Monthly Archives: August 2025

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 1st August 2025

Posted on by

Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

We are now well into the term, and despite the colder weather, things are going smoothly at school. Classrooms are buzzing with learning, and it’s been great to see students continuing to engage positively across all areas. We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our whānau and wider community - it makes a real difference and helps us to keep things running well, rain or shine.


Attendance Target


After a recent bout of sickness, our attendance rates are beginning to lift for term 3. 


This year, as part of our annual targets, we have introduced a goal focused on increasing the percentage of students who attend school regularly. The Ministry of Education defines regular attendance as being at school at least 90% of the time.


Last year, 64.5% of our students met this threshold. So far this year, we’ve seen an improvement, with 76% of students meeting the target in Term 1 and 69% in Term 2. Our overall goal for the year is for more than 70% of students to meet this target.


As part of our work in this area, we have developed a stepped attendance response plan, which we will be sharing with the school community shortly. The aim of this plan is to provide support where needed to help improve student attendance.


Strategic Plan -  Be Part of Shaping the Future of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto


We are currently working through the process of developing the school’s strategic vision and plan for the next three years. Throughout the year, we have been gathering data and reviewing our effectiveness across a number of areas.


We are now ready to begin gathering community voices to help shape our future direction. We will be using a range of approaches to collect this input. As a first step, we invite you to complete the survey linked below. You are welcome to respond to as few or as many questions as you like.


We would really appreciate as many community members as possible taking the time to respond. Your input will help us understand the aspirations you hold for your children and our school. If you are able to find time over the next few days to share your thoughts, we would be very grateful.


Link: https://forms.gle/hhi7CDSgZKn1Bz5R6


Celebrating Student Success


This week, I’d like to celebrate the achievements of one of our students, Zayn.

Recently, Zayn represented Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in both the NZ Open Karate 2025 and the NZ National School Karate Competition. We are incredibly proud of his results:


NZ Open 2025:

  • Boys Kata (8–9 years): Gold Medal

  • Boys Kumite (8–9 years): Bronze Medal

  • Team Kata Mixed (8–9 years): Silver Medal


NZ National School Karate Competition 2025:

  • Boys Year 5/6 Kata: Gold Medal

  • Boys Year 5/6 Kumite: Silver Medal


We are very proud of Zayn’s achievements and wish him all the best in his future karate endeavours.


Concerns and Complaints Process


Our approach to managing concerns and complaints is grounded in our school values:


We Care - Arohaina te tāngata me te taiao:

We prioritise respectful relationships and ensure all voices are heard with empathy and dignity.


We Get There Together -  Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe:

We work collaboratively to resolve issues in a constructive and inclusive manner.


We Love Challenge - Nau mai te wero:

We view feedback and concerns as opportunities to grow and improve.


We Make a Difference - Nā mātou he rerekē te ao:

We act on concerns in ways that lead to meaningful change.


We Love Learning -  He taonga te ako:

We are open to learning from one another and improving our systems and practices.


Information about how to raise a concern or complaint can be found on our school website:


https://www.beckenham.school.nz/index.php/information/concerns-and-complaints



Have a restful weekend. 


Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa / Many thanks to you all,

Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Wed 6 Aug - Board of Trustees Election Nominations Close 
Fri 8 Aug - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Fri 8 Aug - PTA School Disco (NE-Yr 1&2: 2:00-2:45pm, Yr 3&4: 4:00-4:45pm, Yr 5&6: 5:10-6:10pm, Yr 7&8: 6:30-7:30pm in the Hall)
Wed 13 Aug - Board of Trustees Election Voting Papers Issued
Fri 22 Aug - Cycle Safe Yr 5&6
Mon 25 Aug - Fri 29 Aug - Cycle Safe Yr 5&6
Wed 27 Aug - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 27 Aug - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Wed 3 Sept - Mt Hutt Ski Day - Kauri Yr 7&8
Fri 5 Sept - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Wed 10 Sept - Board of Trustees Election Day (4:00pm Poll Closes)
Fri 12 Sept - Staff Only Day
Tue 16 Sept - Wed 17 Sept - Board of Trustees Election Results Declared & Board Takes Office
Fri 19 Sept - Last Day of Term 3
Fri 19 Sept - Beckenham's Got Talent Show
Mon 6 Oct - First Day of Term 4
Thu 13 Nov - Staff Only Day

Citizen of the Week

Minah - Year 7

Minah, you approach everything with confidence and positivity. You interact with your peers in a kind and respectful way, helping to create a welcoming and supportive kura. You consistently demonstrate a love of learning and are always ready to take on new challenges with enthusiasm.

Ciaran - Year 3

Ciaran, you are an outstanding role model in the Kōwhai hub. You are extremely respectful and you are a kind and loyal friend. You consistently work hard on your learning, always doing your best to produce quality work. You are a star!

BOT Update

2025 Triennial Elections - Time to Nominate

The nomination process for our School Board elections has started and nominations are now open. We have 4 spaces for parent representatives on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto School Board. We have appointed Schooled Election Pilot as the Returning Officer for the election, they will be handling the election process and you will see communications directly from them.

The School Board is a key part of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto because they do a lot of important things behind the scenes that, while they may not be visible, are really important to keeping Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto running. Our School Board oversees the development our strategic plan, consults with our community about things that matter, makes sure our finances are being spent wisely and ensures that we are giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. Our board is made up of six parent representatives, the Tumuaki/Principal and a staff rep elected by the staff.

Everyone who is eligible to vote in the election will receive a nomination pack (either via email or post). The info pack will contain everything you need to nominate yourself or another member of the community. (If you are going to nominate someone else, just make sure they know about it and will accept the nomination!). It will also include information about who isn't able to be a School Board member.

They will use your contact details for the provision of election services for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto only and your details will be deleted 60 days after the election date as required by legislation. 

If you have any questions about the election process or need extra forms, or want a copy of the nomination form in Te Reo Māori or another language, just contact the Returning Officer from Election Pilot directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or election@electionpilot.nz.

Don't leave things to the last minute, because elections close at 12 noon on Wednesday, 6th August. You can email in your nomination, complete it online at www.boardelections.nz or fill it in and drop it off to the school office. You can also send in a candidate statement and smiling photo with your nomination as well.

A copy of the electoral roll is kept at the school office and is available to be checked during usual school office hours. 

Voting will end at 4pm on our election date Wednesday, 10th September.

We will continue to keep you updated through the various stages of the election process.

Term 3 Policy Review - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

School Notices

Parking in the 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a 3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. This means drivers are not able to sit in their cars from 2:30pm waiting for children, or to park cars in this area and go into school. If you arrive early and wait for children, or if you need to get out of your car and come into school, please find an alternative place to park. Having this area just for drop-offs means that the traffic on Sandwich Road moves smoothly before and after school, and this is much safer for our children.

Staff Only Days

Please note, we have two planned staff only days on Friday 12 September and Thursday 13th November (the day prior to Canterbury Anniversary Day) for the rest of 2025. On both days, our teaching staff will be onsite and fully engaged in professional learning, related to the refresh of the New Zealand Curriculum, with a particular focus on Mathematics. We appreciate our community's support of our teachers' ongoing professional growth.

Food Allergy Guidelines

Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.

To support the wellbeing of these students we have the following guidelines in place which we ask you to follow:
  • All students should only eat lunches and snacks that have been provided by their caregivers.  
  • Bottles, other drinks, and lunch boxes provided by caregivers should be clearly labelled with the name of their child.  Home group teachers and caregivers will decide where the children’s bottles and lunch boxes will be kept during the day to ensure no cross-contamination occurs.
  • Parents are asked not to bring food into school to be shared with other children. Whilst we understand that there are times you want to celebrate special events for your children with their friends at school, e.g. birthdays or being awarded prizes, by bringing food and treats for them to share, we have a policy of children only eating the food that their whānau have prepared and sent with them. We have a number of students with food allergies and also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children just to eat food they have prepared. From time to time, there may be an event that teachers have organised that will involve food (cultural or learning activities) and they will have advised families in advance that this will be happening.  
  • At the beginning of each year, caregivers will need to check the expiry dates on any medication to be held at school.  
  • On the first day of school, caregivers will need to bring their child’s medication to the school office. Caregivers will need to sign a medicine authority form (School Docs). The responsibility of monitoring the expiry dates of medications rests with the parent.
  • Caregivers may be asked to come and talk to staff about their child’s specific health needs and ways we can support them at school.
We will inform you during the year if specific guidelines for your child’s hub change. 

Our full allergy policy and guidelines are available on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto website under Information - Policies - SchoolDocs, then search ‘allergy’.

If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them in the first instance with your child’s home group teacher.

Garden Club Notice

Does anyone have any spare raspberry canes they could donate to the garden club? We would also welcome any donations of vegetable seeds or flower bulbs. You can drop these off near the BOSCO building or at the office.

Spring is coming!

Thank you,
The Garden Club.

Student Council

The Student Council are organising a BGT (Beckenham's Got Talent) event this term! 

If your tamariki are keen to sing, dance, play an instrument, perform some magic, drama or poetry, please sign them up by emailing your child's teacher. Max group size is eight people. Max performance time is four minutes. 
Auditions are in week 8 (1st-5th September) and the big show is on Friday the 19th of September. Two items from each hub will go through to the big show on the last day of term. As this show will have talent from 5 years old - 13 years old, there will not be placings, but certificates will be given to acknowledge talent.

Kupu Māori o te Wīki:

This term we are continuing looking at a new kupu (word) and a kīwaha (saying) of the week. Something new we are going to do is look at the waiata each week. Give them a go! Remember, Nau mai te wero, We Love Challenge!

Kīwaha: Wananei - This means Wicked!


Kupu: Inanahi - this means yesterday


Waiata: Upoko, Pakahiwi, Puku, Hope, Waewae


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZLje3MmrPE&ab_channel=Wh%C4%81nau%C4%80whinaPlunket


If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

"Trees for Survival" Project

As part of the development of the outside learning space behind Tahaki we applied for and have been accepted as the first urban school in the South Island to engage in a "Trees for Survival" project.
Trees for survival is a Charitable Trust started by Rotary and works in partnership with Regional Councils, schools, sponsors and volunteers. 
It is an environmental programme which works with school students to grow and then plant native trees on sites such as wetlands, hillsides, stream edges, to increase biodiversity, stabilise soil and help improve water quality.

In April our school was chosen to be involved in this scheme. Accor Hotels have been confirmed as our main sponsor and will provide all the funding needed for this ongoing project. The project will begin officially in September when the seedlings arrive at school.

We have been working with the Trees for Survival team to establish a plan to put 2 shade houses around the back of BOSCO where we can grow and mature seedlings which will be donated to school. The hot houses are being made by "The Men's Shed" in Geraldine and will be fitted with an irrigation system by an advisor from the Trees for Survival team. When the seedlings have matured enough (end of 2026) some of our students will be involved in planting the trees in a designated area nearby our community.

Below is a plan developed by Lucy, one of our parents and a staff member that shows ideas for the outdoor learning space behind Tahaki.

If you would like to find out more and see some Beckenham Outdoor Learning photos / plans / timelines and a video on Trees for Survival please click on this link.


Mid-Winter Breakfast

Thank you to all the community members who attended our Mid-Winter Breakfast - the turnout was fantastic!

It was another great example of our school community in action, and we’re especially grateful to the PTA for their wonderful coordination of the event.

BOSCO

BOSCO is looking for new members to join our committee. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Harriet Takamore via email or pop on in when you have the chance to chat.

You would be joining a lovely bunch of volunteers who are passionate about the service BOSCO provides and being a part of its future.

BOSCO currently has availability each day for before and after school care for regular or casual bookings.

If you have thought about using BOSCO for your tamariki but aren’t 100% sure what we're about or how we work, please feel free to pop in for a chat with Harriet or send through an email with any questions you may have.

A trial session is welcome if you would like your tamariki to give it a go first.

Harriet Takamore | Programme Leader | BOSCO Incorporated

office@bosco.org.nz | 027 645 6632

Staffing Update

Nau mai haere mai ki te Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto kaimahi. 

Jordan 

Welcome to Jordan, joining our Kōwhai team this term. As a beginning teacher, Jordan is thrilled to start his teaching journey here at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. He is looking forward to getting to know all of the students, whānau and staff in our kura community. Feel free to say hello and introduce yourself if you see him around.

PTA News

Cookie Time Cookies

Thank you for your support with this fundraiser. We still have a few bags of cookies left, so if you would like to purchase another one ($20 for 20 individually wrapped cookies), pop into the new look uniform room (open Monday 2:45 to 3:15pm and Friday 8:45 to 9:15am) or please email: pta@beckenham.school.nz

School Disco 

We're looking forward to the disco on Friday 8th August. Thank you for all your offers of help with this event, we rely on you! We are still short of a few helpers for the senior students, so if you can help with the years 5/6 or years 7/8 please complete this form.

Family photo fundraiser

Over the weekend 6th and 7th September (Father’s Day) we will have a local photographer, Megan Cozzone of Green Melon Photography, here at School to take Family Photos.


For $25, you get a 10-15 minute family photo session and a 10”x13” (253mmx330mm) studio quality, colour or black & white, family portrait, normally valued at $60.00. The full $25 fee comes back to the school PTA.


During your session Megan will arrange a date to come back and view your photos. You will be able to buy more prints, portraits and digital copies. In addition to your 10”x 13” Family Portrait fundraiser, you can choose from an additional selection of print sizes from each family sitting. There is no obligation for families to purchase these additional prints.


Please keep an eye out for information on how to book a session coming soon!



Community Notices

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

KiwiVolley Term 4 - After School Programme - Registrations Now Open

Registrations are now open for our KiwiVolley Term 4 After School Programme. KiwiVolley is a modified Volleyball game for Yr 7-8 children which can be played indoors, on grass or the sand. The programme combines both skill learning and games – the first half of the sessions are skills based, and the second half is games – perfect for those starting out in volleyball.
See below for further information regarding sessions times, location, cost, and the registration form.
Richmond: Mondays (6x sessions)
Location: Avon Hub (77 North Parade) - Inside Gym
Dates: October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17
Time: 4pm - 5:30pm
Merivale: Wednesdays (6x sessions)
Location: Heaton Normal Intermediate School (125 Heaton Street) - School Fields
Dates: October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19
Time: 4pm - 5:30pm
St Martins: Thursdays (6x sessions)
Location: Hillview Christian School (150 Wilsons Road) - Inside School Gym
Dates: October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20
Time: 4:30pm - 6pm
Burnside: Fridays (6x sessions)
Location: Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate - School Fields (294 Ilam Road) 
Dates: October 17, 24, 31,  November 7, 21, 28 (note - no session Nov 14th)
Time 4:00pm to 5:30 pm

Cost: $60 for an Individual, or $100 for a pair (Bring a Friend)
There are limited spots available, so get in quick!
Register via this LINK 

Should you have any queries please do get in touch - office@cva.nz 

Kākano Parenting Website - Te Whatu Ora - Seeking Feedback

Kākano is a co-designed parenting resource, designed to help whānau support children (aged 4+) with big emotions. Rooted in Te Ao Māori values (tika, pono, aroha), Kākano takes a strengths-based, whole-whānau approach. We’re seeking feedback from parents of kids aged 4+ years on Kākano’s value, and areas for improvement. If you’re keen, please head to https://forms.gle/aM2cEpk914NsF7hQ9 to find out more.





Creative Kids Art Workshops - Starting 21st August

Details: 4-week Art Workshop, for kids aged 8-11 (From 21 August). 
Where: The Bull Room, Risingholme. 

There are also some workshops in the second week of the school holidays.

Local - All materials provided - Limited Spaces.

Please contact Andrea Baker for further info: