Monthly Archives: March 2023

Kahikatea News Term 1 Week 5

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Kia ora koutou,

Week 5 already! It is fabulous seeing all of our beautiful tamariki so settled into the Kahikatea Hub and doing some fantastic learning. 

Nuts at school - Whānau notice


We are aware that the Kahikatea team has students with nut allergies. Therefore we are asking that if nuts/nut-based products aren't necessary for your child's lunchbox please consider not including them.

The team is also aware that some children have other dietary requirements and their diet may need to be nut-based, so will need nut products to be included in their lunch box.

When the term starts, the teachers will remind the children that at school we eat our own food rather than share with others, along with reminders about handwashing and putting food wrappings in their lunch boxes to take home. This will also include washing their hands after eating nuts to remove any potential residue. 

If you have any questions please contact your child's Homegroup teacher.

Thank you for your support as 'We Get There Together'.

Word of the week

Our word of the week is RESPECT. 

Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they're different from you or you don't agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and well-being. 



Math Focus

This week in maths, some of our learners learned about capacity and how different containers hold different amounts. 

They estimated how many teddies/cubes would fit into different containers, they measured by filling the containers, and they counted the teddies/cubes to check how close their answer was to their estimate. 

It was wonderful to hear the rich discussion about the best way to count the teddies. Depending on how big the pile was, sometimes they counted in 1s, skip counted in 2s, skip counted in 5s and when the pile looked enormous, they skip counted in 10s.


Spare Yarn

During Learning Through Play sessions, we would love to teach some children (who are interested) how to do finger knitting. 

Finger knitting is a calming activity that has many benefits for young children. It builds dexterity and strength in those small muscles which control the hand, fingers, and thumbs. These same muscles are the muscles we use to write, so strengthening them is extremely important. 

Finger knitting also encourages creativity (the creations students can make with their completed finger knitting are endless), hand-eye coordination, concentration, and perseverance. 

In order for us to do this we need some yarn. It doesn't have to be a full ball (small amounts are welcome), or fancy (just regular is fine). The thicker the yarn, the easier it is for children to manipulate. 

If you have some spare at home that you wish to donate, please bring it into the Kahikatea Hub. 


Boxes and Containers

We would love clean boxes and containers for box construction. Children love constructing with boxes and containers and it is amazing to see all the creative creations that our tamariki come up with. 

Don't fill your recycling bin with them - send them our way!

Literacy Videos

Your learner will have brought home a literacy pack in the last week. If you haven't received one, please get in touch with us.

We have recorded some videos to support our whānau with understanding what our literacy stages look like and what you can do to support your learner at home.

Click on the links below to access videos at your child's stage. There are two videos to look at.












Emma Nahna


Kapa Haka


Open Mornings

If you have never had the opportunity to have a tour of the school, or if you would like another look at how the school works, we are offering a series of dates from Wednesday 15th to Monday 20th March. Our amazing School Ambassadors are looking forward to having the opportunity to show you around.
To book a time, please go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the event code z7fnt.

Sunflowers

During one of our Learning Through Play sessions this week, sunflowers were our provocation (invitation to play).

Some students watched the following time-lapse of a sunflower, and then they had the opportunity to dissect some real sunflower plants. 







House Games Photos




That's all for now! 
Team Kahikatea

quynh.nguyen@beckenham.school.nz
lisa.collier@beckenham.school.nz
krystal.hunt@beckenham.school.nz
amber.donovan@beckenham.school.nz
katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 3 March 2023

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

With our number of New Entrant students increasing each week, Georgia McKenna shifted from three days a week to full-time in the Koru team this week.

This has meant that we needed another part-time teacher in the Koru team, and we are delighted to welcome Nicola Reddecliffe back to our staff in this part-time role.
 
Nicola Reddecliffe - Koru Team

The 'water slide' is now a 'regular slide again!

A huge thanks to Richard Scott from our Board of Trustees for his tenacity and determination in trying to get our drainage issues sorted. There was HUGE excitement today when a team of workers from DRAINWORKZ rolled in and completed the first stage of the drainage work for our slide area. 



The gravel top is a temporary stage and we will eventually be getting this covered with the same matting that is over the new playground. There is also quite a bit more drainage work to be done, but, as you can see, there was great joy in being able to finally use the slide again!

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week
Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui
Fri 10 Mar - South Zone Swimming Sports (Y5-8), Wharenui Pool
Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)
Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1
Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (School closed)

Term 2

Mon 24 Apr - Staff Only Day (School closed)
Tue 25 Apr - ANZAC Day (School closed)
Wed 26 Apr - First day of Term 2
Mon 1 - Wed 3 May - Year 5/6 Camp - Living Springs
Mon 5 Jun - King's Birthday (School closed)
Fri 30 Jun - Last day of Term 2

Citizen of the Week

Saxton Harris - Year 4

Saxton, you are a super focused learner who puts 110% into all you do. You persistently and bravely tackle challenges and support those around you to do the same. Kind and courteous, super helpful, always responsible and reliable, and with a superb sense of fun - Saxton, you are amazing! Thank you and tino pai tō mahi!

School Notices

Staff car damage yesterday (Thursday 2nd March)

Unfortunately. one of our staff had her car backed into yesterday, whilst parked on Sandwich Road between the entrance and exit to the staff carpark.
She owns a black Kia Sportage and quite a bit of damage was done to the front of her vehicle. If anyone knows anything about it, or saw anything, she would appreciate hearing from you, via office@beckenham.school.nz

School tours are coming!

We know that during COVID, a number of families were never offered the opportunity to have a school tour and to be shown around. For other families, you have come in and enrolled during a holiday period and haven't ever had a proper look around either. And for others... it may be quite a long time since your child started school, and you'd love to have another look around! 
So - keep a look out next week for an email inviting you to book a tour with a couple of our amazing school ambassadors! We are just waiting for the booking system to be set up, and then we can confirm the dates.

Beckenham Park Spraying

We were made aware during the week that there was spraying going on in Beckenham Park. We have spoken with the council and they have confirmed the regular spraying was done early Monday morning. This is done with an Organic herbicide. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the spraying of Beckenham Park, please direct these to the council.

Walk or Wheel to School Week

Next week from Monday 6 March to Friday 10 March 2023, our school is participating in Walk or Wheel to School Week, brought to you by Christchurch City Council. This fun and action-packed week is to promote walking and wheeling to school. There are daily themes and prizes up for grabs for students who participate. For more information head over to the Christchurch City Council webpage. We can’t wait to get started next week!

If students walk or wheel to school 3 mornings or more during the week they will go in the draw to win spot prizes.  Cards that students need to fill out if they are participating will be sent home (pictured below). Tamariki (children) need to write both their name and hub on this card. 


"Footpath Manners"

When scootering or walking to school, it is important that we stay aware of the needs of other people using the footpath. In NZ, we have a convention of keeping to the left so that people in both directions can use the footpath.



We know that when people are walking and talking, it is easy to lose awareness of others, and this is even trickier for children. Please would you talk with your children about 'footpath manners' and being aware of other people who also need to use the footpath. We will be talking about this at school too.

Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival

A message from The Lions Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Team... Singers and musicians from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto can now apply for an audition to join a Representative Group - Junior & Senior Choir, Concert Band, or Orchestra.

Applications are made online on the Festival website here.  We ask that the parents make the application so that they are aware of the rehearsal and performance commitments.

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Whānau Workshop - Structured Literacy across all year groups

What: Literacy Parent Education Event on Structured Literacy from Year 1 to Year 8
Presented by: Emma Nahna (Sound Foundations for Literacy)
Where: Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Hall
When: Thursday 23rd March 2023, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Who: All whānau/ caregivers across the school are invited. 

We are fortunate to have the wonderful Emma Nahna, Speech-Language Therapist and Literacy Consultant, coming to run a whānau workshop this term. Emma is extremely knowledgeable and an engaging speaker. Her mission is to support educators and parents “...to grow every child into a successful reader and writer.”

Emma will be running a whānau workshop on Thursday 23rd March at 5:30pm for our Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto whānau. The first hour and a half will cover the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of structured literacy across the school and how you can support your learner at home. The last half an hour of the session will emphasise the importance of continuing to follow a structured literacy approach into the senior levels of the school, and will delve into morphology (the study of the forms of words)  and syntax (the arrangement of words to create sentences).

Sports News

Swimming Sports

Our Year 5-8 school swimming sports was held on Monday the 27th of February at Wharenui Aquatic Centre. It was wonderful to see students embrace our value of "We Love Challenge" and get into the water to compete. There was an amazing display of swimming and wonderful encouragement and support from everyone. Many thanks to all of the parents who came along to help with the running of the day.

PTA News

Order Hot Cross Buns!

Order your yummy hot cross buns now! Ordering for our fundraiser is up and running - you can fill in the paper order form or order online here. Thanks for your support!

Weetbix Tryathlon

It was great to see over 40 Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto kids participating in the Weetbix Tryathlon.  A big thank you to Ruth Blane for all her hard work and David Blane for excellent bbq skills! Congratulations to all the tamariki, ka pai!

Community Notices

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

Hoon Hay School - part-time caretaker needed

We have a vacancy for a part-time Caretaker for 2 days per week (Monday and Tuesday).
Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka is seeking a fit and active handy person to look after our school grounds and buildings two days a week (Monday and Tuesdays, 6.30am - 2.00pm).

Hoon Hay Te Kura Koaka is a warm and welcoming primary school in South West Christchurch. We are currently looking for a caretaker who will work with the Principal and School Board to ensure the grounds and buildings are well maintained two days a week. The position includes a wide range of duties to help provide a school environment that our whole community can enjoy and be proud of. 

We are seeking someone who is physically fit and active and who relates well to both adults and children and has the required skills and experience to complete the following: 
  • Ensure our school grounds are kept to a high standard 
  • Lawn mowing 
  • Gardening 
  • Have good handy person skills and capabilities 
  • Be able to ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations 
  • Emergency cleaning 
  • Ability  to effectively prioritise work Is a self starter and can work unsupervised 
  • Be able to work positively alongside staff and primary aged students Have initiative and a can-do attitude 
  • Have a strong sense of pride in your work 
  • Hold a current, full drivers licence. 
This position is for two days (7 hours on a Monday and Tuesday), with some flexibility to swap days when required. Start time is 6.30am. The pay rate is negotiable depending on relevant skills and experience. Work conditions are as per the School Caretakers’ and Cleaners’ Collective Agreement. The short-listed candidate will be vetted by NZ Police. 

 If this sounds like you, please complete the Application form,  along with your CV and cover letter prior to 9am, Friday 10 March 2023, and send to office@hoonhay.school.nz

If you have any problems with viewing this attachment, please email office@hoonhay.school.nz.  

Thank you     

Christchurch Boys' Choir

Do you know a boy who likes to sing? Christchurch Boys' Choir has vacancies and is auditioning now. You don't have to go to a certain school, be in a choir already or have a singing teacher. You only need to know the National Anthem and be free on Monday after school. Email us for an audition at musicaldirector@christchurchboyschoir.co.nz or fill out the Google form at https://forms.gle/qWWPYkn6kAvKmmJ17.




Koru Team News, Term 1 Week 5

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 Kia ora, e te whānau,

We hope you have all had a lovely week. In the Koru hub, we have had a very busy week, as we continue with our small group Maths and Literacy learning. The children are doing a great job adjusting to the routines, following expectations, and trying really hard with their learning. They have been absolute superstars!

This week, we welcome Annabelle and Ariana, who started in the Koru Team in Week 4, and Archie, Alex and Violet who started in the Koru team this week. You have all settled really well into the routines and have done a great job at following instructions, making friends, and trying new things. Ka pai, tamariki!

We also welcome back Georgia and Nicola into our Koru teaching team! Nicola will be in for Stacey, generally on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, for the remainder of Term 1. Georgia has started back full-time, as more children join the Koru team and will be here Monday to Friday. 

Friendship List:

We have decided to extend our Friendship List date until Wednesday, 8th March. If you have not already, please email Georgia (georgia.mckenna@beckenham.school.nz) with your details if you wish to be on this list. This is a great way to get in contact with other whānau to arrange play dates. 

Word of the week:

The word of the week this week has been 'Respect'. In the Koru team, we have discussed what respect means, how we can show respect to others, how we can respect our classroom equipment, and why respect is really important in order to develop trust in the relationships you have with others. If you wanted to discuss our word of the week further, you could chat with your child about what showing respect might look like at home, during your weekend activities, and in different environments. 

House games:

This week, we had our first House Games. House Games involve the whole school and are when the children play different games with other children in the same house. House Games are run by the house captains and deputy house captains. There were lots of different activities that the tamariki tried, and the senior leaders did a great job at running these activities. Our tamariki showed "We Love Challenge", "We Love Learning", and "We Get There Together", through being engaged with the activities, listening to the leaders, persevering and giving the activities a great go, trying their best, and most importantly, having FUN!

Structured Literacy:

We have continued in our small groups, during Structured Literacy time, to learn new letter sounds at Stage 1. Each time a new sound is learnt, your child will be bringing home a few letter sounds to practise at home and these letter sets will be added to, as the children progress. These can be used to practise the pure sounds the letters make and then once children have learnt segmenting and blending skills, they can then use these skills to segment and blend the sounds together to form words. 

You may also notice some Heart Words in your child's sound pack. Our Heart Words are words that cannot be sounded out, simply need to be learned 'by heart' and when the children are at home, can be used to practise reading and writing. Once children are proficient in segmenting and blending the first 8 sounds together, and know the first five heart words, they will start bringing home decodable books to read with you at home. 

Here at school, we have recorded some videos to support our whānau with understanding what our literacy stages look like and what you can do to support your learner at home.

Click on the links below to access videos at Stage 1. 

Stage 1

How to Help At Home

A reminder about the Structured Literacy parent information workshop, to be held here at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, in our school hall, on Thursday, March 23rd, starting at 5:30 p.m. We urge you to do your best to attend this workshop. Emma Nahna is an excellent speaker and we are absolutely certain that you'll find this workshop incredibly valuable! 

Looking for treasure in the sandpit!

How exciting - our new puzzles have arrived!!

Testing out one of the new puzzles! Great work, team!

Beautiful colouring!

Lots of fun with playdough

Great fun with the vehicles!

Creating our sound of the week "M" mouse craft 

What a great session we had on Friday with Whaea Cath!

Our very first House Games!

So fast!

Wow - great work!

Moving so fast!

We love parachutes!

Beautiful colouring, team!

Awesome teamwork!

I love how carefully you are colouring in your butterfly!

Great work coding the Beebot!

Wow - awesome colouring!

Look at the beautiful collage work!

Smiling faces ready to start creating!


Some reminders:
  • Please do remember that our staff carpark is an area through which vehicles will be moving throughout the day, especially at the Hangere end of the carpark, where cars and vans are frequently either dropping off at or picking up from the Ferndale unit; we ask you to please enter and exit the school grounds through the gates at either Eastern Terrace near the public toilets, at the corner of Eastern Terrace and Sandwich Road or near our school flagpole on Sandwich Road. You might also come into our courtyard area from Beckenham Park. Thank you very much for supporting us with the safety of all around our school
  • Please ensure your child's Literacy folder comes back each day. This is extremely important, as our tamariki are adding new sounds and heart words to their sound pack so they can practise their new learning at home, and when their folder is not at school they are unable to take their new cards home
  • Please do ensure that your child's library folder and poetry book are packed and returned to school for Fridays each week. These items can be returned earlier in the week, however if they're not at school for use on Fridays, this can be disappointing for children, especially if  they're unable to get new library books out for the weekend and the week ahead.
Have a wonderful weekend, koutou, and we look forward to seeing all of those wide smiles again on Monday morning!

Ngā mihi mahana,
Georgia, Elizabeth, Stacey, Nicola and Sonya

Kōwhai News Term 1 Week 5

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What a fantastic fortnight it has been! We now have literacy and maths groups up and running, and the tamariki have been amazing at flexibly and quickly joining their groups. Enjoy reading about our recent adventures and learning.

Things for Discovery 

Construction is a hit during Discovery time. Please send in old boxes, egg cartons and anything else that might be useful for us :-)

Wellbeing 

Friendships have been our Wellbeing topic over the last two weeks, along with a continued focus on interoception and our school-wide PB4L focus, respect. 

With friendships, we have talked about and role-played what makes a good friend and how to deal with problems with friends. Some tips include: 

  • Talk about it 
  • Use ‘ I ‘ statements (model this) and share your feelings
  • Listen actively 
  • Ask for the other person to share their thoughts or feelings
  • Think of some ways to solve the problem 
  • Get an adult to help if you can’t agree, or if your friend isn’t listening to you

Interoception 

Interoception means sensing internal signals from your body, like when you are hungry, when your heart is beating fast, or when you need the toilet. These are all necessary precursors to positive development and self-regulation and self-management. We use short, fun interoception activities to help everyone find a sense of calm in their bodies, and therefore be better managers of ourselves, our behaviours and our learning.

Maths 

After a fun two weeks of learning about 2D and 3D shapes and their attributes, we're now moving into place value and basic facts. You can help your child at home by:

  • having them read and order numbers, low to high 
  • playing games such as 'guess my number' where children ask if a mystery number is higher than or lower than
  • quick thinking addition and subtraction games like rolling and adding dice, 24, or other games
  • identifying how many tens and ones, or hundreds, tens and ones in a number
  • forward and backwards counting in 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s, from various start points

Also, log into the school intranet at home to play Nick's maths games...lots of fun and learning to be had!

Top Team 

A huge thanks to Anna Reid for organising this, and to parents who helped out on the day. You were amazing at encouraging and supporting the tamariki - tino pai tō mahi!























Discovery Photos