Water Fun

Posted on 11 December, 201611 December, 2016 by Nick Bruce

As you may be aware, the Pōhutukawa children are currently involved in some water-themed team challenges as part of our end of year activities. Our final challenge will be a water fight on Wednesday, 14 December. The children will need to bring a water pistol (or a drink bottle) along with their togs and towel.

Any children who do not want to participate will be able to do alternative activities with Susan.

Also, a reminder that we will be walking to the Margaret Mahy Playground on Tuesday, 13 December, leaving Champion Street at 12pm and returning by 2.30pm. Thank you to all the parents who have offered to help on this trip. If you are able to help please contact your child’s home group teacher.

End of Year Activities

Posted on 6 December, 20166 December, 2016 by Susan Walsh

Walking Trip to the Margaret Mahy Playground

As a special end of year celebration we plan to walk from Champion Street to The Margaret Mahy playground in Armagh Street on Tuesday, 13 December. We will leave Champion Street at 12pm and walk to the playground, alongside the Avon River. When we get there we will have lunch and an afternoon of fun and adventure. We will walk back to Champion Street at 2pm ready for the buses back to Beckenham at 2.30

We will need parent help for the walk. If you are able to support us please let us know.

End of Year Shared Lunch

Early this term all the children visited a local supermarket to learn about healthy eating. We received some vouchers to buy food for a healthy lunch. This week a team of children will survey all the children and plan a delicious lunch. This will replace our usual end of year celebrations and we will not be asking parents to provide a plate of food to share.

The shared lunch will take place on Wednesday 14 December. Parents are very welcome to join us at this time.

Team Challenges

To celebrate the end of a successful year, the Pohutukawa students will be involved in some team challenges. The children will need to bring their togs, two towels, some old clothes (which may get dirty) and a plastic bag to school each day from Wednesday, 7 December to Wednesday, 14 December.

2017 Road Patrol Training

This took place last Friday at Beckenham. Constable Ross Mitchell was very impressed with the focus and commitment shown by the children. They will receive their roster for Term 1&2 early next week.

We extend a huge thank you to the wonderful parents who provided transport back to Champion Street at the end of training.

Medication for Pohutukawa’s Camp

Posted on 20 November, 201620 November, 2016 by Nick Bruce

If your child requires medication on camp, please complete the Medicine Authority Form and put it and your child’s medicine in a small, clearly named zip lock bag or plastic container. Please hand the bag/container to your child’s home group teacher on Wednesday morning when you drop your child off at the Beckenham School Hall. A paper copy of the form will be sent home on Monday for your convenience.

If your child requires an inhaler for the walk into camp, please put this in your child’s day pack and let your child’s home group teacher know where it is. If your child has other medication that you would like to be taken on the walk into camp rather than being kept with the other medical supplies, please discuss this with your child's home group teacher.

Please also remember that camp is strictly peanut free.

Camp Information and Gear List

Posted on 10 November, 201620 November, 2016 by Nick Bruce

Planning is well underway for the Year 5 and 6 camp at Living Springs. As you already know, we will be leaving from Beckenham School on November 23. The children need to meet us in the school hall at 9:00am on this day. After the camp, we will return to Beckenham School between 2:30 and 3:00pm on November 25. We will wait in the hall for you to pick your child up.

The children will be sleeping in carpeted bunk rooms, which can be heated if required. As well as regular meals, there are three snack times during the day.

The programme is challenging, stimulating and safe. The activities include: swimming (heated pool), farm park visit, group initiative challenges, orienteering, walking and recreational activities.

All children will be well supervised and all risks well managed in accordance with our Camp Safety Action Plan and the Living Springs Risk Management Strategies. It will be an exciting learning opportunity for your child.

Thank you very much for the many offers of parental assistance. We were overwhelmed and we’re sorry that we can’t take everyone who volunteered. These are the parents who will accompany us:

Chris Flynn
Matt Cowie
Phill Coxon
Matthew Reid
Brent Craig
Corey Archer
Rod Gray
Ashley Tough
Matthew Cornfoot
Simon Kingham
Nicole Haines
George York
Sarah Freeman
Jane Brittenden
Jane Parrett
Brett Sutherland

The list of gear the children will need to bring can be found here. It is not necessary to buy the items listed. For such a short time, it is better to borrow.

Please contact your child’s home group teacher if you have any questions.

Hub 21/22 Rapaki Marae Reminder

Posted on 2 November, 20162 November, 2016 by Nick Bruce

This is a reminder that Hub 21/22 will be going to Rapaki Marae tomorrow. We will meet in the Beckenham School Hall at 8:45 AM before we board the bus. We will return to Beckenham School around 1:00 and will finish the afternoon there. Your child will need a hat, packed lunch, drink bottle, warm clothing and a raincoat.