Monthly Archives: September 2021

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 24 September 2021

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora e te whānau

We look forward to Daylight Saving beginning this weekend, and the start of longer, (and we hope) warmer days as we head into the holidays at the end of next week. Please check your alarms and clocks on Sunday night so that everyone is on time for school on Monday!
Daylight saving begins when clocks at 2am go forward by 1 hour to 3am on 26 September 2021.

Home groups for 2022

We will soon be starting to look at the organisation of home groups for 2022. We have not yet finalised which teachers will be teaching in which teams, and, as always, there is likely to be a small amount of movement. We have a highly competent and dedicated staff, who work extremely collaboratively together and we are confident that all of our teachers are able to work successfully with all of our tamariki. Because of that, we do not engage in discussions with whānau about 'choosing teachers'. If you have information you want to share with me about any specific needs you want us to be aware of in relation to your child's emotional and social wellbeing, please email me directly at principal@beckenham.school.nz. We will add your thoughts to the wider information that we consider as we make up homegroups.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Week 10:
Fri 01 Oct - Last day of Term 3
Fri 01 Oct - Celebration Assembly (if we are at Level 1 - 12-12.30pm)

Term 4

Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau)

Week 2:
Mon 25 Oct - Labour Day (School Closed)
Tue 26 Oct - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Wed 27 Oct - PTA Meeting ( 7.30 - 9.30pm )
Sun 31 Oct - PTA - Halloween Picnic in the Park

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 and 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Andi Green - Year 8

Andi, you are such a compassionate and caring person. You have made many positive gains in your two years in the Kauri hub. Your peers look up to you and when you smile, the room lights up. You have put so much effort into your learning this year and this is reflected in the tasks that you accomplish. Pai ki a koe Andi!

School Notices

Sunhats will be needed again next term

Please remember to hunt out your child's school sunhat in readiness for Term 4. Your child will need a named, plain red or black, bucket or wide-brimmed hat every day next term.



Dental Care during the School Holidays


The Community Dental Service will be providing dental care for children enrolled with our service during the upcoming school holidays.  The clinics will offer check-ups, 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 holidays.

The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays:
  • Northcote Clinic, 24, Tuckers Road, Casebrook,

  • Hillmorton Clinic, Hillmorton Hospital, Sylvan Street
The clinics will offer appointments between 8.15am and 4.15pm for school age and preschool children.  If your child has dental pain because 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

Mental Health Awareness Week 27 Sep - 3 Oct

Here are some questions that are designed to help your tamariki and rangatahi (children, and young people) have a kōrero about the different things that make them feel good.
  • What do you like to eat to give your body energy? 
  • What activities make you feel calm?
  • What is your favourite song?
  • What's your favourite animal?
  • What activities do you like to do to move your body?
  • What is a favourite whānau memory that you have?
  • Where is your favourite place to visit with your whānau?
  • What is something that makes you smile?

ESOL Update

Lately, some of the ESOL students have been sequencing and re- telling the story of The Three Little Pigs.


Koru and Kahikatea groups have been busy weeding the raised gardens ready to do some planting.



The Kōwhai group welcomed some special visitors...some extra cute wee spring lambs. The children also completed Spring artworks.

2022 New Entrant Enrolments

Do you, or one of your neighbours, have a pre-schooler turning five in 2022?
Are they enrolled in a school yet? If not, please contact us (or your local school) about enrolment asap. It helps schools significantly with their staffing and planning if we know in advance who to expect at school the following year!
You can find enrolment information and forms on our website.
https://www.beckenham.school.nz/index.php/enrolment/enrolling

Ministry of Education - Gifted Learner Awards

The deadline for Gifted Learner Award applications has been extended to 4pm on 30 September 2021, due to the changes in Alert Levels.

WHAT ARE THEY ALL ABOUT? 
The Gifted Learner Awards can be used to challenge learners to try something new, or extend them in areas they're already involved in and passionate about.


Applicants can include tamariki in early learning through to high school students.

Applications can be for an individual or a group of learners, and can provide funding of up to $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per group (to be used within a 12-month period).

APPLY TODAY:

Congratulations to...

Sophie, Sophie, Tabea and Heidi who shaved their heads for Child Cancer - and donated the hair to Wigs for Cancer as well!
They have raised over $2000 so far, and you can still contribute to their Child Cancer Fundraiser by clicking here: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/sophie-sophie-heidi-and-tabeas-child-cancer

PTA News

Readathon

A very very big thank you for those of you whom returned cards and money this week. We really appreciate you supporting this fundraiser.

A grand total of $4230.80 was raised this year!

Listen out at assembly next week to see if your name is drawn out for a Whitcoulls voucher. 

Picnic in the Park

Family Picnic in the park on the 31st of October! We did have our ever-popular quiz scheduled for the 30th, but due to COVID uncertainty, we have decided to change it from a fundraiser into a BYO picnic in the park on Sunday 31st. More details will follow soon!

Calendar Art

Keep your eye out for our Calendar Art Fundraiser. The students have been busy creating masterpieces, which are soon to be turned into easy Christmas gifts! We are hoping to be able to open orders before the end of term - watch this space (and your children’s bags).

With thanks from your PTA

Community Notices

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

Rollickin' School Holiday Kids Gelato Class



The classes cater for 8-12 year olds & we share all our gelato making top tips & secrets.

There’ll be a little info session, part science lesson, a video, hokey pokey smashin’, chocolate drippin’, gelato whippin’, gelato taste testing, colouring in and a Free Scoop gift card for their next time visit. Promise lots of lickin laughs.

There’s 10 weekday classes during the school holidays:
Monday 4th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday 5th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday 6th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Thursday 7th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Friday 8th October 11:30am-12:30pm

Monday 11th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday 12th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday 13th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Thursday 14th October 11:30am-12:30pm
Friday 15th October 11:30am-12:30pm

How to book a ticket? 
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/kids-gelato-classes-at-cashel-st-8-12-years-tickets-173126735727?aff=erelexpmlt
Visit Eventbrite. 
or, simply google “Rollickin Gelato Classes”
Tickets are $35

The Gaia Collection

The Gaia Collection is a YES business that wants to help protect and spread awareness about New Zealand’s wildlife. They have created a unique line of wooden earrings in the shape of some of this endangered wildlife with $5 from every pair sold going towards Forest and Bird’s Fairy Tern Project. 

To make a further impact, they have created the Community Collection Challenge. An event running from 11th-17th October, where they are challenging all New Zealanders to clean up  their communities. You can register to be apart for $5pp with all proceeds going towards Forest and Bird's Fairy Tern Project. 

For more information about The Gaia Collection head to their website https://thegaiacollection.mystorbie.com  and for more information about the Community Collection Challenge and how to register head to the “CCC” page. 

Draw Like an Artist

The "Draw Like an Artist" camp will be held at St Margaret's College during the school holidays, starting on Tuesday October 12th and running until Thursday October 14th.
The camp is ideal for young people who have a dream of becoming a published illustrator or anyone who wants to improve their artistic skills.

The camp is non-residential, and runs from 9am to 4pm each day.
The course fee is $195.00, which includes a discount for early registration.
The number of places on the camp is strictly limited.

For more information go to drawlikeanartist.com.

Thumbelina 

Thumbelina is a beloved tale from Hans Christian Anderson about a tiny girl, no bigger than a thumb, who slept in a bed made from a walnut shell with a rose petal blanket. The story has been adapted by Jeff Clark into a delightful play that will be performed by the Canterbury Children's Theatre company at the Malthouse Theatre every Saturday and Sunday during the October school holidays. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.malthouse.co.nz 




Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 9

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 In this post: 

  • Literacy
  • Health
  • Ski trip
  • Cantamath
  • Athletics
  • Speeches

Literacy: Novel Studies

We have recently started novel studies with our literacy classes. Megan, Caitlin and Jenny's groups are reading 'The Boy in Stripped Pyjamas', by John Boyne. Themes of innocence, friendship and human nature are explored as the story of the relationship between the son of a German officer and a Jewish boy unfold. Nicky's group is reading 'Two Weeks with the Queen', by Morris Gleitzman. This book, while told with lots of humour, deals with heavier topics of cancer, aids and issues faced by people who are gay. The children are very engaged in discussions and activities unpacking the stories. Please let us know if you have any questions about these novel studies.

Health: Choice

When lockdown sent us home, we were just getting into our Choice health unit which explores making good choices around drugs and alcohol. While we have been unable to have lessons with the police constable, we are continuing this unit ourselves. 

Ski Trip

Sadly, we were unable to rebook another date for this year's ski trip. We look forward to offering this opportunity again next year.

Cantamath

The organisers of Cantamath are determined for this event to go ahead and have yet again rescheduled the competition to October 27th in term 4. This involves our problem-solving teams and we will also be sending a number of projects into the display competition. 

Athletics

We have started athletics training in preparation for our athletic sports which is scheduled for week 2 next term. The children will be doing athletics 4 afternoons a week for the next two weeks.

Speeches

We were treated to listening to a fabulous selection of persuasive and informative speeches on Friday. Topics were varied, including speeches encouraging us to not eat meat, respond to climate change, address gender inequities in sport, be inclusive, consider the needs of chickens, care for our oceans and avoid the dangers of sport. As you can see we were wowed by some very important topics. The judges had an extremely tough job. 

Year 7: First, Lola; second, Billy; and third equal, Stella and Fergus Macd

Year 8: First, Zoe C; second, Andi; and third equal, Thomas and Fergus McM

We wish Lola and Zoe the best of luck when they compete at the South Zone competition in week 10. The media team is putting together a video with snippets of each speech. We hope to have this ready to share with you next week. 



Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter, Friday 17 September, 2021

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Principal's Patch

Kia kaha te reo Māori!

‘Kia kaha’ is well understood in New Zealand English with its meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ we’re saying  - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'. 
This week has been Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) here in Aotearoa and I have been really impressed by how much more te reo Māori I have heard and seen through the media this year than ever before.

At our kura (school), each hub participated in their own way in celebrating and learning more te reo Māori. 
The display below was put up in the Whare Pukapuka (library) by Anne, our amazing librarian. 
Our goal is always to make te reo Māori a language that our tamariki (children) understand and can use with confidence. This is a challenge when none of our staff are fluent in te reo, and there is a shortage of fluent te reo teachers throughout the motu (nation). We have a team of kaiako (teachers) at school who support us to upskill one another and make sure we keep our focus in this kaupapa (matter)!
We encourage you as a whānau (family) to ako (learn) together, and to add te reo Māori into your daily conversations!



It's been a week of fairly cold mornings at the gate this week, so a huge thank-you to our staff who work the entrances every morning. Thank you also to our road patrol team who are there each day, morning and afternoon, making sure we all get across the road safely. We do appreciate that it is tricky not being able to come onto the school site each day and we thank you all for your patience.

Enrolments for 2022



Do you, or one of your neighbours, have a pre-schooler turning five during 2022? 
Are they enrolled yet? If not, please contact Jacky in the office about enrolment as soon as possible. It helps us significantly with our staffing and planning if we know in advance who to expect at school the following year! 
You can find enrolment information and forms here on our website.

​Toys and trading cards at school

We have noticed an increase in children bringing both toys, and trading cards (especially Pokemon cards) to school recently. We know that all of these items are extremely precious and that if they get lost, or accidentally given away or misplaced, it causes very real distress.

Our policy ​has always been to ask that toys (including trading cards) are left at home. 

Whilst we are at Level 2, please don't bring the trading cards to the gate for your child to trade at 3pm, as this is causing quite a lot of additional congestion at the gate which is already very busy. Thanks for your support of this.



Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki (Princpal)

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Week 10:
Fri 01 Oct - Last day of Term 3
Fri 01 Oct - Celebration Assembly (if we are at Level 1 - 12-12.30pm)
Term 4
Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau)
Week 2:
Mon 25 Oct - Labour Day (School Closed)
Tue 26 Oct - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Wed 27 Oct - PTA Meeting ( 7.30 - 9.30pm )
Sun 31 Oct - PTA - Halloween Picnic in the Park

Term Dates

Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Cahlen Stace - Year 6

Cahlen, your enthusiasm for learning is second to none! You share your excellent general knowledge and well-thought-out ideas with others in a positive manner. Your exuberance is infectious. Cahlen, you take action when the need arises and this helps the whole hub tick along. Tino pai rawa atu to mahi!

PTA News

Lockdown is over and the PTA is back!

The Readathon has been a bit disjointed thanks to COVID, but let's start where we left off! We will be at the main gate on Sandwich Rd every day next week collecting any cards that have been completed or money you still have to donate. We will have cool bookmarks to give in return.


We will still run the popular prize draw at the assembly on Friday 24th September. Everyone who did the reading goes into the draw, so let one of us at the gate know if you lost the card or donated online, alternatively email pta@beckenham.school.nz or message us on Facebook.

We won't be having the book character dress-up day but there will be a chance to dress up at our Family Picnic in the park on the 31st of October! We did have our ever-popular quiz scheduled for the 30th, but due to COVID uncertainty, we have decided to change it from a fundraiser into a BYO picnic in the park on Sunday 31st. More details will follow soon!

Finally: keep your eye out for our Calendar Art Fundraiser. The students have been busy creating masterpieces, which are soon to be turned into easy Christmas gifts! We are hoping to be able to open orders before the end of term - watch this space (and your children’s bags).

School Notices

Kōwhai miniball T4 2021



If your Year 3/4 child is keen to play Miniball at the Pioneer Stadium inter-school competition next term, please click on this link for more information and register their interest by next Friday 24th September.

NZ Mental Health Awareness 

Next week is NZ's mental health awareness week, 27 September - 3rd October.
This year, the focus is on making time to kōrero through our joys and challenges. Talk with your children about the benefits of talking through problems, and who they might go to.
More resources, ideas and stories are featured here online. 



The model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua/spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. Our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation.

When all these things are in balance, we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted. 


The parts of the wharenui:

TAHA WHĀNAU

Taha whānau is the people we care about, who recharge us and make us feel we belong. Whānau isn’t just our immediate relatives. It includes our friends, hoamahi/colleagues, iwi or community – the people who are close to our hearts. 

TAHA WAIRUA 

Taha wairua is about taking notice and appreciating the beauty around us. It’s about rediscovering things that make us feel awe, hope, strength, unity and connection. For some, wairua is faith or a higher power. Sometimes our wairua isn’t strong and we encourage you to think about what wairua means to you and ways to strengthen it. When your wairua is strong, it’s easier to feel good, cope with challenges and build strong whānau relationships.

TAHA TINANA 

Taha tinana is about how your body feels and how you care for it. Refuelling your body helps you to feel mentally well. Sometimes your tinana might not be where you’d like it to be and this might be beyond your control. What’s important is that you do what you can to nurture it.

TAHA HINENGARO 

Taha hinengaro is your mind, heart, conscience, thoughts and feelings. Just like your physical health, your hinengaro needs to be nurtured. Hinengaro is what you do to stimulate and refresh your mind so you can better cope with the ups and downs of life.

WHENUA 

Whenua is our connection to the land. It’s soil, plants, animals and people – tangata whenua. It’s the earth through which you are connected to your tūpuna/ancestors. Whenua is a place of belonging and it’s comforting that it is never too far away.

Update from Scholastic

"Scholastic New Zealand’s Auckland warehouse is currently closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
 
We have received a number of queries from schools and parents enquiring as to the status of their orders. Due to the lockdown, we have a number of unfulfilled orders stuck in our warehouse. As books are deemed non-essential items, we are not able to operate and ship any of these orders to school or homes.
 
I’m sure that you will understand that this situation is beyond our control, as it is for many New Zealand organisations and we thank you for your patience and understanding.  

Rest assured, we will be prioritising these orders as soon as Auckland reaches level 3 and our fantastic team gets back to our warehouse. Auckland orders will be dispatched to schools as soon as Auckland reaches level 2 and students return to in-person learning.
 
In the meantime, if you have any questions related to your order please email bookclub@scholastic.co.nz. Our Customer Services Team are working from home and will reply to your email with an update as soon as they are able to.
 
Please stay safe during the lockdown.
 
The Scholastic Team"

BOSCO

BOSCO’s October Holiday Programme is now open for bookings. We are very excited about the variety of crafts, baking and sport activities we have planned these holidays. We will also be visiting Ferrymead and playing a fantastic round of minigolf at Caddyshack. Pony Parties will bring their amazing animals to visit us and the boys from Cheapskate Skateskool are ready to come and teach us a few tricks again! We have limited spaces available so email Juanita now at office@bosco.org.nz to find out more or make a booking online via Aimy Plus.

Community Notices

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

Bush Farm Education

https://www.bushfarm.org.nz/our-programme-offerings

CodeCamp

CodeCamp allows kids from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action packed environment. Develop confidence & initiative through design, creativity, solving problems, presenting & collaboration. Creating games, websites and apps as well as robotics.

4th - 8th October 

Learn to Sail

This Learn to Sail program based out of Naval Point Club Lyttelton, is a 10 week course that will teach children aged 8 +  how to sail and the basic principle of the sport

The Program starts on Saturday the 25th of September with the option to sail either on a Saturday or a Sunday morning from 9 – 12

The program come’s at a cost of $150 for the 10 weeks and this includes boat hire.

A wetsuit, warm clothes that will get wet and a lifejacket are necessary

For further details and registration please go to

Learn to Sail Level 1 & 2 - Oct-Dec 2021 (Saturday's) - Naval Point Club Lyttelton

Learn to Sail Level 1 & 2 - Oct-Dec 2021 (Sunday's) - Naval Point Club Lyttelton

Or email: sailing@navalpoint.co.nz

We also have on offer our school program running from the 11th – 14th of October for anyone who wants to give sailing a try

School Holiday Sailing Camp - Naval Point Club Lyttelton

 Write Like an Author - Holiday Writing Camp

Learn to write stories like a published author, with a published author!

Write Like an Author is the internationally acclaimed writing course for students aged 8-14 that shows you how to write stories the way authors do.

On a three-day, school holiday writing camp, award-winning author Maria GIll will take you on a journey of fun and discovery, learning how to create, develop and write awesome stories, guiding you every step of the way.

The course has been developed by international award winning author and writing coach Brian Falkner and proven for over a decade in classrooms in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

The cost of the three day camp is $195 at the early-bird price.

https://www.writelikeanauthor.com/



Act2 Drama Group Auditions

Studio One Performing Arts

Your local dance school, is currently giving Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary lessons in your area. The school’s director is teacher, choreographer & ex-ballet dancer Patricia Paul A.R.A.D. (London). Ballet lessons from 3 years through to Advanced, and all levels in Jazz and Contemporary starting from age 7. For all enquiries please phone 372-9191 or email info@studioone.co.nz

Kōwhai News Term 3 Week 8

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Kia ora whānau, 

What a wonderful first full week back learning at school! It has been great to see all the students back on campus and we are looking forward to everyone coming back on site when we reach Level 1. 

Over the last three weeks of term, our inquiry is "Travelling the World via Art" where we look at different cultures around the world and how art is made and celebrated. This week various homegroups have travelled to Mexico, Egypt, Australia, Vietnam and the UK. Over the next few weeks all of the students will get to learn about art from these countries and create different art using pastels, paint, sketching and clay. 

As Sandy mentioned in the newsletter on Friday, over the next two weeks we will be completing various assessments. This means that your child won't necessarily bring home reading books with them. Please help us by continuing to read books of their choice at home with them. 

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 

This week we have been celebrating the Māori language during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Here is an activity you might like to try at home.

Paki Whitu Game


Have some fun with PAKI WHITU - This game requires the use of your hands.

Term 4 Miniball

Please read and fill out this survey if your child is interested in playing Miniball in Term 4.



Kōwhai Hub activities

We have loved getting back in and exploring our learning through play. Here are some pictures of learning through play, and learning throughout the day in the Kōwhai hub this week. 












Have a lovely weekend. 

The Kōwhai Team 


Koru Term 3 Week 8

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Kia ora koutou, 
We have loved catching up with the children over the course of this week, and hearing all about their lockdown experiences! It has been lovely to see the enthusiasm about being back at school, and to see friendships continue to strengthen. 
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your flexibility and efforts throughout the lockdown. We have noticed improvements across many areas, and the children have come back with an engaged attitude to learning. 
We would like to introduce Leonor, Terence and Stella who have joined the Koru team following lockdown. We are delighted to have them join us. They have settled in beautifully and are already developing new friendships. We welcome Charlie back following his trip to see family in France. 

                                         

Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori:

This week the children have enjoyed listening to Māori Myths and Legends, including 'How Maui Slowed the Sun.' Children were encouraged to retell different parts of the story during whole class shared writing. They talked about how Maui and his brothers felt throughout the story and how they worked together to solve the problem of their days being too short. 

Children have created some amazing Māori art work, both collaboratively and independently. They have also been given opportunities to sing, count to 10 and say simple sentences and answer questions in te reo Māori such as, "Kei te pehea koe?" (How do you feel?), "Kei te pai ahau" (I am good). 

We have continued with our Wellbeing program and this week our focus has been 'Taha Tinana' which is our Physical Wellbeing. It is about how our body feels, moves and how we take care of it. The children have come up with many ways they can keep fit and healthy. They have participated in physical class games and yoga. 

We hope you enjoy looking at the photos of our children in action throughout the week. 

How Maui Slowed the Sun

Independent Art



We Get There Together


Children have continued with their Structured Literacy learning and it is fantastic to see their proud faces when they learn a new letter sound, complete a stage or read their book independently. We want to thank you for helping your child with their letter sounds, heart words and reading each night. It really makes a huge difference with their confidence and momentum. 


Thank you for your patience and preparing your child for the Level 2 drop off and pick up. We are very impressed with how well the children have adapted to this and have quickly eased back into school routines, with an independent skip in their step! We love sparking the children's curiosity and creativity during our learning through play. We will continue to nurture this aspect of their learning throughout the remainder of this year. 
Have a lovely and relaxing weekend together. 

Ngā mihi mahana, 

The Koru Team: Elizabeth, Tracey, Nicola, Chelsea and Stacey