The Board of Trustees has set up a new Property Working Party to specifically address the outdoor areas of the school, now that the building project has virtually finished.

As was anticipated, there is no money left in the Ministry of Education building project funds for any landscaping or outdoor improvements. 

We have three major areas that we want to focus on this year. These are:

This area is on the Eastern boundary of the school on Eastern Tce by the river (click on this link to see the proposal that was successful in winning a $10,000 makeover from Mazda Foundation). This proposal is now a plan and we are actively working on this for the next two and a half months. We will be having a number of working bees to support this project, beginnning next Saturday, 7th April from 9am to 3pm  Click here to register your willingness to participate, and the time you think you could be there for. We will be needing people with garden tools including pruning saws, gardens forks and spades for relocation and planting of natives, wheelbarrows and energy! We also have a fence to remove, so need a couple of grinders as well.

The Bike Stand area

We are acutely aware of the need to expand this area to make it functional. We have a plan ready to go that will involve the development of a second bike stand area at the top of the Eastern Tce entrance, behind Kōmanawa (R21/22) and this will hopefully be resolved by the start of Term 2. Thank you all for your patience in this.

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Big celebrations - today the builders have departed from Beckenham and our building renewal is officially complete.  We will be in the 'defects' period for a number of months, and there are some of still some landscaping issues to be sorted out, and final work to be finished off, but, to all intents and purposes, we are done!


This project began on Friday 23rd September 2016, when the first team arrived on site to prepare Rooms 5,6,7,14 & 15 for relocation to Hornby High School.


On Monday October 10th 2016 (Term 4) HRS moved on site.



For the next four terms we were operating from two sites, with our Year 5-8 students and staff busing to Champion Street every day.


Finally, October 16th 2017 (Term 4 last year) we returned to having all of our children and staff back on the same site.



We have been a building site for 18 months, which included 65 school weeks! It certainly was very challenging at times, and our staff, students, whānau and community have made accommodations and put up with noise, vehicles, dust, ground shaking and traffic congestion, knowing that the long goal of a rebuilt school needed their support and patience.


Today what makes me feel really proud about our school, our staff and our students is that, during that time, we didn't just survive, we thrived! Thank you all for the way that you have each, in your own way, supported our staff, our children and our school over these past months.

Our Board have been a constant support and strength, showing their commitment to ensuring our rebuild would be the best possible one that we could achieve for our school.

Our PTA have been incredible throughout, always supporting the teachers, and the admin team, with practical help when it was needed. They are currently planning the first School Fair for four years, so it was really disappointing to see that six of their Fair posters were all stolen from around Beckenham earlier this week. It would be a great help to the PTA if each one of our parents on Facebook would offer your help through the Ways You can Help at the Beckenham School Twilight Fair link, and 'share' the Fair event with all of your friends and family, so that we have the most amazing fair ever and the PTA can reach the fundraising target of $115,000 they have set for our outdoor spaces.


Whilst today mostly felt like any other Friday, I will be driving home today with a very warm feeling of satisfaction in knowing that we are (largely) through the building process. It is an honour and a privilege to be the principal of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, and I thank each and every one of you for your support of me and our staff, as we work together each day to make this school amazing for our children.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Citizen of the Week

Meg Macdonald - Year 7

Meg, you live and breath citizenship in our Kauri Whānau. You enthusiastically embrace leadership opportunities, using your initiative to go above and beyond expectations. Your positive, considerate attitude makes a difference to those around you. You have a growth mindset in the face of learning and challenge, making you an outstanding role model in our kura.

William Pooch - Year 4

Will, you are an highly engaged learner that embraces any challenge. You have an inquisitive mind, where you have the self confidence  and persistence to make anything possible. You constantly make connections to your learning and help to teach others. Thank you for always being an outstanding role model in our team!

School Notices

Scholastic Book Club

This year Scholastic Book Club brochures will be sent home with students. Parents and Caregivers can order their chosen books online with Scholastic. http://www.scholastic.co.nz/
 No orders or sales are able to be made at the School Office. The books will be delivered to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto and sent to your child’s classroom for pickup.
There will be a two week cut off for orders. Orders received by Scholastic after that period will incur extra cost for postage and it will be a delivered to your home not Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto.
The school earns reward points from the sales made to our students which is then used by staff to purchase resources from scholastic. 

Congratulations 

Cheese Rolls

Please Vote for our School

Uniform

Lost Property

Sports News

Duathlon

In preparation for the Year 5 to 8 duathlon next Monday (12th of March), the bike stands will be moved from their usual place to the transition area on the Western side of the park. Children participating in the duathlon should lock their bike to a stand in the transition area. Children who scooter or bike to school and are not in the duathlon can lean their bike against the building or the fence in the fenced biked area.

PTA News

A big thanks to the 33 people who have volunteered to be on a Fair/Food Stall

To avoid huge cues & stalls not being able to open- we need a lot MORE helpers. We currently have 25% of the number of helpers we require.

Please sign up & work on a stall if you can. The shifts are 2 hours only, enabling you to still enjoy 90 minutes of the fair. Parents often share the role- one parent does the early shift while the other does the late shift. Shift times are 4pm-6pm & 6pm-8pm

CLICK on this LINK: FAIR HELPER ROSTER  OR drop in to Fair HQ open every morning BEFORE & AFTER school, Hub 22 (next to the NEW Basketball Hoop) & sign up to the rosters on display

If you have a specific stall or person you would like to be with, we will endeavour to accommodate your requests. Put requests under the ‘comments’ section

JOIN the FAIR TEAM NOW: "Teamwork, makes the Dream work"

 Let’s make this the best Fair ever for our children.

For ALL information about the TWILIGHT FAIR: FRIDAY 23rd MARCH: 4:30pm-7:30pm- LIKE the Beckenham PTA Facebook Page.

See you in TWO WEEKS.

Fun French Beginners’ Classes Years 2-8: 

A 4 session taster French course is being offered at Beckenham this term, and beyond. The major emphasis is on communicating orally through the interactive use of fun games, song, role-play and ‘real life’ activities. For more information, please email admin@Lpa.co.nz or contact us on 022 358 2211. C’est si bon!

Starfish Swim School

Bookings for the April Holiday Programare now open!
Week one:
16 th – 20 th April - $65
Week two:
23 rd - 27 th April - $52 (Closed Anzac Day)
$110 for both weeks.
Email: info@starfishswimschool.co.nz
Or phone us at: 03 3381795
2 Nash Road, Aidenfield

Health School Lunches in 60 seconds

School lunches. Trying to be healthy, quick, and creative can all be a bit much at times. This free public seminar hosted by St Saviour's and St Nicholas Anglican Church will give you fresh ideas and a confidence boost in your preparation of school lunches.
Charlene Smith is a NZ Registered Dietitian with years of experience. She has specialised in paediatrics, diabetes, and more recently children with epilepsy. She is also a mother of two busy kids. She isn't the food police and has a practical and refreshing approach to eating well!
Friday 16th March, 7.30pm at St Saviour's, 200 Colombo St.
Let us know you are coming here, or just turn up on the night!

Halswell United Football Club

Online registrations are CLOSING SOON for ages 4 years to 50+.
The season starts 7th April to end of August (early bird fees before
end of March).
Games for 4-8 year olds are held at Halswell Domain on Saturdays
with optional trainings available on Mondays for 4-6 year olds and
Fridays for 7-8 year olds.
5th/6th Grades from $70, 7th/8th Grades from $110 for the whole
season.
Teams for 9-19 years have been formed—limited spaces available
For more information please visit our website at:
www.HawkFootball.org.nz
Any questions regarding 4-8 year olds, email Trudy Murdoch:
huafcFKFF@gmail.com
All other queries email Sam Bunn: huafcGM@gmail.com

Sea2Sky Challenge on Sunday 18th March.

Held at the beautiful Scarborough Beach we have both Duathlon and Triathlon events for all ages and abilities.  We encourage children from 9 years to have a go and to bring Mum, Dad and the rest of the family to race too or to share in the day.
Please go on to our website and have a look at the different races available: www.sea2skychallenge.com
We hope to see many of Canterbury's children and families there.

Highland Dancing classes for Boys and Girls

Chch South Community Gardens Market Day 

188 STRICKLAND STREET SATURDAY 31st MARCH 10AM – 1PM
~ PLANTS & PRODUCE ~ PICKLES AND PRESERVES ~ DELICIOUS BAKING ~ SOUP & SAUSAGE SIZZLE ~ BOOKS & FREE LUCKY VISITOR RAFFLE DRAW

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

The term is now well underway and we are all settling into the school routines again. We have had a busy start to the term with the Life Education classroom visiting - unfortunately there was a miscommunication between the educator and the trucking company and it was removed two days early - we are expecting to have it back to finish those two days later in the term!

Teachers as Learners

Our teachers have all been focusing on their teaching of maths with coaching happening this last week as part of the professional development focus we have in mathematics this year. Our children were wonderfully supportive as the teachers became the students and were 'coached' during the lesson they were teaching by our mentor, Liana from Massey University. I have joined the teachers in this learning as I am teaching a maths group in Year 7/8 this year! It is exciting for me to be spending regular time in the classroom again as a teacher, and great to be learning alongside the other teachers in our school.

Children being dropped at school prior to 8:30am

I have been aware of many instances over the past couple of weeks of children being dropped at school well before 8:30am - sometimes as early as 7:50am.
Please remember that school is not open until 8:30am. If teachers are here before 8:30am it is because they are trying to do planning and preparation for the day ahead. We are not a childminding service and cannot take responsibility for looking after children until we open at 8:30am. Please make alternative arrangements for your child's care prior to 8:30am if you need to be elsewhere.

School Twilight Fair

Our PTA are working so enthusiastically towards making our upcoming Twilight Fair a huge success. Please make sure you have the date in your calendar - Friday 23rd March - and do read the regular Fair updates (including the one further below in this newsletter) to find out how you can get involved.

Our new Library reopens, 6 years after the Fire...

What an exciting week it has been for our school this week as our new, refurbished library finally opened in what used to be the Room 1 junior classroom.


That we have had a library for the past 6 years is completely due to the passion and tenacity of our Librarian - Anne Chin. She has almost single-handedly packed the library into banana boxes at the end of each year and, without complaint, moved it to another space in the school. This week, without any great fanfare, she let the children know that the library would be open, for classes to visit during learning time, and also, at both morning tea and lunch breaks. From the first day, it has been buzzing! Every break time it is full of children who are enjoying having space to enjoy the nearly 10,000 books that it holds!



Thank you Anne, for your determination and commitment to our children and for sharing your love of books with us all!

Ngā mihi
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Citizen of the Week

Ben Newton - Year 6

Ben, you are such a kind and thoughtful student. You are always willing to lend a hand to anyone. You show a lot of empathy when relating to others. Continue to be a stunning role model in Pōhutukawa!

Congratulations to...

Tracy and Phil Inwood (Tracy is the Team Leader of the Pōhutukawa Team)

For 18 years, Tracy and Phil Inwood have been fostering children through what was Child, Youth and Family Services and is now Ministry of Children, Oranga Tamariki, in Christchurch.
During this time, they have cared for over 200 children in a variety of ways: short term, long term, emergency care and for respite. Tracy and Phil believe that if their family can help these children in need, then they should. Their whole family usually becomes involved, with their own children being called upon for babysitting and big brother/sister duties. Phil is a fabulous male role model, being very active outside with the children and always there for support. Tracy sets the routines, making sure that all teeth are brushed after breakfast, and before bed!
On March 9 Tracy and Phil will travel to Wellington, where they have been invited to the Beehive to receive an "Excellence in Foster Care" award from the Minister of Children, Hon. Tracey Martin.
Tracy and Phil are delighted to be recognised for their contribution to the community, and are very grateful for all of the support they receive from their colleagues, friends and family.

School Notices

Kauri Hub - Smoothie Fundraiser this coming week

Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival -  Auditions for 2018 Representative Groups

Our best musicians need to be part of this!

Applications for individual singers and instrumentalists to audition for one of the Festival’s Representative Groups – Junior or Senior Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra – are now open.  This is the opportunity for singers and instrumentalists to achieve at the highest level of performance and to excel in their chosen area of artistic endeavour.

We want to make sure that our talented singers and instrumentalists put in an application.

Please checl out the festival website www.musicfestival.school.nz where all the information, and an application form, is available.  There is information on the website that will answer every question of a parent or potential participant.

Audition applications close on the last day of Term 1.

Our Pōhutukawa Choir, under the direction of Katie McFarlane, are already registered to participate at this awesome festival!



The Community Dental Service approached Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto regarding visiting during 2017. After discussion with your school, it was agreed that we will delay our visit due to building work on school grounds

We will be visiting your School during the 2018 school year where we will see all students who are due for their examination.

If there are urgent concerns about your child’s oral health prior to our 2018 visit, please call for an appointment at a clinic convenient to you.

To make an appointment you can contact our Call Centre:

Phone – 0800 846 983 or email – commdental@cdhb.health.nz

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Team: parent representatives needed

The Wellbeing team involves staff, BOT, parent and student representatives from Years 3-8. The team work together to develop wellbeing initiatives for the whole school, such as student movies and our ‘We Care’ day. Each year we look for a couple of parents or whānau members to join us for the year. Meetings are once or twice per term, during lunch time (skyping or facetiming your presence in would be fine if you can’t attend in person). If you would like to volunteer or know more, please email charlotte.verity@beckenham.school.nz by Sunday 25th February.   

Walk and Wheel Wednesday - 28th Feb

Sports News

Swimming Sports

Our Year 5 to 8 tamariki demonstrated their love of challenge this week during our school swimming sports. Wharenui pool was a hive of excitement as children cheered on their peers in a variety of events. A huge congratulations to all the children who chose to compete. We love to see you challenging yourself and taking advantage of the opportunities available to you. Thank you to the parents who helped out with the running of the event.

Our swimming sports champions are:
Year 5 boy: Cooper Reddecliffe
Year 5 girl: Zoe Clarke
Year 6 boy: Thomas Lyall
Year 6 girl: Abigale Cockfield
Year 7 boy: Ben Evans
Year 7 girl: Charlotte O’Connor
Year 8 boy: Joel Kingham
Year 8 girl: Tily Harris

The Hanmer 4 Hour Mountain Bike event

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto would like to promote an upcoming mountain biking event in Hanmer Springs that may be of interest to you.

The Hanmer 4 Hour, run by Hanmer Events, is a super fun event, suitable for children looking to get into competitive mountain biking. Competitors work as part of a team with the aim of completing as many laps of a set course as they can over four hours. The course this year is a mixture of forest trail and non technical single track. 12 year olds may compete as an individual in the under 17 category. There is a separate course for Super Junior Teams (aged 8 - 11 years) that uses tracks in the Heritage Forest. These children need their own Tail End Charlie (an adult to keep up with them) for each lap they do. While these tracks are suitable for children, competitors should be confident riders, who are capable of controlling their speed and direction on single track.

Hanmer Events are welcoming entries from school teams with a category for school teams. More information can be found on the Hanmer Events website (www.hanmerevents.co.nz).

While Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto encourages participation in this event, children will remain the responsibility of their parents for the entire duration of the event. Please let me know if you plan to enter an individual or team or if you would like support in connecting with possible team members.

Jenny Diggle jenny.diggle@beckenham.school.nz

Compost Area needed - Can you help us? 

We would love to build or create a new compost system for our school. Can you help with this? Please contact Charlotte at charlotte.verity@beckenham.school.nz. Thanks

PTA News

Weetbix Tryathlon

Only 3 more sleeps till your Weetbix Tryathlon 2018 event. We hope you are all looking forward to a fabulous day. We have had a huge number of entries this year which means we qualify for a group school photo! This will be taken at 7.30 am before the event so keeping in mind transition closes at 8.15 am this’ll give you plenty of time to set up your gear before or after the photo. Keep an eye out for the Beckenham Flags where we’ll create a base for everyone for the day. The weather looks fantastic, pack a picnic, get your support crew ready for a fun fun day. Any questions about the event don’t hesitate to make contact with Nicola - 021532996

Twilight Fair

FAIR HQ will be OPEN from Fri 23rd FEB till the day of the Twilight Fair, Fri 23rd MARCH
Come over to Hub 22 (next to the NEW Basketball Hoop, Eastern Tce end of the school) & check what will be happening on the day. OPEN every day BEFORE & AFTER school.

At FAIR HQ -we will be accepting donations of Quality Clothes, Toys & Books. NO White Elephant please. There will be competitions for ALL to enter. Rosters to sign up on, posters advertising the Fair to distribute & Fair Team helpers to answer any questions & discuss any Fair Ideas you may have.
We would love for YOU to pop in & help in whatever way you can manage- be part of the FAIR TEAM.  For this Fair to be the best ever Fair we need YOU to help.
To keep up to date on all things "Fair" make sure you LIKE the  https://www.facebook.com/ptabeckenhamschool/
For those unable to get to school, & keen to HELP click on this link:
https://goo.gl/forms/0FKQ45Gojlc53dyC2

FAIR FUN FACT:

In the PC world of “participation certificates” the Beckenham School PTA are offering all the ‘BECKENHAM BLOKES’ out there an opportunity to COMPETE & WIN!
For the first time ever the Twilight Fair is having a ‘Beckenham Blokes Cake Decorating Competition’
Theme “Anything starting with the letter B”
No cost to enter. Cakes are delivered to the Fair already decorated ready to be judged. Cakes must be edible as they will be auctioned off at the end of judging. Bought PLAIN sponges can be used to decorate. NO Female involvement allowed. Open to all ages. Register your interest NOW: https://goo.gl/forms/8BDiFF8WtPBRcdxk2
Please note this is a family friendly event, any “B” body parts must be dressed!

Community Notices

Cashmere Netball Club

Future Ferns (Year 3-5) : No trials
Juniors (Year 6-13) : We will be running two trial dates (morning and afternoon). Please try and attend both trials.

Sunday March 4th

Year 6 & 7 : 9am -10.30am
Year 8 : 10.40am -12noon
Year 9 - 13 : 10am - 11am

Sunday March 11th

Year 6 & 7 : 2pm - 3.30pm
Year 8 : 3.40pm - 5pm
Year 9 - 13 : 2pm - 3pm

Halswell United AFC

Latino Market Carnival

Bring your colours!!! Enjoy our Carnaval at the S​quare!
Latino Market Carnaval - Cathedral Square -
Saturday 24th of February -  from 4pm to 8pm -
Enjoy our popular event, full of colour and fun, with Latin Street food, Live music, workshops, dance floor and performances with Latin rhythms. (including capoeira and samba do Brasil)