Our Final Koru Team Post for 2019

Kia ora, whānau,

It's hard to believe that the end of the year is almost upon us, and yet there is still a great deal to be squeezed in over the final week and a half!

A plea:
Please, would you send a strong bag (large enough to hold your children's books and belongings) in to school this week? We will be gathering the children's many workbooks, as well as their works of art and other items, to send home with them in the final week of school.
Also, if any parents have the time (and inclination), we would love some help in learning spaces as we begin the job of sorting, tidying and cleaning. Please see your child's Home Group teacher if you are able to help out at all.

Transitions:
At the start of this week, to support those of our children who are going to be transitioning through to Kahikatea in 2020, we are all going to be making visits over to the Kahikatea team's learning spaces, to become familiar with the settings and areas in which those children will be learning next year. The teachers from Kahikatea have also been over visiting us, in both Pūkaki and Kōmanawa, at various times over the past two weeks. A letter will be sent home with your child, at the end of the school year, to inform you as to which team (Koru or Kahikatea) they will be in, and who their Home Group teacher will be, in 2020.

Next year's New Entrants have also been visiting us in the Koru team during Discovery Times over the past fortnight and will be again on tomorrow (Tuesday), to familiarise themselves with the spaces and their teachers for next year.






Our farm trip:
What fantastic days we all had the week before last, visiting the Frei family farm. Our sincere thanks go out to so many people:

  • firstly, to Amanda Frei and Ernst Frei, for being so generous and accommodating in allowing us all to visit, and for ensuring that we all had such a memorable time
  • to all of the parents who supported us on the days of our visits - without you, an outing such as this would not be possible, so thank you so much
  • to Jo, for doing such a great job of ensuring that our organisation on each day was perfect
  • to Nigel, for accompanying the Wednesday group, and for doing such a great job of supervising the flying fox
  • and to Paul, 'sausage sizzler' extraordinaire!
 And now... so many photos - so difficult to choose!




































Discovery:














DMIC:
Our Maths problem solving has taken a farm-related theme over the past couple of weeks, and continues to go from strength to strength, as the children work with buddies to solve challenging number problems...





Pebbles:
Our hearts have been touched, and in some cases, melted (!), by visits from little Pebbles, who is looking set, once old enough, to become a new Beckenham te Kura bunny, most likely based in the Kōwhai team from the start of next year. Pebbles was found, aged 4 weeks, in a garden, and despite best efforts, her owner has not been found. She spent a day with us in the Koru team, and very bravely met up with Peter and Ben, both many times her size!







Thank you:
As this is our final blog post for 2019, we would like to convey our sincere thanks to you all for your unstinting support for your children, and us, throughout this year of learning. You have all helped in so many different ways, from small, but nevertheless meaningful comments, through to weekly parent help in the learning spaces, including the commitment shown, by one or two, to putting our team's reading books away for us each week! We truly appreciate you all. We trust we will see you at the coffee and croissants 'breakfast' event for helpers tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8:30 a.m.

We have all had a wonderful, wonderful year of teaching and learning, and teachers will miss the wee ones and their families over the long summer break. We look forward to seeing your children growing and developing throughout their years at Beckenham te Kura.

All best to you all for a very happy, relaxing and safe summer holiday.
Jo, Elizabeth, Kristika and Stacey

Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 4 Week 9

We are nearly at the end of the school year and have lots of fun activities planned before the 19th. Please read on for all details.

Monday (Dec 9) Production


Just one more sleep until the opening night of our production, Kauri Whānau Musical Mashup!  On Friday we made sure that everyone was sorted with the costume they needed. We have quite a few items at school that we have matched with children. All costumes need to be at school tomorrow (Monday), as we have a dress rehearsal in the morning and a performance for the school, in the afternoon.

Cats
Leggings or shorts - black, grey, white, beige, brown
Long-sleeved top (if possible) in similar colours
Greased Lightning
Dark pants
White T-shirt
We Go Together
T-shirt
Sneakers (converse if you have them)
You Can’t Stop the Beat
Party dress
Who Will Buy
Trousers / long skirts
Plain colours
Blouses / shirts
caps
Fame
Dance wear
Pick a Pocket
Shirts and school shorts
Caps or messy hair
Footloose
Bright t-shirts and shorts
You are more than welcome to bring as many friends and family as would like to come. Shows start at 7pm on Monday and Wednesday. We will be all finished before 8pm. Children needing face paint (Cats and Oliver) should meet in our hub between 5:30 and 6:30pm. All other children need to arrive at school dressed in costume and ready to perform by 6:45pm. 

Wednesday (Dec 11) Sherrilee's Farewell, Production and Year 8 Transition Afternoon

Sherrilee, who has taught Te Reo Māori and kapa haka  at Beckenham for 25 years will be farewelled at a special assembly in our courtyard starting at 9:30. Parents are welcome to attend. 

We love having Dave, our 24/7 youth worker, as part of our team. He is a friend to all and a support for many. On Wednesday afternoon Dave has organised for the 24/7 youth workers from Cashmere High to come along and meet our Year 8s. They will run through a slideshow and then move out to the field for some fun activities. All Year 8s can join in the fun, no matter what high school they are heading to next year.

Our final production performance starts at 7pm. Same applies as has been written above for Monday.

Friday (Dec 13) Final Assembly and Corsair Bay Trip

Our final celebration assembly for the year will start at the earlier time of 9:15 and will probably go for an hour.

At 10:30 we will be jumping on two buses and heading to Corsair Bay for a fun day by the water. The forecast is for a hot day - hooray! Children need to come to school in uniform and bring the following in their bags:
  • Togs and towel
  • Sunhat
  • Sunscreen
  • Lunch and water bottle (no ordering that day)
  • Personal medication, such as inhalers
  • Optional - picnic rug
We will be swimming, exploring the shore, playing on the beach, walking to Cass Bay and chilling out with friends.

Monday (Dec 16) Victoria Park Walk and Year 8 Pool and Pizza Party

Children are to come to school in mufti suitable for hill walking. We will be leaving school soon after 10am, headed for Bowenvale Ave and then up the walking track to Victoria Park. Once there we will have lunch and play before returning to school. We will be back by 3pm. Children need to bring the following:
  • Sunhat
  • Sunscreen
  • Lunch and water bottle
  • Asthma inhalers/antihistamine for those who need them
The Cockfield's have very kindly offered to host this year's pool and pizza party for Year 8. Their house is just below Cashmere Primary School. We will email out the address later in the week. As the name suggests, there is a pool and spa and we will provide the pizza and a drink. We also have access to the Cashmere Primary playground. The party starts at 4pm and children need to be collected by 6pm. 

Wednesday (Dec 18) Leaver's Graduation Assembly 


Graduation assembly starts at 11am. Year 8 are to arrive at school at the usual time, dressed in their best mufti. A lunch for Year 8s and their parents / caregivers will follow assembly at 12:30. By 1:15 all Year 8s should be on their way home. They will be finished for the year.

Thursday (Dec 19)

Last day for Year 1-7. School finishes for the year at lunchtime.




Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter 6th December 2019

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

The end of the school year is very rapidly approaching and end-of-year activities have definitely begun!
We have a big week and a half coming up... please check the calendar below to make sure you have all of the events noted on your calendar!

Kauri Whānau Musical Mashup

What talent we have in our Year 7 & 8 team! Come along on Monday or Wednesday night this coming week to see this talent in action on the stage. Our 45 min (ish) show starts at 7pm. A great night's entertainment for the whole family, all for a gold coin donation.


Farewell to Sherrilee - Wed 11th at 9:30am

On Wednesday morning (11th Dec) at 9:30am we are holding a very special hui to farewell Sherrilee Herangi-Harrison who has been our Te Reo Māori and Kapa Haka tutor for the past 25 years. All of our families are very welcome to attend. This will be followed by a morning tea. Current families, PLEASE BRING A PLATE, to contribute towards morning tea, as a way of to showing our thanks to Sherrilee, and our hospitality to all of the past students and whānau who will be returning to help us farewell her.

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Mon 9 Dec - Kauri Production - School hall, 7pm
Tue 10 Dec - Helpers' Thank-you Coffee and Croissants 8:30am
Wed 11 Dec - Sherrilee's farewell assembly, 9:30am
Wed 11 Dec - Kauri Production - School hall, 7pm
Fri 13 Dec - Final Assembly
Tue 16 Dec - House Games and School Picnic, 12 noon, Beckenham Park
Wed 18 Dec - Year 8 Leavers' Graduation (whānau of Y8 students), 11am - 12:30pm
Thu 19 Dec - School finishes for the year at 12:30pm

Sun 15 Dec - Final Beckenham Booty (PTA) Car Boot Sale for the year, 9am - 11am
Thu 30 & Fri 31 Jan - School Learning Conferences
Mon 3 Feb - Hubs open for instruction, 8:55am school day commences.
Thu 6 Feb - Waitangi Day, public holiday

Term Dates

Click here to view 2019 & 2020 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Zoe Lewis - Year 6

Zoe, you display a positive attitude towards your learning, and quietly go about doing the right thing whilst trying your best. You enjoy working cooperatively in a group and happily work independently. You display beautiful manners and can be relied upon to be responsible and reliable. Tino pai mahi Zoe.

Bonnie Hopkinson - Year 3

Bonnie, your kind, caring and thoughtful nature shines in all that you do. You have a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards all areas of learning and you are a fantastic role model to other students. You are a self-motivated  and you constantly strive to be the best you can be. Thank you for living our school values each and every day!

Ilia Henderson - Year 6

Ilia, the kindness that you show to others and the environment is truly a wonderful way to show 'We Care'. You always demonstrate empathy to your team mates, give awhi to your friends and show respect to us all. Thank you for leading the way in showing how to truly show our kete values on a daily basis. Tino pai, Ilia.

School Notices

Outdoor spaces Update...

Members of the Outdoor Spaces Team will be on the library verandah every afternoon next week from 2:50-3:15pm, and before the Senior production on Monday evening from 5pm - 6pm,  to share about the next steps for the development of the main play space. They will share the plans and design for the new main play space, the timeline and working bees for 2020.               

The Community Dental Service

The Community Dental Service will be providing dental care for children enrolled with our service during the upcoming school holidays.  The clinics will offer treatment and relief of pain sessions by appointment only.   To make an appointment please call/email our Contact Centre which operates between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday throughout the year (closed from 25th December to 6th January).
The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays:

·       Woolston Clinic, 11 Hopkins Street, Woolston

·       Hillmorton Clinic, Hillmorton Hospital, Sylvan Street,

·       Ashburton Clinic, 38 Elizabeth Street, Ashburton

The clinics will offer appointments between 8.45am and 3.00pm for school-age and preschool children requiring treatment.
If your child has dental pain as a result of an accident please contact your dentist in the first instance.
To book an appointment at one of our clinics please:  call 0800 846 983
Or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz\

Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is ku2j6. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.


Kahikatea Celebration Friday 13th December

Kia ora Whanau,
We warmly welcome you to join us in the hall on Friday the 13th of December at 2.15.
We will have an end of the year celebration, performing our Sasa and singing Christmas songs and our dance group will perform.
All welcome. Meet us in the school hall.