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.

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Tomorrow's Schools Review - Have your say!

The report addresses 8 Key Issues and makes 31 recommendations for change to our current education system. Read the full report here, or the summary of the recommendations here.
You can watch a short video about the recommendations here

I have been fortunate to have spent the last three days of this week in Wellington, at a meeting of the New Zealand Principals Federation. On Friday, that meeting included principals from all around the country who met to discuss hear from Minister Hipkins and from Bali Haque and Cathy Wylie from the Taskforce, about the Tomorrows Schools Report recommendations. There was much debate, and an increasing sense of urgency around the need to change our current system which is not serving all children and communities throughout the country in an equitable or successful manner.
I urge you to have a look at the report, or some of the supplementary material that is available about it and send in your feedback.

Have your say
An online survey is now open for you to provide feedback on the key issues and recommendations, click here to have your say.

Written submissions or queries can be emailed to tomorrows.schools@education.govt.nz

Annual Plan for 2019

Each year, we develop an annual plan to progress our three year strategic plan.
Competition for time in a school is fierce, and we always run a very tight line between managing many areas of focus, and having too many balls in the air!
This year, we have a number of significant areas of focus across our school.
I have summarised them below, and you can read about them in more detail by looking at the Annual Plan (which will be part of our Charter) on our website.

The following are key areas of focus:

• Student Wellbeing - 
• Understanding of Diverse Learners (with a particular focus on understanding how to support students on the Autistic Spectrum and with support from our Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour)
• Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities (2nd year of focus and working with Professor Bobbi Hunter and her team from Massey University)

(The above three areas are a focus across the schools in our Community of Learning - St Martins, St Marks, Waltham, Ōpāwa, Diamond Harbour, and Cashmere High School)

• Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L) - this is a research-based, whole school initiative from the Ministry of Education. 
• Improving our use of Te Reo Māori across the school (students, staff and in the community)
• Professional development for staff to understand and implement the new Digital Technologies Curriculum (released in 2017)
• Continuing our development of pedagogy around Learning through Play

Principal Sabbatical - Term Two

I have been very fortunate to have been awarded a 14-week sabbatical from the Ministry of Education. Principals can apply for a sabbatical after every 5 years of service, however, the timing for me has previously never been quite right, so now, after 13 years of principalship, I have applied and been successful. The sabbatical starts at the end of Term 1 and goes through to the end of the Term 2 holidays. I will be spending some of that time researching and preparing a report on how schools support students, staff and whānau who are gender diverse or questioning. This is an area that an increasing number of primary schools are navigating and the supports are currently quite limited.
My husband and I will also be spending time taking a holiday to the UK and Europe, where we first met in 1991! Sue Leadbetter and Nigel Easson will be sharing the Acting Principal role during that time.

Reminder - School closing early on Wednesday 20th March

This is to allow the teachers (100% union members) to attend the Paid Union Meeting and discuss the latest offer on their collective agreement from the Ministry of Education. We offered our hall for the local meeting, so that our teachers wouldn't have to travel and to enable us to stay open for as long as possible that day. Thank you for your understanding.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Citizen of the Week

Florence Gerard - Year 8

Florence, we love the energy, depth of thinking and honesty you bring to our Kauri Whānau. Your creativity in writing, art and all that you turn your hand to is inspiring. Making a difference to our planet is a passion that you display each and every day.  Tu meke Florence.

Rose Bethwaite - Year 3

Rose, you display a positive attitude to all aspects of learning with your persistence and enthusiasm. You are a role model in our hub who naturally demonstrates our school values and this has seen you always willing to lend a hand or help others who need it. This helps to make our hub a wonderful place to be. Teno pai, Rose!

School Notices

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 2 catalogue of the Schoalstic Book Club will be arriving home this week.  When ordering books through Scholastic Book Club you will be asked for class number.
At Beckenham we do not use class numbers, we use Hub Names.
Here are the Hub names your child will be familiar with.

Hub KORU - New Entrants and Year 1
Hub KAHIKATEA Years 1-3
Hub KOWHAI Years 3-4
Hub POHUTUKAWA Years 5-6
Hub KAURI Years 7-8.

Using the correct Hub name will speed up the processing of your order.

Scholastic recommend you submit your orders by Friday 22 March.
The final closing date is April 19.

Your feedback on the Scholastic Lucky Book Club system is requested (survey will stay open until Monday 18th March)

We have traditionally participated in the distribution of the Scholastic Lucky Book Club catalogues so that whānau can order books and associated toys, through our school. The managing of this scheme takes some time and attention on the part of Anne, our school librarian, and the  'reward' for the school, comes in the form of a small return of vouchers for the library that we then spend on purchasing more books through Scholastic for the school library.

We do get feedback from time-to-time from whānau that they do not put high value on the Scholastic Book Club catalogue and ordering system. Some whānau have said that they find the items in the catalogue are frequently not focused on the books, but on the additional 'toy' items, and that the pressure put on them when the catalogues come home, is pressure they would prefer not to have. Not surprisingly, we don't usually hear from the people who do place orders.

Please would you take a moment to respond to this survey, and we will then make a decision regarding what we do in the future with Scholastic.
As a school - we don't have a strong view either way - we do this primarily as a service to whānau and this is a 'checking in' to find out if this is still necessary and valued.
There is a very brief survey attached - please take 1 minute to complete it. We will be guided by the results, in determining whether to continue with the Scholastic ordering system.

Measles - Canterbury District Health Board

Since 26 February 2019, the number of cases in the latest Canterbury measles outbreak has been steadily climbing and as of 10th March, 20 cases noted, with more likely to be confirmed over the next days and weeks. Some are children who have yet to complete their MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations, and some are adults aged between 27 and 50 who have had only one measles vaccination, which was standard practice between 1969 and 1990. Cases have now spread throughout Christchurch.

Measles is a serious and highly contagious, viral disease where up to 30 percent of those who catch it will develop complications – usually children under 5 and adults over the age of 20. Measles during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature labour and low birth-weight in babies. Measles is spread through droplets in the air and through contact, so that anyone unprotected who has been in the same room as someone with measles will likely get it.

The surest protection is for people to have had both of their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccinations, scheduled to be given to children at 15 months and at four years. As long as children of school age are up-to-date with their vaccinations they should be protected against measles. People vaccinated between 1969 and 1990 should contact their GP team who will provide a booster vaccination. People born before 1969 will have been exposed to measles and will be immune.

Family members who aren’t sure if they have been immunised with two doses of MMR vaccine should talk to their GP team who will be able to provide a vaccination if they need it. An extra vaccination will not cause any harm.

Measles symptoms include:

• A respiratory type of illness with dry cough, runny nose, headache
• Temperature over 38.5 C and feeling very unwell
• A red blotchy rash starts on day 4-5 of the illness usually on the face and moves to the chest and arms.

More information about measles is available at http://www.immune.org.nz

If you think a child at your school has measles, keep them away from other children until they can be
collected and taken home. If they are already sick they should stay home for at least five days after
symptoms such as a rash appeared. Once measles has been in your school, parents of any children
who are not fully immune (2 doses of MMR) are advised to keep them home for 14 days from the likely date of exposure.

Comedy Bingo Evening

Get a group of friends together and come along for a great night out at our Comedy Bingo Evening on March 23rd. This is a fundraising project for the Year 7 & 8 camp to Wainui. Jarred is coming back to share his comedy talent with us all. Click here to book your tickets:
https://goo.gl/forms/B4jJ1goqKepQdgSm1
Many thanks to Platform Design for their poster design.

Welcome to the Green Team 

We have started a Green Team this year, so student volunteers can share their ideas and help us look after, or act as Kaitiaki for our environment.  The team has already started a weekly rubbish race, collecting litter from the playground and park. Check out how much we collected in 10mins last week!

Sports News

Years 5-8 Duathlon Results

The years 5-8 Duathlon was held this week in Beckenham Park.  Congratulations to all of the students who participated in what turned out to be a very warm day.
Students who placed in the top three of each year group are listed below.

Year 5
Petra Cooper - 1st
Torun Joergensen - 2nd
Freya Braun - 3rd
Billy Murfin - 1st
James Stoney - 2nd
Quinn Clarke - 3rd

Year 6
Zoe Clarke - 1st
Mahli Boreham - 2nd
Zara McIvor - 3rd
Josh Breitmeyer - 1st
Jonty Mitchell -2nd
Max van Tongeren - 3rd

Year 7
Jain Cooper - 1st
Mia Aramowicz - 2nd
Ruby McNiven - 3rd
Ben Newton 1st
Eric Cassels-Brown - 2nd
Thomas Lyall - 3rd

Year 8
Sophie Brown - 1st
Charlotte Grey - 2nd
Morven McDaid - 3rd
Ben Evans - 1st
Paolo Reid - 2nd
Daniel Smith - 3rd

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 March 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

Board of Trustee Elections - Your board needs you!


Board of Trustee elections will be coming up during Term 2. If you are interested in finding out what being a Trustee involves, the NZ School Trustees Association are running free evening workshops you can attend to find out more.

Kōrari - a programme that provides you with governance training to help you understand the role of school boards of trustees.

Haeata Community Campus, Tuesday 9 April - 6pm
or
Hornby High School, Thursday 11 April - 6pm

To register, email: LShelley@nzsta.org.nz

Community Notices

Magic the Gathering

Magic: The Gathering, is the world’s most popular collectible card game. It’s fun and it makes reading, maths, logic and decision making fun as well.

An independent Magic: The Gathering club is running Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in the Green room every Monday evening. Entry is open to all Year 5, 6, 7 and 8 students and their parents.

No prior knowledge of the game is required and players don’t need to bring any of their own cards (and if they already have some they can).

Game nights run on Monday from 6.30-8.30pm. Entry by gold coin koha.
If you or your kids would like to join in, please feel free to rock up on the night.
Any questions or ideas can go through to Cameronjamestaffs@gmail.com

Help Tamariki in your Community

Can you provide a safe, stable home for tamariki until it's safe for them to return home?

All children need a place where they can feel at home, with their wider whānau or caregivers who can give them aroha, a place of belonging and connection with family, whakapapa, and culture.

Come along to our Oranga Tamariki Christchurch Information Session to find out more about the different ways you can care for tamariki.

Our next session is on: Tuesday, 12 March 6 - 8pm, Grand Central Building, 161 Cashel Street, ChCh

Or get in touch anytime on 0508CARERS (0508227377)

www.orangatamariki.govt.nz

McDonalds Youth Duathlon organised by Garden City Rotary

Registrations open now.
The 2019 McDonald's Duathlon to be held at Hagley Park on Sunday, 7 April 2019. This event is run by volunteers from Garden City Rotary Club.
Entries are open to 7 -15 year olds and the duathlon includes a run, bike and run. Entrants can look forward to receiving a Competition Medal, Gift Pack of sponsors’ products and a competition T-shirt.
7 - 10 Years - Run 1km, Cycle 4km, Run 500m
11 - 15 Years - Run 2km, Cycle 8km, Run 1km
This community event is held by Garden City Rotary Club. To enter go to www.gardencityrotary.org.nz 

Beginner Youth Aerial Circus class

Learn Trapeze, Silks, Lyra and more.
Saturday mornings  9am -10am
Starts March 9th - April 13th
Roy Stokes Hall, New Brighton
for ages 9yrs - 13yrs.
$100
enrol: circustrust@gmail.com

Registrations are Open Cashmere Technical Football Club (CTFC)

Please visit www.ctfc.co.nz and click on 'registrations'
Every year we have many late registrations from the families of younger grades/first time players (we start from 4 years of age) who have not realised registrations are open/closed...this makes our grade managers volunteer jobs very difficult to organise teams and cater to the many friend request we get.  The sooner you register the more chance we can cater to your friend requests.
Please register NOW if you want your child to play football at CTFC this season
Registration closes March 17th...there is a registration day on at Woolston on this day- but you can also register NOW online with an earlybird discount

Kia ora e te whānau

It has been drawn to our attention today that some of our children are talking about the "Momo Challenge" that has been circulating on social media for a number of months, and is trending again in NZ.

You can read about it on this link from the NZ Herald today.

We are being very vigilant at school and are monitoring our network very closely to identify if children are searching for this to find out about it. At this stage, unless we know about specific children talking about it, we are not going to discuss this specifically with the children as we think that most of them are not aware of it and we do not want to increase their curiosity about it and start additional searching.

Whilst we do not believe that this poses an 'actual threat' to our children, we are very concerned that it has the potential to cause some of our children extreme worry, anxiety and loss of sleep, and that this behaviour can become quite contagious when children talk about it together. 

We will continue having ongoing, safety and cyber-citizenship discussions with the children to continue to develop their awareness and competency in safe use of the internet.

Keeping our young children safe in their use of digital environments is a partnership that we are in with you. We each need to stay aware of what our children are engaging in, and having important conversations with them when we have concerns or wonderings about their safety.

Please do let your child's teacher know if you have any concerns or want to discuss anything around cybersafety. We were alerted to this information today by a parent and we appreciate the importance of keeping one another 'in the loop' about these issues as they arise.