Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Lots of important information in this newsletter... including some staffing information, an update from the Board on the new strategic plan, and lots of dates to put in your calendar for the upcoming final weeks of the school year!Reports
End of Year reports will be sent home on Tuesday next week. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything in your child's report with their teacher, please email them to make a time for a catch-up.
Stationery Lists and Home-Groups for 2021 will still come home on the final day of the school year.
Strategic Plan for 2021-2023
A huge thank you to all the whānau, students and staff, who contributed to the consultation process for the review of our Strategic Plan and consultation for our new Strategic Plan. This has been a very big piece of work over two terms and, last night, the board finalised the new Strategic Plan which we are now able to share with you.
This plan will drive our focus and areas of priority for the next three years. We will still have our 'business as usual' - the foundational work that we continue to do all of the time. This strategic plan highlights the areas of priority and, in some cases, new learning.
We intend to be regularly talking about this plan through newsletters so that you are well informed about the work that we are doing.
You can also find the plan on our website (which may be easier to read than the images below)
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Tue 24 Nov: Reports come homeWed 25 Nov: Canterbury Schools Triathlon - Pegasus
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
Wed 2 Dec: Training and Jazz Band Concert at Hillview Christian School 9:15am
Thu 3 Dec - Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Fri 4 Dec: Year 3/4 Noho Kura (sleepover at school!) from 5:30pm
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 (due to space limitations)
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year.
Term Dates
Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.Citizen of the Week
Austin Reddecliffe - Year 4
Austin, you are an enthusiastic learner and always put your best effort into all areas of the curriculum. You consistently demonstrate a positive and caring attitude and are a great friend to others. You are an outstanding role model to your peers. You are reliable, courteous and thoughtful. Well done, Austin!
Taylor Collins - Year 6
Taylor you are an outstanding role model for all learners in our hub. Your quiet leadership and the gentle, friendly way that you work with your peers truly demonstrates our kete values "We Care" and "We Get There Together". You are kind, helpful, thoughtful and you make a difference in our hub every day. Thank you, Taylor, for giving your best to your learning each and every day. Well done!
Staffing Update
Appointments
We have made three new permanent teacher appointments to our staff, all of whom will start at the beginning of next year.
Meagan Mathers joins us from Wellington where she has been teaching for the past three years at Kahurangi School in Miramar. Meagan originally hails from Christchurch and is looking forward to returning to her home city and being much closer to her whānau and friends here.
Caitlyn Worsfold has recently completed her teaching qualifications and is currently working at St Martins School. "Following my graduation from the University of Otago in 2016, I made the decision to move to London and fulfil my dream to travel. In 6 months I saw many countries, was able to immerse myself in rich European culture and discover my true passion for teaching. Being a fluent speaker of Spanish and French has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, and meet people all over the world. I live an active, and healthy lifestyle through growing my own produce, exercising regularly and enjoying time outdoors."
Retirements and Resignations
Chris Stace, our longest standing Teaching Assistant, has announced her retirement this week, effective from the end of this school year. Chris has a very long history as a Teacher Aide - first at Sydenham School, then moving to Beckenham when Sydenham closed in 2000. We know that Chris has been thinking about this for a wee while now, and that it has been a really hard decision to make. We so appreciate the care and commitment she has given to our school, and especially to all of the children that she has worked with over the years. She will be so missed, and we wish her a very happy retirement. We look forward to seeing her around the school next year in her capacity as 'grandmother' of two of our students.
Rob Proffitt-White has resigned from his appointment as Deputy Principal, effective during the school holidays. Rob has been shoulder-tapped for a once-in-a career opportunity to work for a global education organisation based in Canada, writing materials and doing project work with Universities and school collaborations at an international level, including an education project with UNESCO. We are gutted to be losing Rob after such a very short time, and we also understand the opportunity he has been offered. Rob has committed to continuing to work with us on an ad-hoc basis going forward and we look forward to learning from his new work too.
School Notices
Junior Neighbourhood support
All these girls overcame lockdown time to do something for others. Layla J and Layla W raised funds to feed gorillas at Orana Park, Molly made a newsletter series for her street and Mia made cards to sell and raised money for Charity Voices of Hope.
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.
CSM Outreach Band Information Meeting for 2021 tuition
Will your child be in Years 5-8 next year?
Would they like to learn a band instrument?
We are incredibly fortunate to have access to the CSM Outreach Band programme at Beckenham. This programme has been running in our school now for over 12 years.
Students are able to learn a wide variety of instruments including:
- flute
- oboe
- clarinet
- saxophone
- trumpet
- trombone,
- bass guitar
- percussion
Due to COVID challenges, we won't be having a Blow Test during school time this year, however, there will be an information evening for parent's and students who are new to the CSM Outreach Band Programme and would like to find out more, and possibly try an instrument on Tuesday 1st December, 7-8pm at Hillview School in the Junior Campus Staffroom. All interested parents and students who will be in years 5 to 8 in 2021 are welcome to attend.
So we have an idea of numbers, please register using this link Band Information Meeting Regn
BoardTalk
School Donations – A year in review
This year we made a change to the school donation scheme by requesting a flat $150* contribution per child, rather than a donation plus multiple requests for contributions throughout the year.
The Board of Trustees would like to thank the school community for supporting this change. It has reduced the complexity of managing multiple small contributions for activities and made planning and budgeting more straightforward. Your contribution goes a long way in helping the school to provide rich and varied experiences for your tamariki. It is not too late to make a donation.
Don’t forget that you can claim 33% of your donation including donations for camp, back from IRD at the end of each tax year. Current rules allow claims for up to 4 years in the past. You’ll find more information at this link to IRD. https://www.ird.govt.nz/topics/income-tax/tax-credits/tax-credits-for-donations
If you do need a receipt you can email accounts@beckenham.school.nz and request one. You can only request receipts once the tax year has ended. Please be aware there could be a small delay in receiving your receipts as the school is transitioning the account management to a new member of staff.
*School camps are additional request on top of the $150 donation’
PTA News
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Top Team and Community Picnic on 29th November has been cancelled as we are unable to get enough helpers. We would like to thank the 3 people who offered to help on the day.
We would also like to thank Platform Designs (poster design) and Smyth & Co barristers and solicitors who were supporting the event.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Beckenham Community Christmas Celebration.
Thursday 10th December 2020 5.00-7.00pm
In the grounds of Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Free Family Event. BBQ and/or bring a picnic.
Market stalls, Bouncy Castle, Mystery Bottle, Games, Bicycle Smoothie Maker, Christmas carols and other favourites.
Organised by Beckenham locals for the Beckenham community, supported by the Beckenham Neighbourhood Association and Cashmere New Life Church.
Koha towards getting a community accessible AED (defibrillator).
Bottles for the Mystery Bottle (all funds towards the community accessible AED) can be dropped at the school office.
Motivationz Cricket
Motivationz Cricket is running a pre-Christmas holiday programme at St Andrew’s College for boys and girls. Run by Mark Lane, former NZ Cricket General Manager of Cricket Development.
6-7-year olds 17th, 18th and 21st Dec 12.30-2.30pm cost $100
This is an entry level programme where we teach the children the basic principles of how to catch, throw and strike a ball. This will be done through fun games and activities.
8-10-year olds 17th, 188h and 21st 12.30-2.30pm cost $100
This programme is designed to give the children the basic techniques around batting, bowling and fielding. The technique work will be supported with plenty of drills and modified games to reinforce the learnings.
11-13-year olds 21st and 22th 12.30-4.30pm cost $130
This programme will be developed to cater for the individual needs of the child. There will be some general testing before more specific coaching will take place.
If you would like to book email anthony@motivationz.co.nz your child’s full name, DOB and contact phone number.
The Voice of Christmas: WIN A SMART BEDROOM!!
This Christmas morning on Newstalk ZB - it's "The Voice of Christmas" singing competition... on the 'Crazy Kiwi Christmas Kids Show'... If you can sing, and you’re under 13, call 0800 THE VOICE (that’s 0800 843 864) and sing a Christmas carol or Christmas song as your audition. The grand prize? The ultimate smart bedroom bundle complete with an Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker and Alexa-enabled smart coloured light bulbs! Then tune in on Christmas morning to Newstalk ZB from 6am, to see if you've won!
Christchurch Boys Choir - Auditions
