Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

We feel some sense of achievement, having made it successfully through our second term of building work, with smiles intact and learning continuing on pretty much as usual.

Building update:

Today has seen the office move to the Minor Room , where it will be for Term 2. The hall, hall foyer and office reception will be part of the building site now, until the end of Term 3. The hall is being partially reclad (at the park end) where it is a leaky building. The foyer is getting a new front - windows and double doors to create a more welcoming entrance to the hall, and a new roof across the foyer and office reception area (which is being retained as an additional multi-purpose space).


The bike stands area will be relocated during the holidays to the Sandwich Road side of Rooms 1-4. Eventually we will put new fencing around this area. For Term 2, it will have temporary fencing.

The staffroom has been relocated from the hall foyer to Room 13 (behind Tony's garage).

For those of you watching the progress on the new buildings, you will have noticed the the West Hub (next to the Toy Library) is looking very smart with windows and doors now in, including the lovely red and yellow windows. The internal work happening in this building is massive with numerous different tradesmen (yes - sadly there haven't been any female tradies on site yet) working on their various trades at the same time. The East Hub has made a major transformational leap this week, going from a concrete pad on Monday morning, to a building with a roof by lunchtime today.
During the holidays, the diggers will be digging a stormwater pit in the junior grass area. This will be filled with a special stormwater retention system, and then reseeded. We do anticipate that this area will be partially fenced off for most of Term 2 whilst the grass is regrown.

Parking continues to be a real challenge and we thank you very much for your patience, and for being prepared to park and walk during this time.
We are continuing to have challenges each day around 2:55pm with the buses not having quite enough turning space from Martin Ave into Eastern Tce, causing additional congestion. If parents could refrain from parking on the river side of Eastern Tce in this spot, it would be a huge help.
The same goes for where the buses park on Eastern Tce. Please remember that BOTH sides of the road are NO PARKING so that our children can get on and off the buses safely, and traffic can continue to move along this area.

Welcome to our new Executive Officer

We look forward to properly welcoming Vicki Renwick to our team at the start of next term. Vicki will be joining our Administration Team to take over the payroll, accounting and minor property management work. Vicki has 12 years of experience in working in primary schools doing this work already and we are looking forward to having her on our team. She has been in doing some hours over the last couple of weeks to support the handover, and is excited about starting full-time next term.

Vicki Renwick - New Executive Officer

Getting going in Term 2

Please remember that Term 2 begins on TUESDAY 2nd May as we have a staff professional development day at Champion St on Monday 1st.
BOSCO are taking bookings for this day for those families who need it. This day does not count as part of our number of days we are required to be open - as we have accounted for this day in the total number of days we will have been open for the year.

As we are going into winter, and the buses to Champion St are running very smoothly, we have adjusted the departure time from Eastern Tce each morning to 8:40am.
This means that no children should be at school before 8:30am please. This particularly applies to children in Years 1-4. The teachers will not necessarily be in the classrooms before 8:30am and, if they are, they do need that time for preparation. We will call you, if children are arriving at school too early. BOSCO may be able to assist in the morning, if you need to drop children off before 8:30am.

Learning Conferences

These will be happening in Week 2 of the term. A separate email was sent out today about how to book these. Please check it carefully, and book straight away, to get a time that will work for you.

Contacting Teachers and Getting Messages to your child... 

We are becoming aware that text messaging teachers is on the increase. Whilst this can be a very handy way of communicating with people, we would request that text messaging is not your primary form of communication with your child's teachers. There are many reasons why we request this:

• Some of our teachers prefer not to give out their personal numbers and we fully support and respect that.
• Our teachers are so busy that they occasionally leave their phone at home by mistake, or forget to charge it - meaning that they can't check their messages even if they want to!
• Teachers are very busy during their working day (from 8:30am at the latest, through to 5pm at the earliest) and may not check their phone during this time - certainly not with any regularity. 
• Sometimes teachers are not at school - they may be on a course, or away sick and if the message is urgent, or for your child, no one is aware that the message hasn't got through.
• If teaches get text messages when they are at home they often feel compelled to respond immediately. We have asked them not to do that in the interests of trying to separate their work life and home life.
• Text messages can result in miscommunication which we are always desperate to avoid.

I hope that you all have a restful break and are able to spend some quality time with your children over the next two weeks. Travel safely, if you are travelling, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in Term 2.

Ka kite
Sandy Hasting
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Citizens of the Week

Mahli Boreham - Year 4

Mahli, you are an active learner who asks questions and explores different ideas to extend your knowledge. You are always focussed during learning and you use your strong leadership skills to support others to do the same. Mahli, you regularly give up your time to help others. You put your hand up for every leadership opportunity and we have come to rely on your help, especially with ICT. Thank you for always being so willing to help us. You make Beckenham School a better place. 

Sharing our Learning

Kowhai Team

Get NZ Writing
Hub 7/8/9 have recently been involved in the very exciting Get NZ Writing programme run by Warehouse Stationery. This involved writing a metaphor poem about ourselves in the style of Iain Sharp and writing our favourite line from this poem on a postcard. We also created a poster about our hubs and then sent these posters and all our postcards to 2 different schools in the North Island. They then, in turn, sent their poetry and posters to us. It was very exciting receiving their parcel only a few days later! The children worked hard to create some amazing poems. Here is an example of some of them:

The Luigi Poem

Luigi is a speed train, whizzing through a long tunnel
Luigi is a tall tower, standing up to mean things
Luigi is a meatball, rolling through learning
Luigi is a fast cheetah, running in a race
Luigi is a ginormous tree, each leaf is a shiny star
Luigi is a cuddly teddy, warm and soft
Luigi is a pair of sunglasses, soaking up the sunny day

Fergus

Fergus is my best friend. He has a big brother and sister. Their names are Isaac and Meg. He has blue eyes that shimmer brightly like diamonds. He has short brown hair and a little fringe. Fergus has freckles on his cheeks. He is 7 like me.
Fergus has a dog called Pippi. Pippi is a black and white border collie. He also has a cat and two guinea pigs. Tobu is the name of  his cat and his guinea pigs names are Round About and Ask Him. He says they are going to get a black and white tropical fish and a zebra because all of his pets are black and white!
Who is your friend?
Do they have a pet?
How old is your friend?
Can you answer those questions?

By Quinn Clarke Year 3

My Nana

My nana is very smart. She is tall with grey, spiky hair and she’s got green eyes. She is also very talented. She likes knitting and we like doing art together. Whenever I ask her to play with me she is nice and says “Yes.” She is very loving and she always makes me laugh. Nothing hardly ever makes her sad. She is always happy!
My nana likes cooking and she is awesome! Sometimes we make coloring books for each other and also we color them in. We also do cooking for nanas friends. Only sometimes she is too tired to do anything.
One thing she likes is fashion. Sometimes she lets me get out all her makeup and I can make her into anything I like. One time when I made her into a witch I took her outside and showed every one. Even the people walking on the footpath looked scared of Nana with her witch face on. She lets me do that a lot. I laugh at her when she’s got her beauty mask - on especially when she’s taking it off.

By Layla Jenkins Year 3

Making A Difference

As part of our inquiry into our identity, we have been investigating what makes us unique and special as a School. This has seen us exploring our school values and asking, ‘How can we make a difference to others?’ The children across Kowhai Team have been working in collaborative groups designing activities for a Beckenham Top Team event. Communicating and contributing to discussions, listening to others, problem solving, synthesising ideas have been some of the skills needed to create an original activity. Later on this week, each hub will teach their games to children in team Koru. We hope this experience will make a difference to our buddies through them learning some new skills and developing relationships with their older buddy.


Inspiration Stations
We begin each day with Inspiration Stations. These activities are set up to provide opportunities for the children to explore, communicate, inquire, problem solve, experiment, collaborate and self manage which are necessary skills for 21st century learners. Each session has a particular school value or key competency as a focus. We want to educate the whole child; social, emotional, physical, as well as cognitive.  We believe the best way to do this is to ensure that children have opportunities to explore and inquire. The deep thinking, discussions with others and self direction have resulted in some incredible outcomes and most importantly the children LOVE it! 

School Notices

The Community Dental Service will operate an emergency service over the school holidays. This service is to provide relief of pain only and will not undertake ‘routine’ treatment. The service will be available each working day from 8:45am until 12:30pm from the Hillmorton Community Clinic, Sylvan Street, Christchurch for the following times:

Tuesday, 18th April to 21st April 2017 (excluding weekends)
Monday, 24th April
Wednesday, 26th April to Friday, 28th April 2017 (excluding weekends)

This service will operate by appointment only and if we are unable to see your child, alternative options will be given. If your child has dental pain as a result of an accident please contact your dentist in the first instance.
You can phone and make an appointment for the emergency clinic by ringing 0800 846 983.

Sports News

Sports Results: Canterbury Duathlon

Our top duathletes competed in the Canterbury duathlon on Monday. That’s right, the day it rained constantly all day! These duathletes are made of tough stuff. Despite the soggy conditions, our 15 children represented the school superbly, flying the ‘we love challenge’ banner. A big thanks to the parents and Tracy Inwood who made sure they kept as warm as possible. Congratulations go to the following children who finished in the top 25 places in their race. There were over 100 competitors in each section.

Girls 9 years: Jain Cooper 7th, Hebe Butland 12th
Boys 9 years: Harper Ford 6th
Girls 11 years: Tilly Harris 25th
Boys 11 years: Joel Kingham 25th
Girls 12 years: Kaia Joergensen 2nd, Amelia Cunningham 3rd
Boys 12 years: Alex Braun 17th

PTA News

Congratulations to

...the students who took part in the Huxter Mountain Bike Event at McLeans island last Friday. After torrential rain on the Thursday, the track was suitably muddy, but the day was fabulous and everyone who took part looked to have had a fabulous time!




Congratulations also to Gail Beedles (one of the amzing Teacher Aide in Room 20) for her team's success in the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association National Championship last weekend... see this article on Stuff about their amazing clean sweep of their categories.

Community Notices

Kia Ora koutou,

We have grant money available!
With Support from the Red Cross, the Methodist Mission is going to be able to help fund 180 small street, neighbourhood or community events over the next 14months that promote social connectedness.

We are inviting proposals from individuals, neighbourhood groups, community organisations, churches or resident associations, anyone keen to have a small or medium sized local event. This funding covers the Christchurch, Selwyn, Waimakiri, Hurunui and Kaikoura Districts.

For more information and updates please like our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/communityconnectionsgrants/?fref=ts

YMCA After School Recreation Programmes Term 2 Enrol now!

The YMCA Christchurch offers a wide range of after school recreational activities to cater for those of all ages and abilities, during school term time.

Miniball & Basketball
Get your child involved and see them develop skills, friendships and a team spirit while also staying fit and healthy.
Gymnastics & Dance
Both programmes are designed to help children develop their motor skills, confidence, balance and body awareness.

All programmes are $95 a term.  To enrol pop in and see us at 13a Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale Mall, or for further information and online booking go to www.ymcachch.org.nz/children/recreation/

Future Ferns (Year 3 to 5)

If your child is still interested in playing netball, registrations are possible via the Cashmere Netball Club. All trials will be held at Hagley netball Courts. Registration available on the day.
 2017 Fees: $100.00

Imagination Yoga News

Yoga Classes for Christ​church Kids!

​School Holidays​ - Wonder Kids Workshops​
Monday 24th April: Yoga & Rockclimbing for 4-6 year olds
Wednesday 26th April:​ ​Yoga & Rockclimbing ​for ​7-11 year​ olds​
Thursday 27th April:​ ​Yoga & Sewing ​for ​6-12 years​ olds​
More info: siouxiesolar.com/upcoming-events

​Term 2 Imagination Yoga Course (IY): The Call of The Wild!
Introduce your Child to the world of yoga, meditation and being awesome everyday.
​Age Groups: 4-6 years and 7-​11 years
Dates: ​Tuesday 9th May ​-​ Saturday 1st July (8 weeks)
Focus: Animal Yoga/Movement, Nature Studies, Body Language & Self-Expression
More info: siouxiesolar.com/imaginationyoga​ ​
​Phone Lou on 0226 250 321​

St Thomas of Canterbury College: 

Open Morning:  Wed 10 May 8:30-10:30am. Enrolment enquiries email: eels@stc.school.nz or  Ph: 3487010, ext 701

St Margaret's College Open Day

12 Winchester Street, Christchurch
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm
Principal's Address: 11:45am
For further information: 03 353 2563 or enrol@stmargarets.school.nz

Shirley Boys' High School:

Open Night Thursday 25 May 6:30-8:30pm.  Commencing in the assembly hall, entrance off Nth Parade. www.shirley.school.nz

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.
Sundays 10am to 12pm until 30 April
April Holidays : 18 - 21 April, 24 - 28 April, 10am -12pm
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

YMCA After School Recreation Programmes Term 2 Enrol now!

The YMCA Christchurch offers a wide range of after school recreational activities to cater for those of all ages and abilities, during school term time.

Miniball & Basketball
Get your child involved and see them develop skills, friendships and a team spirit while also staying fit and healthy.
Gymnastics & Dance
Both programmes are designed to help children develop their motor skills, confidence, balance and body awareness.

All programmes are $95 a term.  To enrol pop in and see us at 13a Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale Mall, or for further information and online booking go to www.ymcachch.org.nz/children/recreation/

Futsal Holiday Programmes

Age: 6-14 year olds
Dates: 26th, 27th and 28th April 2017 (WEEK 2)
Times: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: St Thomas's of Canterbury College
Cost: $37.50 per day ($112.50 for three consecutive days) 10% discount of second child when registering two or more siblings.

Keen to play? Click here to register

GIRLS ONLY Futsal Holiday Programmes

Age: 6-14 year olds
Dates: 27th and 28th April 2017 (WEEK 2)
Times: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: St Thomas's of Canterbury College
Cost: $37.50 per day - 10% discount of second child when registering two or more siblings.

Keen to play? Click here to register

Mainland Football Outdoor Holiday Programmes
Age: 7-14 year olds
Dates: 26th, 27th & 28th April 2017
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.

Keen to play? Click here to register

Activity Zone

Come and have fun at the new Shirley Library After School Club!
There will be technology, games,
crafts, books, and most of all -- FUN!
Every Monday during term time
Suitable for ages 6-10
FREE! Bookings not required, however space is limited
Caregivers please remain in the library during the session

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

New House Colours!

Looking ahead to Term 2

The building work will begin on the hall and foyer from the middle of the school holidays, and the office reception area will also be part of that building area. Jacky and the office reception area will be moving into the Minor Room at the end of this term. We do anticipate that this will be somewhat challenging in terms of space and access and ask for your patience and understanding through this time.

Terms 2 & 3

As we will be into the winter terms and mornings will be colder, we have decided that, for Terms 2 & 3, the Champion St buses will depart at 8:40am from Eastern Tce, rather than at 8:30am. This means that no children need to be at school before 8:30am. The Year 1-4 learning spaces will stay closed until 8:30am to allow teachers preparation time. We ask that you do not drop children at school before this time, as has always been the case prior to the build starting.

Accounts

A statement with Fees and Requests for Contributions for each child has been emailed home today. Please check your inbox carefully - this email will be sent via a different system to the system we use for sending the newsletter - it will come from Beckenham_School@etap.co.nz
We think that some people may be having these emails blocked by their email provider, or that they might go into your spam folders.
Please do check that you have received this, and contact accounts@beckenham.school.nz if you can't locate it.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal

Citizens of the Week

Karda Briggs - Year 1

Karda you are a superstar learner and classmate.  You demonstrate your 'I love challenge' attitude by trying new things with increasing confidence and resilience.  Your growing self motivation and positive 'I can' attitude is an inspiration to us all.  Thank you for being a role model for us at learning times when you focus and try your very best. Tino pai Karda.

Annabelle Smith - Year 1

Annie, you are a fantastic learner and friend in Hub 10/11. You have the most beautiful smile, and always look on the bright side of life! You are kind, generous, helpful and always respectful to classmates and adults alike. You put 100% effort into producing top quality work and you are always keen to step up for a challenge. Your attitude is a wonderful example for us all! Thank you for providing sparkle and smiles each and every day for us, Annie. You're a gem!

Sharing our Learning

Kauri Team

Exploring Leadership in Kauri Whanau.

The past month has been a busy and stimulating one for our Year 7 & 8 students. At the end of March we headed off to Wainui for a week full of challenge, fun and bonding. We got all three in bucketloads. Wainui provides so many ways to put ‘we love challenge’ into action. Not that we all ‘loved’ the challenge when it was staring at us in the face, but once we took the plunge, so to speak, the benefits were huge. From soaring on the giant swing, to leaping off rocks high above the ocean, to working with team-mates solving challenges, we embraced the challenge and grew as individuals. For those who weren’t so driven by adrenalin, the challenges came in less confronting forms, such as archery and making bivvies.


On our return to school our focus shifted towards learning about leadership. We are exploring leadership through the lens of the ‘7 habits of highly effective people’ (Stephen and Sean Covey). Week 8 was our leadership week. We immersed ourselves in activities and discussion to develop each of the 7 habits. One of the most powerful learning experiences was listening to and interviewing two inspirational leaders. Mark Inglis had both legs amputated below the knees when he was 23, after being trapped on the top of Aoraki, Mt Cook  for 13 days.  The children listened in awe to the story of his life and were inspired by his proactive attitude. Three days later when they were involved in synergy activities at Spencer Park, one child encouraged another with, ‘You can do it, remember what Mark Ingils told us!’ He left the children with many important messages. These included: you don’t need to be friends with everyone, but you do need to have respect for others; don’t wish for the best, but use what you have and just do it; and your attitude determines your altitude.


The week prior, Ben Atkinson was our guest speaker. I’ll leave it to Sadie McLoughlin to tell you about Ben ...

Ben Atkinson, someone who has sacrificed everything for others. On Monday, I was inspired by this man (as were many others), the man behind ‘Fill Their Lunchbox’. I was inspired by his confidence, and how he was just an ordinary guy, making an extraordinary change in the world. Ben Atkinson is a man who not only knows his many strengths, but embraces his weaknesses.

The social enterprise ‘Fill Their Lunchbox’ was created by Ben. When you buy a lunch, two lunches are made and delivered to the students of low decile schools. Research showed that 28% of kiwi kids lived in poverty, and Ben was not happy about that. Delivering over 616 lunches each week, things started changing. Truancy rates went down. Children behaved better at school.

One thing that REALLY stood out to me was his mindset to think win win. Teaching skills to ex-prisoners from Odyssey House, they helped him by making lunches for deprived children. As well as teaching them skills to use later in life, he gave them a purpose.

The children were fascinated with the fact that, while Ben pays three employees, apart from paying his rent, he doesn’t draw an income. His life is full, he is loving what he is doing, he is making a huge difference, but he doesn’t need money to provide that happiness. We can help Ben to break the poverty cycle, by purchasing a cafe style lunch for ourselves, that also provides two lunches for children in need. Check out https://fill-their-lunchbox.myshopify.com/



Our Year 7 & 8 children are now full of inspiration, experiences and principles. We look forward to watching them bloom into awesome young leaders.  

School Notices

Preparing Your Child for School Seminar

Tuesday May 16th 
7.30 Hillview Christian School Gymnasium
Parents and caregivers of children nearing school are strongly encouraged to come to an evening jampacked with helpful hints and tips of how to interact with preschoolers to maximise learning opportunities in readiness for school. The seminar is being run by Michaela Allen, the Ōpāwaho Learning Cluster leader and supports a pamphlet produced by the cluster  that you will receive at the seminar. The seminar is free but please register using this google form: https://goo.gl/forms/DYXQjYQkyQkaBLbv2
The event is for parents and caregivers of children that attend or are likely to attend an ECE or school in the Ōpāwaho Learning Cluster.

University of Canterbury Kiwi Competitions (Years 5-8) (in place of ICAS)

The University of Canterbury is offering our Year 5-8 children the opportunity to participate in the Great Kiwi English, Mathematics and Science competitions. These competitions will be taking place annually and are designed by New Zealand teachers for New Zealand students based on the New Zealand curriculum.

The competitions are administered by the centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) which is a not-for-profit Centre at the University of Canterbury. The competitions are open to all Year 5-10 students in English, Mathematics and Science. Students can enter in one or more subjects. It provides teachers, parents and students an independent, comprehensive record of a student's performance. Your child’s teacher will supervise the online tests which will take place in the last 2 weeks of Term 2 at school.

Certificates will be sent to all participating students and prizes awarded to top students. These will be supplied by the University of Canterbury. For further information, please consult the CEM website www.cem.canterbury.ac.nz
We have decided to offer  The Kiwi Competitions now at Beckenham School, in place of the  ICAS competitions (which are from the University of New South Wales) which we have participated in the past.

Please click on this link to complete the registration details for your child. Alternatively forms are at the Beckenham and Champion St offices, and teachers will also have a handful of paper copies.
Payment for these competition fees, $8.50 per subject, will need to be paid in full by the last day of Term 1 (Thursday 13 April). You can pay with eftpos at the Beckenham site office or online school's bank account (ASB 12-3148-0131641-000) with the reference ‘KiwiCom’  and child’s name as the code.

Competitions will take place between 26 June-7 July.

PTA News

Sports News

Winter Sport: Coaches Required

Kia ora whānau,

With Term 2 fast approaching, we are starting to organise coaches and managers for our Winter Sport teams. As always, Beckenham School enters teams into the Friday Winter Sports competition, and look forward to travelling to Hagley Park to play against other schools in rugby, football, netball and hockey. To enter as many teams as possible we rely on our supportive community to volunteer to coach/manage sports teams, alongside our staff. If you are keen to support us in this we would love to hear from you. Please email expressions of interest to Jenny at jenny.diggle@beckenham.school.nz
We look forward to hearing from you!

Jenny and Gayle

Huxter Mountain Bike Relay - 7th April

The Huxter Mountain Bike Relay event is being held at Mcleans Island on Friday the 7th of April. While this event takes place during school hours, the children will remain the responsibility of their parents for the duration of the event. We know of a few children already entered for this event by their parents and a few more children seeking a racing partner. If your child is interested in this event, please email Jenny to be put in touch with another family who are looking to enter. Please also let Jenny know when you have made an entry so that we can provide a Beckenham sports top and mark the child appropriately on the school roll.

Hanmer 4 Hour mountain bike race results

Huge smiles shone through the mud splattered faces at the Hanmer 4 Hour mountain bike race on Saturday. Hebe Butler, Harper Ford and Walter Mclaughlin worked as a team to complete 9 laps of the Super Junior course, while Isaac Macdonald took on the adult course as an individual competitor. All four children embraced ‘We love challenge’ as they braved the increasingly muddy course for four hours. Both the team and Isaac placed third in their respective categories. Tino pai!


Congratulations to Alex Braun who came an impressive 3rd place in the Canterbury Secondary School’s Cross Country Mountain Bike Series on Wednesday the 8th of March.

Staff Profile

Jacky Sargent - Office Administrator

Beckenham School has been a part of my life now for 14 years from when my oldest child Ruby started..she is now 19 and just flown the nest for a gap year in Melbourne. My younger daughter Julia, also attended Beckenham and is now in year 12 at Cashmere High. I commenced working here in 2012 after working as an Occupational Therapist for nearly 20 years...so a definite career change! The Beckenham School community is a very welcoming and inclusive one and I love being a part of it.  I enjoy outdoor activities including, biking, walking and the odd bit of tramping. I also have started blokarting, great fun down at the beach or racing at Wigram. Mark, my husband, sometimes joins me when he isn't sailing, so the competition is a little more intense on those race days!

Community Notices

Aquagym:

459 Cashel Street, Ph: 3810299.  Learn to Swim and coaching.  Book now for April Holiday Courses & Term 2.  Leaders in Aquatic Education.

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Autumn weather, gumboots and raincoats...

As the rain poured down at the start of this week, we noticed a number of children without raincoats or gumboots, who were getting very wet coming to school. Gumboots are encouraged on very wet days, along with a pair of slippers to wear inside, and an extra pair of dry socks just in case!
Our PTA are happy to accept donations of gumboots AND raincoats that your children have grown out of, to sell on via the second hand clothing area. Please consider having a sort out at home, and bringing into the office any gumboots or raincoats that are still in good condition that your family doesn't need any longer.

Building Update

I was walked through the West Hub for the first time this week. It is a hive of activity with the internal walls being constructed, and doors and windows arriving to be fitted. The electrical and data cabling teams are working their way through the building to get these services in.


Click here for a full building update.

Ngā mihi

Sandy Hastings - Principal - Tumuaki

Citizens of the Week

Lucy Gray - Year 6

Lucy, you are a superstar in our team. You persistently demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic attitude in all areas of learning and you are a fantastic role model to other students. You are a self-motivated learner and constantly strive to improve yourself. You are are very thoughtful and have excellent critical thinking skills which you use to make insightful contributions to our class discussions. Well done for always putting 100% into your learning. Keep up the outstanding work, Lucy!

Emily Eade - Year 6

Emily, you are an outstanding role model at Beckenham School. You ensure those around you feel welcome and you have taken extra care to look out for anyone who needs a friend. You always remain focused during learning time and have been developing extraordinary leadership skills to help support others to do the same. Your passion and positivity is incorporated into everything you do. It is clear that you love learning! We are looking forward to seeing you continue to grow into a leader at Beckenham School. Tino pai, Emily!

Sharing our Learning

Hub 20

Hub 20 have had a great first half of term, with lots of wonderful learning experiences happening. We have been working on a topic called 'Rising to the Challenge'.  The focus for this is around developing our own sense of identity, and finding common interests and skills among our peers.  We are working towards developing friendships, and being an important part of a wider team.  Part of our learning has been to challenge ourselves and see what we are capable of.  We have set ourselves challenges.  Some physical, such as running a three legged race, and to run around the field without stopping.  Some more academic, such as learning languages - these have been very popular!  We are getting to know what we can do ourselves, and what we may have in common with our peers.  Here are some photos from our challenges.

Koru Hub

Kia ora.  The tamariki and kaiako in Te Whanau Koru are continuing to be engaged and involved in learning about our Identity and our Whakapapa. We have enjoyed exploring the 'Me Bags' sent to school.  These bags contained items collected from home that showed the children’s family, where they come from and things that the children are passionate about and good at.
We have heard how everyone’s family is made up, and, what is important to each family.  Hearing of all the places from around the world that our families have come from has helped us understand that everyone’s past is different and we all share some similarities too.
Our investigation into identity has involved wonderful opportunities for the Arts and Te Reo. We asked ourselves ‘What are the ways in which people portray family or whakapapa through art?’
Here is some of our Koru Art that represents our families as we see them.

School Notices

School Photos

School wide photos are happening on Wednesday March 22nd.
The staff photo will be at 8:00am in the hall
It needs to be this early to ensure teachers can be back in class for students who arrive at 8:15am.

Buses to Champion St will be delayed for this morning. 
All Year 5-8 students will need to make their way to the school hall and assemble there for their photos.
Years 7 & 8 will be photographed first and will start promptly at 8:30am - their bus is booked for a 9:00am departure to Champion Street.

Years 5 & 6 will be photographed second commencing approx 9:00am - their bus is booked for 9:45/10am departure.

Please start reminding your students about the photos, especially the students who are regularly dropped off at Champion St and don't take the bus. They will need to be at Sandwich Road site school by 8:30am if they are a year 7/ 8 and by 8:55am if they are a year 5/6.

Disability Parking on Sandwich Road

Please remember that the two cones out on the bottom of Sandwich Road are the best option we are able to create for disability parking (primarily for Ferndale class). This parking is used every day by Ferndale buses, taxis and parents who all qualify for disability parking. We are not able to officially get this designated by the council, however, as the disabled access to the Ferndale class cannot currently go via our school carpark, this access is very important for these users. Please respect this space and leave it for them to use.

Student Council News

Sports News

PTA News

Staff Profile

Charlotte Verity-McCormick

Kia ora! I love teaching at Beckenham, with our fantastically vibrant and supportive community and children. I have taught for around 7 years, in Melbourne and then here in Christchurch. My whānau is important to me, and I love spending time with them. I have 3 brothers, one in London, one is Australia and one here in Christchurch...and I have a fur 'nephew'...a gorgeous chocolate labrador called Ghana. In school, I especially love science, reading stories, and learning about our environment with students. Outside of school, I love to travel and am lucky to have been to almost 20 different countries, and I was lucky to live in London for 4 years. I also love going to see my grandparents, being in my garden, writing creatively and getting out for walks in nature. I also love seeing friends, and getting into the swimming pool for lots of laps! Here is a photo of my brother Liam, and I, in Sri Lanka.

Community Notices

Sport Canterbury

The April school holidays are fast approaching! Join us for a week of action packed fun and adventure, with plenty of sport, onsite activities, and outings.
To check out the programme details for each venue or register online, go to www.sportcanterbury.org.nz

April 2017 school holiday highlights for full day participants:

Week One: 18th - 21st (Easter Monday is the 17th )
Papanui: enjoy a trip to the Margaret Mahy playground, a rugby skills session with the boys from the Belfast Rugby Club, plus the usual awesome swimming at Graham Condon and trip to Hoyts.
Lincoln: learn new skills with a session from Touch Canterbury and Canterbury Country Cricket and bounce the afternoon away at Mega Air!
Pioneer: Juniors get crafty and make and fly your own kite, swim at Pioneer and join the Seniors for a trip to Hoyts to see ‘Baby Boss’. Seniors get inventive with a session with Science Alive and hit the pool for swimming fun.
Westburn: learn new skills with a session from Touch Canterbury, swim at Jellie Park and take trip to Hoyts to see ‘Baby Boss’. Juniors - scoot, skate or bike around the Westburn Bike Park, using road safety skills, Seniors - have a go at Frisbee Golf.
Swannanoa: learn new skills with a session from Canterbury Country Cricket, swim at Dudley Park and get crafty with kite making and flying.
 Ashburton: sharpen your cricket skills with a session from Mid Canterbury Cricket, swim at the EA Centre, including fun on the inflatables and see ‘Baby Boss’ at the movies.
Week Two: 24 th , 26 th – 28 th (Anzac Day is Tuesday 25 th )
Christchurch Boys High: learn new skills with a session from High School Old Boys Rugby Club, go crazy at the Phat SK8 roller disco, take in a movie at Hoyts. Juniors get crafty and make and fly a kite, Seniors swim at Wharenui.
Rolleston: take on an orienteering challenge at the Halswell Quarry, Juniors enjoy a picnic and games afternoon at Parekura Reserve, Seniors swim at the Selwyn Aquatic Centre.
Register online now www.sportcanterbury.org.nz
Week One registrations close on Monday 10 th April at 5pm (or earlier if fully booked)
Week Two registrations close on Monday 17 th April at 5pm (or earlier if fully booked)
An 8am start option is available at Westburn and CHCH Boys High

Bambino Market

A boutique market for the littlies.  Lincoln events Centre Sun 26 March 10am - 3pm.  15 Meijer Drive, Lincoln

Kids Judo

Mainland Football

If you want to be a better teacher, a better junior coach, a better parent leader…

Mainland Football organise a Junior level 1 coach education on Saturday 18 March at English Park, 127 Cranford Street from 9am to 1pm.
The aims of the JL1 course are:

To be able to understand the Junior Football Framework.
To be able to meet your player needs.
To be able to transfer the principles of effective coaching and a player-centred philosophy to your own coaching.

If you want to be part of it, it’s only 65$ and you can register with the link below:

Mainland Football Coaches Network:             Mainland Coach Education 2017 Registration Form

Mainland Football - GIRLS ONLY & Boys Futsal Holiday Programmes

Age: 6-14 year olds
Dates:  19th, 20th and 21st April 2017
Times: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Venue: St Thomas’s of Canterbury College
Cost: $37.50 per day – 10% discount of second child when registering two or more siblings.

Mainland Outdoor Holiday Programmes

Age: 7-14 year olds
Dates: 26th, 27th & 28th  April 2017
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.

More information visit: www.mainlandfootball.co.nz

HALSWELL UNITED AFC - FOOTBALL

SEASON STARTS 1st APRIL - REGISTER ASAP if interested
Online registrations are OPEN. For ALL players aged 4 to 70+
The season starts 1st April to end of August (early bird fees before end of March).
First Kicks 4-6 years ($60), Fun Football 7-8 years ($100), 9th/12th Grades ($130), 13th/18th ($150) for the season
Senior Men/Women – Casual Kick around Wednesdays, 6.30pm (Halswell Domain)
For more information please visit our website at: www.hawkfootball.org.nz/register
Email: Sam Bunn: huafcGM@gmail.com for information

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Nathan will explore the needs that relate to the development of social, emotional skills, which as well as developing resilience, play a crucial role in the subsequent development of cognitive skills such as literacy. Nathan Wallis is a father of three & foster parent with a professional background in child counselling, teaching and social service management. Until recently he lectured in Human Development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand and was also a board member and senior trainer with the national body responsible for the dissemination of neuroscientific research to professionals. Nathan is a regular on Radio and Television shows in New Zealand, sharing his expertise on child development.

Teacher Only Day confirmed for Term 2:

We are able to confirm that Monday 1st May will be a TEACHER ONLY DAY. This means that Term 2 will start on Tuesday 2nd May. Please note this in your diaries.

Congratulations!

Some days I get an unexpected email in my inbox that just makes me smile and feel incredibly proud of our students and the generous hearts that they have. This week, I received this email:
"Just wanted to pass on a huge thank you from the team here at Ronald McDonald House South Island to your students, in particular Charlotte and Madeline who recently held a bake sale to raise money for our families." - Phillipa Webb - Marketing and Communications Advisor - Ronald McDonald House.

Mufti Day

Important Dates

Citizen of the Week

Fynn Skelton Year 7

Fynn, you have a big heart and always show that you care. You are very aware of when your peers need support and always display empathy and understanding. 'We love challenge' is a value that you live by. Fynn, you grab hold of opportunities, displaying confidence and growing resilience. 

Sharing our Learning

Pohutukawa Team

We have had a fabulous start to the year in Te Whanau o Pohutukawa. Our inquiry focus is the concept of ‘Identity’. This has allowed many opportunities for us to get to know each other, discover the ways in which we are unique, and the commonalities that we share. During writing, we have been expressing our identity through biographical poems. Here are some examples:


The Year 7 & 8 students have spent this week on Camp at Wainui in the Akaroa Harbour. They have had amazing weather, and challenged themselves to push beyond their comfort zones, supporting one another along the way.
You can read about their adventures on the Kauri Blog...

School Notices

ELGREGOE (Years 0-4)

This year Elgregoe is coming to visit our Year 0-4 children on Monday 20 March. Elgregoe will be focusing on the theme of "YOU be the HERO" which teaches students they can be the solution to bullying.

A hero shows HONESTY, has EMPATHY, is RESPECTFUL, is RESILIENT and looks for OPPORTUNITIES to make a difference.

This show supports the messages we are already giving students to create a positive and bully free environment. Amazing new illusions and puppets, live parrots, and incredible props combine to
deliver a powerful presentation that does make a difference.

The cost to the school for bringing this 1 hour presentation in is $4:00 per child, a request for your contribution for this will be put on your next account.

University of Canterbury Kiwi Competitions (Years 5-8)

The University of Canterbury is offering our Year 5-8 children the opportunity to participate in the Great Kiwi English, Mathematics and Science competitions. These competitions will be taking place annually and are designed by New Zealand teachers for New Zealand students based on the New Zealand curriculum.

The competitions are administered by the centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) which is a not-for-profit Centre at the University of Canterbury. The competitions are open to all Year 5-10 students in English, Mathematics and Science. Students can enter in one or more subjects. It provides teachers, parents and students an independent, comprehensive record of a student's performance.  Your child’s teacher will supervise the online tests which will take place in the last 2 weeks of Term 2 at school.

Certificates will be sent to all participating students and prizes awarded to top students. These will be supplied by the University of Canterbury. For further information, please consult the CEM website www.cem.canterbury.ac.nz
We have decided to offer  The Kiwi Competitions now at Beckenham School, in place of the  ICAS competitions (which are from the University of New South Wales) which we have participated in the past.

Please click on this link to complete the registration details for your child. Alternatively forms are at the Beckenham and Champion St offices, and teachers will also have a handful of paper copies.
Payment for these competition fees, $8.50 per subject, will need to be paid in full by the last day of Term 1 (Thursday 13 April). You can pay with eftpos at the Beckenham site office or online school's bank account (ASB 12-3148-0131641-000) with the reference ‘KiwiCom’  and child’s name as the code.

Competitions will take place between 26 June-7 July.

Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival

Our best musicians need to be part of this!
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.
If you are interested place an application online – it really is very simple.  Go to the festival website www.musicfestival.school.nz where all the information and application form is available.  There is information on the website that will answer every question of a parent or potential participant.
Please note that applications close on April 13th (last day of Term 1)
To complete your application, you will need to use our Beckenham School code which is pride.

Pohutukawa "Pitch Perfect" Choir

It has been fabulous to have so many Year 5 and 6 students interested in joining choir this year. We will be starting the year with a pop music focus. Once the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival song books are released, we will spend our time learning the songs and perfecting our singing for this. The festival runs from the 25th to 27th October. Students will have the opportunity to perform alongside around 1000 other other children. The CSM Festival is a wonderful opportunity for our children to develop their musical talents and to contribute towards an event that is an institution in Canterbury. There are bound to be many parents that have fond childhood memories of participating in this festival themselves! The theme for this year is ‘Whatever the Weather’.
If your child is keen to be in the choir, they will be bringing home a letter next week outlining our goals and including some information and dates for the Music Festival. If you support them being in the choir, please sign and return the form, and ensure that they understand that they are committing to being in the choir through to the Music Festival in Term 4.
Katie Chapman

Parking and Safety on Sandwich Road

It is drawn to our attention almost every day that a number of people are parking on the broken yellow lines adjacent to the pedestrian crossing at our front entrance on Sandwich Road. 

Parking close to the crossing puts the children who are using the crossing at great risk - they are less visible to oncoming traffic, and they need to step out onto the crossing before they can see traffic that is coming.

We rely on every member of our community to follow the road rules and keep all of our children safe. Please allow a little extra time in the morning to park at a safe distance from the crossing and walk.

Staff Profile

Community Notices

WINTER FOOTBALL SEASON – HALSWELL UNITED AFC

Online registrations are OPEN. For ALL players aged 4 to 70+
The season starts 1st April to end of August (early bird fees before end of March).
First Kicks 4-6 years ($60), Fun Football 7-8 years ($100), 9th/12th Grades ($130) for the season.
Senior Men/Women – Casual Kick arounds Wednesdays, 6.30pm (Halswell Domain).
For more information please visit our website at: www.hawkfootball.org.nz/register
Email: Sam Bunn: huafcGM@gmail.com for information
OPEN DAY (gain information) - Halswell Outdoor Pools, Sun 12th March, 5pm-7pm

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

This week saw our students at both sites acknowledging the 6th anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquakes by again creating a river of chalk flowers and messages of hope on the footpath at Sandwich St and at Hills Road in Edgeware.
We realise that many of our younger children don't have strong memories of the earthquakes, which isn't a bad thing, and we focus on the positive aspects that being a community that works together and whose members support one another.




There has been lots of action on the building site for the West Hub this week as we have seen the wall and roof panels trucked in and then each panel craned into place. The wind provided some challenges but the week's work has been achieved to plan. Next week the iron will go onto the roof.

Change to newsletter frequency

Citizen of the Week

Keira Ryder - Year 2

Keira - you are growing so much as a leader in our hub. You encourage and support your peers in the whole class and small groups. You are putting 110% effort into all learning - it is wonderful to see your passion!  You are respectful to all those around you and make such responsible choices, often helping with tasks before you are asked. Your interest in the environment and the care you show for our world is inspiring. Thank you for all the energy you bring to our hub and school!

Staff Profile

Caitlyn Downing

Kia ora! I am in my third year teaching at Beckenham and my first year teaching in the year one and two team, Koru. I am originally from Greymouth where I grew up with my family swimming, kayaking, hiking, biking, basically anything and everything outdoorsy. This is still a huge part of my life. I have now lived in Christchurch for seven years with my boyfriend, Jake, who is also a West Coaster. We love spending our weekends watching movies and hitting up the new Adventure Bike Park.

Student Council - Mufti Day - 7 March

School Notices

Good luck to all our competitors who are getting out there and giving it their best in this weekends Weetbix Tryathlon.  We're so proud of you all for giving it a go.  HAVE FUN

Celebrating Success:

Luke Menzies

Sports Notices

Community Notices

TimberNook provides innovative nature-based programmes for children designed to foster creativity, imagination & play in the great outdoors.
TimberNook programmes are now offered locally! Amazing outdoor experiences in natural settings –Cracroft Guide Centre (151 Cashmere Road). Limited places for Tiny Ones preschool playgroups, Going Wild weekend club, a range of school holiday programmes, special events & birthday parties. To view programmes visit http://www.timbernook.com or contact Kim via email Kim.Tenebaum@timbernook.com, 027 9340409, fb TimberNook Christchurch NZ South
TimberNook doesn’t entertain – we empower!

Netball

Christchurch Netball Centre are running an ANZ futureFERNS  FUN Have A Go Day for all children in Years 1-6.
This event is free and showcases the ANZ futureFERNS programmes for Years 1-2, Years 3-4 and Years 5-6.
Parents, caregivers and potential coaches welcome.
Information about the programmes will be available as well as information about clubs in Christchurch and ways you can be involved in Junior Netball.
To register simply follow the link below:
http://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/50158

Child, Youth and Family 

Child, Youth and Family are looking for people, in and around the Hornby area, who are interested in making a difference in the life of a vulnerable young person.
James is a friendly teen with a great sense of humour.  James is mad about cars and would like to be a mechanic when he grows up.
James is a member of the Christchurch City BMX club and by all accounts is quite good and will be competing at competition level.  He is also involved in his local cricket club and attends youth group weekly.  He enjoys playing video games - X-Box and PSP, watching and playing sport, and listening to music.  James takes pride in his room, which is remarkably clean and likes to help with chores around the house.
James would do really well in the care of a local couple who have experience with young people.  He needs someone, who can build his self-esteem, offer opportunities and experiences while at the same time providing consistent and clear boundaries.
Like most teens James behaviour can be challenging, at times, particularly when he is anxious or unclear about what is happening. James needs someone with patience, to help him learn positive behaviours and help to manage challenges positively.
With your support and care James will have every opportunity to develop positively and achieve his full potential.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please call us to discuss fostering a young person and the support package we can offer you. Call Karina Langley for a chat on 03 961 4130 or email karina.langley002@cyf.govt.nz or call toll free on 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459).

Orchestral Extravaganza:

Wed 22 Mar, 7:30pm, Christ's College Assembly Hall.  Free admission.  No bookings required.  Put on by orchestras from Rangi Ruru, Christ's College and St Margaret's College.

Holi Festival

Revel Events and Christchurch Multicultural Council are excited to bring Holi back to Christchurch on Saturday 4th March. We would like to invite you to join in the fun from 11am - 3pm at 221 Gloucester Street, opposite Latimer Square.
This year Holi is all about bringing life, colour and fun to our central city. Cultural fusion dance performances will showcase the many different cultures in our community joining together in celebration!
Holi is a day to forget worries and connect with family and friends. Come along and throw colors, dance, and enjoy DJs, traditional Indian games, cultural performances and festive Holi delicacies. We would enjoy seeing your school there. If you’re interested, the entry to this event is free, colors will be available to purchase $5 for 2 packets. Please see the event here https://www.facebook.com/events/583137945217592/

Southern Cross Irish dance:

Beginner Classes
1ST LESSON FREE
Saturdays 10am-11am (from 4th March 2017 onwards) St Mary’s Church Hall329 Halswell Rd, Halswell
Tuesdays 4pm-5pm (from 28th Feb 2017 onwards) Christchurch Irish Society Hall 29 Domain Tce, Spreydon.
to book, contact Shannon & Argene on 0220403109, southerncrossirishdance@gmail.com
 Great for kids to gain confidence, co-ordination and rhythm, SouthernCrossIrishDance.com