Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Friday 12th April 2019

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

An extra and brief newsletter today as it is the end of the term.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Year 7/8 camp at Wainui this week. The teachers have put weeks of planning into this and I want to acknowledge their huge efforts. Thank you also to all the parents and whānau who supported with baking, fundraising, attending camp and various other activities. I know that a terrific week of learning about stretching personal expectations and limits took place, with learning about the power of persistence, determination and self-belief were key learning outcomes for many. I am sure that there are around 125 extremely tired adults and children this evening, glad to be home again.

Early closing - Tuesday 7th May

As you may be aware, the negotiations between our teachers' union, NZEI, and the Ministry of Education continue with no agreement yet in sight. We are hosting a paid union meeting at Beckenham on Tuesday 7th May (replacing the meeting that was cancelled last term following March 15th events). We will be closing at 1:45pm on that day and request that you arrange for your children to be collected at 1:45pm, please.

It has been a very busy term, and I would like to thank both staff and whānau for their support and commitment to our children and their learning. I know that staff and children, and hopefully families too, are looking forward to the holidays to recharge and relax.

I am heading away on May 3rd and will be away for 8 weeks. On my return to NZ I will be attending the NZPF conference in Auckland in the last week of Term 2, and look forward to being back on site again in Term 3.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Fri 3 May - New Whānau Morning tea, 8:45 - 9:15am, in the hall foyer.
Fri 3 May - Welcome Assembly for new families - 9:15 - 9:30, in the school hall
Mon 6 May - School Cross Country in the afternoon. This is the correct date - not as stated in the last newsletter as the 8th May.
Tue 7 May - school closing at 1:45pm for Paid Union Meeting
Fri 10 May - Celebration Assembly.  12:10 - 12:40pm.  Everyone Welcome.
Thu 16 May - BOT meeting, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Note that school will be CLOSED on both Monday 20th May and Monday 12th August for Teacher Only Days

Term Dates

Click here to view 2019 term dates.

School Notices

Measles

Increasing tamariki vaccination rates is crucial to containing Canterbury’s measles outbreak.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink says the upcoming school holidays is a great opportunity to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date.

The most effective way to stop the current measles outbreak is to vaccinate those aged 12 months to 28 years who have never received an MMR vaccine.

As well as vaccinating those who have never been immunised, to prevent the transmission of measles, and to protect those most at risk of developing serious complications from measles, a second MMR vaccine is being made available to more people. A second MMR vaccination is available to:
all those aged 12 months–28 years
caregivers of infants aged up to12months
those aged between 29 and 50 who work with children
Dr Pink says if you are travelling these holiday’s please make sure your tamariki are fully vaccinated before departing.

For more information visit https://www.cph.co.nz/news-events/

Football Goal Posts in Beckenham Park

The local football club has erected goal posts in Beckenham Park.  We have been contacted by the Club with a plea that these are not treated as climbing frames.  One of them has a net - these cost over $300 to replace - and should not be pulled/bounced off like a trampoline or other similar actions likely to cause damage.
The goals are quite obviously not a piece of play equipment so please do not use them as such.

Sports News

Huxter Mountain Bike Relay 


On Friday 4th April, 22 children from Pōhutukawa and Kauri battled the elements at McLean’s Island in a fantastic display of perseverance and determination. Despite the challenging conditions, there were lots of smiles visible from beneath the mud.


Erik was just telling us just yesterday that rain and mud made for more fun; well, he got his wish! Tino pai to all our riders! Congratulations to Ben Evans who achieved an impressive 6th place in the individual category.


Canterbury Swimming

We had a record number of children qualify for Canterbury Swimming this year. We recognise that these children put in a lot of work into their training outside of school.

Congratulations to:
Zoe Clarke - 6th place Year 6 Freestyle
Charlotte O’Connor - 6th place Year 8 Breaststroke
Thomas Lyall - 5th place Year 7 Backstroke

BOT Update

Trustee Elections are happening in Term 2. Have you considered putting your name forward for election to the Board?

Becoming a Trustee


Trustees 
Trustees are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.

Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be school trustees. School boards need to represent the diversity of their school communities to ensure a bright future for all our children.

The trustee elections are the opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for children’s education. We need more people willing to use their skills and experiences for the benefit of students!

"Board members are entrusted by the community to ensure the success of our schools and a bright future for our children. We need an education system where all children are expected to succeed and one where we all take shared responsibility in ensuring this happens. As a member of a school board, you can make things happen - you can make a difference."

- Lorraine Kerr, NZSTA President

A call for nominations will be happening at the start of Term 2. Please keep an eye out for nomination forms and information.

Community Notices

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

St Martins Scout Group Book Fair and Table Top Sale

Sat & Sun 27-28 April, 9am-3pm
297 Centaurus Road (near Rapaki)
We would LOVE your book donations before the sale - please drop off on the top door step of the den or email cubs@smartscouts.co.nz if you are unable to deliver them.
Please also email cubs@smartscouts.co.nz if you are keen to book a site for the Table Top Sale (byo 3x3m max gazebo if needed and table). $20 for one day, $30 for two days.

Landsdowne Terrace Playcentre

Landsdowne Terrace Playcentre, Cashmere is looking for a learning support worker to provide additional support for one of our tamariki and whānau. The position is for two sessions per week, 9-12 a.m, days negotiable, fixed term for 6 months. The ideal candidate will:
❖ demonstrate a strong interest in Playcentre philosophy
❖ be familiar with Te Whariki and committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
❖ have experience working with tamariki with specific language, social communication, learning and behavioural difficulties.
❖ be able to collaborate with whānau, centre members and external agencies as required to develop and implement an individual education plan for each child
❖ educate and empower other centre members

Contact Sara Moore on 930 0436 or email sara.csc@playcentre.org.nz for an application form.




Kōwhai News Week 10 Term 1

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Hi everyone, 
It's hard to believe that the term has come to an end. We have really enjoyed getting to know all our families over the past few weeks and have been impressed with the way the children are learning and working together in our hub. We hope you all have a great two-week break and an enjoyable and safe Easter. Apologies, for not handing out our school photos this afternoon. We were busy packing up the hub as our carpets are being cleaned. If you desperately want/need your photo during the holidays, please contact Paulette and she will attempt to arrange to get to you or sharing them with you.



Welcome to Dorinda
We are really lucky and excited to have Dorinda Hampton joining our team next term while Paulette is acting DP in Sandy's absence. Dorinda brings a wealth of knowledge and skill and we feel very lucky to have her teaching full time in Kōwhai. The children are looking forward to having her work with them too, especially the ones she taught last year.
Choir
Today the Kōwhai choir performed at the school Celebration Assembly. We were impressed with how well they performed as many of the children were extremely nervous with performing in front of an audience. We are aware that many of our parents work, so here are some videos of the children singing. A huge thank you to Dorinda for providing this opportunity for our tamariki. She came in especially today to conduct their performance.




Swimming
As you will have read, we have our swimming lessons next term at Aqua Gym. So far we have only had 8 responses from parents offering to assist us. We still need more parent help for our mornings at the pool to enable us to go. If you are able to assist, please use this google form to let us know what days you can help us. Thank you so much!

Passion Time
Each Friday, we offer the children the opportunity to pursue some 'Passions'. Next term the children have been offered the choices of Te Reo extension, French, German, Sport, Paper Crafts, Thorrington Rest Home and Robotics. If you would like to come along and take a small group of children for a Passion, we would love to hear from you. Next term, our Passions Time will be each Friday from 9.30am-10.30am. 

Mini ball
A HUGE thank you to Jamie Day, Dean Ingils and Nigel Easson for giving their time to coach mini ball teams this term. The children have absolutely loved this opportunity to play mini ball and it has been wonderful to see their skills grow over the course of the term. We will offer mini ball again in Term 4 so keep an eye out in Term 3 for mini ball information. 
FYI_ Please make sure you return your child's mini ball shirt to the school office next term.

Well, that's all for now.  See you all in two weeks time!
Kōwhai teaching team



Term 1 Week 10 Koru News

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Kia ora, whānau,

It's almost impossible to believe that here we are in the final week of term! The children have had a marvellous term together, getting to know each other, their teachers and developing their understanding of our routines and expectations in relation to play and learning at school.

We wish you all the very best for a relaxing and safe holiday with your families. Further on toward the end of this post, you will find some links to Youtube clips which might be fun to use with your children at home over the next few weeks. Some clips relate to Numeracy, some to Literacy and we'll also have a couple of links to songs about kindness and well-being.

Art Gallery outing:
Thank you so much to those parents who were able to accompany us to the Art Gallery recently. We really appreciated your support. The children had a wonderful time and have enjoyed completing their art works in class over recent days. Check out our very own gallery of art works on display in the hub.




















Once again, our sincere thanks for your support with this outing!

The Three Billy Goats Gruff:
This has proven to be a motivating and inspiring provocation over the past two weeks, and has prompted much role play, creativity, and some very inspired bridge building. The children have worked together and problem-solved, and this has required negotiation and persistence to achieve some fascinating outcomes.










When We Were Very Young:
Thank you all for sending in the extremely cute and endearing photos of your children when they were little. The children are currently engaged in writing about themselves when they were young, including the funny, cute and adventurous things they used to do. Keep an eye out for their published writing from this week.
Also, a reminder that Friday is favourite baby toy day. The children will have a chance to share their toys and tell their friends about why this particular toy became their favourite. You could help at home by discussing this with your child, in advance of Friday.

Friendship List:
Please add a tick beside your child's name if you would like other families to have your contact details, particularly for organising play dates over the holidays. We'll have a list attached to the whiteboard tomorrow, and will be sending contact details home with the children on Friday.

Handy Links for holiday learning:


We hope you have a great holiday, everyone!

Ngā mihi mahana,
Jo, Stacey, Elizabeth and Kristika

Kōwhai Swimming Term 2

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9th April 2019


Dear Parents/Caregivers

Swimming at Aqua Gym

The Kōwhai children are booked in to have swimming lessons at Aqua Gym next term.  We have organised for the children to receive nine 30 minute lessons over two weeks. The swimming programme will run from Monday 13th May till Friday 24th May.

Aqua Gym requires ALL children to wear a swimming cap for their lessons. These are available at most sport shops for $8-10, however, The Warehouse has some caps retailing at $3. Practising putting on the swimming caps would greatly assist us at the pool too. The children will be required to wear suitable swimming costumes: either shorts or togs. Please, no bikinis.

We need the assistance of one parent at the pools each day from 9.15am - 11.30am. If you are able to help, please fill in this google survey.

At this stage, the total cost of the lessons and the transport will be $110 per child. A request for your contribution will be in the Term 2 accounts. If you want to pay this now, you can do that through internet banking or at the office.

We appreciate that this is a significant cost. We do not want any children missing out due to the cost, so please email Sandra (our finance officer) at accounts@beckenham.school.nz or call her on ph337 1404 if you want to discuss setting up a small, regular payment, or if you want to make a partial contribution to the cost.
The Kōwhai team will not have any other events next term that involve any requests for further parent contribution. We are still hopeful that we may receive a grant that will subsidise this cost.

If you want to discuss any aspect of this, please contact your child’s point of contact teacher.

Kind regards
Kowhai Teaching Team

Paulette, Nick, Kate, Rowe and Dorinda

Week 10 in Pōhutukawa

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Passions in week 10

The teachers and students are looking forward to the five sessions of passions coming up this week. 
The groups are:
Pip - cooking (please remember to bring your ingredients, and an apron if you'd like)
Tracy - ball games 
Rae - book creator 
Katie - tiki art 
Steve - korfball (have a look at this clip to see what korfball is all about)
Gayle - sewing

The times for these sessions are:
Monday          2 - 2:50pm
Tuesday          12 - 12:45pm
Wednesday     2 - 2:50pm
Thursday        12 - 12:45pm
Friday             9:40 - 10:30am
If you are free during any of these times and would like to pop into our hub to give either Pip or Gayle a hand, we would welcome you with open arms!

Winter sports begins next term

Winter Sport starts in Term 2, Week 3. Winter Sport is optional.

Children who don't go to Winter Sport will do an alternative programme at school. This will more than likely be sport based.

Trials will be held on Tuesday afternoon this week, due to the number of children who have  registered their interest. Unfortunately, not everyone who wants to go to Winter Sport is able to. We are allowed a maximum of two teams from each year group in each sport. For example, 2 Pōhutukawa teams in netball, 2 in hockey and so on. Our ability to take this number of teams depends on the number of parents who volunteer to manage a team. If someone in your whānau takes a team, your child will be guaranteed a place on a team.

We will do our best to give as many children who want it this opportunity.

Children who are selected for a Winter Sports team must commit to the whole season and attend practices during lunch time.

In the past, Winter Sport has taken place at Hagley Park and Nunweek Park. We go to Winter Sport by bus on Friday afternoon, usually leaving school around 12:30 and returning by 3pm.

If you are able to help in any way, please fill in the attached form.

Huxster Mountain Bike Race

On Friday, a number of our very brave and adventurous students showed grit and persistence by riding in the Huxster mountain bike race at Mcleans Island.  While the rest of us layered up and hunkered down inside, these intrepid cyclists were enduring the elements. Congratulations to all of the students who took part. 






Have a fabulous Easter and enjoy the time with your children over the break.