Monthly Archives: July 2023

School Newsletter, Friday 28 July, 2023

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

With Week 2 now finished, Term 3 is well underway! 

Thank you all for your patience with the muddy and wet state of our front entrance area on Sandwich Road. We have been in urgent communication with the council about the leak that has sprung up once again next to the crossing, and I see that yesterday the area was fenced off, so hopefully they have managed to sort that issue.

Richard Scott (Board of Trustees) and I recently met with representatives from the City Council to discuss options at our front entrance to extend the bike storage area and to make improvements to the 'grass' that is currently 'mud' at the main entrance. These conversations have proved to be very positive so far, so we are hoping to be able to get permission to make some positive changes here in the very near future.

Readathon

Hopefully everyone is well underway with their reading and their collecting of sponsorship. There are two more weeks of the Readathon, culminating in Book Character Day on Friday 11th August where children (and adults) can come to school dressed as their favourite book character. The PTA and the school appreciate your support of this fundraiser as it is a major part of the PTA's annual fundraising, and all PTA funds are used to support the school in a range of different ways.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

NB You can find our Community Calendar on our school website. You can choose to embed this calendar into your own digital calendar and stay up-to-date with events and information.

Tue 1 Aug - 7:00 - 8:00pm - Year 7/8 Open Evening
Wed 2 Aug - Keeping Ourselves Safe - Parent information session 2-3pm Staffroom
Fri 4 Aug- PTA Discos - see below for details
Fri 11 Aug  - Book Character Day - final day of Readathon
Fri 11 Aug - 10am Celebration Assembly
Fri 18 Aug - School Closed - Staff Only Day
Wed 23 Aug - 5:30pm - BOT Meeting - Staffroom
Wed 23 Aug - 7:30pm - PTA meeting - Staffroom
Fri 25 Aug - Final day for returning Readathon Money
Fri 25 Aug - 10am Celebration Assembly 
Fri 8 Sep - 10 am Celebration Assembly
Thu 14 Sep - am - Year 8 entrance testing at Cashmere High
Fri 15 Sep - School Photos
Wed 20 Sep - 5:30pm - BOT Meeting - Staffroom
Fri 22 Sep - 10am Celebration Assembly
Fri 22 Sep - final day of Term 3

Term Dates: Click here to view 2023 & 2024 term dates

Citizen of the Week

Maya Pauley - Year 7

Maya, you are such a bouncy and enthusiastic ray of sunshine in the Kauri Hub. You love to embrace challenge and ask questions to ensure your success across the curriculum. Thank you for being such a kind and caring individual who looks out for others and makes a difference. Tino pai Maya!

School Notices

Keeping Ourselves Safe programme and Parent Information Session

From 7th August the New Entrant to Year 6 teams will be teaching the personal safety programme by New Zealand Police - Keeping Ourselves Safe. Years 7/8 will be doing a combination of the 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' and Choices' programmes. We cover this programme every two years as part of our Health curriculum. 
Parents and whānau are strongly encouraged to support Keeping Ourselves Safe.
You can:
  • attend a meeting at school to find out more about Keeping Ourselves Safe on Wednesday 2 August at 2.15 pm in the staffroom
  • find out about abuse and what to do if you think a child you know is being abused
  • talk to your child about what they have learnt in Keeping Ourselves Safe.
  • set safety guidelines with your family
  • help young children with the Keeping Ourselves Safe activities they bring home
  • give the same safety messages as the school is giving
  • look at the whānau section of NZ Police Keeping Ourselves Safe for more information and frequently asked questions
More information about the programme can be found on our school website

Help Needed

Are You a Welder?

We have a basketball hoop outside Koru that needs to be modified so our students can use it.
If you have welding skills that you are able to offer us we would love to hear from you.  A small piece of metal will be required to make the modification - we are happy to pay for this.
Please contact Tony Lee, our caretaker, or Jacky in the office.

Flag Fixer - sewer needed

As you will be aware we fly a flag every school day as part of our acknowledgement of the different nationalities and cultures represented within our school.
Some of these flags (14 in total) are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, specifically around the holes where the flagpole string goes.
We are looking for someone who is able and keen to sew a small patch over the holes that no longer have an eylet / metal ring on them.  This will enable another sewer, who has already volunteered, to put a buttonhole in this area and thus extend the life of the flag.
Please contact the office if you are able to offer your help with this flag fix-up! office@beckenham.school.nz, or 3371404.

Staff Profiles

At the end of Term 2, we welcomed Denise Colville to our staff, working as a Teaching Assistant in the Koru, New Entrant Team. Denise is a trained teacher from Germany and we are delighted to have her skills in our team, as she waits for her New Zealand teacher registration to be confirmed.

Student Council News

This term the Student Council are running "Kete Value Fridays". Each Friday there will be activities for the students to take part in. 



  • Last week we made Thank You cards and bird feeders to show We Care
  • This Friday the activity that we are running is an obstacle course on the left side of the hall presuming the weather is suitable. This will represent We Love Challenge. 
  • Next week (Week 3) is going to be We Love Learning, and we will teach origami. 
  • We won't run an activity in Week 4 because of Book Character Day. 
  • Week 5 will be We Make a Difference, the activity we will run is a school rubbish raid. 
  • In Week 6, for We Get There Together, we will run a doodle wall. 
Please encourage your child to participate - We Get There Together!

PTA News

It's Disco Time!

Get your dancing shoes on, as the PTA Disco will be happening next Friday, 4th August.
Entry by Gold coin donation.
NE/Y1/2 children will each be given a scoop of popcorn and there will be no other snack sales available.
Y3-8 Discos will have the option of purchasing popcorn or chips, priced between 50c and $2



Community Notices

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

Information regarding new Metro bus fares.

On 1 July the fares on Greater Christchurch public transport, buses and ferry, changed. The 50% fare discount funded by the government has now ceased. Environment Canterbury have now implemented a new fare structure with some exciting changes.

Single zone – all metro buses are a single zone. The same fare is now charged wherever you board or disembark in Greater Christchurch.
Cash fares are $4/adult and $2/child (under 19)
Metrocard bus concessions are $1. These apply for people under 25yrs as well as people with a Community Services card, a Total Mobility card or who attended a partnering Tertiary provider. For more information see - https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/travel-and-fares-info/new-fares-from-1-july-2023/
 
What do your students need to know?

Your date of birth on your Metrocard activates the ‘Under 25’ concession. If a student paid child fares on their Metrocard pre-July , they will receive this  concession automatically.
All other Metrocard benefits such as free transfers and capping remain
 
What about free fares for under 13 yrs that the Government announced?
Canterbury has not yet implemented free fares for under 13yrs. We will be providing an update of the timing of this when details are confirmed.











Koru Team News: Term 3 Week 1

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Kia ora, e te whānau,

It was so wonderful to see all our Koru children and their wonderful smiles, back at school after the holidays. We have had a brilliant first week back filled with excitement, learning and fun times. A warm welcome to Elias and Aelara who started school this week! What a wonderful job they are both doing settling in!

This term you will see Elizabeth at school; Monday, Thursday and Friday. You will see Stacey at school; Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

We have an exciting term ahead of us including Calendar Art, Keeping Ourselves Safe programme, Firewise, book character dress-up day and a trip to the Art Gallery!

Upcoming events: 

  • Whole school PTA Readathon 25 July - 11 August (forms and information will come home)
  • PTA meeting Wednesday 26th July 7.30-9.30pm in the Green Room (next to the Hall foyer), all are welcome, this can be a great way to meet other parents and support our children and school.
  • Disco, Friday 4th August. Koru disco is 2.00-2.45pm (during our school day)
  • Book character dress up day: Friday 11th August
  • End of term 3 trip to the Christchurch Art Gallery
PTA mid-winter breakfast:
A huge thank you to the PTA and Student Council for organising and making breakfast for everyone to enjoy in the Hall before school on Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who brought in a can of food, to donate to the City Mission Food Bank Collection. 'We Make a Difference'. It was also wonderful to see the children come to school in non-uniform clothes, pyjamas, dressing gowns and onesies!

Stacey and Georgia in their pyjamas!

Enjoying breakfast

Georgia and her Home Group

Stacey and Elizabeth's Home Group

Friendship list
  • If you would like your name and contact details to be added to our Koru Team Friendship List, please email your information to Georgia: georgia.mckenna@beckenham.school.nz
A reminder about routines:
  • It's great if your child is able to independently carry their own bag into school, unpack it and put their lunch and drink bottle on the shelves
  • Your child's Literacy folder needs to be returned to school every day and put into their group Literacy box every morning
  • On Fridays, your child will bring home their poetry book and library folder. Poetry books and library folders will need to be returned to school by the following Friday
  • We ask that caregivers avoid bringing children into school through the staff car park, rather, if entering off Sandwich Road, please come in up near the flagpole, or in through the gate down near the corner of Easter Tce/Sandwich Road
Gumboots and slippers
We hope you are managing to keep warm and dry this weekend. Gumboots (named) will be welcomed as footwear at school tomorrow, with extra socks and slippers or shoes in school bags. 

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou,
The Koru teachers, Elizabeth, Stacey, Georgia and Denise

elizabethgail.drummond@beckenham.school.nz
stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz
georgia.mckenna@beckenham.school.nz


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto School Newsletter, Friday 21 July 2023

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou



Another big 'Thank-you' to our PTA for the Mid-Winter Breakfast and to the Student Council for the City Mission Food Bank Can-collection this week. It was wonderful to see so many happy faces enjoying the porridge in the hall on Wednesday, and the huge collection of nearly 500 cans of food that was able to be delivered to the City Mission to supplement its Foodbank. As our roll hit 500 children this week, that is nearly one can per student! Thank you everyone who contributed to 'Make a Difference' for others in our community!

Readathon begins on Monday...


On Monday, another important PTA Fundraising activity begins - the annual 'Readathon'. Your child will bring home a Readathon card, which will invite you to help them to get sponsorship for engaging with Reading every day over the next three weeks. The aim of this is to both raise funds for the PTA to use to support the school with trips and equipment, AND, to encourage a daily reading habit for all of our children.
The final day of the readathon will be Friday 11th August, when there will be a 'Book Character Day' and everyone is invited to come to school dressed as their favourite character from a book. 
During the following two weeks, until Friday 25th August, the PTA will be collecting in the Readathon cards and money. This is one of the biggest fundraisers that our PTA does each year, and your support of it is very much appreciated.

Year 7/8 Open Evening - Tuesday 1 Aug, 7 - 8pm



Our Year 7/8 Team will be hosting an Open Evening on Tuesday 1st August, from 7:00 - 8:00pm. Whilst this is particularly targeted at the whānau of our current Year 6 students, all are welcome to come along and find out more about learning opportunities in our Year 7/8 Team.

Keeping Ourselves Safe programme and Parent Information Session

From 7th August the New Entrant to Year 6 teams will be teaching the personal safety programme by New Zealand Police - Keeping Ourselves Safe. Years 7/8 will be doing a combination of the 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' and Choices' programmes. We cover this programme every two years as part of our Health curriculum. 
Parents and whānau are strongly encouraged to support Keeping Ourselves Safe.
You can:
  • attend a meeting at school to find out more about Keeping Ourselves Safe on Wednesday 2 August at 2.15 pm in the staffroom
  • find out about abuse and what to do if you think a child you know is being abused
  • talk to your child about what they have learnt in Keeping Ourselves Safe.
  • set safety guidelines with your family
  • help young children with the Keeping Ourselves Safe activities they bring home
  • give the same safety messages as the school is giving
  • look at the whānau section of NZ Police Keeping Ourselves Safe for more information and frequently asked questions

Finally...

I will be away from Friday 28th July - Thu 3 August, attending the Australian Primary Principals' Conference, in my capacity as president of the Canterbury Primary Principals Association. Jo Smith and Sue Leadbetter will be sharing the leadership of the school in my absence.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings 
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Mon 24 Jul - Readathon begins - cards come home
Fri 28 Jul - 10am Celebration Assembly
Tue 1 Aug - 7:00 - 8:00pm - Year 7/8 Open Evening
Wed 2 Aug - Keeping Ourselves Safe - Parent information session 2-3pm Staffroom
Fri 4 Aug- PTA Discos - see below for details
Fri 11 Aug  - Book Character Day - final day of Readathon
Fri 11 Aug - 10am Celebration Assembly
Fri 18 Aug - School Closed - Staff Only Day
Wed 23 Aug - 5:30pm - BOT Meeting - Staffroom
Wed 23 Aug - 7:30pm - PTA meeting - Staffroom
Fri 25 Aug - Final day for returning Readathon Money
Fri 25 Aug - 10am Celebration Assembly 
Fri 8 Sep - 10 am Celebration Assembly
Thu 14 Sep - am - Year 8 testing at Cashmere High
Wed 20 Sep - 5:30pm - BOT Meeting - Staffroom
Fri 22 Sep - 10am Celebration Assembly
Fri 22 Sep - final day of Term 3

Term Dates: Click here to view 2023 & 2024 term dates

Citizen of the Week

Vienna Aldridge - Year 4

Vienna, you bring such positivity and exuberance to all you do. Your energetic nature and your ability to help others both in and out of the hub is striking, and you always ensure you finish what you begin. You maintain motivation in all areas of learning, and take pride in all you do. Self-confident, able and kind...thank you for the energy you bring to our school, Vienna!

School Notices

Lucky Book club Issue 5


This lucky book club issue is out now.  Click on the link to see what is available.

Staffing Update

It was lovely to welcome Jenny Diggle back this week from her Refreshment leave during Terms 1 & 2. Jenny returns to the Year 7/8 kauri Team and Sarah Junghen will be starting in the Koru Team with our third New Entrant class later this term.

Jenny Diggle - Kauri Team - Year 7/8

The Board of Trustees have reluctantly accepted the resignation of Elizabeth Drummond in her permanent position as a full-time teacher at Beckenham, effective at the end of this year. Elizabeth has been on our staff since Term 1 1996 and there may even be one or two parents now at Beckenham who were students in her class when they started school! However, we are delighted to be able to confirm that Elizabeth has agreed to return in a fixed-term capacity during 2024 when we are ready to start our third New Entrant class, so we are not losing her skills and smile for good!

Elizabeth Drummond - New Entrant Koru Team

Sports News

Cyclocross


Two of our students competed in a Cyclocross event held recently. Isabella placed 5th in the U13 girls South Island Schools champs and Zac placed 3rd in a club race.
Get in touch with jenny.diggle@beckenham.school.nz if you would like more details about this sport which takes place outside of school hours.

PTA News

Midwinter Breakfast

Another successful Midwinter Breakfast is done and dusted. Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year and thank you to our extra helpers! 

PTA Meeting

We have our Monthly Hui next Wednesday 26th July, at 7.30pm in the staff room. All welcome! 

Readathon: July 25th - August 11th

Look out for Readathon cards that should come home on Monday 24th July. Please support your child to get sponsorship for reading each day during the Readathon. The Readathon finishes with Book Character Day on Friday 11th August. Cards and sponsorship money should be returned in the two weeks after that. 

Book Character Day - Friday 11 August

August 11th - dress up as your favourite book character to celebrate the last day of the Readathon

PTA Disco - August 4th

New Entrants and Year 1/2 2 - 2:45pm
Year 3/4 4 - 4:45pm
Year 5/6 5:10 - 6:10pm
Year 7/8 6:30 - 7:30pm

PTA Second-hand Uniform Shop

A reminder that the second-hand uniform shop is open each Tuesday from 2:45-3:15pm and Fridays from 8:45-9:15am.



As well as uniform items, we also have a large selection of gumboots which are absolutely needed in this very wet weather we are having!

Community Notices

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




Mainland Pouākai/Basketball




The Mainland Pouākai want you to be a part of the action this year as they take the floor in what will be an exciting season. For the games listed below, we are offering your school an exclusive 10% discount on tickets which will be a great night out for the whole family!  Get yours your tickets today! 

Mainland Pouākai vs Northern Kahu Home Game - Sunday 20th August, 3:00pm at Cowles Stadium


Mainland Pouākai vs Whai Home Game - Sunday 27th August, 3:00pm at Cowles Stadium


If you are interested in purchasing tickets to other home games, please click the link:


Kauri Whānau Update: Term 3, Week 1

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Welcome back! We hope you have all had a restful break, and that the first week back hasn't been too much like hard work for the tamariki. We've enjoyed reconnecting and hearing what great things they've been up to over the break.

In this post:

  • Jenny Returns
  • Cantamath Reminder
  • Speeches
  • Koru Games
  • Pyjama Day
  • Bridie surname update
  • Writing extension opportunities

Jenny Returns

This week we welcomed Jenny back to the Kauri Hub. Jenny has been suitably refreshed from her time away, and has had a great first week reconnecting with the Year 8s and meeting the Year 7s.

Cantamath Reminder

By now, children should be underway with their project. Please chat with your child to see where they're at, and give them a gentle nudge if they haven't started yet.

If they're still struggling to come up with ideas, please remind them about the example slideshow on the Kauri Hub google classroom and chat through the categories which can be seen on the notice that went home in paper copy and via Hero.

Please also feel free to email homeroom teachers by Monday so we can catch up with them as well.

Speeches

We are currently teaching persuasive writing in Literacy and  working towards presenting speeches in Week 5.

Some students will be in their element, while other may find the prospect of speaking in front of their peers less appealing. Please check in and see how your child is feeling and encourage them to discuss with their Homeroom or Literacy teacher if they have any worries. We want to ensure that all students feel successful and are appropriately challenged, however this may look.

Koru Games

Jenny is seeking enthusiastic parents to support and/or coach for Koru Games on the 19th to 21st of September. The sports we hope to enter are Touch Rugby, Ki O Rahi, Basketball, Hockey, and Ultimate Frisbee. Please email her if you are able to take part, or if you know someone who might be interested.

Pyjama Day

It was amazing to see the range of designs possible on an oodie on Wednesday. Many of the students were so comfortable in their learning, that maybe should consider a oodie uniform option! We had a really positive feedback from the City Mission when our student leaders took in the donation of cans - thank you to everyone that contributed towards this.


Bridie Surname Update

Please note that Bridie's email address has been updated to reflect her new married name. Please get in contact with her via bridie.harris@beckenham.school.nz

Writing Extension Opportunities

Write On School for Young Writers is offering the following opportunities in Term 3:

  • Antarctica VR + Real Writing:  August 4th in Rangiora
  • Nth Power Poetry:  August 11th in Rolleston
  • Songwriting: August 18th at Tūranga in Christchurch
  • Super Senses: Sept 1 at Tūranga in Christchurch
  • Write for the Ears podcasting: Sept 8 in Rangiora
  • From Beginning to End: Sept 15th in Rolleston

You can find out more via their website.


Kōwhai Gymnastics Trip and News Week 1, Term 3

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Kia ora e te whanau, nau mai hoki mai.

We hope that you enjoyed the break. It has been lovely to hear students share stories about their holidays. It sounds like lots of fun was had whether they stayed in Christchurch or travelled elsewhere. It is hard to believe that term 3 is here already! The students have had a great first week and have started settling back into the routine.


Gymnastics Trip - Parent Helpers Needed

As a team, we will be teaching a Health and PE unit about our bodies and how we move these, focusing on gymnastic movements. During weeks 3 and 4, the Kōwhai team will be travelling to the Christchurch School of Gymnastics for a couple of sessions. Working with a professional gymnastics school will help us educate the students in a safe environment with expert help. The dates and times for the trips are as follows:

Thursday August 3rd 2023

  • Charlotte's Homegroup: 9:00-11:30
  • Rowe's Homegroup: 10:30-1:00
  • Nick's Homegroup: 12:30-3:00

Thursday August 10th 2023
  • Charlotte's Homegroup: 9:00-11:30
  • Rowe's Homegroup: 10:30-1:00
  • Nick's Homegroup: 12:30-3:00
Anna M and Anna R's classes will be divided up and spread amongst the 3 groups. We are looking for some keen parent helpers to attend and help out. If you are available and would like to come along and help, please complete this form by Monday, 24th July.


Calendar Art

This term, students will have the opportunity to explore the iconic artistry of Romero Britto and create their very own calendar art, bursting with Britto-inspired brilliance. From his playful use of vibrant hues to his distinctive patterns, Britto's artworks radiate joy and positivity. We are very excited to get creating and can’t wait to see the finished product!

Balloon Racers

This term, our inquiry focus is on technology and revisiting forces and motion. The students will embrace their inner inventors and set their imaginations soaring as they construct their very own balloon racers. Through this hands-on project, they will explore physics, discovering how forces shape the world around us. As students engage in the process of designing and refining their racers, they will build collaboration and reflection skills.

For the balloon racers, we are after some construction materials. If you have any of the following, could you please send them in as soon as possible?:
  • cardboard
  • small boxes for construction (e.g. cereal boxes/boxes smaller than a shoe box)
  • small plastic containers (e.g. recycling)
  • milk bottle tops
Tēnā rawa atu koe – thank you.


Here are some photos of what's been happening this week. 










From the Kōwhai team