Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Term 4 is flying by and we are really seeing the end of the building project getting closer with the handing back of our hall this week. It has had a really good workout with the ASB Summer Starter/Harraways Big Breakfast held here yesterday morning, and the school Discos tonight!
Thank you to our amazing PTA for organising both events and for ringing around to get enough helpers to make them both viable.
Working Bee - Sat 11 Nov
We have a working Bee planned for next Saturday, 11th November from 1pm-3:30pm. Now that the builders fences are coming down, we need to get our grounds looking a bit tidier so there are plenty of jobs to be shared around.
We have a shed and a wall that need painting, several small new garden beds to plant, the flagpole garden to weed and replant, our garden boxes to resite, other gardens to weed, bark to spread and a tree to plant.
There is a sign-up sheet in the office and I'll be wandering the grounds before and after school this coming week, with my trusty clipboard, making sure that everyone has had an opportunity to sign up! We know lots of parents help at school during the school week, and that there is another group who want to help, and work during the week - so please take this chance to donate a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon and help us get the school looking smart!
We had our second lot of House games this afternoon on the park and it was a huge success! Each of the New Entrant to Year 2 children were buddied up with a Y5-8 buddy to make sure that they got out to the right place on the park and support them with the games. It really demonstrated our school values of 'We Care' and 'We Get There Together' and reminded us how good it is to have all of our senior students back on site again!
Ngā mihi
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Thu 9 NovSpecial group photos & Hubs 12 & 13. 1:15-3:00pm
Fri 10 NovY5-8 Long Jump at Hillview Christian School - pm
Sat 11 NovWorking Bee 1pm-3:30pm
PTA Quiz Night 7:30pm
Mon 13 NovZone Athletics at Hansens Park - all day
Fri 17 NovCanterbury Anniversary Day - school is closed.
Wed 6 DecCanterbury Athletics in Ashburton
Mon 18 DecYear 8 Leaver's Assembly
Click here to view 2017 and 2018 term dates.
Citizen of the Week
Molly Arnott - Year 4
Molly, you are an amazing role model at Beckenham School. You always do the right thing whilst displaying a great attitude. You are always so welcoming to others and you take extra care to look out for anyone who needs a friend. You have become a leader, as you run activities for others to make our school a great place to be! You are an excellent self manager who can be readily counted upon. Your passion, positivity and enthusiasm is incorporated into everything you do. This makes you shine! You always show a real love for learning even when it is a challenge. Keep up the amazing effort Molly. You can be proud of all your achievements!
Amber Jaiswal - Year 6
Amber, you are an amazing, kind and caring role-model, who consistently demonstrates the values of 'We care' and 'We make a difference'. We love the way that you care deeply about helping others and about looking after the world that we live in. The positive attitude that you demonstrate towards all areas of your learning is exemplary. We really appreciate the friendliness, kindness and authenticity that you bring to our hub. Keep shining, Amber!
Sharing our Learning
Koru Team
Flexible, responsive teaching and learning spaces and collaborative practise.
Visible, supported children. Visible, supported staff.
We are all enjoying working in our flexible and responsive teaching and learning spaces These spaces support strength based teaching and they offer our students and teachers flexibility, openness, and access to resources. Our spaces are used purposefully to ensure children are being supported and are learning in a way that suits their style and personality. An example of this is the use of the New Entrant Kakariki space which provides a withdrawal space for small groups, supporting our newer children and specialist teaching. In the West Hub our Nook and Workshop are used for targeted group work, while the makerspace provides a purpose built space for creating, cooking, growing …... (the list goes on). Our Theatre is a welcoming area with tiered seating where the whole Koru team can gather for singing, celebrations and sharing.
As well as utilising our indoor spaces we are also able to provide opportunities for the children to learn outside. The shaded, grassed areas and asphalt surfaces enable children to engage in activities that encourage fine and gross motor skills, problem solving and communication skills through the use of physed equipment, imaginary play, water play and creative play using natural resources.
For our staff, working in an open, flexible learning environment where inquiries are shared, planning is collaborative, and reflections are based on both self and peer observations, leads to a more robust, continuously improving community of practice. It is inspiring to work alongside such talented teammates.
Thank you New World
We have been amazed and intrigued by the Little Gardens growing in our hubs.
We are all enjoying watching our seeds sprout and grow. They are nearly ready to split and plant in the raised garden beds at the back of the West Wing.
Some of our children wrote letters thanking New World for their generosity and kindness. The delightfully designed and crafted letters were delivered this week and gratefully read and shared.
School Notices
Wellbeing Focus: We Care Day
Our We Care day on the 25th October was a huge success! Staff and students got involved, by picking a name of a peer from a box, and then doing a no-cost caring act for that person. Some students invited their ‘person’ to play, others made a bookmark, card or wrote a compliment note. Many warm smiles and high 5’s were exchanged, and there was a real buzz of gratitude across the school.
Showing you care for others is an act of gratitude, and gratitude is key for maintaining wellbeing.
Read more about how you can help you child develop a sense of gratitude
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23599/5-everyday-ways-to-teach-your-kids-gratitude-and-why-its-so-important.html)
"CHAOS at the School Gate"
From Monday 6th November until Friday 17th November 2017, the Council will be conducting an educational and enforcement program at Beckenham School. This program, called "CHAOS at the School Gate" is supported by the Police and will be at our school gates from 8:15am to 9:15am, and from 2:30pm to 3:30pm on these days.
The purpose of our visit to ensure the safety of children, parents, staff and other road users by promoting safe parking and driving behaviour at the school gates and close area.
We will be in full uniform and visible at all times around the school entrance and understand that it's important to show empathy and discretion while at the school.
If any parking offences are spotted, the council parking enforcement officers will record the car registration and take photos of the offending car. An infringement notice will be posted to the car owner. These offences may include parking on yellow lines, blocking a vehicle entrance or exceeding the posted parking time limit.
Follow these tips to help create a safe environment around the school:
1. Plan your drop off and pick up times.
2. Choose a safe parking area to drop off and pick up.
3. Look out for all parking restrictions near the school.
4. Be ware of other road users, such as buses, cyclists and pedestrians crossing the road.
5. Keep to the sped limits and slow down when approaching the pedestrian crossing.
Thank you for your support
Safety is as simple as ABC....Always Be Careful
Christchurch City Council
Staff updates
Our thoughts are with
Anne Chin as she recovers from her hip replacement surgery this Tuesday. Anne is making great progress and went home from hospital today. We wish her all the best.
We congratulate
Jenny Diggle on being appointed as a permanent member of our staff from the beginning of 2018.
We are delighted to welcome
Hannah Elliott who has won a permanent position on our staff from the start of next year. Hannah has sent us a short bio below:
Kia ora koutou! My name is Hannah Elliott. I'm originally from Wellington, although I have been living in Auckland for the past four years. I'm really looking forward to moving - both my parents hail from the South Island and my mum grew up just a few suburbs over from Beckenham, so I have many fond childhood memories of time spent in Christchurch growing up. As a teacher, I'm really passionate about using real-world problems to hook learners into their learning and working with students to use digital technologies to create and share learning. In my spare time, I like to cook adventurously and get outdoors.I'm excited to be joining the Beckenham community next year!Congratulations to...
Meara Stace: On the first Sunday of the school holidays Meara competed in the South Island Primary and Secondary Schools Karate competition at Pioneer Stadium.
Meara's focus and determination along with weeks of hard training earned her a Bronze medal in Kata and a Silver medal in Kumite (combat), Year 4.
As part of their entry, each competitor had to register their school name, so Meara was stoked to win a silver and bronze for Beckenham School.
Sports News
Senior Athletics Day
Our senior students demonstrated their love of challenge as they competed in a range of field and track events last week. Through competition we strive for our best and encourage others to push their own personal limits. It was fantastic to have our juniors come out and support the children in the sprint finals at the end of the day. The standard of competition was very high with many extremely close and sometimes indecipherable finishes. Luckily we had an ipad on the finish line to allow for close examination of the photo finishes.
We look forward to our Zones Athletics on Monday the 13th of November.
Congratulations to our Athletics Champions:
9 Year Old Girl - Hebe Butland
9 Year Old Boy - Jesse Ferguson
10 Year Old Girl - Samantha Maule
10 Year Old Boy - Thomas Lyall
11 Year Old Girl - Tilly Harris
11 Year Old Boy - Jimmy Middleditch
12 Year Old Girl - Vita Gear
12 Year Old Boy - Joe Flynn
13 Year Old Girl - Kaia Joergensen
13 Year Old Boy - Fergus Knowles
Girls On Dirt Enduro
Hebe Butland was a force to be reckoned with at last weekend’s mountain bike enduro at Halswell Quarry. She raced down trails that many an adult would balk at to secure first place in the Little Shredders category. Congratulations, Hebe!
Boulder Bay Classic
Despite low cloud, Sunday morning proved to be a beautiful day for a run around the picturesque Godley Head and it was great to see several Beckenham families out enjoying the event. Emma and Freya had a great run in the Children’s Dash.
PTA News...
"Are you new to school OR just missed the exciting news that the PTA have launched their NEW site AND Facebook Page….be in the know, never miss out on what is happening- check them BOTH out NOW:
Sending out a SOS...
Please HELP us FILL the GAPS!
We have filled over 60 & have another 30 to fill...we can do it
Thanks to those already helping. Remember ADULT family members & ex- students can help too.
The majority of the gaps fall on the FRI 17th Nov PM shift: 12:30- 4:30/5pm.
Why not come & enjoy the A & P Show early with your family (we provide you with a FREE Adult Pass, entry from 8am) then join the Tip Top Team for an afternoon of fun- we get a lot of Dads helping on this day.
Remember this is the only PTA fundraiser that collects funds from OUTSIDE our community, asks for your TIME (Not $$) & it’s for a fantastic cause.
Staff Profile - Rowena Barker
Kia ora ! Although I have taught overseas and in other schools my passion has always been for Beckenham School and the Community. ! I look forward to teaching our delightful New Entrants every day . There are so many surprises and many opportunities to have fun ! I am married to Stephen and have 3 adult children.I also have 2 beautiful grandchildren who I adore and spoil ! Rugby and music are my passions.In the weekends we love walking the Harry Ell track and whenever we can spend happy times over on the West Coast.I feel very lucky to teach with such a wonderful bunch of people in a great environment !
Mike Matulewicz
I have been teaching at Beckenham for seven years now and it has been a pleasure to get to know so many families and be part of their educational journey. I am originally from Scotland and my culture is still dear to me even though New Zealand is definitely my home now. I am married to the beautiful and talented Jane, we have two wonderful sons, Isaac (9), and Joseph (7) and an old border collie called Sonny (14) . Prior to teaching I worked with adults with intellectual disabilities in a resource center in the Isle of Man. Before that I was a restaurant manager and chef. I coach my sons rugby team and cricket team, I also play football for Ferrymead Bays Winnies. I have been known to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie in the past, doing parachute jumps, bungee jumps, riding very fast motorcycles and swimming with sharks. Those days are, mostly, behind me now although Isaac and I did swim with sharks at the Napier aquarium on a recent trip to the Hawke's Bay. I still love to cook, especially on my charcoal Weber, I love reading and hope that I ignite the love of reading in children's hearts.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Steiner School
Due to unprecedented interest in our school for year 9 next year, we are opening a 2 nd year 9
stream for 2018. This means we can offer places for students who missed the opportunity for
enrolling earlier in the year. If you are interested to join our successful and integrated whole person
school, please ring the office and make an appointment to visit and chat. Ph 3370514.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Thomas Proctor
Principal
Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School
