Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
It was a real pleasure for teachers to have dedicated time with each family and their child this week, to celebrate the learning achievements that the children have made, and to share their next steps. i am always in awe of our teachers during these weeks; they put in very long days, and appear in the staffroom at the final bell full of smiles and expressing how much they enjoy learning conferences and the 1:1 conversations that they have had time to have with you all.
Thank you to all of the families who were able to visit the building display in the hall. We have put up a slightly smaller version of the display in the office foyer, so that you can revisit it at your leisure, and those of you who didn't get to see it can pop in and have a look.
Please do email me, or come and knock on my door if you have any questions about the programme.
Move to Champion St
At this stage (still not 100% confirmed, but looking probable) our Year 5-8 students will be moving to Champion St on the last day of this term, with our fully fledged start at Champion St being from the first day of Term 4.
We have plans to take our Y5/6 and Y7/8 students over in the next couple of weeks for a visit, and to then have all of the Y5-8 students there on the final day of this term, along with a picnic lunch that Y5-8 parents will be welcome to attend. More information will come out about the details of this next week.
We are also planning to have a meeting for parents of Year 5-8 students here at school on Wednesday 14 September at 7:30pm to talk through the details of the move.
During Term 4, once we are up and running, we will arrange a time for the Year 4 students and their families to visit Champion St in preparation for them being Year 5's there for the first three terms of 2017.
Cultural Festival Performance tonight
Our best wishes go out to our senior kapa haka group, Te Whānau Mahi Tahi, as they represent all of our whānu and tamariki at the Christchurch Primary Schools Cultural Festival tonight at the Horncastle Arena at 6:45pm. Our special thanks to Sherrilee who ensures that this group is prepared to perform at their very best.
Ngā mihi
Sandy Hastings
Principal / TumuakiImportant Dates
Upcoming Events
Fri 2 Sep, 6:45pmCultural Festival Performance at Horncastle Arena
Fri 9 SepY5/6 students to visit Champion St - pm
Tues 13 SepY7/8 students to visit Champion St (immediately after Technology)
Wed 14 Sep6-7:00pm. Kowhai Performance - Celebration of Learning
7:30pm - Champion St Meeting for Year 5-8 parents
Thu 15 Sep11am-12pm. Pohutukawa Market Day
6-8:20pm. Board of Trustees Meeting.
Thu 22 Sep1:30-3:00pm. Talent quest
Fri 22 SepY7/8 technology at South Int (instead of Tuesday this week)
Y5-8 students at Champion St
End of Term 3. School finishes at 3:00pm
Term Dates
Click here to view the 2016 and 2017 term dates.
Citizen of the Week
Name Aidan Henderson - New Entrant
Aidan, you are a self directed learner who demonstrates a love of learning throughout your day. The way you are learning to embrace mistakes as a part of your learning journey shows that you love a challenge, what an amazing attribute! You are always willing, and take care, in setting up learning areas to share with your peers, you also gently support others in joining in with this learning. You are a gentle and caring class member who looks out for others. Kia kaha Aidan!Sharing our Learning
Kahikatea Team
What’s been happening in the Kahikatea Team this term?
We have been learning a lot of new skills through our
Discovery Stations. We have been focusing on these key questions:
- How does this station help my learning?
- How are our school values being shown?
- What can I choose to challenge myself?
- Can I teach a buddy something new?
“This was helping me learn picture words. I can draw words.”
“We are writing the story of the Gingerbread Man together. We are all doing different parts.”
Each week we develop our learning and skills around gymnastics, target and invasion games. We have been focusing on:
- Moving our bodies in a variety of ways
- Developing large ball and target skills
- Developing effective communication within a team
“I’m keeping the ball in circle using one hand.”
We have been very lucky to have Mandarin and Japanese lessons to develop our understanding of Asia. Our learning has been focused around cultures of people living in New Zealand. We are looking to make a difference by finding ways to help someone who has just moved to New Zealand from Asia.
Here is a fantastic piece of writing based on the story ‘Birds on a Wire’. We were focusing on retelling the story, adding detail and using interesting words for the reader.
Birds on a Wire
First, some birds came and they started to peck and fight. Then, a huge light blue bird came and they started to tease him so he would go away. They hurt him and made him go upside-down. Then they started to peck at his toes so he would fall off and go away. But then a little bird saw how low they were and thought they were going to fly up in the air. And they absolutely did!
When they flew up their feathers went off them because they went so fast. Then they came back down pink naked (ugh!). Then the big, light blue bird honk laughed so very hard!
Author: Maggie
School Notices
Celebrating our stunning mathematicians
On September 24th our Year 7 and Year 8 Cantamath teams competed against the best mathematical brains in Canterbury, as they frantically solved as many problems as they could within the 30 minute competition. There were over 90 schools competing in the Competition at Horncastle Arena. Those of us in the audience were worked into a frenzy of enthusiastic support, as we watched the runners put their thumbs up for correct answer after correct answer. The Year 7 team answered every question correctly within the 30 minutes, earning a golden ticket (displaying their 100 points) and coming in sixth place! And then it was Year 8s turn to stun us with their mathematical talent. They also earned a golden ticket and were placed 9th. This was a fabulous achievement and very much a team effort.
The other part of Cantamath is the display competition. Again a number of our children were commended for their superb efforts.
Excellence awards went to: Gabriel Lyall, Alex Braun, Isaac Macdonald, Sadie McLoughlin, Ailie Robertson, Georgia Tindall, Daisy York and Nicky’s maths class.
Highly Commended awards went to: Joel Kingham, Declan Allan, Kristy Winchester, Rosie Zinzan Dickie and Caleb Jorgensen
Speech Competition Winners:
On Monday afternoon we were treated to a superb afternoon of story-telling from our Year 7 & 8 speech finalists. From a tear jerking tale about puppy farming to a side-splitting yarn about insane Aunt Shirley, the stories were superbly written and delivered with confidence. We wish Jordan and Oskar the best of luck for the South Zone speech competition on Monday evening.
Congratulations to:
Year 7: 1st, Jordan Hardwick; 2nd, Daisy York; and 3rd George Ryan.
Year 8: 1st, Oskar Frampton; 2nd, Vita Hindin; and 3rd William Hanlon.Sports News
Winter tournament
After a bitterly cold day last Wednesday, we were glad that Thursday warmed up a little for our last visit to Hagley Park for winter sports.
The Year 7 & 8 hockey Red team and the Year 7 & 8 football Red team, along with four students who were playing for St Patrick’s Bryndwr rugby team, headed off to the park, as they had qualified for the Canterbury Winter Tournament.
The hockey team played at Carlton Corner, and were coached by Jenni Adams. The tournament was 6 a-side with a mix of girls and boys. The team played six games in the pool round. They won three, lost two and drew one. This meant they rated third in their pool. They drew their final game which meant they came about tenth equal overall, out of 28 teams.
The football team played at South Hagley, and were coached by Fred Simpson (Cashmere Technical’s Junior Development Officer). The tournament was 5 a-side, which is a very different game from the 9 a-side they normally played on a Friday. The team experienced mixed results, and then ended the day with a win.
The rugby boys were successful in their first game. However, coming up against tough opposition who were much bigger than they were meant that the remaining games were very challenging. They had fun and were very supportive of each other.
Many thanks to our two fabulous coaches, and the lovely parents who provided transport - Jo Barnett, Mike Hanlon and Rachel Wiscombe.
Swimming lessons for Years 5 - 8
Swimming lessons started this week at Aquagym for the Year 5 - 8 students. The students will be having eight lessons in total, busing four times a week for two weeks to Hereford Street, to the swimming pool. Shea Crotty is our contact there, and she and her staff have been absolutely fabulous at accommodating the needs of our students. Much shuffling has been going on to ensure each child is in the appropriate ability group, with the prospect of more movement as the lessons go on. Each session sees five or six tutors catering for all the levels the groups present. The students are loving the opportunity to learn with their peers and are enjoying the aquatic setting. If you have any queries about the swimming programme, please contact
Tracy Inwood at school.
PTA News
The PTA needs YOU!
For the last FOUR years we have been lucky enough to sell Tip Top packaged ice creams at the A & P Show across the three days it is open. We provide the labour & in exchange we keep the profit on every ice cream sold. Over one hot Show Week we have managed to raise $13,000 profit. Last year the weather gods were unkind but we still managed to raise a profit of $7,500. This is the MAJOR fundraiser for the PTA in 2016. All funds raised will go in to the growing 'Outdoor Spaces' fund. This fund will be used to landscape & create outdoor spaces for the children to play in after the school has been rebuilt. Currently the MOE have allocated NO budget towards this. If you can help with this fundraiser in any way please
click on this link. We need 80+ helpers across the three days.Extended family, friends & ex-students are welcome to help.
Thanks for your support & you will enjoy FREE entry to the Show with a chance to shop, meet other caregivers & have lots of FUN!!!
Thank you!
A big thanks to everyone who attended the Comedy Kiwiana Bingo Night- it was a HUGE success!
Thanks to our hosts “Jack & Kitty”, you were wonderful & very entertaining.
And to all the generous sponsors who donated prizes- thanks, we couldn’t have done without your support.
Check out the
PTA FB page for photos of the night- it was a HOOT!
Payment is now due for those people who were successful with their silent auction bid.
The profit will be announced once all accounts have been finalised
If you left a supper plate behind, please collect from the Office Foyer
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
CASPA is now taking enrolments for the Sept/Oct Holiday Programmes, for more information go online to
www.caspa.org.nz or phone 03 3499260.
NEW MEMBERS & COACHING OPPORTUNITIES BECKENHAM TENNIS CLUBBeckenham Tennis Club Motto is to be family friendly our goal is for families to play tennis together
We are open for NEW members to play tennis.
Registration interest on our new web site:
beckenhamtennis clubPee Wee Junior First Day Saturday 3 September 8.30am (already had some coaching), 9.30am class for beginners.
Junior/Intermediate TEAMS (children can serve a ball) free coaching for three weeks in September.
ADULT – EASY TENNIS COACHING for beginner adults coming back into tennis or learning. Tuesday morning group or Saturday afternoon (after 4pm).
Contact: Leanne Dunbar cell 0275 316 026 landline ph 9606021
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.
School Holidays 10 am -12 pm. 26, 28, 30 September 3 - 7 October.
Sundays 10am -12 pm from 30 October.
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.nzAquagym: 459 Cashel Street, Ph: 3810299. Learn to Swim & Coaching. Book now for October Holidays and Term 4. Leaders in Aquatic Education.
info@aquagym.co.nzBuildback Smarter: The Christchurch City Council is now providing a FREE healthy home advice service called Build Back Smarter. Visit:
www.buildbacksmarter.co.nz for details re home insulation, heating options, lighting, ventilation, smoke alarms, water heating & conservation and grants /subsidies you may be eligible for.
Vintage Fashion Show:Remember when studies and hotpants were the 'must haves' in any wardrobe? Halswell School is giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the '50s, '60s and '70s as you marvel at over 100 stunning outfits with matching hair and accessories. Visuals and music from each era will accompany the shows to get your toes tapping. You will be treated to a delicious retro afternoon tea/supper and a bar is available at the evening show.
Date: Saturday 10 September
Time: 2pm (adults and children), 7pm (adults only)
Place: Halswell School
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Ticket prices: $25 adults, $15 children
Online purchasing: Email
carmeltutty@hotmail.com Tickets can be collected when you attend the show
Dust off your purple jumpsuit, orange flares or brown cable knit vest, we hope to see you there!
