Welcome to The Pōhutukawa Team 2026

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Ngā mihi e te whānau, warm greetings to you all,

Meet the Pōhutukawa Team - 2026

Nau mai, haere mai

A warm welcome to 2025 with the Pōhutukawa Team. We have a fun year of learning ahead, and we are looking forward to working with you and your children. Our first two weeks will be focused on establishing positive relationships for the year to come. This newsletter will provide you with the information you need to know about the Pōhutukawa Team.


The Pōhutukawa Team



BYOD

As part of our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programme we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that every child has their own Chromebook for learning. Our BYOD provider this year is PB Tech. If you would like to purchase a Chromebook through their web portal, please go to https://www.pbtech.co.nz/education/byod. You are also welcome to source a Chromebook from an alternative supplier if you prefer.


Our Programme

The children are given daily opportunities to develop reading, writing, and spelling skills. They are encouraged to become independent readers through a range of activities designed to improve their reading and comprehension skills. Writing lessons focus on inspiring and engaging children to write enthusiastically, confidently and correctly. 


In Mathematics, we offer a balanced programme of knowledge and strategy acquisition. Students  practice place-value knowledge and basic facts, and track their own progress. Problem-solving also enables children to work collaboratively using strategies to solve problems with real-life contexts.


All children will be involved in daily fitness activities. The children are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes for exercising every day. All the other areas of the curriculum are covered during inquiry, CCC or ‘cross curricula classes’ and are often integrated into literacy and mathematics.


Litter-free Lunches

We encourage whānau to support their children to have a litter-free lunch box; this greatly reduces the litter around the school environment and educates the children about how to take care of our environment. We suggest the use of an ice pack or similar in terms one and four to keep your child’s lunch cool. 


Hero - communication to whānau

Beckenham te Kura o Pūroto uses Hero as our student management system. Hero is the place where you can access a lot of information regarding our programme and your tamariki’s learning. We will update Hero regularly to keep you informed, so whānau can stay involved in school life.


Absences

If your child is going to be away from school, please email Jacky in the office at office@beckenham.school.nz in the first instance. (You are welcome to copy us in, but Jacky is the one who absolutely needs to know.)


First Week: Water Play

All students please bring a towel, togs and T- shirt for sun safety as we will be holding some team building events in the afternoons involving water. Students are welcome to bring NAMED water pistols to school for this, kept in the think tank for the day until needed. Togs, a tee shirt for sun protection and a towel is required. 


Swimming Sports

A reminder that The School Swimming Sports will be held Thursday 26 February from 12-3pm. This will be held at Wharenui. Participation is optional and these are competitive events. 


We are looking forward to working with you and your child(ren) this year.

Below are our email addresses. If you have a question about your child’s learning, well-being, or anything else to do with their school life, then we encourage you to email us at any time and we will endeavour to get back to you in a timely manner.


                                                                                                                     


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Final Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāapa (Wednesday) 17th December 2025

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

As we come to the close of the school year, we take time to celebrate the many achievements, growth, and shared experiences that have made this such a positive year at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. We would like to sincerely thank our whānau for the ongoing support, partnership, and trust you place in our school, it makes a real difference to the learning and wellbeing of our tamariki. To those transitioning to new learning environments next year, we wish you all the very best. You leave with our warmest wishes and our confidence that you will continue to thrive in the next stage of your learning journey.

As we celebrate the end of the 2025 school year, we are also in the process of preparing for 2026. Below you will find important information and links to everything you need to know for the start of the 2026 school year.


Home Group Placement for 2026


Students spent time this morning with their 2026 Home Group and teacher at school this morning. You can also view your child’s Home Group placement in our HERO student management system by following the information below:


  • Log in to Hero or go into the Hero app

  • Click the arrow next to your child’s name

  • Click ‘My 2026 Class’. Here you will see your child’s 2026 teacher.


Beginning of the year Learning Conferences

Learning Conferences are an important opportunity for students, whānau, and teachers to come together to build strong learning-focused relationships. These meetings help establish shared expectations for the year, celebrate strengths, and identify the goals and next steps that will best support each learner’s progress. By beginning the year in partnership, we ensure every student is known, valued, and set up for a successful and positive year of learning.

Learning Conferences will take place over two days, Friday 30 January and Monday 2 February. You need to book a 20 minute time slot where you, your child and their teacher meet. Remember to book your learning conference with next year’s teacher. These days are not in school time - students will be at home on these days. 

To book your child’s Learning Conference, please use the link or QR code below:

https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/sdac5

Classes start Tuesday, 3 February 2026 for all children.


School Uniform


Information about school uniform requirements can be found at the following link: https://www.beckenham.school.nz/index.php/enrolment/uniform


Please note that in Term 1, students are required to bring and wear a school hat during outdoor break times. As we are returning from an extended holiday break, we would also like to remind all students of our expectations regarding jewellery, nail polish, and makeup:


Jewellery

One piece of jewellery of cultural significance may be worn under clothing.  It may be displayed on formal school occasions.


One pair of plain ear studs can be worn. Sleepers are not appropriate for school as they can catch and tear the earlobe.  No facial or body piercing.


Nail Polish and Makeup

Our Dress Code precludes the wearing of nail polish or make-up at school, except for special drama productions, fashion parades and kapa haka performances.


Stationery

To help ensure a smooth start to programmes and learning, please bring your child's stationery to their learning conference.


Information about stationery requirements and purchasing can be viewed on the school website using the link below: 


https://www.beckenham.school.nz/index.php/information/stationery


We look forward to seeing you all back at school in the new year. 


Have a great Summer break. 


Ngā mihi nui,

Cade

Principal / Tumuaki

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

End of Term 4 - Last Day Today, Wed 17 Dec - School Finishes at 12:30pm

2026 Term Dates - Linked Here

Fri 30 Jan & Mon 2 Feb - Learning Conferences
Tue 3 Feb - Term 1 Classes Start

2026 Whole School Transition Story - Linked Here

School Notices

Celebrating our Final 2025 Year 8 Trophy Recipient

Norman Kirk Memorial Prize for Citizenship - Lily

"Displays citizenship in everyday actions: is inclusive, respectful, works well with different people, and cares for the people around them and their environment. Takes action to better our community."

Chicken Chat

Our school chicks are on the move! They spent their last day at school with an extra 'west wing' and enjoyed lots of special farewells. 
They are looking forward to returning in the new year and moving into their incredible new coop!

PTA News

Weetbix TRYathlon

There's still time to register for the Weetbix TRYathlon, which is happening on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Open this link to register with our school group.

Entertainment Book 

Entertainment books are still for sale and available to buy here. There are heaps of savings for lots of school holiday activities, and membership would make a great gift for one of those hard-to-buy-for family members! 20% of the cost of the book comes straight back to school, and there are bonus Visa gift cards with each purchase. 

BOT Update

Term 4 Policy Review - SchoolDocs

    1. Visit the website linked here.

    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, the school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form).

Community Notices

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

Koru Team News Term 4 Week 10

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Kia ora e te whānau,

It is very hard to believe that we are at the end of our school year - a bittersweet feeling for all, as we say our farewells in advance of the long summer holiday. 

Our children have continued to work hard in all areas of their learning, despite the fact that many of them are feeling very tired indeed! We congratulate all tamariki on their impressive self-management, as the resources around them have been packed up, walls have been cleared, and spaces emptied, leading up to the final big furniture move on Thursday afternoon. Friday arrived, and the children had their first day in Tahaki, embracing the new space with enthusiasm and positivity. Very well done indeed, children. We're proud of you!

We send our heartfelt thanks to those families who were able to give their time last Thursday after school. We appreciate all you were able to do to help us. Your willingness and patience as we were trying to negotiate the boxes, the furniture, and the equipment were truly amazing. You just quietly pitched in, saw the needs and gaps, and filled them. Hooray for you!



Literacy books:

If you happen to find any Little Learners reading books over the summer break, please return these to the office in the new year.



Congratulations:

We congratulate Katie, who has been granted a year's leave to study and work with the Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour. We are incredibly happy for you and wish you all the very best, Katie, as you embark on this new part of your journey in education. You'll leave a very big gap in the Koru team, however we are happy in the knowledge that we'll see you back at Beckenham at the start of 2027!

Hearty congratulations also go to our very own Maisy, who has been accepted into teacher training at the University of Canterbury at the start of next year. We'll miss you terribly, Maisy - having said that, we have very high hopes that we'll see you back at Beckenham Te Kura in the future too.

A huge thanks to our lovely Niquita, who has been a wonderful asset to the Koru team this year. We will miss her sparkly smile and twinkling eyes. We have appreciated the warmth and kindness that she has brought to our team. We wish her all the very best for her future endeavours. 

And, finally... it has been a great pleasure for us getting to know you, our families, and your gorgeous children, throughout the course of this year. Your children have all made the most wonderful progress, emotionally, socially and academically! They have embraced the Beckenham values and use these to guide themselves and each other each day. It's been a joy to have been part of their learning journey. Thank you for your unstinting support. This has taken many and varied forms, and is always appreciated.

We wish you all a very safe and happy summer holiday, and we very much look forward to catching up with you and your children in the playground at the start of next year.

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou,

Katie, Stacey, Niquita and Elizabeth






Pōhutukawa News Term 4 Week 10 2025

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Ngā mihi e te whānau, welcome all to the final post for 2025, kia pai ngā rā whakata.

When we reflect on this remarkable year, we celebrate not only the incredible learning progress but also the deep resilience and adaptability that your tamariki (children) showed in the face of various challenges. Their spirit and eagerness to grow have truly been inspiring for all of us here at the school. We want to extend our sincere thanks to you, our whānau (family/community), for your consistent support, which is so vital to their success.

We wish our Year 6 students all the very best as they prepare to head into their intermediate years. We know they are ready for this exciting new chapter and will take the values they learned here with them. We are also eagerly looking forward to seeing our Year 5 cohort flourishing in their role as tuakana (senior students/mentors) in Pōhutukawa next year, guiding our younger students with care and leadership.

We hope you all enjoy a lovely, restorative holiday season spent with your tamariki, celebrating time together. We are excitedly preparing for the fresh and exciting challenges that 2026 will bring, focused on continued growth, discovery, and community connection. Nau mai te wero! (Welcome the challenge!)

We wish you all a safe and happy festive season, ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te tau hau (Merry Christmas and a happy new year) from all of us."**

Ngā mihi nui.

The Pōhutukawa Teaching Team

Chris, Gayle, Nick, Megan, Rae, Georgie, Viv, Stacey and Laura

Kōwhai News Term 4 Week 10

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Kia ora e te whānau,

Wow, it is so hard to believe we are at the end of the year and this is our final blog post for 2025! What an incredible and busy year it has been with lots of achievements, positive moments and exciting adventures. 

Highlights of 2025

Term 1 was an awesome introduction to our 2025 year. We started our year with water play, getting to know everyone, activities, an awesome Top Team event, exciting science experiments, house games, a special visit from Police Officer Jo, and the wonderful Kōwhai Service Club began. 

Term 2 was a shorter term, filled with lots of fun events. We began our special Pizza Fridays, went to a performance from Strike percussion group, had a Book Character Day, participated in the school cross country, created Miro sculptures, began our technology inquiry unit, followed recipes and instructions during our procedural writing topic, performed at our school Matariki evening, and went on an amazing trip to Ferrymead. 

Term 3 started with a hiss and a roar. We welcomed Jordan into the Kōwhai team, celebrated Maths Week, began learning about Keeping Ourselves Safe (a unit taught in collaboration with Constable Meg from the New Zealand Police), there was a whole school four square tournament, gymnastics sessions at the School of Gymnastics, and we finished the term with Beckenham's Got Talent.

Term 4 has been another busy and fun term. We began the term with a new event, the Scooter-athlon, started hip-hop dance and ukulele sessions, competed in our whole school athletics, took part in our whole school colour run, worked really hard in production groups, leading to a stellar performance, and finished off the term with the school chicks spending time in our hub. 

As you can see, it has been an action-packed year full of wonderful memories being made and some awesome adventures being had. 



Production

On Thursday 4th December, our Kōwhai tamariki shone on stage as they showcased their talents in our Kōwhai Jukebox Journey. It was wonderful to see all their hard work come together in such a vibrant performance, and it was extra special to be able to share this moment with our school community and whānau. We had a special "Production Screening" on Thursday this week to show the tamariki their magical performance! We just want to say thank you to all the whānau for your support, and a massive congratulations to our tamariki for showing 'We Love Challenge' for being brave and giving the performance a go!


End-of-Year Admin

  • Books: Please make sure all literacy books and library books are brought back into school. This is really important as we need these resources for our tamariki to use next year. Thank you for your support with this. 
  • Transition: On Thursday, we had The Great Migration across the school, where each team moved into a new location. We are now where Pōhutukawa was, to the right-hand side of our school hall. We will be in this space from now on.
  • Meet the Teacher: On the last day of school, Wednesday 17th December, our tamariki will meet their new teacher for 2026. A form will come home with the tamariki that has their teacher's name, the stationery list for next year, and questions to consider for our start of year learning conferences next year. 
We hope you have all enjoyed being a part of this year with us. We wish you a and safe and happy holidays, and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

Noho ora mai rā (Take care and stay well),
The Kōwhai Team