Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter 13th April 2018

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

It's hard to believe that the end of the first term is already here! What a busy and exciting term it has been.

Looking ahead to Term 2

During Term 2 our learning focus is on "Sustaining our Wellbeing". Each team will have their own particular focuses within this broad topic, and there will be some consistent school-wide areas of focus, including exercise (particular focus on Cross-country), hydration, healthy eating and sleep.

With regard to sleep, we will be implementing a programme for children in Years 3-8 that has been designed by the University of Canterbury, as a strategy for building resilience and wellbeing. When the programme begins, there will be take home activities that parents will be encouraged to engage with. The goal of the programme is to encourage children to have a better awareness of their own sleep needs and patterns, and to begin to develop some self-management in their own wellbeing around bedtime routines and the importance of sleep in their daily lives. No doubt there will be lessons for us as adults to reflect on also!

Reporting to Parents in Writing and through Learning Conferences

After our student led learning conferences in Term 3 last year, we sent out a detailed questionnaire for caregivers to give us feedback.
We had 120 responses which gave us some very rich feedback.

On a scale from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Extremely well), the following responses were received to this question:

We were quite pleased to see 68% of people were very satisfied or extremely satisfied, and we could identify some areas for improvement. 
When we compared this to the next question, we could see that around 44% of the respondents weren't finding the conferences as beneficial, from the parent perspective, as we would have hoped.

The respondents shared lots of really valuable feedback with us about what they really liked about the learning conferences, and about how we could improve, and of course, there was a wide variation of perspective from people who absolutely loved it, and a few who really didn't!

This year, we will be trying something a little bit different, to try and meet the different needs of parents, and to still ensure that we are empowering our children to be engaged with their learning through a process of having voice and ownership.

In Week 5 of Term 2 (Wed 30th May) we will be having Student-led Learning Conversations. These will be a little different to what we did last year and will focus wholly on the children sharing their learning with their whānau. The teachers will be there, and overseeing, but you won't need to book a specific time as the focus will not be on having a conversation with the teacher - it will be on the conversation with your child.

Written reports will come out at the end of Term 2, and in Week 2 of Term 3, there will be a formal opportunity to book a time to meet with your child and their teacher(s) to discuss any queries you may have about the reports, and to set goals for the rest of the year.

Please remember that, on top of these set times, you are welcome at any time during the year, to make a time to meet with your child's teacher to discuss their progress at school.  

Kauri Team in Dunedin

As I finish writing this, the Year 7 & 8 Kauri Team are making their way back to Christchurch after a simply amazing week of fun and learning in Dunedin.
To see the full set of photos, and see the breadth of excitement they have been having, you can visit the school Facebook page.
They have visited Albatross, explored Larnach's Castle, been spooked in the Octagon, studied at the University, walked beaches and tunnels, competed against our friendly rivals Carisbrook School, swum, danced, eaten chocolate, and of course, walked up and down the steepest street!
Thank you to all of the parents who supported this trip with their time, and with baking, and to the The Southern Trust for a very generous donation of $15,000 that helped make the trip much more affordable.



Thank you all for the support you give to our school, and to our staff and students. We are all looking forward to the the next two weeks holidays, and I know that our staff will be taking time to rest and relax, as well as prepare for Term 2. I trust you are all able to have some quality time with your family.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumaki ~ Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Mon 30 Apr - Term 2 begins 8:55am
Fri 4 May - Welcome Assembly, 10:50- 11:15am.  Followed by a morning tea hosted by PTA.
Wed 9 May - BOT Meting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Thu 10 May - Years 5-8 School Cross Country.  In the afternoon.
Fri 11 May - Celebration Assembly.  10:50-11:20am.  All Welcome.
Fri 17 May - weekly winter sport for years 5-8 commences.

Term Dates

Click here to view 2018 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Katya Atlas  - Year 4

Katya, you are a thoughtful and empathetic member of the Kowhai whānau. You are quick to notice when people need help and are always willing to give up your time to be a good friend and to support the smooth running of the hub. You actively demonstrate our values "We love learning" and "We love challenge". You strive to achieve learning tasks to the best of your ability and always seek advice if you need it. You are a great role model. Tino pai , Katya

Benjamin Scallan - Year 4

Ben, you are an excellent role-model in our hub. You demonstrate the value of 'We Love Learning' by being an incredibly hard-working and focused learner. You show the value of 'We Love Challenge' when things are tricky by asking questions and having a growth mindset. You understand the importance of being a supportive and caring team-member, and you show kindness and empathy towards others. Ka pai, Ben!

School Notices

Welcome Assembly - Term 2 Friday 4th May at 11am

If you have a child who has started at Beckenham School since our last welcome Assembly (Friday 9th February) then your child will be being formally welcomed at the next Welcome Assembly on Friday 4th May at 11am. You and your whānau are invited to attend this assembly and also to stay afterwards for morning tea, hosted by the PTA.

Sports News

Duathlon Results

The school duathlon is arguably one of the most challenging sporting events in our school calendar. The event is open to our year 5 to 8 tamariki who are keen to test their endurance and stamina. In the lead up to the event, it was fantastic to see many tamariki out running and biking in the park developing healthy habits that may last a lifetime. Congratulations to everyone who stepped up to this challenge.

Year 5 Champions: Zoe Clarke and Josh Breitmeyer
Year 6 Champions: Jain Cooper and Ben Newton
Year 7 Champions Sophia Brown and Ben Evans
Year 8 Champions: Tilly Harris and Joel Kingham

PTA News

Are you sitting down??
The figures are in......
The PROFIT of the Beckenham School Twilight Fair is the BIGGEST profit EVER raised at a Beckenham School Fair & given the inclement weather this is an even more amazing feat!

$17,400 PROFIT was raised!

A GINORMOUS SHOUT OUT to the Fair Team who worked their hardest planning for this event starting way back in Oct 2017.
A HUGE thanks to the businesses & individuals that supported this event, please check out our SPONSOR BOARD:

https://sites.google.com/view/beckenham-school-pta-nz/twilight-fair-sponsors?authuser=0

And of course thank you to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto staff, students & school community that helped make this event be the BEST FAIR EVER!!
Roll on 2020!


Community Notices

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

Starfish Swim School

During the April school holidays Starfish will be running a holiday programme. When a student from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, including siblings, books lessons you will receive a discounted rate and $10 from every booking will go towards our Outdoor Spaces fund!
Classes will be ruining both weeks of the holidays.
Week one Monday 16th April - Friday 20th April $55
Week two Monday 23 April - Friday 27 April (closed Anzac Day) $42
For bookings and any enquiries please phone: 33881795.  info@starfishswimschool.co.nz


Spanish Club at  Beckenham School- Mondays after school 3:00 to 4:00 pm  

Speak Spanish - Spanish Language School is based in Rangi Ruru Girls' School and offers Spanish Clubs in primary schools. Children learn Spanish in a fun and relaxed way focused on a topic: games, crafts, roleplays, songs are used to teach children.  We use Seesaw to build up a student profile and get children and/or families to be part of the club too from home! We are starting our classes in Term  2 ($15 per session - $120 8 sessions) it's a great opportunity to experience learning a language!  Email us at info@speakspanish.co.nz to enrol sending your children's details. 


Aquagym

459 Cashel St Ph:381- 0299
Learn to Swim & Coaching
Book now for April Holiday Courses &Term 2.
Leaders in Aquatic Education

Shirley Boys' High School

Parent Information Evenings
(Meet Headmaster John Laurenson for an informal chat over a cup of tea or coffee)
Monday 7th – Thursday 10th May 2018. 6.00pm - 7.30pm
SBHS Spartans Room (PE block, entrance off North Parade)
Community Open Night
Thursday 24 th May 2018. 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Commencing in the Assembly Hall (entrance off North Parade)

Marian College Open Night & Open Day 2018

Haere Mai!  Talofa lava and welcome!
You are invited to experience the opportunities Marian College has on offer.
Open Night - Tuesday 15 May from 4-7pm.  Principal's welcome 4:15pm and 5:30pm.
Open Day - Monday 28th May from 1-3pm.  Principal's welcome at 1:00pm.
There is Wilsons car parking on Barbadoes St and next to Marian College on Moorhouse Avenue.

0800What’sUp 

0800What'sUp (0800 942 87 87)  is a confidential free nationwide telephone and online help line for New Zealand children between the ages of 5-18 years old. 

What’s Up has been there for New Zealand children for over 16 years, and during that time we have talked with thousands of children about what it is that concerns them. We have listened to their stories, their worries, and even their jokes. Children do not have to give us their names, or any other details they choose not to disclose.
The average age of our callers is 13 years old, and young people may ring and talk to us about anything they like. No problem is too large or too small for our trained Counsellors and Supervisors, who come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. All of our counsellors are paid professionals who practice Child Centered Practice and Empowerment.  We do not tell our callers/online chatters what to do, but instead provide support, allowing them to explore what is best for them and the possible consequences of their choices.

 0800What’sUp is open until 11:00pm every day, including public holidays. Our hours are  Monday to Friday 12 noon - 11pm, and 3pm - 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  We also offer online chat, which is available from 5-10pm each day.

ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE?

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

If so, come along to our Traditional Māori games themed school holiday sessions at South library.  
Not only will you learn a tī rākau (short sticks) routine, but you get to make some tī rākau to take home. We will have a go at some other traditional games as well. 
It’s going to be heaps of fun! Don’t miss out!

Recommended for ages 7-12 years. Bookings essential
Phone 941 7923

Tuesday 17 April, 10.30am–12pm or 1–2.30pm



SURFKIDS

Childrens Surfing April Holiday 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.

 April Holidays Week 1 and 2.
16 -20th and 23 -27th April 10am to 12pm.

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.nz

St Margaret's College Open Day

St Margaret's College Open Day is on Friday 11 May 

The details are:
St Margaret's College, Christchurch, Open Day - Friday 11 May 2018
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm
Principal's Address: 11:45am featuring current principal, Gillian Simpson, and incoming principal, Diana Patchett
For those looking at boarding options, we have an SMC Boarders' Sleepover on Friday 11 May at 4:30pm to 10:00am on Saturday 12 May. Pre-registration for this is required by emailing lizzie.d@stmargarets.school.nz

Dunedin: Day Four

Are we there yet? Another fabulous day down here in the south, though getting home to our families and beds tomorrow will be just as fabulous!

The morning was spent with the children and staff from Carisbrook School. The sports teams headed to an indoor stadium to compete in touch, volleyball and basketball. The children gave of their best, displayed good sportsmanship and it was great to see the children develop skill and confidence during the games. The trophy went to Carisbrook this time.

Meanwhile at Carisbrook School, the children were working and playing together.  The time started with an official welcome to which our gorgeous children replied with real confidence and enthusiasm.  Carisbrook had organised teachers to take groups for Silks (aerial acrobatics), dance lessons, chess, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths challenges). They had a blast! A huge thanks to Carisbrook for their warm welcome and fabulous activities.

After a hearty lunch provided by Carisbrook, we were off to Cadbury World. Many children found their happy place! The chocolate freebees flowed generously and sugar levels soared. Just under half the group then put that sugar to good use by walking to Tunnel Beach, while everyone else had a great time at the Early Settlers Museum. Tunnel beach was wild, windy and wonderful, such a majestic section of the southern coast.

As I write this post, excitement is building as final rehearsals for the camp concert are underway. We are in for an entertaining evening to finish off camp.

We are looking forward to seeing you all when we return tomorrow. Our ETA is 5pm, however we will let you know a more accurate time when we are on the road, after lunch.


Exploring the beautiful railway station.









A hearty Carisbrook welcome.

Lots of new dance moves.

STEM challenges...





Another birthday...



Koru: Week 10 Term 1


Koru Whanau: Learning Together! 
Our tamariki have spent the first term of the year getting to know each other, getting to know the teachers and learning the essential routines of school life and learning. Great work everyone! 



Collaborating
Tricky puzzles with friends


Creativity 

Celebrating and sharing 

Making new friends
We get there together! 

Friendship List  
With the school holidays fast approaching now is a great time to fill in your details for the Koru Friendship List. Your information will only be shared with other families who fill in the form and they will only be able to see what you enter. To fill in the friendship form follow the link: Koru Friendship List 2018


News from the Koru New Entrant hub (Pūkaki)

Maths problem Solving:

Our problem was: Mother Bear has 5 bear cubs. She makes a new jacket for each bear cub, and each jacket will need 3 buttons. How many buttons will Mother Bear need altogether?

We work together to solve our Maths problems. We need to listen to each other, share the pen and the whiteboard, take turns, and make sure we both understand. This problem was: At a birthday party 4 children were each given 2 little prizes. How many prizes were there altogether?
Teaching Mrs Bear to count to 100.
Sharing the pen!
Working with a buddy to join sets together.

Here, we are working on solving the bears and buttons problem.
Counting acorns: 8 + 5 = 13
REALLY sharing the pen!
Starting to think about the concept of subtraction.


Buddy Time:
We love Friday mornings, when our big Year 7 and 8 buddies come over to spend time with us. We work on our poetry together, and they help us reread familiar poems from our poetry books, as well as read and illustrate the new poem for each week. We also see our big buddies out in the playground, as well as in whole school assemblies. We love seeing our big buddies when they go up on to the stage in assembly!

















At the End of the Day:
Sometimes at the end of the day, we like to get into a circle and give our friends a massage. We pretend that our fingers are like the different parts of a storm: raindrops, hail, lightning, thunder... it feels baeutiful on our backs! At the end, we all gently lie backwards and close our eyes.











Discovery Stations (learning through play):
Teaching the bears how to sing the alphabet song.

Playing schools.

Guess who?!

Building with the little blocks and animals.

Some clever balancing happening here...

Love that rabbit!!

We are all so careful and caring towards Peter Rabbit.

What a complex set up - well done, boys.

More careful balancing.

Playing the Count the Ducks game.

Colouring at the writing table.

Using a 'home made' pointer to play schools with the teddies.

Playing with one of our new little visitors on his school visit day.

Colouring, cutting and writing together.

Teaching Bounce and Skip how to write.

Clever building with the dominoes and animal counters.

Kings and Queens day:
In our hub, we like to have a Discovery Stations theme each week. On the Friday of Kings and Queens week, we all dressed up as characters related to kings, queens and castles.












Here are some handy links which you might like to check out with your children. The children are very familiar with these songs:

All best, everyone, for a very relaxing and happy holiday! The children have all participated fully in activities throughout their first few weeks at school, and most are showing that they are very tired and definitely ready for a lovely, relaxing, family break. We hope you have a glorious two weeks, and we look forward to seeing all those bright and enthusiastic little faces back at school on Monday, April 30th.

Elizabeth & Rowe (Koru/NE - Pūkaki)
Amber, Caitlyn, Charlotte, Dorinda & Kristika (Koru Year 1/2 - Tahaki)

Dunedin: Day 3

Today we headed out with layers of warm clothing, a cosy jacket and woolly hat. First destination was Baldwin Street. The rain stopped for us to complete the epic climb. Everyone made it to the top, some of us much faster than others. The three jaffas that we rolled downhill, weren't as successful, all becoming casualties of the journey.

Then we headed into the museum and university. We were so impressed with the surveying dept and the learning they put together for us. A number of children were inspired by this potential future career pathway. The Planetarium was an awesome way for the children to learn about our solar system. A number of the adults, caught a few zzs as the stars twinkled down on us. Next it was off to the butterfly rainforest, another magical experience. As was the discovery centre, where we could have spent the whole afternoon.

After a day of learning, we climbed aboard the bus, and headed up to Moana Pool. We had the hydro-slide to ourselves, as well as use of the leisure pool and diving pool. There were many first time experiences and lots of wide smiles, as we embraced challenge!

After a dinner of yummy nachos and a birthday celebration for Maddi, we headed out again on the Hair-raiser Tour and glow worms walk. What a day! All tucked up in bed now, recharging the batteries for another full on day tomorrow.

We all made it to the top of Baldwin St!

Some were faster than others!

There were casualties, but not the human kind.

A surveying lab experience.

That drone was very impressive and mighty expensive!

Learning about our solar system in the Planetarium.





The exhibits in the discovery centre were highly engaging.





Learning about Dunedin's spooky history.

The serious contenders!


Made it!





Dunedin: Day Two

What a day we have had! The weather, while cold, gave us snippets of sunshine, hail showers and enough fine breaks to make being on the go outside OK. It was perfect albatross weather and we saw lots of them flying. The Monarch cruise was a fabulous way to see the wildlife and provided some thrills along the way. Four chicks were nesting in view of the albatross observatory and we even saw one being fed by its parent! This was a real treat. Then we were off to Larnach Castle to hear its interesting and slightly spooky past, and admire the work of art that this building is. It was cottage pie for dinner, divine (thanks to the cooks), before we jumped back on the buses for night time exploration. The lodge group went off on the hair-raiser tour (and a few hairs were raised!), while the cabins group explored a bush track, lined with glow worms. Just the right amount of scary and magical! It was great to have Megan Harris join us for dinner and be our glow worm guide. We finished the day with a some more of our shared novels before heading off to bed. The troops have settled to sleep very quickly tonight, as you might imagine after such a fun-filled day.