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

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Our thoughts have been with all of the families impacted by the tragic events of the past five days. We also share with the rest of Christchurch in our appreciation of the tireless efforts put in by the hundreds who continue to work together, in many different roles, to bring the fires under control.

While this afternoon had been planned to be our first House event where the children spent time on the park in their house groups, getting to know the younger and older children in their house group, the rain was so welcome that spending the time singing together in the hall was no hardship at all.

Today we saw the arrival of a large crane onto the West building site as the rafters were hoisted into place.

Citizen of the Week

Cooper Reddecliffe - Year 4

Cooper, you are growing into your role as a junior leader. You demonstrate the Beckenham School values "We love challenge" and "We get there together" by showing effort and enthusiasm for your learning and by helping others in the hub to complete tasks. You have shown persistence and resilience since the beginning of the term, demonstrating a growth mindset to your peers and teachers. Thanks you for all of your effort so far, Cooper. You are a superstar who makes our hub rock!

Sharing our Learning

Kowhai Team

 Inspiration Stations In Hub 7/8/9

We are now starting the day with Inspiration Stations which are proving extremely popular with the children in Hub 7/8/9. We have various stations for the children to work at ranging from Lego challenge stations to play dough creations to puppet plays. We have also managed to include a bit of measurement too. The children were challenged to find the right measurement tool to measure their feet, hands, ankles and wrists and they also compared their heights to one another. It was a bit tricky but they managed by doing it with their buddies and getting there together!

Key Values in Team Kowhai:

For the last two weeks the children have been focussing on our key values of “We care” and “We get there together”. This is really important as we get to know each other and begin to establish our ways of working together.

We have been using kind words like “Can I help?”, “Are you okay?”, “You are awesome!” and we have been practicing kind actions such as Hi 5s, smiling, looking at people when they talk and helping people.

We know how important it is that everyone feels safe and happy in our hubs. One of the ways that we have been practicing this is by participating in our hub Inspiration Stations. During this time the children are working co-operativley on a variety of different activity stations. When choosing a station, the focus is on the two school values, “We love learning” and “We love challenge”. The teacher’s role is to question what  the children are learning and for the children to be able to explain why they have chosen the task and how they know that they are thinking.
“I know when I am thinking because I have to do things much more slowly.” Zoe
“I am challenging myself by trying to make a 3D minion. I’m using my 2D minion as my guide.” Emma and Justine

Mindfulness

In Kowhai team, we believe in the importance of teaching the children how to stay calm and relaxed. Each afternoon we have time to give our bodies a time to stop and for us to think about being calm and relaxed. We are currently learning how to do belly breathing which helps us if we ever feel anxious or upset. This is when we have to breathe deeply so our tummies go right out!

Junior School Leaders

As we are on two sites, the Year 4 students in our team have been given the opportunity to become Junior School Leaders. We have been incredibly impressed with the high level of maturity and reliability the Year 4 children have demonstrated. At present we have children being responsible for being receptionists at morning tea, organising lunch monitors, being milk monitors and sport shed supervisors. Here are some of our Term 1 leaders. In Term 2, we will allocate new leadership roles to provide the children with the opportunity to become a leader if they haven’t already or to try a new role.

Staff Profile

School Notices

Congratulations

Congratulations to Amanda (our NE teacher in Hub 10/11 last year) and Callum McLean on the arrival of their bonny boy, Arthur.  Mum, Dad and Arthur are all doing well and loving being together as a family.

Lunchonline:

Pita Pit has amended their menu to include a mandatory size option. This is to accommodate the children who find the kids size pita a little small.
The two choices are Regular Size or Kids Size.
The Kids Size is the pita that is currently being supplied. The Regular Size are larger and the size you would order in store.
So, next time you order your Pita Pit, you will be prompted to select a size if you forget.

School Road Patrol:

We still require some more willing parent helpers to support our children by supervising morning road patrol on Sandwich Road. Please contact Michelle Maule on deputy,principal@beckenham.school.nz if you are able to help out with this and keep our children safe.

Sports News

Beckenham School Orienteering

The Beckenham School orienteering group are looking forward to another great year and welcome anyone who would like to come along.

We will be organising weekly orienteering training sessions on Monday afternoons starting on March 13th. We also take part in many events put on by the local orienteering club. These usually take place on Sundays but there is currently a summer series of Tuesday evening events underway. Orienteering is suitable for children from year 5 up to do on their and any age to do accompanied by an adult or older child. If you or your child are interested to try orienteering contact Jenni jennia.home@gmail.com to be added to the Beckenham orienteering mail list. You can come along to as many or as few orienteering sessions as you would like.

The highlight for 2016 was the trip by 5 Beckenham students to the Australian Orienteering champs in Queensland. The group achieved many excellent results with the best being in the relay championships. Seven teams representing various Australian states battled the two New Zealand teams in the 12 and under category; NZ1, including Kaia Joergensen, emerged the victors while NZ2 consisting wholly of Beckenham students, Rosie Zinzan-Dickie, Daisy York and Isaac Macdonald took out second place!

Community Notices

Girls Brigade:

The 5th ChCh Girls Brigade Company, part of Beckenham Methodist Church, is looking for new girls.
We meet every Wednesday during the school term at the Church Hall on Martin Avenue.  We enjoy fun activities to share, inspire and develop physical, art, craft social and educational skills.
5-8 yrs meet from 6-7pm and 9yrs and over meet from 6-7:30pm.
Please phone Dianne Claughton: 3322889 for further information.

Cashmere Netball Trials: 

Trials are being held on Sunday 12th March & 19th March for years 6-13. No trials for years 5 and below. Please visit www.sporty.co.nz/cashmerenc for more information.  All trials will be carried out at Hagley Netball Courts.

Highland Dancing Classes

Highland Dancing classes for Boys and Girls are held at the Caledonian Hall, 5 Michelle Road, Wigram, commencing on Saturday, the 1st April.   All new entrants should be at the hall by 9.30am for a starting time of 9.45am.    Boys and Girls from Age 5 years upwards plus any that are due to turn 5 in the near future will be very welcome.     This year we are making a special drive to attract more boys to join our many young female dancers.  The learning of Highland Dancing contributes to children’s bodily strength, musical appreciation and  co-ordination, as well as providing the opportunity to socialise with their peers. Highland Dancing can become a life-time interest. All information on our classes can be obtained by emailing calyhighland@paradise.net.nz or c.cole@clear.net.nz or visiting our facebook page – Canterbury Caledonian Society Highland Dancing or the Canterbury Caledonian Society website – Highland Dancing.   Our Caledonian Society Classes are kept at a minimal cost to accommodate family budgets. All enquiries will be welcomed.

Kia ora whānau

Today our thoughts continue to be with the firefighters and teams who are supporting them. 

Our focus at school has been to reassure our children of their safety and, once again, remind them that school is a safe place and we will look after one another here.

Before lunch we were made aware of the following health warning from the CDHB.

Based on that information, we made the decision to keep the children on the Beckenham site indoors at lunchtime. Champion St was less impacted and they continued on as normal.

We were advised at 1:55pm that the Champion St site had no power and we are aware that power has gone out in other parts of the city. Power was back on again by 2:25pm. Our Beckenham site has had continuous power.

Lack of power, particularly in summer, is not a reason we would usually close the school so we are continuing on as normal.

Our amazing PTA have contacted the fire service, and have posted the following message on the Beckenham School PTA facebook page today:

BOSCO will be carrying on as normal - and will keep the children indoors, using both the BOSCO rooms and the hall. If you need to contact BOSCO, pls call Yvette on 027 645 6632

Kind regards

Sandy and the Team

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

It was lovely to see the range of flags paraded in our Welcome Assembly yesterday to welcome our newest students and their families to our school.
The term is well underway and it is great to see children at both sites settling into their new routines.
I was fortunate to spend most of today at the Champion St site. Our learners there were highly engaged in learning and having a lot of fun at the same time.


Building work continues to progress, with more concrete being poured on the East Hub today for the verandahs.

Enjoy the weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings; Principal - Tumuaki

Sharing our Learning

Koru Team

What an exciting time we have had!  In Hub 1-4, the year 1-2 children have been playing games to get to know each other, which has helped us learn each other’s names and find out about what we enjoy. We have taken part in many pair and small group activities, to really get to know each other.
We have also been collecting ‘me bags’ with family photos and special stories about our family history. We will be sharing these over the coming weeks, and learning more about the cultures at Beckenham School. We will also be sharing our passions or areas of expertise, such as a love for reading, gym, drawing, scootering etc….and we are looking forward to teaching our skills to each other in class! Not only the teachers can teach - we can too! Peers play an important role in developing children’s confidence, social understanding and learning about the world.


The children in Hub 10/11 have made a wonderful start (back) to school. All have settled beautifully and easily to the new spaces and routines. Throughout the Junior school our focus at the start of each day is on learning through engaging in Discovery Station activities. The learning that is taking place at this time is complex and multi-layered, involving not only academic learning, but also learning within the New Zealand curriculum’s Key Competencies: Thinking; Relating to Others; Understanding Language, Symbols and Texts; Managing Self; and Participating and Contributing.
Vygotsky (a developmental psychologist who developed a sociocultural theory of child development designed to account for the influence of culture on a child's growth and development) tells us:
“Play is a powerful vehicle for learning, thinking, generating ideas and communicating. Play thus creates potential spaces in which ‘a child always behaves beyond his (or her) average age, above his (or her) daily behaviour; in play it is as though he (or she) were a head taller than him/her-self.’

Staff Profiles

Caitlyn Downing

Community Notices

CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL OF MUSIC OPEN DAY
SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 9.00am-12.30pm
62 FERRY RD (CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL COLLEGE)

Whether you are 2 or 92, the CSM has something for you-foundation classes, lessons, orchestral, wind, jazz and rock instrumental ensembles, choirs and theory classes.

Come and see the school in action any time between 9am and 12.30pm.
Check out our website for specific ensemble times
http://www.csm.org.nz/ensemble-timetable

Rugby Club

2017 Junior Registration Dates

Junior registrations Boys and Girls (Under 6 to Under 18) will be held in the Sydenham Lounge at the Cashmere Club, 88 Hunter Terrace, Cashmere.

Wednesday 1 March 2017 from 4pm to 8.00pm
Sunday 5th March 2017 from 10am to 2pm

Please complete a new registration or update your existing online registration information and pay your subscription at www.sydenhamrugby.co.nz
Birth certificates are required for all new members..
Jackets and jerseys will be fitted on registrations days and shorts and socks will be available to purchase at this time.

Also this year the CRFU is looking at running Girls only grades
8 and under all girls Rippa Rugby
10 and under all girl’s tackle grade
If you are interested in playing Girls Rugby we can arrange for one of the Sydenham Senior Women’s players to come and talk to the children. Please contact the club to arrange a time.

Act2 Drama Group

Registrations are now being taken for  your child aged 6-13, or yourself aged 13 and over for our 2017 Drama Stars Program.
This course commences Friday 17th February and runs weekly for six weeks.
Juniors 5-5.50pm, Seniors 6-6.50pm.
Venue is the St Albans Community Centre, 1047 Colombo St, St Albans, Christchurch
This program teaches all the essential skills, techniques and tips of drama.  It involves our students in all on-stage and back stage elements of a production, where they run the show!
Auditions are held during week 3 for the Drama Stars for their very own 4 performance production.
Every student who auditions gets a role.
They will then attend twice-weekly rehearsals, culminating in a well polished production at the end of the April school holidays.  Cost is $75.
For registrations or query’s please call Fay on 0210431108 or email act2dramagroup@gmail.com

14th CHCH Boys’ Brigade:

BB is an action packed programme geared for Young Kiwi guys.
Boys’ Brigade is a fun filled Christian based programme for boys aged 5-19 yrs old.  We operate in three sections, Anchor 5-7 years, Team Adventure 8-10 years and Company Xtreme 11-19 years old.  Activities include Crafts, games, camps, outdoor pursuits, leadership training, life skills and lots more. We meet on a Friday night at Beckenham Methodist Church Hall, 52 Martin Ave, Beckenham. New members welcome for 2017, interested contact Stephen 337 2296, admin@14thbb.org.nz or visit www.14thbb.org.nz  Accept  the Challenge.

O'Callahan Dance Studio 

Boutique school nurturing and developing young dancers.
Now taking enrolments for 2017!  Classes in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary Lyrical and Acro.
Medal test, exam and performance opportunities.
Contact Ciara for more information on 027 335 2759 or  ocdancestudio@hotmail.co.nz
Find us on Facebook - O'Callahan Dance Studio