Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Thursday 12 November 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

It's been a short week this week so this newsletter is mostly to keep you up to date with upcoming events!

The weather for the long weekend is looking amazing... keep the hats and sunblock on and I hope you all get some time to relax and slow down just a little, before the Christmas rush is completely upon us!

Sadly, no Kapa Haka concert this year

Due to the limitations of COVID lockdowns and restrictions on assemblies, our new Kapa Haka tutor, Whaea Cath has had quite a challenging time getting regular sessions with all of our groups this year.  and in the latter few weeks we made the call to focus her time on preparations with Te Whānau Mahi Tahi for the recent Cultural Festival performance. On top of that, there have been extra events this term for most team, due to postponements from lockdowns. For that reason, we have made the decision not to try and hold a kapa haka concert this year. We do expect to return to holding some sort of end of year celebration of Kapa Haka next year.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy and the Team

Important Dates

Upcoming Events - lots and lots!

Tue 17 Nov: Homegroup photos for Sari and Sophie's groups. 
Wed 18 Nov: Rāpaki Marae visit Koru Team
Wed 18 Nov: 7-8pm BYOD Information Evening, Kōwhai Hub, Y4-7 whānau
Wed 19 Nov: Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Fri 20 Nov: Celebration Assembly 12:10pm - All Welcome
Wed 25 Nov: Canterbury Schools Triathlon
Wed 25 - Fri 27 Nov: Pohutukawa Camp at Living Springs 
Wed 25 Nov: PTA meeting - Green Room, 7:30pm
Sat 29 Nov: PTA Top Team Event - Beckenham Park 
Mon 30 Nov & Tue 1 Dec: Kōwhai Rapaki Marae visit                                                            
Wed 2 Dec: Canterbury Primary School's athletics, Nga Puna Wai Park
Thu 3 Dec - Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Fri 4 Dec: Year 3/4 Noho Kura (sleepover at school!)
Wed 9 Dec: Junior Athletic Sports from 1:30pm (NE - Year 4)
Thu 10 Dec: Kahikatea Pool and Picnic day at Waltham Pool
Fri 11 Dec: Final Celebration Assembly 09:15am
Fri 11 Dec: Y7/8 trip to Corsair Bay 11-3pm
Mon14 Dec: Y7/8 Walk to Victoria Park
Tue 15 Dec: Year 8 Leavers Graduation 11am - Invited whānau only
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year.
BYOD Information Evening for Year 4-7 whānau
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has an optional Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme for students in Years 5-8. This programme is very popular and has been in operation since 2014. If you want to find out more about our BYOD programme including the rationale, digital citizenship practices and device responsibilities, please visit our BYOD website and come along to our information evening on Wednesday, 18 November from 7-8 pm, in the Kōwhai Hub. If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP here.
 
The evening is optional and is aimed particularly at parents of current Year 4-7 students who are considering taking up BYOD next year but have not yet made the decision. The information evening will give you a chance to hear about our BYOD programme and ask questions about how it works. 

We generally recommend that families who want to participate in the BYOD programme purchase a Chromebook for their child to bring school. We are currently changing our BYOD provider and will send out a Chromebook offer, with prices, closer to the end of the year.

With the introduction of the new Digital Technologies strand of the Technology Curriculum this year, ensuring that every child has access to a device becomes more important than ever before.




Timepieces wanted!

If you have any timepieces that you could donate to school eg clocks, watches, pocket watches, digital or analog, working or not, we would love to have them at school for a special interest area in one of our rooms.  Please bring them to the office.
Many thanks in anticipation.



Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…

A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking  The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.

Sports News

Athletics Day

The weather didn’t make it easy for us this year. And we got there in the end! Our athletics events for Years 5 to 8 took place over three days as weather permitted. We were so impressed by the way the children adapted to the changes as they were made. We get there together! 

Something else that impressed us during the week was the way that the children supported and encouraged each other. On Tuesday loud eruptions of cheering could be heard from the hall as the children celebrated every person’s high jump effort. Many times over the three days, we saw children sharing advice and words of encouragement. During Thursday’s mid-distance, friends ran alongside some of the runners with words and sometimes even songs of encouragement. 

Congratulations to our Athletics Champions for 2020
These champions are based on a scoring system that takes into account placings across all the events.
Year 5 Champions: Jayde Inglis and Archie Arnott
Year 6 Champions: Billy Murfin, Caitlyn McIntosh and Petra Cooper
Year 7 Champions: Zoe Clarke and Jonty Mitchell
Year 8 Champions: Thomas Lyall and Grace Monk

Zone Athletics

We had a fantastic day at Hansen’s Park on Monday where just over 60 tamariki represented our kura at Zone Athletics. As usual, the children did us all proud, putting our school values at the fore as they competed in track and field events. I noticed many of our children helping out at events that their friends were competing in, which was great to see. Tino pai! 

Congratulations to all our competitors.

The following children have qualified to represent our zone and kura at Canterbury Athletics at Ngā Puna Wai on Wednesday the 2nd of December.

Ava Howard - 1st long jump
Billy Murfin- 1st 60 m and 2nd long jump
Caitlin McIntosh - 2nd 60 m
Grace Monk - 1st high jump
Jonty Mitchell - 1st long jump and 1st 60 m
JJ Mathias - 2nd 60 m
Lucky Lasiyal - 2nd 1200 m
Zoe Clarke - 2nd high jump

Canterbury Swimming

Congratulations to Abby, Fergus, Emma, Cooper, Zoe and Thomas who competed in Canterbury Swimming Championships. This event was a postponement date from Term 1. 

Swimming at Canterbury level is a huge achievement and the children all did amazingly well against very tough competition. 

Special mention goes to Thomas Lyall who placed 3rd in the 50 m Backstroke. 

Mountain Biking

Congratulations to Morgan Lee who has been making a name for himself in Gravity Canterbury’s downhill events. Morgan placed third in his first competitive outing at the Novice Downhill and then returned a couple of weeks later to take third again in the first race of the Summer Series in the under 13 category. Wananae!

Thank you to 'The Perfect Line' for the photo. 


Sports Uniforms need to be returned, please.

If your child does not have another upcoming sports event, please return their washed uniform to the office foyer. Thank you.

Community Notices

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

Studio One Performing Arts

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




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Kōwhai News Term 4 Week 5 including BYOD Parent Information Evening

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 Kia ora whānau, 

There are a few things coming up so we are sending out an extra blog post with all the information about upcoming events. 

Year 4 BYOD Parent Evening

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has an optional Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme for students in Years 5-8. This programme is very popular and has been in operation since 2014. If you want to find out more about our BYOD programme including the rationale, digital citizenship practices and device responsibilities, please visit our BYOD website or come along to our information evening on Wednesday, 18 November from 7-8 pm, in the Kōwhai Hub. If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP here.

The evening is optional and is aimed particularly at parents of current Year 4-7 students who are considering taking up BYOD next year but have not yet made the decision. The information evening will give you a chance to hear about our BYOD programme and ask questions about how it works. 

We generally recommend that families who want to participate in the BYOD programme purchase a Chromebook for their child to bring school. We are currently changing our BYOD provider and will send out a Chromebook offer, with prices, closer to the end of the year.

With the introduction of the new Digital Technologies strand of the Technology Curriculum this year, ensuring that every child has access to a device becomes more important than ever before.

Rapaki Marae Visit and Noho Kura 

Please remember to look at this blog post about the marae visit and fill in the form about your child's attendance for the Noho Kura - whether they will be attending or not. 

If you are able to be a parent help with our marae visits on the 30th November and 1st of December please email your child's teacher. 

laura.williamson@beckenham.school.nz                    tracey.maloney@beckenham.school.nz

nick.bruce@beckenham.school.nz                               rowena.barker@beckenham.school.nz

Athletics Day

Our new date for the Junior Athletics Day is Wednesday the 9th of December. We will start our athletic rotations at 1:40 and then the whole school house relay will be at 2:45.

We will also have Canterbury softball in school on the 7th and 8th of December to hold some workshops with our students focused on softball skills. 

This term is flying by and we have so many fun events coming up. Please remember to keep an eye out on blog posts for the most up to date information. 

Have a lovely long weekend! 

Thank you for your continued support, 
The Kōwhai Team 

BYOD Information Evening

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Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has an optional Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme for students in Years 5-8. This programme is very popular and has been in operation since 2014. If you want to find out more about our BYOD programme including the rationale, digital citizenship practices and device responsibilities, please visit our BYOD website or come along to our information evening on Wednesday, 18 November from 7-8 pm, in the Kōwhai Hub. If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP here. The evening is optional and is aimed particularly at parents of current Year 4-7 students who are considering taking up BYOD next year but have not yet made the decision. The information evening will give you a chance to hear about our BYOD programme and ask questions about how it works. We generally recommend that families who want to participate in the BYOD programme purchase a Chromebook for their child to bring school. We are currently changing our BYOD provider and will send out a Chromebook offer, with prices, closer to the end of the year. With the introduction of the new Digital Technologies strand of the Technology Curriculum this year, ensuring that every child has access to a device becomes more important than ever before.

Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 4 Week 5

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 In this post:

  • Parent help needed for three events
  • Events between now and the end of the school year for Year 7 & 8
  • Year 8 info
  • Congratulations
  • Warm Fuzzies

Parent Help:

We need parent help for 3 events between now and the end of the year: Top Team, Corsair Bay and Victoria Park walk. Please click this link to see what is involved and indicate if you can help.

Kauri Calendar of Events:

  • Tuesday, November 17: Year 8 photo and leadership group photos
  • Thursday, November 19: 'Cantamath' style event at Cashmere Primary after school (info coming to families involved)
  • Tuesday, November 24: Top Team on Beckenham Park
  • Wednesday, November 25: Canterbury Triathlon
  • Wednesday, December 2: Canterbury Athletics
  • Thursday, December 10: Transition afternoon of fun for Year 8
  • Friday, December 11: Corsair Bay trip, after final celebration assembly
  • Monday, December 14: Walk up to Victoria Park
  • Monday, December 14: Year 8 pool and pizza party
  • Tuesday, December 15: Year 8 Graduation Assembly and lunch - Year 8 finish for the year after lunch
  • Wednesday, December 16: School finishes at lunchtime for Year 1-7

Year 8:

In a few short weeks your Year 8 will be finished with primary school! Here is what you need to know.
  • If you have yet to email Nicky a photo of your child as a 5-year-old, please do this ASAP
  • Please click here for your invitation to the Year 8 Graduation
  • We are organising two afternoons for Year 8. Soon we will meet with a group of Year 9s from a few different high school to put together a 'High School Hacks' session. There will also be a session with the 24/7 youth workers at Cashmere and Will Hanlon, head boy for 2021 (and ex Beckenham student). This will involve all students, no matter which school they are going to.
  • Many thanks to the Cockfields for yet again hosting our Year 8 Pool and Pizza Party. This will be held on December 14th, between 4 and 6pm. 

Congratulations:

A huge congratulations to Ruby who is our Sir Peter Blake Young Leader for 2020. Here is the citation that was read at assembly last Friday:
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference.”
This quote describes the 2020 recipient of the Sir Peter Blake Award to a tee. Their motivation is not to be the one up front but rather to encourage everyone to reach a common goal. Humility is a key quality in this person’s leadership style. This person consistently looks outside of themself, noticing the strengths and needs of others and working alongside them with compassion and empathy. Peers commented on their kindness, their ability to give everyone a voice and their inclusive nature. Ruby, you are a shining role model of what it takes to be a leader. 

Well done to everyone who competed at the zone athletics on Monday. Special congratulations to those who qualified for the Canterbury Athletics event in December:
  • Ava  - 1st long jump
  • Jonty  - 1st long jump and 1st 60 m
  • Grace M - 1st high jump
  • JJ  - 2nd 60 m
  • Zoe C - 2nd high jump
  • Lucky  - 2nd 1200 m

A few warm fuzzies:

After some lovely feedback from Chris, our teaching assistant, we asked other staff what our Year 7 & 8 students have been doing to 'make a difference'. Here is what they said:
  • On Wednesday morning I was with some amazing Y7's setting up the sprint track. They were working together and helping each other to get the job done. (Steve)
  • I have been really aware of the increasing number of times in the last weeks, of our lovely Year 7/8s opening the door, and/or standing back, to let me through the door ahead of them. At times when I hold the door open for them I get lots of “thank you’s“ also. It may seem a small gesture, but it is greatly appreciated.  I do love our kids! Thank you to all our lovely people! (Chris)
  • I'd like to say that all of the sports monitors are very respectful when they come into the office. Their manners are top-notch, they are all so polite and reliable (Kerilea)
  • I've had fantastic feedback from a number of the visitors who have had school tours recently ... well-spoken and polite. (Jacky)
  • It is so cool how the children cheer for each other. Even after they are out, they stay and are fully invested in the competition. (Parent)
  • We appreciate the way the Year 7 & 8s look out for the NE children. They idolise the 'big kids' and look to them as role models. They enjoy talking with them in the playground and love when they come in to help. We appreciate the way Kauri model the Kete Values so that our tamariki can learn what they look like in action. (Jo)
  • I am super impressed with how many students personally thank me after each passion session. It makes me feel appreciated for the time I put in. Plus they are a fun group that listens really well. (Brad, Megan's husband)
  • Every Yr7-8 student I encounter is always super kind and respectful, e.g. often holding a door open for me or happily picking up rubbish if I ask.  They are all such stars! (Charlotte)
  • Please can I add a comment about the Year 7 and 8's who cross the crossing and always say thank you to the road partol monitors - their manners and that simple 'thank you' makes a big difference for everyone involved. Also ..... I appreciate the way many Year 7 and 8 students greet staff as they move around the school.  Many ask how we are and some even share little stories and interesting information, looking us in the eye and wearing a lovely smile too.  It takes a lot of courage, maturity and thought to do this and makes a world of difference to staff. (Sue)

This 4 walled mural has been a huge undertaking and we are nearly finished.


Important information about upcoming Year 3/4 events – Marae Visit and Noho Kura

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 Kia ora whānau, 

Below is IMPORTANT INFORMATION about two upcoming events for the Year 3/4 students. Both of these events require parent help so please read through all the information and respond to the survey. 

Please make sure you fill in the form at the end about the Noho Kura - EVERY family needs to fill this out, whether you plan for your child to attend or not. 

Rapaki Marae Trip - Monday 30th November/Tuesday 1st December

We are excited to be able to provide our students with the opportunity to visit Rāpaki Marae in Week 8 of Term 4. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about te reo Māori language, customs (tikanga), games (kēmu) and songs (waiata), the history of Rāpaki Marae and the ecology of Horomaka, Banks Peninsula. We will explore both the Marae and the surrounding stone beach, banks and rocky areas. 

The key dates are as follows: 

Monday 30th November: Laura and Rowe’s homegroups 

Tuesday 1st December: Nick and Tracey’s homegroups and Kahikatea Yr 3 students

We are currently seeking parent helpers for these two dates. Parent helpers are welcome to join us on the bus or take their own car. You do need to be available for the day. No preschoolers, please. If you are available to assist, please email your home room teacher asap. 

We are also seeking someone who would be willing to be our Kaikaranga and Kaikorero during the pōwhiri at the marae. In the past, we have had a parent who is versed in the protocols around this and who is happy to take on this responsibility for us. We would love it if you felt you could do this for us. 

For the trip, your child will need to wear and/or have:

  • school uniform
  • sturdy, comfortable footwear
  • a windproof jacket which they can carry in their bag
  • healthy, substantial morning tea and lunch
  • named water bottle

Please note there will be no postponement day if the weather is unsuitable. An email message will be sent out at 8am on the day, if the trip is being cancelled.

Many thanks for the help and support, 

Year 3/4 Teachers

laura.williamson@beckenham.school.nz  rowena.barker@beckenham.school.nz

nick.bruce@beckenham.school.nz     tracey.maloney@beckenham.school.nz

jules.may@beckenham.school.nz                     amber.donovan@beckenham.school.nz 

Noho Kura - Friday 4th December 5:30pm - Saturday 5th December 9-9:30am

We are excited to be able to provide our students with the chance to have an optional Noho Kura (school sleepover) on Friday the 4th of December 2020. 

Please read the information below and then fill in this form. EVERY family will need to fill this in whether your child will attend or not. 

There will be school as usual on that Friday, but then at 5:30 p.m. children can all return to school with what they need for the night. We will have a BBQ dinner, play some games, have supper and then settle down to sleep in the Tahaki Hub. In the morning we will all have breakfast together, after which you need  to take your child home - between  9-9.30am. If your child has specific dietary requirements, please note that on the reply form. 

Here are some details of our noho kura:

Please collect your child after school, and bring them back to school at 5:30 p.m.

Children won’t need a change of clothes - when they get up on Saturday morning they can put their Friday clothes back on.

What to bring:

  • Pyjamas
  • Slippers or socks
  • Sleeping bag and/or duvet
  • Pillow
  • Teddy bear, cuddly or favourite soft toy
  • Facecloth, hairbrush/comb
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Something to sleep on (a small mattress/camping bed etc)

We would love you to help us – it’s going to be lots of fun!! We will need some parent volunteers to come early to organise the BBQ and help get the hub organised for sleeping. Please indicate on the response form if you are able to help. If you offer to help overnight, we will be making contact closer to the sleepover night to organise a meeting and discuss possible areas of responsibility (for example, organising supper).

We are also seeking someone who would be willing to give a karakia on the Friday evening, including welcoming everyone and blessing our event. In the past, we have had a parent who is versed in the protocols around holding a noho and who is happy to take on this responsibility for us. We would love it if you felt you could do this for us. Please fill in the form to let us know if you are able to help – please don’t be offended if you offer and we have already filled the role!

If you child would like to come along for dinner and games and then go home then they are more than welcome. Please indicate that on the form. Be assured that we shall be prepared for every contingency. If you would like to discuss any concerns you or your child may have, please do talk to your child’s teacher.

Please remember to fill in this form with information about your child attending the Noho Kura. 

Thank you for your continued support, 

The Year 3/4 Teachers