Citizen of the Week

William Day Year - 4

William, the Kowhai whānau have been immensely proud of your progress this year.  You have consistently made great choices for your learning as the year has progressed.  You have shown focus and determination and have challenged yourself when learning about topics that are of great importance to you.  You have increasingly participated and contributed alongside your peers, demonstrating growth and maturity and the ability to monitor your own interactions.  We have seen more of your lovely, empathetic nature when you have supported your team mates using kind words and actions, on many occasions. Tino pai William.

Updates for 2017:

By now you will have received notification of which hub your child will be in for 2017. Please take a moment to visit www.lunchonline and update your child's details so that lunches get delivered to the correct hub and more particularly the correct site in 2017. Only do this when you're sure you will not be ordering any more lunches this year!!

Learning Conferences - 31 January and 1 February

As usual, we will begin the year with learning conferences on the first two days of term. Please ensure that you have booked a learning conference before you go on holiday! Book it now if you haven't already done this!
www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and use the code 6h5xw

Help with one-off uniform and stationery costs:

Since 25 October, changes made to the Ministry of Social Development’s online service MyMSD allow some MSD clients to apply online for assistance with school uniform and stationery costs. Applicants can upload and send verification of the cost, which will likely be a quote from the supplier. If the payment is approved, they will receive notification by text or by email and the approved amount will be loaded to their payment card. The card can only be used for the amount and supplier for which it was approved. Many of the applications that MSD approves for help with school uniforms and stationery are paid to schools. General information for suppliers is available here on the MSD website

Schools are asked to draw the following to parents’ attention: Can you claim a tax credit for donations? If you’ve made a donation, you may be able to claim a tax credit. To be eligible, you need to have made a receipted donation of $5 or more to: • an approved donee organisation • an approved New Zealand religious or educational organisation • approved overseas aid funds • kindergartens • state schools, state integrated schools, other schools who have been approved as a donee organisation, school boards of trustees or parent teacher associations. Find out more about tax credits for donations

Year 8 Leavers' Book

It is a tradition for our year 8 leavers to receive a Beckenham School Year 8 Leavers book, at their graduation ceremony, which contains photos of each student, their memories and memories from staff who knew them well.  For the past three years, this has been fully funded by Debbie Pettigrew from Grenadier Harcourts.  We really appreciate her generosity for supporting this wonderful memento for our students.

PTA News

Beckenham School PTA organises the ordering of the senior jackets.  These can only be worn by year 7 & 8 students.  The jacket is aimed at giving the students both pride in themselves and pride in their school.  Please note the jacket is not a compulsory item of uniform.
Jackets cost $70 and are available in various sizes.
To try a jacket on and for an order form, please come to the office.
Payment can be made by cash, internet banking or cheque. Please note - Eftpos will be available for this item in the new year, when the PTA account has been registered to the school eftpos machine.

Community Notices

In the grounds of Beckenham School
Tuesday 13th December 2016 5.00-7.00pm
FREE FAMILY EVENT
Free BBQ and/or bring a picnic.
Come and join the Choir, join in or just listen to some community carol singing.
Come in Christmas dress-ups
Organised by Beckenham locals for the Beckenham community. BBQ provided by Beckenham Neighbourhood Association and cooked and served by local Cub Scouts. Music provided by local choirs and other keen folk.

Guitar, Bass and Ukulele Tuition 2017

Beginner Guitar, Bass and ukulele lessons, both group and some individual are available during
school time beginning February 2017.
Roger Hamilton has been teaching these instruments for 10, 2 and 4 years respectively and does
so in 2 other South West Christchurch schools as well.
For further information, contact Roger directly on the address or phone number below.
email: rbhamilt@gmail.com
cell: 027 3070466 / 9424619

SURFKIDS

Childrens Surfing  Programme.
Learn the skills of Surfing in a fun, safe environment. All equipment provided and professional instruction from Aaron Lock and team. For kids 8 - 14 years.
 December : 19 to 23 Dec. and 27 to 31 Dec.
January : 9 to 13 Jan. and 16 to 20 Jan.  plus 23 to 27 Jan.
Cost $30 per day or $135 for five. Bookings essential.
Venue :Sumner.
Call Aaron on 0800 80 SURF (7873) or register online at www.surfcoach.co.nz

The School for Young Writers

For Year 4-9
Bookings essential
Ideal for young writers wishing to sharpen their writing skills before school starts.
Ideal for parents looking for worthwhile holiday activities.
Easily affordable thanks to Creative Communities partial funding.
Bookings now open: youngwriters@xtra.co.nz

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

You may recall that last week I shared that our children had written cards and letters to be sent to the children at Kaikoura Primary School. I had a call this week from Nigel Easson, the principal, expressing his thanks to our community for this support. He said that the letters and cards had been spread around the tables at school and, when the children and their parents and grandparents had arrived at school this Wednesday, there had been lots of reading, tears, laughing and appreciation as the letters were read and reread. For those of you who didn't catch the segment on TVNZ One News on Wednesday evening, we have managed to capture it below for you to view.

Mandarin learning continues

Our Kahikatea team have been enjoying working with Felicia from the Confucius Institute, having an introduction to Mandarin.
The teachers were asked to nominate 5 children for excellence awards which were given out at a special ceremony in mid November.


We are grateful to Felicia who has offered to continue working with two small extension groups of Year 1/2 students on Friday afternoons to the end of the term.

Ngā mihi
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Citizen of the Week

Adam Barton - Year 6

Adam you are a diligent and self-motivated learner. You embrace all learning opportunities with enthusiasm and creativity. You reflect carefully on your learning and regularly seek and respond to feedback. You have a great sense of humour and we have all enjoyed your ready wit and unique view on events and ideas. You are very responsible and have  undertaken leadership roles to the best of your ability. You are also a very sensitive and supportive friend. We can always rely on you to focus on your learning and be a great role model for other children. Thank you for making Beckenham School a better place!

Sharing our Learning

Pohutukawa Camp at Living Springs

Last week the Pohutukawa Whanau spent three days and two nights at Living Springs. Over the three days we experienced three very different seasons but this did not slow us down one bit. The children (and adults!) had a fantastic time on the first day; orienteering around the site, going on the monorail, bouncing on the tramps, racing around the track on the balance bikes, and taking a refreshing dip in the pool. To add to all the excitement, two of our children, Declan and Ruby, were also celebrating their birthdays on this day!



On the second day we enjoyed walking up to Don’s Shed to complete Initiatives, a series of team building exercises that challenged the children both mentally and physically. We also walked down to the outdoor camping area and played Animal Survival, a very complex game that has elements of both tag and a treasure hunt. One of the highlights of this game was watching the adults join in, especially Katie as the huntress! During the night we had an epic dance party where our jump jammers took the stage and motivated all the children to get their groove on.

On the third day we packed up all our gear and headed down to the farm. There we were split into two groups. In the first group we went on a tractor ride around the farm and learned how to communicate with horses and ride them. In the second group we learned about cows and how to milk them. After a sausage sizzle lunch and feeding the animals we all hopped back on the bus and headed back to Beckenham to reunite with our loved ones.


It was a fantastic trip where all the children did our school proud by demonstrating our school values ‘We get there together’. A huge thank you to all the parents who supported us on camp and an even bigger thank you to Nick Bruce who organised and led the camp. We are now counting down the days to our next camp in 2018!

Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival

Video of Music Festival now available
A video of any/all of the three nights of the 2016 Music Festival is now available.  The video has been compiled by Armedia NZ Ltd, the good people who provided the live feed of video to the screens in the venue each night of the festival.
For details and orders, just go to http://www.armedianz.co.nz/csmf

PTA News

PTA Co-Chairperson

We are looking for someone to assist with leading a supportive group of PTA members for 2017. If you are interested please contact us at pta@beckenham.school.nz
We are also wanting new members to join our friendly team. If you are interested and have any questions please contact the PTA.

Bingo Night Update

The Bingo profit is in & we have raised $3435.85!!!
Thanks to all the people who attended & the businesses that donated prizes, we couldn’t have done it without your support.
The PTA has pledged $3500 to the school towards restoring the sound board that is currently not working.
Here’s looking forward to being able to hear better in the Hall!

Community Notices

HELP SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE COASTLINES

MOBILE PHONE APPEAL IN OUR SCHOOL
It would be great if you could rummage around in your drawers and toy boxes and bring into School any unwanted mobile phones you may have.  Phones collected help our School gain valuable rewards and the environment benefits too by keeping our landfills free of mobile phones and their array of hazardous toxic substances.  
Please drop any unwanted mobile phones you may have in the collection box in the reception area at School.

Aquagym

459 Cashel St, Ph: 3810299.  Learn to swim & Coaching.  Aquagym & Sumner Pool. Book now for January holidays and Term1

Mainland Football Outdoor Holiday Programmes

DECEMBER:-
Age:        7-14 year olds.
Dates:    20th, 21st and 22nd December 2016
Times:    9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue:  English Park
Cost:     $37.50 per day ($112.50 for three consecutive days) 10% discount of second child when registering two or more siblings.
JANUARY:-
Age:        7-14 year olds.
Dates:    25th, 26th and 27th January 2017
Times:    9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue:  English Park
Cost:     $37.50 per day ($112.50 for three consecutive days)

Mainland Futsal Indoor Holiday Programmes

JANUARY:
Age:        6-12 year olds.
Dates:    23rd, 24th and 25th January 2017
Times:    9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue:  Pioneer Stadium
Cost:     $37.50 per day ($112.50 for three consecutive days)

Canterbury Ballet 

Canterbury Ballet is holding its end of year production ‘Sleeping Beauty’ on 8 and 9 December 7pm at the Isaac Theatre Royal. The performance includes the school’s full-time professional programme students, with two students (including the male lead) already having secured professional contracts overseas for next year. Friday performance includes ex-Beckenham School students Ayiana and Chumani Lo-Fo-Wong in the lead female role of Aurora and Bluebird pas de deux/solo respectively. For tickets please contact Jaimita de Jongh on 021 0592328 or jaimita.dejongh@gmail.com.

Science Alive Summer Holiday Programmes

For information and bookings please go to:  Tinkerlab

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Another week of term has flown by and the end of the school year is getting rapidly nearer. this week saw our Year 5/6 team take off to camp at Living Springs and, by the look of how exhausted they all were when they returned to school this afternoon, a busy and enjoyable time was had by all.


The building work is coming along and the concrete slab of the West Hub should be being poured in the next 10 days. We'll be pleased when the foundation work is complete and the diggers and heavy rollers move on to another site!

Our 2017 teams are each meeting for a day over the next two weeks to have time together to plan for 2017. Sue Leadbetter will be coming down from New Plymouth to join the NE - Y2 team on Monday for their planning day.

Michael Balmer, our Board Chair, was in Kaikoura last week in his professional capacity with the NZ Fire Service. Whilst he was there, he met with the Principal and Board members of Kaikoura Primary School. On his return, he suggested that we ask our children to write to the children of Kaikoura Primary.
When I read the messages that some of them wrote, they gave me confidence and reassurance that the five years of resilience work and positive and growth mindset messaging that our Christchurch earthquake children have been getting has paid off in some way and been successful. They articulated, in many honest and natural ways, how important it is to look after yourself and one another after an event such as a major earthquake. Many of them recollected their earthquake experiences and were able to share that the future, even if it is different to what had been expected, will come right if we care for one another.

Kind regards
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Citizen of the Week

Name - Kennedy Vernal, Year - 7

Kennedy, your joyful enthusiasm regularly brings fun and laughter to the Kauri Hub. You approach your learning with a desire to always do your best, with a willingness to make mistakes and reflect on your learning. This has seen you grow immensely this year, especially in your writing. You have a warm and caring nature when interacting with everyone at our school. It has been great to see your confidence increase as a member of the Intermediate Hub. Keep embracing big mistakes, and celebrating your well deserved successes. Tino pai Kennedy!

Sharing our Learning

Kauri Team

Living our values in Kauri Whanau

In and out of the classroom, Kauri Whanau have been engaged in a wide range of learning experiences that have us living our school values.

We love learning: At Rapaki marae we learnt so much, both about the powhiri process that we experienced and also the history of Rapaki marae.


We get there together: The children are highly engaged in our Sexuality Road lessons. We are learning lots from each other.


We love challenge: This week one of our maths groups took on the four fours challenge. The challenge was to make every number from one to 100, using  four fours in an equation, e.g 4 X (4+4) + 4 = 36 and (4! + 4/4)X4 = 100. We still have a few gaps; let us know if you can work out a solution for 65, 73 or 91.


We make a difference: Our gardening passion Friday group are transforming the gardens at Champion Street. We can’t wait to see our garden grow!



We care: Climate change and sustainability are opening our eyes to issues in the world around us. We are currently in the midst of personal inquiries, which will lead to us working out how we can make a difference for the future of our planet. 

School Notices

School photos 

All of the individual, class and group photos have now been taken for 2016.  This year we did not offer the option of sibling photos due to operating over two sites and the complicated logistics that this would involve.
We are hoping to resume this extra service next year when we the school is based in one location.

PTA News

WEET-BIX Kids TRYathlon 2016/2017 series for Christchurch Sunday 26 February 2017
Click on this link to register as part of the Beckenham School entries that the PTA are co-ordinating. This makes your entry cheaper and you get to be part of the fun and excitement of being with your friends when you take part in the event.
Entries need to be in by Thursday 1 December.
Beckenham School Weetbix Tryathlon registration

Sports News

Summer tournament

On Wednesday 16 November 27 students from the Kauri team headed to Hagley park to enter in the fun of summer tournament. The kiwi tag team had been training under the supervision of Raneigh Smith, who came to us through Canterbury Rugby. The team worked well together, showing solid defense and some outstanding tries. Not everyone had played much rippa rugby before, so it was great to see the support and inclusiveness of the players. Placing fourth out of twelve teams was a pleasing achievement. Thanks to Sona Tuakalau for helping out with the coaching on the day. The slow pitch team was under the experienced eye of Jarred Skelton. Much to the surprise of some of the inexperienced players, many balls were caught and many more runs were scored. There were some huge hitters in the team, sending the ball flying. Coincidently, the slow pitch team also placed fourth out of twelve teams. Again, our Beckenham School students showed fabulous behaviour, making it a pleasure to be a part of Canterbury Sports activities. Many thanks to our wonderful parent help, who provided private transport: Desiree Smythe, Carsten Joergensen, Jo Barnett, Mary-Clare Delahunty, Katherine Ryan and Michelle Maule. Also thanks to the parents who popped down to the park to support and encourage our tamariki.

Athletics

71 students set off to Hansen Park to participate in the South Zones Athletics day Wednesday 9 November. After a drizzly start, the sun shone and it was a fabulous day for the athletes. Competing against the seven other schools in our zone is a daunting task, particularly for the 9 year olds who have only just joined the athletics competition this year. With hats firmly planted on their heads, our students supported and cheered each other on. Well done to all of the athletes who gave their very best against stiff competition. We were very proud of the way the large team behaved beautifully.
Special congratulations to the following students who came first or second in their event, now qualifying for the Canterbury Athletics competition in Ashburton on Wednesday 7 December:
Edward Feryagin high jump, Emily Eade high jump, Nadia Russell 80m, Tilly Harris 80m, Noah Harmer-Campbell 1200m, Joe Flynn discus, Vita Gear high jump, Shakira Radnoty shot put, Amelia Cunningham 1200m, Henry McMecking 1200m, Lauren Murfin high jump, Dom Gorny long jump, William Hanlon high jump.
We also had a number of children who placed third: Elisa Lester discus, Olivia Cochrane long jump and 60m, Kaia Joergensen high jump, Noah Harmer-Campbell 100m. These athletes are reserves and may be called upon if the first two place getters are unable to travel to Ashburton.
Congratulations to the 9 year old girl relay team and to the 12 year old girl relay team who both came second in their races. Unfortunately only the first placed relay team qualifies for the Canterbury Athletics.
Well done to everyone who participated on Wednesday and good luck to the thirteen athletes representing Beckenham School and the South Zone in Ashburton.

Community Notices

Online Holiday Program | Four weeks of fun!

Become your own music producer with Activate Music Academy’s Online Holiday Program! We’ll workshop your songs, make new friends in the community forum, and get creative to win awesome prizes. Complete beginner? Been making beats for a while? We're going to have a great time making music together! Register and find out more at:
activate music online holiday programme

Active Kids Holiday Programmes

January 2017 registrations now open!
Week one -16 – 20 Jan
CHCH Boys High, Papanui, Lincoln, Swannanoa
Week two -23 -27 Jan
Westburn, Pioneer, Rolleston
Active Kids is an exciting structured programme of sport, physical activity and play for primary school aged children.  The programmes are safe and affordable; OSCAR subsidies available.  New 8am start at CHCH Boys High and Westburn
Visit our website for full details: Sport Canterbury holiday programme

Come along and enjoy the iconic Charity Cricket match on 11 December.

Now in its 34th year, the Cystic Fibrosis Charity Cricket match is being held on the grounds of Christchurch Boys High School where favourites the BNZ Crusaders will pitch their skills against some of NZ’s all stars.
With Olympic medallists such as Tom Walsh, Stu Farquhar, Rory McSweeney, William Stedman who are also closet cricket player,s they may pose a challenge to the title holding Crusaders.
Entry is FREE and there will be an opportunity to meet the sporting heroes. There be a BBQ, drinks and ice cream or just bring a picnic. The kids zone includes a bouncy castle and face painting.
This year Evolution Sports Coaching will be running a cricket academy for kids aged 7-11 for a $10 donation which includes the chance of winning a VIP family pass to the VIP marquee where gourmet and refreshments will be served during the day.
All proceeds go to helping Kiwi kids and adults who have cystic fibrosis lead a much better quality of life.
The team will be welcomed on to the grounds at 10:45 for an 11am start.

Keep up to date on the Crusaders Charity Cricket Facebook .

Citizen of the Week

Weaver McDaid - Year 0

Weaver, your enthusiasm for learning stands out. You think deeply about learning areas, and share interesting insights that motivate others. Every day, you take risks and embrace new concepts and skills, and you ask questions to keep yourself on track. Your thoughtful, caring attitude is cherished by those around you. Thank you for noticing and helping others constantly, and for being at-the-ready for any responsibility that comes your way. Ka pai Weaver!

Sharing our Learning

Kahikatea Team

In Weeks 2 and 3, the students from the Kahikatea team packed their bags, barely containing their excitement, donned their sunhats and boarded a big red bus, which transported them into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The children danced and explored their way through the gardens, until they arrived at the playground. Much fun and laughter ensued, and from there, the children moved on to find a beautiful shady tree under which they could have their lunch. Some children practised their cartwheeling on the wide, open, daisy-covered lawns!
The next stop was to be the Art Gallery, so the children made their way along the Gloucester Boulevard, across Montreal Street and into the Gallery. Susie Cox, the Gallery educator, along with Max, one of the Gallery guides, were there to meet the children. They were split into two groups and were shown through to the exhibitions, which contained animals as their theme. The children observed carefully, to note exactly the methods the artists had used to create the effects they had achieved in their works of art.
Later everyone was invited back to the Gallery classroom where Susie demonstrated the techniques needing to be employed, as the children worked with clay to create their own animal art works.
All too soon, the bus arrived back outside the Gallery to return everyone to school! What a wonderful day out we all had – special thanks to all of the parents and grandparents who accompanied us on our outing. We appreciate your support.

Discovery Stations

We are continuing to start each day with Discovery Stations. Children arrive at school and begin their explorations immediately into such areas as:

• Technology challenges
• Problem-solving
• Painting
• Collage
• Building
• Science investigations
• Music making
• Creative writing
• Maths challenges
• Reading challenges
• Reading (special topic books, new chapter books, books about Maui)

Children are asked to think about such questions as:

• How is this activity helping your learning?
• Which of our values are you focussing on?
• Have you helped anyone else today?
• How are you showing respect for your own work and the work of others?
• Are you being careful or wasteful with resources?

The children are thriving in many and varied ways as they participate in Discovery Stations, but perhaps more than anything else, the Key Competencies are being extremely well supported and developed:

• Thinking
• Relating to Others
• Understanding Language, Symbols and Texts
• Managing Self
• Participating and Contributing

And now … a few samples of writing from Kahikatea students:

The Battle of the Mountains
Long, long ago there were seven mountains. The seven mountains are Tongariro, Taranaki, Tauhara, Putauaki, Pihanga, Ruapehu and Ngaurahoe.
One by one, the males started to get angrier and angrier. Tongariro wanted to fight the other mountains, who were jealous of Tongariro.
Angrily, Putauaki and Tongariro were fighting for days and days. At last Tongariro managed to defeat the other mountains. Tongariro felt proud of himself for defeating the other mountains.
Taranaki slid into the west. The other mountains slid into the north and east.
by Keanna

The Battle of the Mountains
Long, long ago Maui fished up te Ika a Maui, the North Island. On it, rose seven mountains. They had a battle. There were two kids and two parents. The chief and another mountain battled. They shot big, fiery rocks back and forwards. Some other mountains made lava and put it on the chief’s back, but they were tiny dots of lava because Tongariro was dodging really well! Then he managed to win.
The other three mountains slid away.
Tongariro and the lady mountain lived happily ever after with the kids.
by Ben

Art Gallery
On Friday our class left to go on a school trip. I was with Adelene and her Nana. We went over to the bus. Soon we arrived at the Botanic Gardens. Adelene and I played together on the playground. Then it was time to eat our lunch under a tree, but soon it was time to start the long journey to the Art Gallery. I walked with Adelene and her grandma until finally we arrived at the Art Gallery. We sat down in the old cafe there. We were split into two groups. Luckily I was with Adlene. A woman took us upstairs. We looked in an animals room. There was a bull that if you took off its head, it was a barbecue. I was amazed! Soon we went into a room with a gnome holding a bag. The woman said it meant good luck. We went downstairs to make our clay animals. We all sat down at the table. We were given a block of clay. The Art Gallery person called us to show us how to make a mouse. I was very excited. We went back to our desks and I started to make my mouse. It was very fun. I put the whiskers and eyes on and then I curled the tail round its body. Now my mouse was done! I dipped my hand into a cold bucket of water, so the clay would wash off. Then the woman called us down to the mat because it was time to get on the bus and go home.
by Vida


Art Gallery and Botanic Gardens
Last Thursday my class went on a hub trip to the gardens and the Art Gallery. When we got off the bus, we walked through the gardens to the park. At the park, my friend, Taylor, and I played on the chain bridge, then it was time for lunch. I had a roll, grapes and some yoghurt. After that, I walked to the Art Gallery. At the Art Gallery, the class met two art teachers, one named Max and one named Susie. Susie and Max took half the class each to have a look around the Art Gallery. When we got back, we made clay beasts. I made a seal. It was quite hard to make because we only had two minutes! My seal turned out better than I thought. That’s why it was the best school trip ever.
by Niamh

School Notices

Community Kindness  - We Care!

Jenny Diggle put out a call for donations of home baking and other food items to be taken to the Hanmer and the general Amuri area....what a fantastic response.  We had a car load of tasty baking to send to families  who are currently trying to deal with the after effects of the recent earthquake.  A huge thank you to our supportive Beckenham School community.

School Attendance & Absences:  

When your child is absent from school for any reason please ensure in the first instance, that you inform the office of this absence.  You can email to: office@beckenham.school.nz, txt to 02102794107 or phone and leave a message on 3371404.

Please feel free to also inform their hub teacher if you wish, but all absences need to be reported to the office as a matter of course. Information or emails sent solely to a teacher may not get recorded on the roll for the day due to a range of different circumstances, e.g the teacher is unwell/attending an off site course or on teacher release for the day.  Informing the office of absences will ensure the ongoing safety of our students and centralise this information.  Thank you for your assistance with this.

Scholastic Book Orders

All orders for Scholastic Book have now moved online.  Orders will be delivered to your home and payment needs to be made directly to Scholastic.  There has been an increasing amount of time needing to be spent on sorting, placing and distributing these orders by Beckenham staff and we are now pursuing the online option for this service.

PTA News

WEET-BIX Kids TRYathlon 2016/2017 series for Christchurch Sunday 26 February 2017

Click on this link to register as part of the Beckenham School entries that the PTA are co-ordinating. This makes your entry cheaper and you get to be part of the fun and excitement of being with your friends when you take part in the event.
Entries need to be in by Thursday 1 December.
Beckenham School Weetbix Tryathlon registration

Tip Top Ice Cream Sales - Canterbury A&P Show Fundraising

Community Notices

Christchurch School of Music Junior Symphony Orchestra: 

Playing in an orchestra is a great way to develop your musical skills and is also great fun!.  Contact the office 3661711 or visit our website if you would like more details - www.csm.org.nz.  Rehearsals are held at Catholic Cathedral College on Saturdays from 8:45-10am.  Cost is $70 per term.

Community energy Action & Orana Park

Our 2017 calendar is a little different than usual - not only have we packed it full of tips and advice about how to keep your home warm, healthy and energy efficient, there is also a built-in temperature strip that measures the warmth of the room, and tells you whether it is within a healthy range.  As an added bonus, having teamed up with Orana Wildlife Park there is lots of information about the animals that live there.  All proceees raised from these calendars will go towards the care and conservation of the animals of Orana Wildlife Park. Buy calendars online for $14.95 - www.cea.co.nz/orana.

International Antarctic Centre January school Holiday programme

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 running Mon – Fri 8.45 – 5.00pm for two weeks during January from Monday 9th to Fri 20th January.
More information is on our website www.iceberg.co.nz or email education@iceberg.co.nz

Brazil Football Clinic

Christchurch United (formerly Christchurch Football Academy) are pleased to announce that Fernando Lambert will be running an elite Brazil Football Clinic, for ages 12 years – 15 years old, focussing on cognitive skills and technique from 19-21 December.  Registrations are now open and limited to 16 players per age grouping (U12/U13 – group 1, U14/U15 – group 2), please refer to the attached  file for more information.   Spaces for the Brazil Football Clinic is extremely limited to the first 16 players in each group, so don’t miss out and register now at the following link Brazil Football Clinic
Xmas Football Camp
If the elite camp is not for you, have no fear, we will be running our regular fun-filled football camp too, also from 19-21 December.
Please note that our full day sessions are restricted to ages 9 – 16 years old, otherwise we hope to see your children here for some Xmas fun.
Don’t miss out, click on the link below to register your child now!
Xmas football camp
For any queries at all please contact office@cfa.org.nz or 021 446 212.

Kia ora whānau

Firstly I would like to acknowledge the amazing staff we have, for their outstanding efforts today. We were all operating on significantly reduced sleep, some much more so than others. Our goal for today was to have the children have as normal a day as possible and we did achieve this, as much as we possibly could.

We had 300 out of our 465 children attend school today.

We did send out text messages to all caregivers this morning, about the status of the school. If you didn't receive a text, please ensure that you contact Jacky in the office as soon as possible and check that we have current details for you.

Saying that, we are also aware that only around 80% of our text messages reached their destination this morning - the other 20% didn't get delivered which was frustrating. We discovered that we had similar issues with incoming texts also, when we started phoning parents of children whom we hadn't heard from and you were telling us you had sent a text! 

We do have protocols for dealing with an emergency situation at Champion St. We have an emergency services quality radio with its own private channel to communicate between Champion St and Beckenham which we will be able to use in the event that the telephone and/or cell phone networks are down. 

If we need to evacuate from Champion St, our plan will be to use buses to bring all the children back to Beckenham. Red Bus have assured us that children and schools are their first priority in an emergency. With this in mind, we would ask that you plan to meet all of your children, following an emergency, at Beckenham School, rather than have individual parents trying to get to Champion St. If this plan were to change, we would let the school office know to alert you.

We do encourage you to have your children return to school tomorrow, if they were away due to the earthquake this morning, so that school can support you and them to have a strong sense of routine and normality. 

There is a very useful site that you may want to explore, called 'The Worry Bug' which has a range of resources for parents and schools to use, to help understand and support anxious children.

These 7 tips for supporting children with anxiety come from their website and may be particularly useful over the next few days:

Kia kaha

Sandy and the team