Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 4th September 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Another busy week has gone by and we are already past the half-way mark of this term, with four weeks remaining until the school holidays.

Whilst we are responding to the ever-changing COVID situation, you will have noticed that we have returned to weekly newsletters, to keep you up-to-date as much as possible.

As we continue at Alert Level 2, we are aware that the use of masks in the community is increasing and, like in Auckland, may become more of an expectation for adults as the COVID-19 situation continues. 
Below is a link to a story for children about wearing masks that you may find useful to share with your children, if they are asking questions about why adults are wearing masks. Whilst we have no indiciation that there will be an expectation for children to wear masks, they are certainly already seeing adults wearing them.

The Task of the Mask


Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Thu 10th Sep - BOT Meeting - Staffroom 5:30pm, All welcome
Wed 23rd Sep - PTA Meeting 7:30pm All Welcome
Fri 25th Sep - Last day of term 3.  School finishes at 3pm
Mon 12 Oct - Staff Only Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Tue 13 Oct - Term 4 begins

Citizen of the Week

Matilda Barr - Year 4

Matilda, you are a pleasure to have in the Kōwhai hub. You are a motivated learner and always try your best at everything that you do. Your calm and quiet confidence makes you a fantastic role model to your peers. You consistently demonstrate our school values, showing a positive and caring attitude and are a great friend to others. Tino pai! 

School Notices

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.

Dental Care during the School Holidays                                           

The Community Dental Service will be providing dental care for children enrolled with our service during the upcoming school holidays.  The clinics will offer treatment and relief of pain sessions by appointment only.   To make an appointment please call/email our Contact Centre which operates between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday throughout the holidays.
The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays: 

·       Aranui Clinic, 240 Breezes Road, Aranui,

·       Lincoln Clinic, 35 James Street, Lincoln,

·       Rangiora Clinic, 163 Ashley Street, Rangiora,

·       Timaru Clinic, Level 1, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru

The clinics will offer appointments between 8.15am and 4.45pm for school-age and preschool children requiring treatment.  If your child has dental pain because of an accident, please contact your dentist in the first instance.
To book an appointment at one of our clinics please: call 0800 846 983
Or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz

Springtime at the Ponds...

Being spring, there are ducks and other birds nesting around the ponds. Please keep dogs on a lead in the ponds area, and encourage children to be mindful of the nesting birds as they are easily frightened at this time.


Student Council

A huge 'Thank you!' to everyone who participated and contributed to our 'Wacky Wig and Hair Day' today, in support of the Child Cancer Foundation.



We were really thrilled to have raised $660.90 to give to the Child Cancer Foundation.



Thanks also to the children who ran a 'Mighty Alex' bakesale in the weekend, and raised another $122.50!

We Get There Together!

BOT Update

Casual Vacancy for an elected trustee

A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative.

The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.

If ten percent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
71 Sandwich Road
Beckenham
Christchurch 8023

or email: office@beckenham.school.nz by: 12noon, 17 September 2020.

Community Notices

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

Crater Rim Ultra: 18th October 2020 

Based from St Martin's Hansen Park, with a range of trail running distances from 10 km to 50 km, this exciting community led event also hosts the Athletics New Zealand Trail Running Championships. 
We’re thrilled to confirm the children's race will continue in 2020. It is a short blast around the Park for all ages.  Entries and info from:




Landsdowne Terrace Playcentre 

Landsdowne Terrace Playcentre (8 Landsdowne Tce, Cashmere) are having a Monster Garage Sale! Saturday 19 September from 9am till 12pm. There will be something for the whole family; clothing, toys, books, white elephant, bake sale, bouncy castle, sausage sizzle and a coffee cart. Please come along and support your local Playcentre

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Monday 31 August 2020

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Whānau Hui this Wednesday - postponed again!

Unfortunately, due to us still being at Alert Level 2, we have had to again postpone the Whānau Hui that was planned for this Wednesday evening. We will advise of a new date once we have further clarity around the changing alert levels.

Face Masks and School

You will be aware that face coverings are now on public transport at Alert Level 2. This does not apply to any child who is under 12 years of age and does not apply to school bus transport.

Public Health officials have advised that children under the age of 6 should not wear face coverings. Children and young people do not need to wear face coverings at school. Other public health control measures are in place including children and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and hygiene requirements. If you want your child to wear a mask, that is fine too and we will support that.

Face coverings are another way we can help keep ourselves and others safe, along with our ongoing school procedures of good hand hygiene (hand washing or sanitiser), cough and sneeze etiquette, appropriate physical distancing, and staying home if we are sick.

We’re continuing contact tracing by having QR code posters at our entrances, so please check in every time you come onsite. If you haven’t already downloaded the NZ COVID Tracer app the Ministry of Health’s website has information to help you do that. We also have a requirement for adults coming on site to sign in on our school app in the office or paper contact tracing sheets at Alert Level 2. 

Thank you for your assistance with this. This will help us with contact tracing in the unlikely case it is needed.

If you have any questions about face coverings or anything else, please get in touch.

Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Mathematics in Action...

This is a great example of an OPEN-ENDED mathematics task being undertaken in the Kōwhai Team recently:

Arrays

What do we know about arrays?
  • Are there any arrays in our school community that we can find and share?
  • Take photos of at least 5 arrays
  • Write the two matching number equations that go with this
  • Be ready to present one of your findings to the class
  • Defend how you know it is an array
  • EXTRA THOUGHT: Are there different arrays for the same number?
  • EXTRA THOUGHT: Is it easier to find the total using repeated addition or arrays?
Arrays in the school environment

Important Dates

Wed 2 Sep - Whānau Rōpū Hui  5:30 - 7pm POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Fri 4 Sep - Wacky Wig and Hair Day - gold coin donation please
Thu 10 Sep - BOT Meeting - Staffroom 5:30pm, All welcome

Click here to view 2020 and 2021 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Matilda Barr - Year 4

Matilda, you are a pleasure to have in the Kōwhai hub. You are a motivated learner and always try your best at everything that you do. Your calm and quiet confidence makes you a fantastic role model to your peers. You consistently demonstrate our school values, showing a positive and caring attitude and are a great friend to others. Tino pai! 

PTA News



A very very BIG thank you from your PTA for all of your INCREDIBLE SUPPORT of our children as they took part in this years Read-a-thon. We were all blown away by the enthusiasm from all the children and families and just how much money was raised.
Soooooooo… Hats off to EACH and EVERY one of you. To date an incredible

$7079.50

was raised which we will be able to pass onto Sandy and her team!!!
It is not to late to still bring in any final money - please hand it into Jacky in the office.


Readathon joy!

BOT Update

Casual Vacancy for an elected trustee

A casual vacancy has occurred on the board of trustees for an elected parent representative.

The board has resolved under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection.

If ten per cent or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to:

Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
71 Sandwich Road
Beckenham
Christchurch 8023

or email: office@beckenham.school.nz

Community Notices

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

Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival 

Are you interested in taking part in the Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival taking part on the weekend of 12/13 of September ? The competition is open to all school children. You can compete individually or in pairs or teams. Courses to suit all range of abilities. Beginners welcome.  Contact Sarah Wright on tandswright@xtra.co.nz for more information.
More details on the competition can be found on the website http://papo.org.nz/

QE11 Swim Club

Are you a swimmer? Do you want to take your swimming to the next level and take part in competitions? Do you want to join an awesome Club and learn from a team of outstanding coaches?
QEII Swim Club is based at the Taiora QEII Aquatic Centre and we are taking registrations for our swim squads for term 4. If you can swim 50m confidently (any stroke) our coaching team would love to help you become a stronger more confident swimmer.
If you are interested in enrolling in the programme please phone  Jeanette at 022 476 7626 or email qeiiswimclub@gmail.com  to arrange a trial. 












Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 7

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 In this post:

  • Fundraising Update
  • Sports Uniforms
  • Cantamath projects
  • Self Defence
  • Speech Competition
  • Ski Day

Remember that Monday is a staff only day. We will see everyone at 8:30 on Tuesday, ready for technology.


Fundraising for Camp

So far this term our raffles, toilet paper sales and quiz night have contributed $4000 to our camp fundraising! This Thursday we are making over 350 dozen cheese rolls. If you have ordered cheese rolls, please help the environment by providing your own (named) container. There will be boxes outside the hall to drop these into on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sports Uniforms

Our 'keeping it local' sports competition finished off last Thursday. A huge thanks to all parents who helped to coach / manage / ref our teams. The weather this weekend is perfect for getting that uniform laundered and ready to hand in on Tuesday.



Cantamath

With a staff only day on Monday, this provides the perfect opportunity for getting lots of work done on Cantamath projects. These are due to be handed in this Friday, September 4th.

Self Defence

The Girls' Self Defence Project starts this Friday, in the afternoon, for Year 8.

Speech Competition

What an entertaining morning we had last Wednesday when we listened to the finalists in our speech competition. Our judges were from the Cashmere High English Dept and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the children tell their stories. A special congratulations to:
Year 7: 1st, Zoë; 2nd, Jonty; and 3rd, Jalori
Year 8: 1st, Max; 2nd Ben; and 3rd, Ruby

Zoë and Max will go on to represent our school at the South Zone Speech Competition on Monday September 21st, in the evening.



Ski Day

The sun shone, the mountain glistened and the children had a blast at our ski day on Friday. There were so many fabulous examples of children embracing challenge and 'getting there together'. A huge thanks to the parents who helped out and made the day possible. 































Kahikatea Newsletter Term 3 Week 6

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 Kia ora koutou,

We have had two fun and busy weeks since our last blog post. The Kahikatea children have been actively engaged in the various programmes on offer, and it has been wonderful to see everyone living our values of 'We Love Learning' and 'We Love Challenge' every day.

It has been fabulous to end the week with the sun shining! It really feels like Spring is just around the corner...hooray!

We miss seeing you in the mornings and afternoons, so we thought it would be nice to share a typical day in the life of a Kahikatea kid to give you insight into what we do each day.

8:55 - The bell rings and the children meet their homegroup teacher in their home space. During this time, the teacher does the roll and shares the daily notices. Sometimes we do a mindfulness activity to get our brains ready for learning. We do the Mystery Bag at this time too. The children are very good at asking open-ended questions to narrow down what could be inside the bag.

9:10 - Reading. We begin reading with a shared Big Book. During this time, teachers models what a good reader sounds like. The teacher prompts children to think about the structure of the text, the language used, the function of the surface features, and together we enjoy a shared story. After this, the teachers read with children in small groups, and when they are not with a teacher they are doing activities that link to the Big Book, practise spelling, select texts from their group boxes to read, and do other literacy-related activities.




10:00 - Handwriting. Our handwriting programme sees some children writing on whiteboards, while some write in books. Bounce and Skip pay careful attention during this time to spot children with great body posture, pencil grip, the correct formation of letters and their concentration and effort. 




10:20 - Morning Tea Snack

10:30 - Morning Tea Play

10:50 - The bell rings, and children return to their homespaces for phonics. Following this, we begin writing. This often involves shared writing, in which the teacher and the children co-construct a text. The teacher also records key words and ideas on the whiteboard for children to refer to. All children do a picture plan in their book to get them thinking about their story. Many children use alphabet, word and blend cards to support them in the crafting of their writing.


11:40 - Maths. We teach Maths collaboratively (Amber & Lisa / Katie & Charlotte). We begin each maths session with a warm-up/hot-spot to switch our brain into maths mode. Two days per week see children involved in small group instruction with a teacher and independent activities that support children with their next steps in mathematics. We have two inquiry days, where children work with a maths buddy to solve open-ended inquiry maths questions. We have a concept day once a week, where we focus in on one particular aspect of mathematics, for example, subtraction or fractions and do a range of activities related to this.

12:20 - Brain Break. This is a chance to move, drink, have a toilet stop and have a snack. Teachers usually read a novel or picture book to the children during this time.

12:40 - Lunch Play

1:20 - The bell rings and children line up to wash their hands with soap and water. They then meet their homegroup teacher in their home space to do the roll and have some quiet, supervised eating time together. After this, we collect our bags from the cubbies and pack our lunchboxes, drink bottles, jerseys and reading folders. 

2:00 - We meet in the pathway to hear our Discovery options for the afternoon. Popular choices often include construction, drawing, making, outside play, craft, drama, quiet reading and board games. This is a lovely time of the day for children to connect with their friends across the hub and spend time working together and immersing themselves in learning through play.















Dates to Note

Monday 31st August - Staff Only Day

Friday 4th September - Wacky Hair Day. This is to support the Child Cancer Foundation. Children can come to school in mufti and wear a wig, hat, or have wacky hair.

Looking Ahead: TERM 4

Next term we have three significant events booked: whole school athletics, water safety lessons and a trip to Rapaki Marae. At level 2 these events can take place, although our wholes school athletics at Level 2 would not include spectators.  

Sandy is planning to send out a parent/caregivers survey regarding these and other events (eg Year 5/6 camp) very soon. Please do look out for it. 









Kōwhai News Term 3 Week 6

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 Kia ora Kōwhai whanau, 

It's hard to believe we are almost halfway through Term 3. Time sure does fly when you are having fun! 

We have started exploring our Planet Earth and Beyond Inquiry topic over the last two weeks. We started this learning with an ignition of a space ship crash in the hall and then the students had to hunt for the different parts of the ship in teams around the school - it was a great way to get us excited about the learning ahead. 












Kete Awards
As we are at Level 2 we are giving out our Kete awards during our Team Hui. This week the following children received Kete awards:
Maggie Zhou - We Get There Together- for helping tidy up our school and encouraging others to do the same. 
Alicia Colquhoun - We Love Learning - for always putting your best effort into maths.
Eadie Jenkins - We Love Learning - for having a lightbulb moment when working hard on your division.
Madeleine Dougherty  - We Get There Together - for being a fantastic role model and tidying up the hub without being asked.

Pencils Needed
We have been doing so much writing in Kōwhai that we are starting to run out of our supply of pencils. We would love some donations of some HB pencils so that we can keep up the great writing. Send them in with your child to pass onto the classroom teacher. Thank you so much in advance. 

Wacky Hair Day 
Next Friday the 4th of September is Wacky Hair/Wig and Mufti Day in support of the Child Cancer Foundation. Please help your child come to school in mufti with the wackiest hair or wig they would like.  Please bring a gold coin to support the Child Cancer Foundation as well. 

Looking ahead
At the moment we have a trip planned to the museum to visit the moon exhibit in the 2nd week of Term 4. We will send more details out about this closer to the time and ask for any parent volunteers. We will only be able to go on this trip if we are moved back down to Level 1 by then, so will keep you updated on that closer to the time. 

We have also started to think about our visit to the Rāpaki Marae towards the end of Term 4. Sandy will soon be sending out a survey for you to share your thoughts around this so keep an eye out for that in your emails. 

Have a lovely weekend!
Ngā mihi
The Kōwhai Team - Laura, Tracey, Nick and Rowe