Category Archives: Weekly Newsletters

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter August 9th 2019

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Principal's Patch

Please remember that school is CLOSED this Monday,12 Aug, for Staff Only Day.

Kia ora koutou

It's lovely to see the sun, tempering these cold, winter mornings that we have had lately. 
Our senior kapa haka group, Te Whānau Mahi are in the final weeks of preparation with Sherrilee, for the Cultural Festival on Thursday 12th September. Our ukulele players are also preparing for their participation in the Ukulele, Recorder and Marimba Festival "Strum, Strike, Blow" on Thursday 29th September. Winter Sport, on Friday afternoons, has a couple more weeks to go before that concludes too.

Next Friday our Readathon cards will be coming home with children. This is an awesome fundraiser from our PTA, that really promotes the value of reading. Please look out for the sponsorship cards, and help your child to find sponsors among your friends, relatives, and neighbours!
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Mon 12th Aug - School closed.  Staff Only Day.  Professional development - maths and digitech.
Fri - 16th Aug - PTA Readathon cards go home (two weeks of reading and trying to get sponsors)
Fri 16th Aug - Celebration Assembly.  11 - 11:30am.  All Welcome
Wed 28 Aug - PTA Meeting.  7:30pm
Fri 30th Aug - Book Character MUFTI Day - get thinking about what/who you want to come as now!

Term Dates

Click here to view 2019 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Charlotte Gray - Year 8

Charlotte, your maturity and positive attitude make you an exemplary role model in our kura. You embrace challenge and a love of learning by showing amazing dedication and diligence to all that you do. The effort that you put into learning, leadership and following your passions is awe-inspiring. Charlotte, you are wonderfully empathetic and inclusive to everyone in our team. You achieve all this with a winning smile and an awesome sense of humour. Thank you for all you bring to our team and kura. 

School Notices

2020 Term Dates (these have also been published and are available on the school website) 

Staff Only Days
Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 January
Term 1
Thu 30 Jan - Thu 9 Apr 100 half days; 10 weeks
Waitangi Day Thu 6 Feb
NB: Learning Conferences all day Thursday 30 and Friday 31 January. Supervision will be provided for families who have requested it. Classes start Monday 3 February. 
Note that Easter holidays and ANZAC Day all fall during the April holidays in 2020

Term 2
Tue 28 Apr - Fri 3 Jul    94 half days; 10 weeks
Queen's Birthday Mon 1 Jun
Staff Only Day, date to be advised

Term 3
Mon 20 Jul - Friday 25 Sep   98 half days; 10 weeks
Staff Only Day, date to be advised

Term 4
Mon 12 Oct - Wed 16 Dec 92 half days; 10 weeks
Labour Day Mon 26 Oct
Canterbury Anniversary Fri 13 Nov

Total half days: 384 (as required by the Ministry of Education)
FERNDALE SCHOOL 2020 TERM DATES

TERM 1 (10 weeks/96 half days)
Monday 3 February - Thursday 9 April
Waitangi: Thursday 6 February
IEP/ITP meetings: 3 days on rotation - closed for IEP/Ts - dates TBC
Good Friday - Friday 10 April

TERM 2 (10 weeks/94 half days)
Tuesday 28 April - Friday 3 July
ANZAC Day Monday 27 April
Queen's B-day: Monday 1  June
Staff Only Day: TBC

TERM 3 (10 weeks/98 half days)
Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September
Staff Only Day: TBC

TERM 4 (10 weeks/96 half days)
Monday 12 October - 18 December TBC
Labour Day: Monday 26 Oct
Show Day: Friday 13 Nov
PLEASE NOTE:
The school year end date may be subject to change due to matters beyond our control. We will confirm the year end date as soon as possible.



Strum, Strike, Blow!

Strum, Strike, Blow! is an exciting amalgamation of the ChCh Marimba Festival and ChCh Uke Fest which will feature over 1000  students playing marimbas, ukuleles and recorders in the Horncastle Arena. The Festival is run by Music Education Canterbury and Christchurch Civic Music Council and is in it’s 7th year!
It is happening on 29th August at Horncastle Arena.
Tickets are $5 and are available to be purchased at the door on the night.
The concert starts at 7pm.

Dogs and students

Please, can we remind families who bring dogs to school at drop-off and pick-up times to be very vigilant and careful about making sure that their dog is always supervised, even when tied up. Not all children are comfortable with dogs and we do want to avoid any situations where children are surprised or hurt by an over-enthusiastic dog, or from approaching an unsupervised dog.

Lost Property

The lost property has been shifting around a bit lately, sorry for any confusion.  It now has a permanent new home.  Overnight it will be in the Library and every morning our lost Property monitors will roll it out to the library deck.  Please check it regularly - currently there are a number of items on the rack and in the bin. Named items are much more likely to be returned than unnamed - please name your children's clothing and lunchbox items, including drink bottles.
These two scooters have been in lost property for a while now - we would love to re-unite them with their owners.  Do you recognise them?


A pair of glasses in a green case was found after school today and handed in to the office:


Sports News

Players of the day for Term 3 weeks 1 and 2

Football: Aarav, Kever, Thomas, Max, Joel, Max, Henry, Sam and George

Hockey: Jonty, Grace, Lucy, Boyd, Stella.

Netball: Zara, Lola, Zoe Lewis, Devina

PTA News

Scrumptious Cheese Rolls (PTA’s Main Fundraiser for 2019)

Some of you may remember the 'A & P Show Tip Top' Fundraiser- this fundraiser would generate approx. $8k-$13k profit. 100+ caregivers would volunteer their time (across the 3 days) to sell ice creams in all weather!
We no longer do this fundraiser & are hoping you will support this Cheese Roll Fundraiser with the same gusto!

We would love to generate funds at a similar level. We need you to please share the ‘Order Link’ with all your friends, work colleagues & family.

These cheese rolls are guaranteed to be delicious & are economic. At $8 per pack (one dozen Cheese Rolls in a pack) OR $30 for four-packs, how can you resist such a scrumptious treat?

Thursday 15th Aug: Last day for orders. Payment also required to ensure the order is made.
Sunday 18th Aug 5-7pm: Collection of your order from the school Hall


Cheese Rolls Order Link

Cheese-Roll-a-thon: Another way to support this fundraiser is to volunteer to help make the Cheese Rolls. If you are keen to assist & have some free time on Sunday 18th Aug, please use the following link to complete a form. Assist with cheese roll making

Read-a-thon Dates



Friday 16th Aug: Check those bags for your child’s Read-a-thon sponsorship card coming home. Your child will then get 14 days to read & collect sponsors supporting your child’s reading journey.

Friday 30th Aug: We will celebrate the end of this reading journey with a ‘Book Character Day’-come dressed to school in your favourite book character.

Mon 2nd Sept: Sponsorship Cards & funds collected can be returned to the school office.

Fri 6th Sept: The final day of collection of the sponsorship cards & funds.

Clubbercise

Whoop Whoop Just 30 Spots left- 70 Gone!!!
Secure your spot at Clubbercise Christchurch with Chloē at Beckenham on Wednesday 21st August at 7pm.  $10 per person (16yr+) Hall doors will open from 6:30pm

Book your Clubbercise Spot Now with the following link: book clubbercise
Or you will miss out on your opportunity to “Glow”.

Beckenham Booty

Filling up fast but spaces still available for the next Car Boot Sale on Sunday 25th August, 9-11am.
Last opportunity to book at the special “Winter” rate of $15 (normally $25)
Re-cycle, Re-use and Re-wear.
Book Now on the following link: Book Beckenham Booty

September Dates for the Diary

Mon 2nd: Sponsorship cards & funds collected can be returned to the school office.
Fri 6th: The final day of collection of the sponsorship cards & funds.
Mon 9th: Calendar Art Orders open online
Wed 11th at 7:30pm: 1st Twilight Fair 2020 Planning Meeting
Sat 14th at 7:30pm: Annual PTA Quiz
Sun 22nd from 2-4pm: Brewery Tour
Fri 27th: Calendar Art Orders close online
Sun 29th: Beckenham Booty

Community Notices

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

Smarttouch 2019 

We welcome your entries into our Term 4 Smarttouch rugby competition.
What: Mixed grade touch rugby
Who: 0 - 8 students
Where: Waltham Park
When: Thurs 24th Oct to 6th Dec
Grades/Times: years 0-2 & 3-4, 4 - 5pm. Years 5-6 & 7-8, 5:30 - 7pm.  $30 per player
Steps to register:
Get a team organised and appoint a team manager and coach.
Online entries open on 19th Aug - use the URL address www.sporty.co.nz/smarttouch
On the Smarttouch home page fill out the touch team manager sign up form and submit it.
You will then receive an email giving you the link to enter your player details.  Closing date for entries, 23rd Sept 2019.

Remember the competition is social MIXED and you need to have a minimum of 3 girls on the field at a time (except for Grades 0-2 which is mixed but any combination of girls and boys). Grades: Year 0-2, Year 3-4, Year 5-6, and Year 7-8.
We are all looking forward to a great season,
From the Smarttouch Team.



Helen O'Grady Drama Academy

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 ......
St Martins Drama Club
Risingholme Community Centre
For DRAMA with a DIFFERENCE ...
Call Now: 0800-161-131
Email: enquiries@helenogrady.co.nz
Web: www.helenogrady.co.nz


Enter the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River Network's annual photographic competition.

This is the first year we are offering a schools division with two themes students can choose from. It runs from 9th - 22nd September - World Rivers Day is Sunday 22nd.

The competition is designed both as an e-learning process and a creative activity. It is open to all students (Y3-13) within the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River catchment. It provides an opportunity for students to be inspired, to innovate and to create. The awards evening on November 1st will provide a chance for student finalists at all levels to share and celebrate their skills and talents alongside the finalists in the Open division.
Entries must be submitted by September 26th. Detailed information about the competition can be found here on the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River Network website.




Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Mid Year Newsletter 2019

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Mid Year PTA Bulletin 2019

Who are the PTA?

We are a group of caregivers/teachers who meet on the 4th Wednesday every month to find ways to support the school not only financially, through fundraising, but also through events that bring us closer together as a school community.

Last term we enjoyed hosting the New Whānau Morning Tea, the Kids Masquerade Disco & co-hosting, with the Student Council, the Shared Breakfast on the Shortest Day. Amazingly 360 cans of food were donated to the local Salvation Army. Also, the first Clubbercise class was offered, which was a huge success - a sell-out, “whoop whoop”!

We have an extraordinary community at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto and because of this, the PTA can do a great job at supporting the school. Please click on the link Meet your PTA for a breakdown on who we are & what we do. We have a variety of roles, some that can even be done at home.

How does our PTA work?

Each event has a ‘coordinator’ who manages that event with the assistance from other PTA members & volunteers from our school community. Volunteers are sourced either via the PTA Survey (which gets sent out at least once a term via the newsletter) or from google forms sent out via social media.  Please click on the link if you would like to complete the survey: PTA Survey 

How do we decide what to fundraise for?

We listen to your suggestions made via the PTA Survey. We also ask the staff to create a “Wish List”. So far the following has been decided for 2019:

$115k Outdoor Spaces

- $15k contribution to Bike Fences & Mazda Treemendous Space

-$7k contribution to Pūkaki Play Space

-$93k tagged for the upcoming Junior Area Design

Wishlist

- $5k to cover the end of year bus trips for all Hubs (including the Intermediate Hub’s upcoming ski trip)

- Gazebo (Clubbercise profit tagged)

- Outdoor Portable Sound System (Quiz profit tagged)

- Toys/Books for Hubs (Weetbix TRYathlon Marshalls profit tagged)


We will have two long term members leaving at the end of this year & would love new people to come along & see how we work. Why not pop along to our next meeting: Wednesday 28th August at 7:30 pm & check the PTA out?

We have an action-packed term ahead. There is no expectation for families to participate in all the events listed below. Our mantra is “do what you can when you can”- we appreciate all contributions no matter how big or small. We like to offer our families a variety of events to participate in & hope you enjoy some of them this term. Next term will be quieter as we realise it can be a busy & stressful time of the year.

Take a look at these Term Three Events

Scrumptious Cheese Rolls - MAIN fundraiser for 2019


Some of you may remember the A & P Show Tip Top Fundraiser? This fundraiser would generate approx. $8k-$13k profit. 100+ caregivers would volunteer their time (across the 3 days) to sell ice creams in all weather!

We no longer do this fundraiser & are hoping you will support this Cheese Roll Fundraiser as our main fundraiser for 2019. We would love to generate funds at a similar level. Please share the order link (below) with all your friends, work colleagues & family.

These cheese rolls are guaranteed to be delicious & are economic. At $8 per pack (one dozen Cheese Rolls in a pack) OR $30 for four packs, how can you resist such a scrumptious treat?

Thursday 15th Aug: Last day for orders. Payment also required to ensure the order is made.

Sunday 18th Aug: Cheese Roll-a-thon- we will be seeking volunteers to help make the cheese roll orders in the Hall, times TBC.

Sunday 18th Aug 5 -7pm: Collection of your order from the school Hall

 Order now via this Link: Cheese Rolls Order

Clubbercise Christchurch with Chloé at Beckenham is back

Lock in this date -Wednesday 21st Aug at 7pm

What is Clubbercise?- it is a group fitness class held in the dark with disco lights & neon UV body paint. Your class fee includes hire of the Clubbercise branded LED glow sticks that are reused at every class. It is a fusion of dance, aerobics, combat and toning moves to a tracklist of Club Anthems from the ’90s till now, it is exercise in disguise.

Due to licensing requirements, participants need to be aged 16 years or over.

You were all fabulous last time & boy did we glow. Excitingly funds raised from the July class were used to purchase the school a new Gazebo to be used at community events where Beckenham Teams are participating.

Book your spot now to avoid missing out, $10 per ticket.  Book Clubbercise ticket

Read-a-thon

Read-a-thon was enjoyed so much last year we have decided to return to this format again this year. This replaces the Spell-a-thon. Important dates below -

Friday 16th Aug: Check those bags for your child’s Read-a-thon sponsorship card coming home. Your child will then get 14 days to read & collect sponsors supporting your child’s reading journey.

Friday 30th Aug: We will celebrate the end of this reading journey with a ‘Book Character Day’-come dressed to school in your favourite book character.

Mon 2nd Sept: Sponsorship Cards & funds collected can be returned to the school office.

Fri 6th Sept: The final day of collection. Remember to return your child’s Sponsorship Card even if no sponsors funds have been collected, this will ensure they go into a draw to win a prize, drawn at next Celebration Assembly on Fri 13th Sept.

Enjoy your book/books of choice and remember Dr Seuss' wise words, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”


Beckenham Booty

On the last Sunday of each month, the PTA hosts a car boot sale in the school car park. This month we are offering a special Winter rate of $15 (normally $25) to book a space. This is a great opportunity to Re-cycle, Re-use and Re-wear. Book now for Sunday 25th Aug, 9-11am.  Beckenham Booty booking

Calendar Art

This term your child will be working on their art for the annual Calendar Art Fundraiser. Every year, at parents’ request, we offer the opportunity to purchase calendars of your child’s artwork. These calendars make great Xmas gifts to doting grandparents/relatives here & overseas.

And it’s not just Calendars that can be ordered - Cards, Diaries, Mouse Mats & Sketch Pads are all on offer. Photos can also be used instead of the artwork if preferred.

We are excited that this year the order process & art-viewing will now all be offered online & will speed up when we can get your orders back to you. Important dates to note -

Mon 9th Sept: Calendar Art Orders open online

Fri 27th Sept: Calendar Art Orders close online

Twilight Fair 2020 Planning Meeting

The Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Twilight Fair is a Bi-annual event. The next Twilight Fair will be on Fri 20th March 2020. This is the PTA’s largest fundraiser so planning starts this term. We are looking for people to help plan this event. The ‘Fair Team’ breaks into smaller teams - Food, Fair Attractions/Games, Sponsorship & Marketing/Admin teams. Initially, the teams meet once a month, increasing to weekly closer to the event. You would not need to attend every meeting as only one representative from each team is required to be present at the Fair Team meetings. The last Fair, in 2018, made a profit of $17.5k (& it rained!!) - we would love new people to join the Fair Team & help us crack the $20k mark!!

Come along to the first planning meeting this term: Wednesday 11th Sept at 7:30 pm (venue TBC- check the PTA Fb page for updates)

If you indicated via the PTA Survey that you were wanting to help with the Fair, you will be contacted soon.


Quiz

Saturday 14th Sept: Come along to the annual Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Quiz. Enjoy a night guaranteed to be fun with a capital “F”. The Quiz always sells out- last year’s theme was “Hollywood”, I wonder what this year’s theme will be???

One thing we do know is that all profit raised from this event will be used to purchase an Outdoor Portable Sound System

Three Boys Brewery Tour

Sunday 22nd Sept: Calling all Craft Beer Enthusiasts, the PTA in conjunction with Three Boys Brewery, will be offering a Brewery Tour. More detailed information to come.

We Care Range

We love our ‘We Care’ range, products that help us care for our environment & provide practical assistance in our daily lives. We have Jute Bags, String Vege Bags & Beeswax Wraps to assist you with your war on plastic. We also have a few Beckenham Tea Towels & Aprons left along with the Beckenham Grid A2 Canvas.

We are excited to be working in conjunction with our local Eatery, The Birdwood, to offer the following Deal - purchase a $17 Reusable Takeaway Cup from The Birdwood & your first coffee is free. Every time you refill that cup you will receive an 80c discount. Let's help keep those disposable cups out of the Landfill. These ‘Ideal Cups’ are NZ Made, BPA Free, Leak-Proof, Robust & Barista-friendly.

Order from our We Care Range using the following link Order We Car Range, or pop on down to the next Beckenham Booty Car Boot Sale & purchase direct.



It is a busy term ahead, remember to always check the PTA Facebook Page & the PTA Website for up to date information.


Thank you for your ongoing support


Regards

Leigh, Rachel & the PTA Team

Extra Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Thursday 31 July 2019

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Kia ora koutou

This is just a brief newsletter with a couple of important bits that can't wait until next week!

Staffing Update - Farewell and Best wishes to Dorinda

We are sad to have to let you know that we will be saying farewell to Dorinda Hampton from our teaching staff at the end of Week 8. Her last day will be Thursday 12th September. Dorinda has been on our staff in various fixed-term capacities since April 2016. Whilst we are very sad to see Dorinda go, we are thrilled that she has secured a permanent, full-time position at the newly opened Knights Stream School in Halswell.
We are very grateful to Dorinda for the care, expertise and commitment that she has contributed to our school and our tamariki, and we wish her all the very best for the next exciting chapter in her teaching career.

Staff Only Day - Monday 12 August - SCHOOL CLOSED

We have an important day of professional development planned for our staff on Monday 12th August and the school will be closed for instruction that day.
We have had this date published on our calendar and website since March when we were able to get confirmation of the date from the external consultants coming in to work with us.
If you need child care, BOSCO may still have places available - please contact Yvette Cleall at manager@bosco.org.nz or call her on 027 645 6632

During the morning we will be working with staff from the University of Waikato from the Developing Mathematical Inquiries team as part of the second year of our development in this area. Just this week, we have various observers/coaches in from this team, observing and coaching teachers whilst they are teaching maths. The team then deliver another module of the professional development through our teacher session on August 12th.

In the afternoon, we will be working on developing our understanding and competency with the new Digital Technologies part of the Technology Curriculum, which all schools need to be ready to be working with in 2020.

From the Ministry of Education Website:

Digital Technologies in the national curriculum (from the Ministry of Education website)

All schools and kura are expected to be teaching the new digital technologies content from 2020.

The Technology learning area has been revised to strengthen the positioning of digital technologies in the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. This is for all students from year 1–13. Students have the opportunity to specialise from year 11–13.
The goal of this change is to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to become digitally capable individuals.

The change provides a greater focus on students building their skills so they can be innovative creators of digital solutions, moving beyond solely being users and consumers of digital technologies.

In 2020, the Ministry of Education expects that schools will be using the revised learning area to provide students with even broader opportunities to learn in and about technology, informed by the new content around computational thinking and designing and developing digital outcomes.

“The digital curriculum is about teaching children how to design their own digital solutions and become creators of, not just users of, digital technologies, to prepare them for the modern workforce." Chris Hipkins, 2018

Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 26 July

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

It was lovely to have our Term 3 Welcome Assembly this morning to welcome our new families, staff and people attached to our school into our community. At a personal level, it was wonderful to see everyone in the hall together and to have the time to celebrate and welcome everyone to the new term. Our roll is currently sitting at 485 children.

We had a successful, if impromptu, fire drill this afternoon when a staff member's lunch got a little hot on the staffroom stove, causing more smoke in the staffroom than the smoke detector was happy with! It was a sunny afternoon, and a great opportunity to test out our procedures, along with the Spreydon Fire Station Red Watch who attended.

24/7 Youth Worker for our Year 7/8 students

This term we are embarking on an exciting new partnership with 24/7 Youth Work.  24/7 is an organisation that coordinates funding from trusts, churches, and schools to provide youth workers in schools.  We are very lucky to be welcoming Dave, a youth worker, to our Intermediate hub, in partnership with the Cashmere New Life Church.  Dave has qualifications in Adventure-Based Learning and has been a builder so will add real strength to our Year 7 and 8 hub.  24/7 has an out-of-class, extracurricular emphasis that supplements and supports existing hub activities so Dave will be able to work within the existing passion time, help with building sets and props for production, take sports teams, support lunchtime games and activities, etc.
Dave will begin in the Intermediate hub in week 2 and will build his hours, over time, to 10 hours a week.

Upcoming Events

We are working hard to get events onto our Community Calendar with plenty of lead-in time so that parents can keep abreast of upcoming events.
If you use a digital calendar, you can import our Community Calendar onto yours and it will automatically update. You can do this by going to the Calendar page on our school website, and then clicking on the appropriate import button for your device, at the bottom of the calendar.


Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal/Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Fri 2nd Aug - Winter Sport
Thu 8th Aug -  BOT Meeting.  5:30pm at school. All welcome
Fri 9th Aug - Winter Sport
Mon 12th Aug - Staff Only Day.  Professional development - maths and digitech.
Fri - 16th Aug - PTA Readathon cards go home (two weeks of reading and trying to get sponsors)
Fri 30th Aug - Book Character MUFTI Day - get thinking about what/who you want to come as now!

Term Dates

Click here to view 2019 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Eli McGuigan - Year 6

Eli, you enthusiasm and love of learning is infectious. You have many ideas and enjoy sharing them with others. Your maturity sees you making sensible choices and being in charge of your own learning. You are a great role model to others. Tino pai Eli!

School Notices

Mana Ake - providing support around the mental health and wellbeing of our tamariki

We will be commencing Mana Ake "drop-ins" this coming Wednesday morning (31/7) from 8:30 - 9:30am.  These will be held every second week.  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 ku2j6. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Anna Dawson - Mana Ake Liaison worker

Incredible Years - Parenting Support Programme

The Ministry of Education are running a 14 week programme starting at Beckenham next week. This programme will run on Wednesday evenings, from  6:30-9pm each week (excluding school holidays).  

If you are interested, please  contact Marcella Herrera at the Ministry of Education on 378 7581, 0272653952 or on Marcella.herrera@education.govt.nz 

Incredible Years Parent is a 14-session programme for parents of children aged 3–8, which provides parents with skills to better manage children with behavioural problems, creating a home environment that is conducive to positive social and educational outcomes.

The programme is delivered by the Ministry of Education, Special Education staff and by 69 non-government organisations (NGOs). Many of these NGOs also provide a range of social services to families funded through the ministries of Health or Social Development or other agencies.

The Ministry of Social Development ran a pilot study to evaluate the programme and the results showed sustained improvement in both the parenting practices and the children’s behaviour. Read the evaluation report published by the Ministry of Social Development.

What is involved?
Parents across the country come together each week for around two hours and develop approaches to use at home with problem behaviours, such as aggressiveness, ongoing tantrums, and acting out behaviour, such as swearing, whining, yelling, hitting and kicking, answering back, and refusing to follow rules.

The programme looks at:

  • making time to play and spend quality time with children and letting children lead the play
  • encouraging the behaviours parents would like to see, through setting clear rules and boundaries and using praise and encouragement
  • selectively using consequences, such as ignoring, loss of privilege, and time out.

Parents learn from each other and support each other.

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 5 of the Scholastic Book Club is now available and will be coming home soon.
Opening date for orders Monday 22nd July 2019
Scholastic recommend you return your orders to Scholastic (Online) by Friday 2 August 2019.

ICAS Assessments 

The University of New South Wales is offering your child to take part in the ICAS assessment programme.
ICAS is an independent, skills-based assessment program which recognises and rewards student achievement. ICAS is unique, being the most comprehensive generally available suite of academic assessments for primary and secondary school students.
Entries are administered at school. For further information, please consult the ICAS website - https://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/icas/about. Each participant will receive a certificate and a detailed report of their performance.
This year, we will be offering

  • Digital Technologies
  • Science
  • English
  • Maths.

Each assessment costs $15.00 to enter (please note that this has increased from previous years, due to the transition from paper-based assessments to an online test). Payment for these competition fees will need to be paid in full by Friday 2 August 2019. You can pay with EFTPOS at the school office or online school's bank account (ASB 12-3148-0131641-000) with the reference ‘ICAS’ and child’s name as the code. If you wish to enter your child, please fill out the form here - ICAS Registration  2019.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email -
hannah.elliott@beckenham.school.nz.

Ngā mihi,
Hannah Elliott

Bakery at school this coming Thursday lunchtime

On Thursday this coming week, August 1st, a group of our Year 7 & 8 students are setting up a bakery in the Hall Foyer. This is part of a Cantamath project they have been working on. Cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, rice-bubble slice and fresh apple juice will be on sale. All profits from the sale will be going to charity. Items will be sold for $1 each.  Check out the website that the children have created by clicking on the following link:
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Bakery

Congratulations to...

Maria who competed at QE2 over the holidays in trampolining. She was placed second in her category.


Board of Trustees Update

During June, we had Board Elections and, as has already been advised, three new trustees were elected onto our Board.
At the June board meeting, Ester Vallero was elected to be the Board Chair, replacing Michael Balmer who went off the board.
Our thanks again to our retiring Board of Trustee members, Michael Balmer and Raewyn Davis for six years of service on the board, and Miranda Knapton for three years.

PTA News

Scrumptious Cheese Rolls


They are back, an old favourite: Southland Sushi, aka Cheese Rolls.

Nothing beats a warm cheese roll on a cold day oozing melted cheese. They make fantastic snacks for after school & are great for sharing while watching the upcoming Rugby World Cup - order online now  & pop a dozen or two in the freezer to enjoy throughout the rest of winter.

These cheese rolls are guaranteed to be delicious & are economic. At $8 per Pack (one dozen cheese rolls in a pack) or $30 for four Packs, how can you resist such a scrumptious treat? Check those school bags for an order form heading home to assist you with collating multiple orders. Orders need to be in & paid for by Thursday 15th August & your order will be ready for collection from Sunday 18th August.

Yum!!

Clubbercise is back in Beckenham

Our last Clubbercise session sold out & was enjoyed by all who attended, so we are offering another session! Beckenham PTA are excited to co-host with Clubbercise Christchurch NZ with Chloé

Lock this date in-Wednesday 21st August at 7pm
Hall doors open at 6:30pm
Tickets are $10 each. Book Now!

Clubbercise is a group fitness class held in the dark with disco lights, laser lights, UV lights, neon face & body paint and the Clubbercise branded reusable LED glow sticks.

Clubbercise is exercise in disguise!

Come along, dance, get fit & let's glow!

Due to licensing requirements, participants need to be aged 16 years or over


Beckenham Booty

Beckenham Booty Car Boot Sale is this Sunday- come on down, we have loads of car boots booked in, all heaving with treasures just for you. Open from 9-11am in the school car park. The weather forecast looks great & a delicious bowl of posh porridge will be available to warm you up! Boot spots still available at the special Winter Discounted rate of $15, book now!


Plastic Free July 

The PTA are proud to announce that Birdwood Eatery & Pizzeria will be offering a free coffee with every ‘We Care/Birdwood’ reusable takeaway cup purchased from them & will also offer an ongoing discount of 80c for every coffee ordered in the future.  These cups not only look good & reduce the number of disposable cups in the landfill but are BPA free & NZ made.

We also have Jute Bags, String Vege Bags & Beeswax Wraps to assist you with your war on plastic.  Order Online OR pop on down to the Beckenham Booty Car Boot Sale.

Save the Date- Sunday 22nd September

Calling all Craft Beer Enthusiasts, the PTA in conjunction with Three Boys Brewery will be offering a Brewery Tour this term. For more exciting information check out the PTA Facebook Page for updates.

Coming Soon: PTA Bulletin

Look out for the mid-year PTA Bulletin out next week. This bulletin will be chocka with all the events happening this term & the latest news from the PTA. An enthralling read guaranteed!

Community Notices

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

“Children in the Screen Age”

Friday, 9 August, 2019 7.00 – 8.30 pm, Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School Hall.
Presentation by : Dr. Mary Redmayne. PhD, PG Dip.Teach., PG Dip Env. Stud., BA, Adjunct Research Associate, Victoria University, Wellington and Monash University Melbourne, Independent Researcher, Consultant, Wellington.

Abstract:
Media reporting on mobile phone safety is generally either alarmist or ‘no worries’. So what is a person to believe?
Several areas of risk when using screens and how to handle them.
A beginners guide will be given as to how devices work (transmitting microwave), and some negative effects research has shown they can have.
Personal and environmental microwave exposure sources and basics of what increases/reduces the energy output of those devices and your level of exposure.
Gaming and social networking are ringing alarm bells internationally, in light of links between heavy use and its impact on mental health, wellbeing and behaviour. The likely paths of effect will be explained and ways to minimize risk for young people (and their parents!).

The talk aims to equip parents, teachers and others caring for infants through to teens for informed decision-making on staying healthy in the screen age. A guide on developing good user habits and family rules for screen devices will be presented.
Thirty minutes for Questions and Answers will follow the talk.

(The Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School can be accessed in three ways: Ombersley Terrace, Fifield Terrace, Riverlaw Terrace behind the school (over footbridge). Parking will mostly be on the street, however Hansen Park does have some car parks.)
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Hosted by: EMR Health & Safety, Christchurch

Contact and enquiries to: diedericr@tutanota.com

SCOUT Scarf Day

Wednesday 1st August 2018
On 1 August each year, we celebrate our annual SCOUT Scarf Day and encourage our members to wear their scarves (and uniforms) to school or work for the day to promote the uniqueness and many opportunities SCOUTS New Zealand can offer youth and adults alike.

With around 350 groups and more than 19,000 current members, there is a good chance someone walking down a main street in your town will be wearing their Scout scarf on SCOUT Scarf Day.

Winter Wander Saturday 3 August - Sunday 11 August

Glitterbox Pursuits, is excited to be bringing a free, week long art event to the central city. Winter Wander brings together an art exhibition, pop up installations, an art trail and sketch clubs with fabulous models and free art supplies to liven up your lunchtimes.
From Saturday 3 August to Sunday 11 August, rug up and take a wander! Shops and vacant spaces in The Crossing, The Terraces, BNZ Centre and around Cashel Mall will be host to all sorts of artworks and things to feast your eyes on.
Take part in the Art trail by tagging #winterwanderchch in your posts and be in to win prizes!
Keep an eye out for posters and flyers or follow Winter Wander on Facebook and our website.

Summer with Your Neighbours

Get together with your neighbours this summer.  Subsidies for neighbourhood events held between
25 October 2019 and 29 March 2020.

'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 5pm, Friday 16th August 2019

Please Note:
1.Subsidy reimbursements are paid after the gathering, on presentation and approval of receipts.
2.Subsidies are not available for alcohol, fireworks, or paid entertainment.
3.If your gathering is to be held in a public space such as a local park or reserve, you will need to contact

  Council Bookings on 941 8888 to check availability and make a booking for your chosen venue.

Principal’s Update heading into Term 3

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Kia ora e te whānau

It's great to be back, even to this cold and wet weather!

My husband and I had an amazing time in the UK and Europe, revisiting places we had last been to 28 years ago, meeting old friends, and visiting some new places as well. In Europe we were lucky to visit the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Denmark. We both returned home feeling very refreshed and grateful for the opportunity to have that time away. As part of the sabbatical I am also working on research to share with the Ministry of Education and other principals on how Primary Schools can better support students who are gender-diverse. I also attended the NZ Principals Conference in Auckland on our return to NZ.

 I've been meeting with our Leadership team this week, catching up on the news of Term 2, and looking ahead to Term 3. The new signs on the buildings look amazing, and I can't wait to see the children playing on the new Pūkaki playground! New asphalt went down in front of the admin building today too. 

You may have seen Megan Culver (one of our Year 7/8 teachers) on the news tonight. Her home was adjacent to the property in Northwood that suffered the gas explosion today. Her husband, Brad, was one of the first responders. As you can imagine, this has turned their life upside down. They are unable to return to their house at present. We may see Megan next week, or we may have a reliever. We are in close communication with her and have sent her our love, best wishes and offers of support.

Principals' Strike Action Update:

Primary principals across the country have voted to reject the government’s offer for settlement of our negotiations. The government failed to make an offer that addresses our key issues. We are concerned that little is being done to ensure that being a primary principal is seen as an attractive career option.

While I’m really happy that our teachers won back parity with their secondary colleagues, the same wasn’t offered to primary principals. We think that if parity with secondary is fair for teachers, then surely it’s fair for principals.

The offer also would have seen some principals in smaller schools paid less than some teachers in larger schools. It’s important that all communities are able to attract teachers into becoming principals, and that won’t happen if they can earn more as a teacher.

As a sign of our concern, we have voted to take 'strike action' by withdrawing the goodwill we extend to the Ministry of Education work that is additional to our day to day role running schools. I will not be participating in any form of work programme, taskforce, meeting with or reporting to the Ministry between July 8 and August 16. I will continue my professional leadership of the school during this time. I will continue to engage with and invite the Ministry to meetings when the needs of our children and our school are the agenda. I will continue to be the best advocate I can be for our children, our staff, our school, and our community.

Principals continue to hope that the government will hear us and address our issues.  We are committed to continuing our campaign until they do.  Personally, I am grateful for the support that our parent community has shown throughout the campaign.  I hope you will continue to show your support next term if it is necessary.


I am looking forward to seeing everyone again next week, and to meeting our new children and their families.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki