' wave will reassure them that you are confident that they will be safe. One of the things we will be saying to children who might be looking anxious, is to reassure them that school is a very safe place, and that you are confident of that too. 

We know that when you catch up with other parents in the morning, possibly for the first time since the events on Friday, you may want to talk with them about your experiences and your feelings. To enable you to do this without worrying the children, we would like to make the staffroom available for any parents who would like to take their coffee in (or make a coffee in the staffroom) and to sit and chat there, away from children's ears.

We know as adults, it can help to talk to process, so please feel welcome to use this space if you would like to. 

We know that each family will have had different levels of conversations with their children about Friday's events. We would ask you to caution your children about talking with other children about the details of the events as not all children will be as aware of the details as others. We will be actively trying to monitor conversations and direct them to positive discussions, and we cannot be ears in every conversation children have during the day.

Our focus at school will be on reassuring all of the children that school is a safe place to be. We will be following the guidelines sent to us today by Dr Kathleen Liberty which I will also send to you as a separate attachment in another email immediately after this. Dr Liberty is the researcher whom we have worked with for the past 5 years on understanding the effect of trauma on children entering school. She has spent her weekend putting this resource of evidence-based strategies together especially for teachers and parents in Christchurch.

We have brought in relievers tomorrow so that we have an additional staff member in each team , to support both our staff and our children. We are very conscious that our staff are also processing their own responses to this tragedy, some are supporting their own children, and some will also be attending funerals in the coming days.

We will have rooms set up where children can be brought to during the day if they need 'time out' or support with anxiety or feelings that are overwhelming. We will be encouraging them to talk about small, positive steps that they can take to focus on the reliable and constant positive areas of their lives.

Our team of Kaimahi (staff) who provide support to us through Mana Ake (mental health and wellbeing for Canterbury Children) will be on standby this week as schools return and will be available for our most pressing needs. If you have concerns about how your child is managing, please contact Sue Leadbetter or myself and we will be able to make a referral for support.

Please note that the union meetings scheduled for Wednesday this week have been postponed, so we will not need to finish early.

We look forward to seeing all of the children back at school tomorrow.