Kowhai News Term 4 Week 1

Welcome back everyone. We hope you've all had a wonderful couple of weeks and we are really looking forward to the term ahead.

This newsletter aims to inform you of the essentials for the start of the term.

We're all back!

It was wonderful to welcome our Senior Students back to the Beckenham site on Monday. Our team are particularly enjoying having the time to  connect and reconnect with new and old friends. A big thank you to Imedha who spoke on behalf of Kowhai Team. You did an amazing job! We were very proud.

School Hats

A HUGE thank you to all the parents who have hunted out school hats. We have been impressed at the very small number of children who have not had hats at school. On the very sunny days, we also encourage you to apply sunscreen to your child prior to coming to school. We have sunscreen for children to use during the day to reapply.

For the next four weeks our school will be engaging in the 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' programme.  Please click on the link above for all the information you will need to know about this programme.
Keeping Ourselves Safe [KOS] aims to teach children the importance of keeping safe in a variety of situations. For this component of learning, the children will be organised into year levels as there is a different programme for Year 3 from the Year 4s.
Constable Ross will visit our classrooms and take 2 of the sessions.  We really appreciate the help of the Police in developing these resources and their support in the teaching and learning programme. If you have any further questions please visit the website or, alternatively ask your child's teacher.

Rehua Marae

Continuing our Te reo learning from last term, the children will be given the opportunity to participate in a powhiri at Rehua Marae. We had hoped to go to our local marae (Rapaki), however, they are still undergoing renovations. Our Rehua Marae trip will be in week 5, and we will send our further information closer to the time.

Pizza Making

Each Monday, the children who received a certificate at our team hui will again be able to make pizzas for their lunch. If you are able to help us with the pizza making, please add your name onto this document. Pizza making will start tomorrow due to the long weekend.

Library

We are fortunate enough to be able to continue our trips to the Christchurch South Library. This term we are planning on using our Literacy Time (10.50am-12.40pm) for these visits. Hub teachers will send out an email asking for 2 parents to assist us on the walk down. Thanks in advance for your support with this.

We Care Day

This coming Wednesday, we are having a We Care Day at school. The children will each pull out a name from a hat and the day will be filled with random acts of kindness. We are sure there will be many wonderful actions from the children. Here are some of the ideas from our Well Being Team.

  • Draw a picture for your person
  • Give your person a compliment or high 5
  • Read a story with your person
  • Write your person a note saying what they are good at
  • Invite your person to spend morning tea or lunch with you
  • Make a bookmark for your person
  • Stick a positive note in their tote tray
  • Make an acrostic poem using their name


That's all for now

Beckenham School Newsletter Friday 20 October, 2017

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

What a celebration it was on Monday to finally have all of our school family back together again on one site! We had a fabulous 'Welcome assembly' to welcome back our seniors and to welcome all of the students who have started since our last welcome assembly in Week 1 of the year! Over 50 students!

Now we are in the final term of the building process, we can really start to see the way that the school is taking shape and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel!

Our Year 5-8 students are settling quickly into their new learning spaces in the East and West Hubs and our NE - Y4 students are really enjoying having the seniors back on site. We had our first 'house games' on Friday and the children met on the park, in their house groups, and played games led by our senior house leaders.

Planning ahead for 2018
We are at that time of the year when we are doing significant planning for 2018. I don't anticipate that there will be many staff changes or movements of staff between teams for next year.
We will shortly be starting to put together the learning groups for 2018.  If you have any specific considerations that you would like me to be aware of around your child's needs for 2018, please email me at principal@beckenham.school.nz

Future enrolments - 2018 and beyond
If you live in-zone and have a child who is a pre-schooler and not yet enrolled, please get an enrolment form in for them - it is never too early to do this! It helps us immensely with our planning and it ensures that we can invite your child to be part of the transition to school programme when that time comes around. We would expect that by now, we have received all of the enrolment forms for children who are starting in Term 1 next year, and most of those for the rest of the year.
If you have friends or neighbours who have a pre-schooler whom they want to enrol, please encourage them to also make contact with the school office and begin that process sooner rather than later.
Out of zone enrolments for Term 1 2018 have closed. The next Out of Zone ballot closes on Wed 28th February for Term 2 2018.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Wed 25 Oct
BOT Meeting - 5:30-8:00pm
PTA Meeting - 7:30-9:30pm

Thu 26 Oct
Yrs 5 - 8 Athletic sports in Beckenham Park.

Wed 1 Nov
Yrs 5 - 8 Long distance races, 1000m & 1200m

Thu 9 Nov
Special group photos & Hubs 12 & 13.  1:15-3:00pm

Fri 10 Nov
Y5-8 Long Jump at Hillview Christian School - pm
Y5/6 Choir performing at Christchurch Schools Music Festival - 7pm

Mon 13 Nov
Zone Athletics at Hansens Park - all day

Fri 17 Nov
Canterbury Anniversary Day - school is closed.

Wed 6 Dec
Canterbury Athletics in Ashburton

Mon 18 Dec
Year 8 Leaver's Assembly

Term Dates

Click here to view 2017 and 2018 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Vita Gear - Year 8

Vita, you embody our kete value ‘We Care’ in the knowledge and passion you hold for environmental matters. You are a critical and deep thinker and clearly articulate your knowledge views and opinions on a range of world matters. You strive for excellence across the curriculum demonstrating your love for learning.You are a loyal friend to others and your maturity shines through in way you carry out your leadership responsibilities. School Notices

School Notices

Christchurch Schools Music Festival - this coming Friday

We are looking forward to hearing the Year 5/6 choir, trained by Katie Chapman, performing at the Christchurch Schools Music Festival at the Horncastle Arena this coming Friday at 7pm.

Arriving late to school

The school day starts at 8:55am.  If you arrive after this time please come to the office to sign in on vistab.  When children are marked as absent on the roll texts are sent out to parents and phone calls made as we try and establish where a child is.  We now have our entire school community back on site and it is a learning curve for staff, students and families to get used to the new, and sometimes reacquaint with the old, processes so that the school community can work together as a whole.  Please assist us in streamlining student attendance by getting your child to sign in at the office if they are late.

Absences

When your child is absent please ALWAYS let the OFFICE know. It is not enough to tell, email or text teaching staff, as they may not be the person who takes the roll on the day when your child is absent.  Please make the office your first port of call when your child is absent or going to be absent NOT teaching staff.
There are three easy options for advising the office that your child will be absent:

  • email: office@beckenham.school.nz, 
  • phone : 03 337 1404 
  • text: 021 027 94107

Lost Property

The lost property is now located outside the current administration building.  We are located next to the Major/Minor room.  We can be accessed off Sandwich Road by walking through what was the staff car park, but is currently a pedestrian accessway.

A HUGE "Thank you" to St Martins New World!


Our children have been the very lucky recipients of over 500 'Little Garden' kits this week! We are extremely grateful to New World St Martins for their generous donations and we know that the children are going to get a huge amount of learning and enjoyment from the process of planting, growing and eating the results!
In Year 1/2, thank you letters have been written, a sample for your enjoyment below:

Dear New World,
Thank you for the Little Gardens.  It was very kind of you.  We appreciate it.  We have had a lot of fun growing the plants.
From Michael.

Dear New World,
Thank you for giving us so many Little Gardens.  We are so lucky.  We both love you. Our favourite Little Gardens are water melons, swan plants, butternut, sweetcorn and tomatoes.
As always, stay happy!  We love strawberries!
From Isla and Lilian.

Dear New World,
Thank you for giving us the Little Gardens.  We really appreciate it.  You are very generous.  We are looking forward to tasting them.  We love New World!
From Hettie and Ashlyn

CSM SCHOLARSHIPS

 It is scholarship time again. These scholarships are open to all CSM students for 2018 and there are also some for students not currently enrolled at CSM so please spread the word around your friends and families.
You can find all the information about scholarships on the CSM website. Applications close on Friday 3 November
Scholarships can be applied for by following this link:

PTA News


Calling all movers & groovers….the Annual PTA School DISCO is just round the corner! 

Polish those shoes & practice those moves because the DISCO is BACK at Beckenham School in our newly refurbished Hall
FRIDAY 3rd NOV.

Disco Times as follows:
5pm-6pm: Years 0-3
6:30pm- 7:30pm: Years 4-6
8pm-9pm: Years 7-8
GOLD COIN entry
Bling, drink & food will be available to purchase.
Thanks to Don from Mobile DJ service Uptown Entertainment for his continued expertise, support & wonderful discos.
Remember ALL children will need to be collected by an ADULT at the end of their scheduled disco.
(Please note that the Disco is for Beckenham School students only)



Saturday 11 November, 7:30pm

It's QUIZ time again & what a great way to showcase our newly refurbished HALL & enjoy a night together in the Hood. 
Be in quick, as many of you know the Beckenham PTA Quiz ALWAYS sells out. Once we reach capacity we are SOLD OUT
SATURDAY 11th NOV, is the night. Tickets are $20 per person with a maximum of SIX people per team
A SUPPER will be provided 
A Bar will be on offer so NO BYO please. Eftpos available at the Bar
Please note that our Liquor License stipulates that this Quiz is an R18 EVENT
Bring CASH for raffle tickets, buying answers & the ever popular coin slide
Doors OPEN at 7pm. Please be seated by 7:30pm
The PTA continues to raise funds for the OUTDOOR SPACES & with your support this Quiz will help it grow.
ORDER TICKETS NOW OR MISS OUT: https://goo.gl/forms/gP1MBVIG1W6sDhOC2
If you are able to DONATE a PRIZE towards this QUIZ please email Rachelpta@beckenham.school.nz. Thanks for your continued support


The PTA will soon be selling Tip Top packaged ice creams at the Canterbury A & P Show- here’s hoping the weather is a scorcher! 
Thanks to everyone who has signed up to help with this fundraiser.
Most of Wednesday’s AM, PM & Thursday’s AM shifts are nearly FULL….BUT We still need people to help, there are HUGE gaps on SHOW DAY (Friday 17th Nov). With FREE entry to the Show, meet your family after or before your shift & save on an adult entry, valued at $27! 
Plus, those that join our team get first dibs on the leftover stock at cost after the show...great for those hot summer days!
Please help us FILL the Shift GAPs & join the Tip Top TEAM NOW, by clicking on this link: https://goo.gl/forms/4oX9zJ6nZwGowZnG2

Calendar Art

You should have received a paper copy of the calendar art order form last week. All of the art is available for viewing in the office, each class in its own folder. Orders need to be received by the office by Wednesday 1st November.
You can also find the order form, and all of the art, online by following this link.
Please note that the original order form sent home (on a piece of A5 paper) had the incorrect PTA account number which was missing a digit). Another order form (A4 sized) was then sent home with the correct account number, highlighted yellow. Please check that you are using the correct form, if you are trying to pay via internet banking.

Congratulations to...

Gemma Campbell who represented NZ in Brisbane last Sunday with her Cheerleading team. These girls were the only team from NZ. They took out GOLD in their division and Grand Champs out of all Brisbane teams in that division.


Congratulations to Kaia Joergensen who was part of the Canterbury primary school hockey team who won the national hockey tournament in Tauranga during the holidays.

They finished top of their pool with wins against Central Otago (2-0), Taranaki (11-0), Horowhenua (9-0), Auckland B (7-1) and Northland (3-0) before following this up with a comfortable quarter final 6-0 victory against South Canterbury, a nail-biting  2-1 win against North Harbour in their semi-final, before finishing off a fantastic week in Tauranga by beating Auckland 2-0 in the final.


Congratulations to Joel Kingham who played in the South Island football tournament for the Canterbury 12th grade team. Joel was awarded the Golden Gloves award, as voted by the referees, as the best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

Staff Profiles

Pip Wareing

Kia ora! I  arrived in 1997 to Christchurch with a valid passport formerly from Hawkes Bay (Sunny) and now I have an expired Passport so I remain here with my three daughters Hannah, Victoria and Alice(twins). We all share a passion for Rugby (Alice however I might add supports the Hurricanes), Netball  and a huge interest in Music and Fine Arts. Although I put my immediate  family first my passion and interest in the Beckenham Students/Staff families is second to none. I have certainly enjoyed my time as a Teacher Aide at Beckenham School and continue to do so. I have previously worked in the Ministry of Education area as a Support Worker and I am passionate and love seeing the rewards the students gain in day to day life. 


Susan Walsh

I am originally from Wellington but have been living in Christchurch for 22 years. I love working at Beckenham. I truly believe it is the best school ever! I am married to Jeremy and I have a grownup son and a daughter. I am very lucky that they are both living in Christchurch. We get together most weeks for a family dinner. I love arts and crafts and enjoy making some clothes and jewellery. I am known for my “passion for fashion” - particularly shoes!I live locally and often spend part of my weekends walking in the beautiful Port Hills. I also try and walk to and from school most days. If you see me, do stop to chat! 


Community Notices

(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)


Phone 0800266525 to phone order or visit https://bookclub.scholastic.co.nz/

Kids Fun Golf Event

Sunday 29 October, especially designed for kids that are newer to golf and are keen to play a fun event on the golf course.  The event is being held at Templeton Golf Club starting at 1pm the kids will play 9 holes which will be shortened with larger holes, so will be heaps of fun for the kids.  Contact Rachel for further information and to enter rachel@canterburygolf.co.nz.

DIVA RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Rhythmic Gymnastics is a combination of ballet, dance and gymnastics that uses handheld apparatus like the ribbon, hoop, clubs and ball.
It is great for confidence, strength and flexibility. We emphasis fun and fitness it is fantastic for developing co-ordination. We have classes for girls ages 4 and above for recreational and competitive classes.
We run classes for nationals levels 1-10, group pre-international, junior and senior international grades where gymnasts can compete for club, Canterbury and New Zealand teams. There is a high level of coaching available to all, I am the head coach and teach all levels from recreational through to world cup rep senior international.
So if you are looking for fun, friends and fitness or a shot at top level gymnastics Diva RG is the place to attend.
We are based at The NZ Institute of Sport building in the main gymnasium at 66b Wharenui Road, Riccarton. Please contact Bianca for more information at
divargc@gmail.com, or call/text 027 521 7220.

We currently have spaces in recreational, pre-comp classes, group and competition grades, both national and international.

Koru Term 3 Week 2

Kia Ora and welcome to Term 4.

We have welcomed our Senior Students back to the Beckenham site this term.  It has been wonderful to have them with us again, connecting and reconnecting with new and old friends.

Please remember that children need a hat at school every day in term 4.  We also encourage parents to apply sunscreen to children before school.  We have tubs of sunscreen at school if needed during the day.


Home







Keeping Ourselves Safe  - Information for parents and whanau.
For the next five weeks our school will be engaging in the 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' programme.  Please click on the link above for all the information you will need to know about this programme.

Keeping Ourselves Safe [KOS] consists of a comprehensive range of child protection resources to help students learn and apply a range of safety skills that they can use when interacting with others. 

During weeks 3 and 4 Constable Ross will visit our classrooms and take 2 of the sessions.  We really appreciate the help of the Police in developing these resources and their support in the teaching and learning programme.


If you have any further questions please visit the website or, alternatively ask your child's teacher.




Thank you St.MartinsNew World - Every day a new world
and our wonderful school Community

What a treat to receive gifts of well over 500 Little Gardens from St Martins New World and our school community.  The children have planted the Little Gardens and shared them throughout the school.  We really appreciate your generosity and kindness.  We have a raised bed outside the back of the West Wing that we can use for the seedlings when they are mature enough.  How exciting!  Thank you.
























"Dear New World,

Thank you for giving us so many Little Gardens.  We are so lucky.  We both love you. Our favourite Little Gardens are water melons, swan plants, butternut, sweetcorn and tomatoes.
As always, stay happy!  We love strawberries!


From Isla and Lilian."


Parent help needed please
Are you able to come in and help with Mad Maths Minute or put reading books away?  We would really appreciate an hour a week of your time to help us with these jobs.  Thank you.








Pohutukawa Team Newsletter Term 4 Week 1

Kia Ora Parents / Caregivers


We are so excited to be back at Beckenham in our new hub. It is lovely to see you all again and catch up with siblings regularly throughout the day. The children have settled into routines quickly and there is a general buzz of excitement about being home.


In the mornings before the bell, we are opening the middle doors through to the Koru team and the children can spend time together doing activities, chatting or playing if they want to. We will be spending time together throughout the term as ‘buddies’ as well.


There are a few events coming up this term which will be keeping us quite busy. Below is an overview of the main points to note:

Keeping Ourselves Safe


As part of our Keeping Ourselves Safe unit that runs throughout the first 6 weeks of this term, the children are going to become chief babysitters for an egg. Yes, an egg! It will be boiled for safety.


The children will be responsible for their egg for 4 days and will have to take care of it at all times. If the children want to leave their egg, they need to arrange another person to egg-sit.


The children can name their egg and will be creating a room for it. We are requesting that children bring a shoebox to school to create a room for their egg and any other materials they may want to spruce the room up.


The aim of this activity is for children to learn to look after themselves and others - a theme that comes through the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme.


The children will hopefully get an appreciation of all the hard work you do as parents!


A Keeping Ourselves Safe Home Learning Booklet will be going home today with the children. Please spend some time going through this with your child to reinforce the messages they are learning at school.



Maths - Probability



Our focus in Week 3 for Maths this term is Probability. Part of this unit is creating a probability based game. If you have any cardboard or cardboard boxes at home, we would really appreciate using them for this learning.



Athletics Day



Next week, on Thursday 26th October we will have our Years 5-8 Athletics Day out in Beckenham Park. The postponement date is Monday 30th October. We will meet families out on the park to begin at 9:30am and be finished by 3:00pm. The long jump will be held at Hillview Christian School on Friday 27th October. The long-distance races will be held at Hillview Christian School on Wednesday 1st November.  


Children will need to bring a hat, comfortable sports shoes and drink bottle. It would be a good idea to apply sunscreen before school and we will have sunscreen available to apply throughout the day. Children can wear clothing that is appropriate for athletics and their house t-shirts if they have one.

Choir


Next week, on Friday 27th October the Pohutukawa Pitch Perfect Choir will be going to the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival rehearsal at Horncastle Arena. If children are involved in long jump, they will be met by a teacher at Hillview, after the rehearsal.   



Cycle Safe Programme


In Week 7, from Tuesday 28th November - Friday 1st December our Year 6 children will be involved in the Cycle Safe Programme. A parent information and permission letter will be sent home soon.

Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 4 Week 1

It is soooo good to be in our new hub. The children are adapting well to new routines. These include shoes off inside, feel free to have a set of school slippers, and storing lunch boxes in our maker-space, so that they don't heat up in the outside lockers.


There is lots happening this term. Here are a few key dates for your dairy:


  • Wednesday October 18: Orana Park field trip
  • Thursday October 26: Sports Day
  • Monday November 13: Zone Athletics
  • Thursday November 16: Top Team
  • Thursday November 30: Carisbrook School visit for sports competition
  • Monday December 4: First performance of 'The Trials of Alice in Wonderland'
  • Wednesday December 6: Canterbury Athletics
  • Thursday December 7: Second performance of 'The Trials of Alice in Wonderland'
  • Thursday December 14: Corsair Bay fun day
  • Monday December 18: Leavers' Assembly starting at 11am. Year 8 finish at 1pm.
  • Tuesday December 19: School year ends for Year 1 - 7 at 12:30

We are still to schedule our Victoria Park walk and the Year 8 pizza and pool party.


Orana Park:

We are off to Orana Park tomorrow to kick off our science / literacy study around endangered species. The weather forecast is telling us the day will be cold, possibly with some early rain. Children need to come prepared with the following:

  • wear school uniform, preferably with long pants and a thermal layer under their school shirt
  • bring a jacket to go over their school jacket, preferably waterproof with a hood
  • school sunhat
  • beanie, warm hat
  • lunch and water bottle
  • asthma and other required medication, to be handed to home-group teacher, except for inhaler
Children are to be at school at the normal time. Our buses depart at 9:15 and we will be back by 3pm. Parent helpers please meet in our hub at 9am.

Athletic Sports:


Thursday the 26th of October is our School Athletics Day. We welcome all parents to come and support our children as they compete in field and track events throughout the day. 

Friday the 27th of October is our Long Jump event, which is being held at Hillview Christian School as we do not yet have our own long jump pit here at Beckenham. This is an optional event for the children and entries were made at the end of last term. We are looking for parent helpers to support us in walking the children to Hillview and supervising them in between jumps. Please email Jenny if you are able to provide assistance with this event. 

Long Distance Running will be held the following Wednesday at Beckenham Park.

These events will decide which children go on to represent our school at our Zone's event at Hanson's Park on the 13th of November. 

Finally, it was great to see nearly everyone at school on time today, Tuesday, to catch the bus to South for technology. Everyone needs to meet for roll call at 8:30 on a Tuesday.