Monthly Archives: September 2018

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 14 September, 2018

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Tēnā koutou katoa


'He mauri te reo Māori nō Aotearoa māu, mā tātou katoa'
'Make te reo Māori an essential part of New Zealand for you, for us all'

This is the 'catch-phrase' of Māori Language Week for 2018. The use of te reo Māori in mainstream New Zealand contexts is growing every year and this year has certainly seen an increase in the use of te reo Māori across a range of contexts, and particularly evident in the media.

This year I decided to demonstrate our school value of 'We Love a Challenge" - "Nau Mai te Wero" and made a commitment to improve my te reo Māori. I signed up with the Wananga o Aotearoa for a Level 2 beginners Māori course. I have been attending this course, once a week for 3 hours, all year. I know that my understanding of the language is slowly improving, and my ability to recall and use it in real situations is still at such a frustrating beginner level. I have a new admiration and appreciation for our students who are te reo Māori leaders in our school, who always accept our requests for them to support our formalities with their wonderful mihi and leadership. They inspire me to persevere and practice.
Their strength was evidenced last week when we welcomed Tyson Grinham from Adelaide to our school and we held a mihi whakatau (welcome) at school for him. Te Whānau students were outstanding in their haka and waiata, and our young te reo leaders spoke with clarity, confidence and pride as they shared their pepeha and mihi with us all.


Last week Te Whānau Mahi Tahi also performed at the Christchurch Cultural Festival. Their performance was, as always, one that made me enormously proud, and demonstrated the commitment and pride that they put into their learning and preparation.

This week we hosted a workshop in our hall for over 60 ESOL teachers and teacher aides from Christchurch Schools. Te Whānau supported the mihi whakatau for this group also and the praise from the teachers and teacher aides for their rousing welcome was wonderful.

With Māori language week nearly at an end for 2018, the challenge for me and our staff and our students, is to keep the reo alive every day and not just wait until Māori Language Week 2019. I invite you all to join us in that challenge.

If you are interested in joining an adult Te Reo Māori class for 2019, now is the time to sign up. The Wānanga o Aotearoa classes were oversubscribed this year and people who didn't sign up early enough missed out. Classes are free. In my class this year there are people from all walks of life including a librarian, electrician, computer programmer, landscape architect, kindergarten teacher, lawyer and a parent from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto!
If you would rather start by learning more about Māori Culture, the Wānanga also offer an excellent correspondence course that provide a wonderful insight into things Māori. This course is also free and you are provided with amazing resources as part of the free course - "He Papa Tikanga"

 Ahakoa iti, ākona, kōrerotia - Learn a little, use a little
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Wed 20th Sep - BOT Meeting.  5:30 - 7:30pm
Wed 26th Sep - PTA Meeting 7:30 - 9:30pm
Fri 28th Sep - School Talent Show.  1:30pm in the hall.  All Welcome!
Fri 28th Sep - Yr 7 & 8 to Technology.  Note change of day.
Fri 28th Sep - Celebration Assembly.  10:50 - 11:20am.  All Welcome.
Fri 28th Sep - Last day of Term 3.  School finishes at 3pm
Mon 15 Oct - First day of term 4.  School starts at 8:55am
Mon 22 Oct - Labour Day.  School is closed
Sat 27 Oct - PTA Ladies Night

Monday 26 November - Staff only day - School Closed

Term Dates

Click here to view 2018 and 2019 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Anna Wright - Year 4

Anna, youa re a self-motivated learner in our hub who always demonstrates our school values, 'We love learning' and 'We love challenge' in the way you always strive to be your personal best. We value your caring and sensible approach to all situations and the way you include others in all you do. Thank you for making Beckenham te Kura o Pūroto a better place!
Screen reader support enabled.

Ella Clarke - Year 7

Ella, you are a bundle of enthusiasm and bright ideas in the Intermediate Hub. Your contributions enlighten discussions and leave us with new ideas to ponder. We see you embracing new learning, caring for others, accepting challenge, being collaborative and making a difference - on a daily basis. What an awesome role model you are for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, Ella!

Tiya Chaudhari - Year 6

Tiya, you are a kind and considerate member of the Pōhutukawa Whānau. You are respectful in the way you deal with others and have beautiful manners. You are a hard worker who always gives your best in every learning situation, and you show fabulous collaborative skills when working with others. Tino pai Tiya. 

School Notices

Keep NZ Beautiful Week 

All students have helped clean up our local environment this week...showing We Care and We Make a Difference! See how much Koru picked up from the park and playground: 


The most common items found were wrappers, drink containers, lids and straws. 
Here is how you can help students continue their efforts at home: 
Notice and make a point of picking up rubbish as you walk past it, if you can (yes - do wash or sanitise hands after) 
Consider bringing litter free lunch items to school, Wrappers can be removed and left in bins at home. Many families already do this as a way to help our environment.
Volunteer at a local clean-up, run by the Council.

Pōhutukawa Market Day

On Friday, 21 September, the students in Team Pōhutukawa will be running a market in the school hall to conclude our small businesses unit. The market will be open to all students and families from 11:45 AM to 12:40 PM.
At the market, the Pōhutukawa students will be selling lots of interesting (and delicious) items such as baking, confectionery, drinks, games, challenges and more. Students should still bring their lunch as normal on this day.
Market day vouchers will be sold near the hall entrance before school on Friday morning. Each voucher is worth 50 cents and will be used as currency to purchase goods at the market. Most items at the market will cost between 50 cents and five dollars.
The money raised will be used to reduce the cost of Team Pōhutukawa’s camp in Term 4 and to offset the market day’s expenses.

Talent Show 2018

A big congratulations to all acts selected to go through to our 2018 Talent Show. Our final show will be held on Friday 28th September at 1:30pm. As usual, parents/caregivers and supporters most welcome!

Sandwich Road Closure:

We were informed today that next week on Thursday 20th Sept & Friday 21st September roadwork resurfacing will be carried out on Sandwich Road.  The length of Sandwich Road that the school is on will be closed whilst this work is carried out.  Please read the following for more information.


Uniform

The school uniform has been designed so that many items are easy wear and available to be purchased at most clothing stores where cost and quality is your choice. For your convenience the school has arranged with Mainland Uniforms to stock and supply items that can be worn as school uniform. These can be purchased at the Peterborough Street store (189 Peterborough St) or purchased on line through http://www.mainlanduniforms.co.nz/

If you are purchasing items from another supplier please be aware that only Mainland Uniforms polar fleece jacket and sweatshirt are monogrammed with the school name.

A reminder too that sunhats are to be worn in Term 4.  Hats are available for purchase from the school office or from Mainland Uniforms.  Only bucket style hats are available from the office, they are $10 each.

Tennyson Street Road Safety... Parent Travel Survey

If you live in the local area, especially if you and your children use Tennyson St, and you haven't yet completed this survey, please do take a moment to go online and fill this out.
The University of Canterbury is working with the community to find opinions on traffic safety on the way to school in the Beckenham area, especially around Tennyson St. Please take the time to complete the following survey.
https://app.maptionnaire.com/en/4748


The recent lobbying by local residents regarding the traffic on Tennyson St has seen the council install the above road signs. If we want more to happen, we must keep lobbying and the information from this survey will help that cause.

Congratulations to...

Tilly Harris as a member of the Canterbury Primary Schools Representative A Netball Team. The team traveled down to Dunedin last weekend to play in the Dunedin Netball Tournament. The Canterbury Primary Schools Representative A team played 5 fantastic games against some very strong opposition of rep teams from down south, including Invercargill, Taieri and Dunedin.

They made the final against Invercargill A, in a close and nail biting game. Canterbury came away with a great win to be given the title of Year 8 Champions for 2018.


PTA News

LADIES NIGHT RETURNS in 2018..Bigger & Better

"Rock your Body for Summer - Summer styles for ALL shapes"
Lock this date in your calendar: Saturday  27th October

This event will promote women embracing their body shapes while offering guidance on the key areas that many women find hard to shop for: Bras, Swimwear, Jeans & showcase NEW summer upcoming styles for all shapes.
Presenters confirmed so far:
The Fitting Room
Death By Denim
Key Black
Annabel Turley - The Holistic Pharmacist, discussing hormones & libido!!!

There will "Boutique" stalls to shop while enjoying canapés & a glass of bubbles. If you would like to book a stall at the event, please complete this link: https://goo.gl/forms/mKAJ4DnSiRAUPu573

TICKETS on sale soon
Watch the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Facebook page for more exciting information to come…


Community Notices

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

Port Hills Athletics Club...

will help your child discover skills and determination they didn’t know they had. Above all though, it’s about friends, meeting personal goals and setting new ones.
Registration days: 16th $ 23th September 3-4pm
Clubrooms @ Hansen Park

Info: Junior T&F Captain
Amanda Landers
027 271 4918
amandalanders1974@gmail.com

NZ Theatre Month

September is NZ Theatre Month promoted by Roger Hall, NZ's foremost playwright. Theatres all over NZ are presenting plays by New Zealand playwrights, as well as workshops, rehearsed readings and talks.

The inaugural Christchurch production is THE ACB WITH HONORA LEE, an adaptation by Jane Waddell of Kate De Goldi's junior fiction novel , which was performed in the 2016 NZ Arts Festival in Wellington to great acclaim.

Top Dog Theatre is presenting the play from 5-15 September in the Rangi Ruru Theatre in Mervale Lane. Performance times are 7.30pm Tuesday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 6pm Sunday 9 September and Thursdays, with a matinee as well on 8 September at 2pm.

Details and bookings are at www.topdogtheatre.co.nz/

Movie Poster Sale

Beckenham School Hall, this Saturday, September 15, from 9:30 -12:00. Posters either $5 or $10. Raising money for Spanish students at Cashmere High who are travelling to South America next year.


Design a Leatherman Competition

Design a Leatherman is a competition to challenge young New Zealanders to imagine, create and think outside the box!  
Go to the following link for more information:  https://bit.ly/2Q9OH7w

Drama Classes

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy.  Develoopment through Drama.  Email: enquiries@helenogrady.co.nz

Ph: 0800161131.


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Kauri Whānau: Weekly Update Term 3 Week 8

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This week creative juices have been flowing in the Intermediate Hub, as we have been busy creating calendar artwork. We continue to be very impressed by Te Whānau Mahi Tahi. This week they performed for the group of Chilean students who visited as part of our language programme on Monday, and welcomed a large group of teachers who were meeting in our hall on Wednesday.

Parent help needed:

Next week we are planning on visits to New World supermarket for each home-group, as part of our inquiry into sustainability issues around food.  We will also be making wax food wraps at school. For each of these activities we require some parent help. If you are free and willing to help out on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, please fill in this form. 

Congratulations:

We were super proud of our representatives at the zone speech competition on Tuesday evening. Both delivered highly entertaining speeches and both were placed third!


Market Day and Living Springs Camp in Term 4

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Market Day

On Friday, 21 September, the students in Team Pōhutukawa will be running a market in the school hall to conclude our small businesses unit. The market will be open to all students and families from 11:45 AM to 12:40 PM. At the market, the Pōhutukawa students will be selling lots of interesting (and delicious) items such as baking, confectionery, drinks, games, challenges and more. Students should still bring their lunch as normal on this day. Market day vouchers will be sold near the hall entrance before school on Friday morning. Each voucher is worth 50 cents and will be used as currency to purchase goods at the market. Most items at the market will cost between 50 cents and five dollars.

The money raised will be used to reduce the cost of Team Pōhutukawa’s camp in Term 4 and to offset the market day’s expenses. Thank you for your support of your child/ren with this venture. They have been working hard with the process of making the product/activity, and are very much looking forward to the big day. If you have any questions about the market day please feel free to contact one of us.

Term 4 Camp at Living Springs

Planning is well underway for Team Pōhutukawa's Term 4 camp at Living Springs (13 - 15 November, week 5). Living Springs is a self-contained complex where the children stay in comfortable and clean bunk rooms with attached ablution blocks. Parent helpers stay in the Harbour View Conference Centre or, if on bunk room supervision duty, in an adult bunk room (sharing) adjoining the children's bunkrooms.

If you are able to be a parent helper at the camp, please complete the online form (https://goo.gl/forms/xI7pk5nKsKo9KyMb2) by Friday, 21 September. We require the help of approximately 16 parents if the camp is to go ahead. If you are able to help, your role will involve direct supervision of groups of children; inside/outside activities, evening bunk room duty, setting tables, serving meals, operating the dishwasher, helping with the cleaning of all areas used at the end of the stay. You will need to be able to stay the entire camp. As the cost of parent helpers is covered in the camp fee, we will only take the necessary number of parent helpers in order to minimise costs. If we have more volunteers than we need, we will select first based on the skills needed and then names will be drawn from a ballot.
  
A consent form and medical questionnaire will be sent home in Term 4 to students and parent helpers.

The camp costs us $155 per child to run and this includes food, accommodation, the cost of the programmes run by the Living Springs staff and transport. Your next statement (due out at the end of Term 3) will have a request for contribution for $155. You are welcome to make payments either in full or by instalment at any time. Please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or Vicki Renwick (Financial Officer) in the office, if payment will be difficult for you. Any funds raised prior to camp, including our Term 3 Market Day, will be shared evenly across the team and will appear as a credit on the Term 4 statement.

We are looking forward to a great camp.


Kōwhai News Wk7 T3

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Hi everyone,

We have had a busy couple of weeks with some fantastic learning happening across the hub.
Yesterday saw us having the auditions for the school talent quest which is being held in the last week of the term. We were so impressed with how many children expressed an interest in participating in this event.
The finalists have now been chosen for the school talent quest and they are:

  • George, Will, Harvey, Quinn, Fergus and Tahere performing the Duck Song
  • Emma Vaile, Lilian and Alyssa performing a gymnastics routine
  • Xanthe, Ella Thomas, Keira Ryder, Isla Chapman, Layla McCallum, Bailee Green and Briar performing "Hall of Fame" through dance and singing

Congratulations to all those who took part, displaying our school values, 'We love challenge', 'We make a difference' and 'We get there together'.

Discovery
Each morning we begin with our Discovery programme. This time provides the children with the opportunity to explore wonderings and curiosities. This week, there have been many children challenging themselves with new learning, from learning how to braid, creating 3D shapes with cardboard, drawing, building intricate models with Lego and even completing engineering challenges.
This time allows the children to problem solve, work alongside each other and to acquire new skills in the process. Here are some of the children in action:



 Gymnastics
This week we have begun our gymnastics unit. Each Monday afternoon, the children participate in a variety of gymnastics activities. We are wanting the children to develop their balance, coordination, rotation and the ability to perform a sequence of movements with control.







Literacy / Inquiry
As part of our Inquiry learning into sustainability, the children in Paulette and Anna's literacy group are going to be creating tracking tunnels as a way of identifying some of the animals that are inhabiting our school grounds. We would love to have any plastic bottles (milk/soft drink), plastic card, heavy cardboard, plastic sheeting (plastic drop cloths, PVC sheets), sponges, peanut butter, wood, cardboard boxes that could be used to construct a tracking tunnel.
The children will analyse the data they collect and use this to make any changes to ensure our school environment is sustainable for all wildlife.

Conservation Week
Next week is Keep NZ beautiful week. As a school, we are having a focus on the school surroundings and have been given an area to keep clean for the week. In our team, we are also going to be looking at our waste production and our goal is to reduce the amount of waste that we create each week. We are going to see if having smaller rubbish bins will help us to make less waste. You might like to take this time to see if there are any small changes that you might be able to make as a family. It has been great to see so many children using the wax wraps that are being sold by the PTA.

Pioneer Miniball
At this stage, we will only be able to enter in 2 teams to the Pioneer Miniball competition which is held after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you are keen/able to coach, please let Paulette know ASAP so we know the number of teams that we can enter. Later this coming week, an email will be sent out with all the information about how to enter your child.

Parent Help - Reading
We would still love the help of another 2 parents to listen to children read each week. If you are able to help out, then we would LOVE to hear from you. This only needs to be for 1/2 an hour and it can be at any time of the day! Please email or see your home group teacher if you can help out.

Donations
We would love to have some donations of cups, saucers, plates, blankets, sheets, pegs or old toys ( they can be broken) for use at discovery time.
We will have a box in the hub and one in the office for you to put them in. The children will love using these for their learning.

Well, that's all for this week.
Kowhai Teaching Team








Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 7

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Te Whānau Mahi Tahi

Those of us sitting in the audience of Horncastle arena on Monday night were filled with pride as we watched our senior kapa haka group, Te Whānau Mahi Tahi, perform. Their confidence, purity of sound, skill and professionalism, resulted in a stunning performance.














Sustainability

This afternoon we welcomed Peter Wells into our hub. He talked with us about the Food Resilience Network in Christchurch, and more specifically the Ōtākaro Orchard in the centre of town. Hearing about what is being developed and how this will flourish and provide sustenance in the near future, was very exciting. We feel a field trip coming on ... more details on this soon.







Sports News

Kiwi Volleyball Year 7/8 League:

To continue our new found love of volleyball, we have entered a school team into the Kiwi Volleyball League in Term 4. Sessions are held on Wednesdays between 4 and 6pm at Hillview Christian School and contain a coaching and game component. Children will have the chance to express their interest from tomorrow at school and a team of 6 will be selected. This will run very similar to the Pioneer Basketball League in that families will need to arrange their own transport to and from Hillview. If this is something that your child is interested in, please have a conversation about how it fits with any other after school commitments they have. A condition of this team entry is that we have a parent who can act as manager and accompany the team. Please email Jenny if you are able to act as manager.

The two teams that are competing in the Koru Games in week 9 are underway with their training and very excited for the upcoming challenge of a three day tournament.

Winter Sport Results:

Congratulations to the following teams
  • Football
    • Beckenham Bandits - A Grade - 3rd Place
  • Netball
    • Beckenham Bluebirds - B Grade - 3rd Place
    • Beckenham Bullets - G grade - 3rd equal
Mountain Biking Passion:

We are still looking for more adult help to support us with running a mountain bike passion in Term 4. Please email Jenny if you would like to know more or if you can offer assistance about this.

Basketball:

Our basketball season has come to a close this week. The children have had a ball and developed in skill and confidence throughout the season. It was always great to have a good turnout of parent support at each game. A special thanks to Cory for his coaching of the Friday team. 

Cantamath Results:

We received the official Cantamath display competition results today. Certificates and badges will be presented later in the week.
Highly Commended: Paolo, Connor, Nadia, Frankie, Charlotte Grey, Helena, Olivia K, Vienna, Tilly, Hannah, Jordan, Bonnie, Jenny's class project and Nicky's class project
Excellence: Morvern, Maddi M, Daniel S, Jack, Lucy, Ben, Charlotte T, Santiago, Marlonique, Kaden, Arran and Hannah's class project
That is one pretty impressive haul of awards! Well done everyone.

Art Week:

Next week we will be having a focus on visual art, with an hour of art each day. Children will choose from three options, with pictures being created for calendars etc. We will be explaining options and taking choices on Friday.

Readathon:

The Readathon is now over and it is time to collect sponsorship money. Please get this in to the school office, ASAP.

Those who love to dress up, relished the opportunity during book character day last Friday.