Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter August 9th 2019

Principal's Patch

Please remember that school is CLOSED this Monday,12 Aug, for Staff Only Day.

Kia ora koutou

It's lovely to see the sun, tempering these cold, winter mornings that we have had lately. 
Our senior kapa haka group, Te Whānau Mahi are in the final weeks of preparation with Sherrilee, for the Cultural Festival on Thursday 12th September. Our ukulele players are also preparing for their participation in the Ukulele, Recorder and Marimba Festival "Strum, Strike, Blow" on Thursday 29th September. Winter Sport, on Friday afternoons, has a couple more weeks to go before that concludes too.

Next Friday our Readathon cards will be coming home with children. This is an awesome fundraiser from our PTA, that really promotes the value of reading. Please look out for the sponsorship cards, and help your child to find sponsors among your friends, relatives, and neighbours!
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Mon 12th Aug - School closed.  Staff Only Day.  Professional development - maths and digitech.
Fri - 16th Aug - PTA Readathon cards go home (two weeks of reading and trying to get sponsors)
Fri 16th Aug - Celebration Assembly.  11 - 11:30am.  All Welcome
Wed 28 Aug - PTA Meeting.  7:30pm
Fri 30th Aug - Book Character MUFTI Day - get thinking about what/who you want to come as now!

Term Dates

Click here to view 2019 term dates.

Citizen of the Week

Charlotte Gray - Year 8

Charlotte, your maturity and positive attitude make you an exemplary role model in our kura. You embrace challenge and a love of learning by showing amazing dedication and diligence to all that you do. The effort that you put into learning, leadership and following your passions is awe-inspiring. Charlotte, you are wonderfully empathetic and inclusive to everyone in our team. You achieve all this with a winning smile and an awesome sense of humour. Thank you for all you bring to our team and kura. 

School Notices

2020 Term Dates (these have also been published and are available on the school website) 

Staff Only Days
Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 January
Term 1
Thu 30 Jan - Thu 9 Apr 100 half days; 10 weeks
Waitangi Day Thu 6 Feb
NB: Learning Conferences all day Thursday 30 and Friday 31 January. Supervision will be provided for families who have requested it. Classes start Monday 3 February. 
Note that Easter holidays and ANZAC Day all fall during the April holidays in 2020

Term 2
Tue 28 Apr - Fri 3 Jul    94 half days; 10 weeks
Queen's Birthday Mon 1 Jun
Staff Only Day, date to be advised

Term 3
Mon 20 Jul - Friday 25 Sep   98 half days; 10 weeks
Staff Only Day, date to be advised

Term 4
Mon 12 Oct - Wed 16 Dec 92 half days; 10 weeks
Labour Day Mon 26 Oct
Canterbury Anniversary Fri 13 Nov

Total half days: 384 (as required by the Ministry of Education)
FERNDALE SCHOOL 2020 TERM DATES

TERM 1 (10 weeks/96 half days)
Monday 3 February - Thursday 9 April
Waitangi: Thursday 6 February
IEP/ITP meetings: 3 days on rotation - closed for IEP/Ts - dates TBC
Good Friday - Friday 10 April

TERM 2 (10 weeks/94 half days)
Tuesday 28 April - Friday 3 July
ANZAC Day Monday 27 April
Queen's B-day: Monday 1  June
Staff Only Day: TBC

TERM 3 (10 weeks/98 half days)
Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September
Staff Only Day: TBC

TERM 4 (10 weeks/96 half days)
Monday 12 October - 18 December TBC
Labour Day: Monday 26 Oct
Show Day: Friday 13 Nov
PLEASE NOTE:
The school year end date may be subject to change due to matters beyond our control. We will confirm the year end date as soon as possible.



Strum, Strike, Blow!

Strum, Strike, Blow! is an exciting amalgamation of the ChCh Marimba Festival and ChCh Uke Fest which will feature over 1000  students playing marimbas, ukuleles and recorders in the Horncastle Arena. The Festival is run by Music Education Canterbury and Christchurch Civic Music Council and is in it’s 7th year!
It is happening on 29th August at Horncastle Arena.
Tickets are $5 and are available to be purchased at the door on the night.
The concert starts at 7pm.

Dogs and students

Please, can we remind families who bring dogs to school at drop-off and pick-up times to be very vigilant and careful about making sure that their dog is always supervised, even when tied up. Not all children are comfortable with dogs and we do want to avoid any situations where children are surprised or hurt by an over-enthusiastic dog, or from approaching an unsupervised dog.

Lost Property

The lost property has been shifting around a bit lately, sorry for any confusion.  It now has a permanent new home.  Overnight it will be in the Library and every morning our lost Property monitors will roll it out to the library deck.  Please check it regularly - currently there are a number of items on the rack and in the bin. Named items are much more likely to be returned than unnamed - please name your children's clothing and lunchbox items, including drink bottles.
These two scooters have been in lost property for a while now - we would love to re-unite them with their owners.  Do you recognise them?


A pair of glasses in a green case was found after school today and handed in to the office:


Sports News

Players of the day for Term 3 weeks 1 and 2

Football: Aarav, Kever, Thomas, Max, Joel, Max, Henry, Sam and George

Hockey: Jonty, Grace, Lucy, Boyd, Stella.

Netball: Zara, Lola, Zoe Lewis, Devina

PTA News

Scrumptious Cheese Rolls (PTA’s Main Fundraiser for 2019)

Some of you may remember the 'A & P Show Tip Top' Fundraiser- this fundraiser would generate approx. $8k-$13k profit. 100+ caregivers would volunteer their time (across the 3 days) to sell ice creams in all weather!
We no longer do this fundraiser & are hoping you will support this Cheese Roll Fundraiser with the same gusto!

We would love to generate funds at a similar level. We need you to please share the ‘Order Link’ with all your friends, work colleagues & family.

These cheese rolls are guaranteed to be delicious & are economic. At $8 per pack (one dozen Cheese Rolls in a pack) OR $30 for four-packs, how can you resist such a scrumptious treat?

Thursday 15th Aug: Last day for orders. Payment also required to ensure the order is made.
Sunday 18th Aug 5-7pm: Collection of your order from the school Hall


Cheese Rolls Order Link

Cheese-Roll-a-thon: Another way to support this fundraiser is to volunteer to help make the Cheese Rolls. If you are keen to assist & have some free time on Sunday 18th Aug, please use the following link to complete a form. Assist with cheese roll making

Read-a-thon Dates



Friday 16th Aug: Check those bags for your child’s Read-a-thon sponsorship card coming home. Your child will then get 14 days to read & collect sponsors supporting your child’s reading journey.

Friday 30th Aug: We will celebrate the end of this reading journey with a ‘Book Character Day’-come dressed to school in your favourite book character.

Mon 2nd Sept: Sponsorship Cards & funds collected can be returned to the school office.

Fri 6th Sept: The final day of collection of the sponsorship cards & funds.

Clubbercise

Whoop Whoop Just 30 Spots left- 70 Gone!!!
Secure your spot at Clubbercise Christchurch with Chloē at Beckenham on Wednesday 21st August at 7pm.  $10 per person (16yr+) Hall doors will open from 6:30pm

Book your Clubbercise Spot Now with the following link: book clubbercise
Or you will miss out on your opportunity to “Glow”.

Beckenham Booty

Filling up fast but spaces still available for the next Car Boot Sale on Sunday 25th August, 9-11am.
Last opportunity to book at the special “Winter” rate of $15 (normally $25)
Re-cycle, Re-use and Re-wear.
Book Now on the following link: Book Beckenham Booty

September Dates for the Diary

Mon 2nd: Sponsorship cards & funds collected can be returned to the school office.
Fri 6th: The final day of collection of the sponsorship cards & funds.
Mon 9th: Calendar Art Orders open online
Wed 11th at 7:30pm: 1st Twilight Fair 2020 Planning Meeting
Sat 14th at 7:30pm: Annual PTA Quiz
Sun 22nd from 2-4pm: Brewery Tour
Fri 27th: Calendar Art Orders close online
Sun 29th: Beckenham Booty

Community Notices

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

Smarttouch 2019 

We welcome your entries into our Term 4 Smarttouch rugby competition.
What: Mixed grade touch rugby
Who: 0 - 8 students
Where: Waltham Park
When: Thurs 24th Oct to 6th Dec
Grades/Times: years 0-2 & 3-4, 4 - 5pm. Years 5-6 & 7-8, 5:30 - 7pm.  $30 per player
Steps to register:
Get a team organised and appoint a team manager and coach.
Online entries open on 19th Aug - use the URL address www.sporty.co.nz/smarttouch
On the Smarttouch home page fill out the touch team manager sign up form and submit it.
You will then receive an email giving you the link to enter your player details.  Closing date for entries, 23rd Sept 2019.

Remember the competition is social MIXED and you need to have a minimum of 3 girls on the field at a time (except for Grades 0-2 which is mixed but any combination of girls and boys). Grades: Year 0-2, Year 3-4, Year 5-6, and Year 7-8.
We are all looking forward to a great season,
From the Smarttouch Team.



Helen O'Grady Drama Academy

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Enter the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River Network's annual photographic competition.

This is the first year we are offering a schools division with two themes students can choose from. It runs from 9th - 22nd September - World Rivers Day is Sunday 22nd.

The competition is designed both as an e-learning process and a creative activity. It is open to all students (Y3-13) within the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River catchment. It provides an opportunity for students to be inspired, to innovate and to create. The awards evening on November 1st will provide a chance for student finalists at all levels to share and celebrate their skills and talents alongside the finalists in the Open division.
Entries must be submitted by September 26th. Detailed information about the competition can be found here on the Ōpāwaho-Heathcote River Network website.




Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 3

The children have been enjoying the starting phases of our inquiry learning for this term on self-driven cars. Earlier in the week we viewed and discussed this TED Talk, and thought you might like to check it out.

Ski Trip

Thank you to the 25 families who have filled out the ski info form. Just waiting for the other 87 families to do this. Please click here if you are one of them. 

Our focus on completing work on time.

We have been impressed with how the children have stepped up to ensure they are completing work within set timeframes. That said, we do not want to place undue stress on children who have absent with illness and are happy to adjust expectations to suit circumstances.  Today, Friday, static images (including explanation) and speech planning should be complete.

Maths

A reminder that Cantamath projects are due in on Tuesday, August 13th. We are looking forward to these being brought to school before the children head off to technology on Tuesday. It has been exciting to hear about how the children are exploring their passions through a maths context.

This week we wrapped up our class Cantamath projects maths and enjoyed our annual Becamath problem-solving competition. We have designed playgrounds and bike jumps, operated a small business and created a mural on a series of painted panels. Along the way we have learned about profit and loss, Pythagoras's theorem, enlargement and angles and the mathematical thinking that goes into design, as well as solving lots of context-rich mathematical problems.

Special congratulations to our winning Becamath teams: Riley, Kate, Max and Arabella in Year 7 and Freddie, Amber, Matilda and Charlotte T in Year 8.   

A reminder that Monday is a staff-only day. The perfect opportunity to put finishing touches onto individual Cantamath projects!








Calendar Art for Kate’s home group

Hi everyone

This is our calendar art for Kate's home group. Kiwiana inspired drawings with colourful painted backgrounds. Feel free to come in and check it out! We have worked so hard and are very proud of our creations.


Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Mid Year Newsletter 2019

Mid Year PTA Bulletin 2019

Who are the PTA?

We are a group of caregivers/teachers who meet on the 4th Wednesday every month to find ways to support the school not only financially, through fundraising, but also through events that bring us closer together as a school community.

Last term we enjoyed hosting the New Whānau Morning Tea, the Kids Masquerade Disco & co-hosting, with the Student Council, the Shared Breakfast on the Shortest Day. Amazingly 360 cans of food were donated to the local Salvation Army. Also, the first Clubbercise class was offered, which was a huge success - a sell-out, “whoop whoop”!

We have an extraordinary community at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto and because of this, the PTA can do a great job at supporting the school. Please click on the link Meet your PTA for a breakdown on who we are & what we do. We have a variety of roles, some that can even be done at home.

How does our PTA work?

Each event has a ‘coordinator’ who manages that event with the assistance from other PTA members & volunteers from our school community. Volunteers are sourced either via the PTA Survey (which gets sent out at least once a term via the newsletter) or from google forms sent out via social media.  Please click on the link if you would like to complete the survey: PTA Survey 

How do we decide what to fundraise for?

We listen to your suggestions made via the PTA Survey. We also ask the staff to create a “Wish List”. So far the following has been decided for 2019:

$115k Outdoor Spaces

- $15k contribution to Bike Fences & Mazda Treemendous Space

-$7k contribution to Pūkaki Play Space

-$93k tagged for the upcoming Junior Area Design

Wishlist

- $5k to cover the end of year bus trips for all Hubs (including the Intermediate Hub’s upcoming ski trip)

- Gazebo (Clubbercise profit tagged)

- Outdoor Portable Sound System (Quiz profit tagged)

- Toys/Books for Hubs (Weetbix TRYathlon Marshalls profit tagged)


We will have two long term members leaving at the end of this year & would love new people to come along & see how we work. Why not pop along to our next meeting: Wednesday 28th August at 7:30 pm & check the PTA out?

We have an action-packed term ahead. There is no expectation for families to participate in all the events listed below. Our mantra is “do what you can when you can”- we appreciate all contributions no matter how big or small. We like to offer our families a variety of events to participate in & hope you enjoy some of them this term. Next term will be quieter as we realise it can be a busy & stressful time of the year.

Take a look at these Term Three Events

Scrumptious Cheese Rolls - MAIN fundraiser for 2019


Some of you may remember the A & P Show Tip Top Fundraiser? This fundraiser would generate approx. $8k-$13k profit. 100+ caregivers would volunteer their time (across the 3 days) to sell ice creams in all weather!

We no longer do this fundraiser & are hoping you will support this Cheese Roll Fundraiser as our main fundraiser for 2019. We would love to generate funds at a similar level. Please share the order link (below) with all your friends, work colleagues & family.

These cheese rolls are guaranteed to be delicious & are economic. At $8 per pack (one dozen Cheese Rolls in a pack) OR $30 for four packs, how can you resist such a scrumptious treat?

Thursday 15th Aug: Last day for orders. Payment also required to ensure the order is made.

Sunday 18th Aug: Cheese Roll-a-thon- we will be seeking volunteers to help make the cheese roll orders in the Hall, times TBC.

Sunday 18th Aug 5 -7pm: Collection of your order from the school Hall

 Order now via this Link: Cheese Rolls Order

Clubbercise Christchurch with Chloé at Beckenham is back

Lock in this date -Wednesday 21st Aug at 7pm

What is Clubbercise?- it is a group fitness class held in the dark with disco lights & neon UV body paint. Your class fee includes hire of the Clubbercise branded LED glow sticks that are reused at every class. It is a fusion of dance, aerobics, combat and toning moves to a tracklist of Club Anthems from the ’90s till now, it is exercise in disguise.

Due to licensing requirements, participants need to be aged 16 years or over.

You were all fabulous last time & boy did we glow. Excitingly funds raised from the July class were used to purchase the school a new Gazebo to be used at community events where Beckenham Teams are participating.

Book your spot now to avoid missing out, $10 per ticket.  Book Clubbercise ticket

Read-a-thon

Read-a-thon was enjoyed so much last year we have decided to return to this format again this year. This replaces the Spell-a-thon. Important dates below -

Friday 16th Aug: Check those bags for your child’s Read-a-thon sponsorship card coming home. Your child will then get 14 days to read & collect sponsors supporting your child’s reading journey.

Friday 30th Aug: We will celebrate the end of this reading journey with a ‘Book Character Day’-come dressed to school in your favourite book character.

Mon 2nd Sept: Sponsorship Cards & funds collected can be returned to the school office.

Fri 6th Sept: The final day of collection. Remember to return your child’s Sponsorship Card even if no sponsors funds have been collected, this will ensure they go into a draw to win a prize, drawn at next Celebration Assembly on Fri 13th Sept.

Enjoy your book/books of choice and remember Dr Seuss' wise words, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”


Beckenham Booty

On the last Sunday of each month, the PTA hosts a car boot sale in the school car park. This month we are offering a special Winter rate of $15 (normally $25) to book a space. This is a great opportunity to Re-cycle, Re-use and Re-wear. Book now for Sunday 25th Aug, 9-11am.  Beckenham Booty booking

Calendar Art

This term your child will be working on their art for the annual Calendar Art Fundraiser. Every year, at parents’ request, we offer the opportunity to purchase calendars of your child’s artwork. These calendars make great Xmas gifts to doting grandparents/relatives here & overseas.

And it’s not just Calendars that can be ordered - Cards, Diaries, Mouse Mats & Sketch Pads are all on offer. Photos can also be used instead of the artwork if preferred.

We are excited that this year the order process & art-viewing will now all be offered online & will speed up when we can get your orders back to you. Important dates to note -

Mon 9th Sept: Calendar Art Orders open online

Fri 27th Sept: Calendar Art Orders close online

Twilight Fair 2020 Planning Meeting

The Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Twilight Fair is a Bi-annual event. The next Twilight Fair will be on Fri 20th March 2020. This is the PTA’s largest fundraiser so planning starts this term. We are looking for people to help plan this event. The ‘Fair Team’ breaks into smaller teams - Food, Fair Attractions/Games, Sponsorship & Marketing/Admin teams. Initially, the teams meet once a month, increasing to weekly closer to the event. You would not need to attend every meeting as only one representative from each team is required to be present at the Fair Team meetings. The last Fair, in 2018, made a profit of $17.5k (& it rained!!) - we would love new people to join the Fair Team & help us crack the $20k mark!!

Come along to the first planning meeting this term: Wednesday 11th Sept at 7:30 pm (venue TBC- check the PTA Fb page for updates)

If you indicated via the PTA Survey that you were wanting to help with the Fair, you will be contacted soon.


Quiz

Saturday 14th Sept: Come along to the annual Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Quiz. Enjoy a night guaranteed to be fun with a capital “F”. The Quiz always sells out- last year’s theme was “Hollywood”, I wonder what this year’s theme will be???

One thing we do know is that all profit raised from this event will be used to purchase an Outdoor Portable Sound System

Three Boys Brewery Tour

Sunday 22nd Sept: Calling all Craft Beer Enthusiasts, the PTA in conjunction with Three Boys Brewery, will be offering a Brewery Tour. More detailed information to come.

We Care Range

We love our ‘We Care’ range, products that help us care for our environment & provide practical assistance in our daily lives. We have Jute Bags, String Vege Bags & Beeswax Wraps to assist you with your war on plastic. We also have a few Beckenham Tea Towels & Aprons left along with the Beckenham Grid A2 Canvas.

We are excited to be working in conjunction with our local Eatery, The Birdwood, to offer the following Deal - purchase a $17 Reusable Takeaway Cup from The Birdwood & your first coffee is free. Every time you refill that cup you will receive an 80c discount. Let's help keep those disposable cups out of the Landfill. These ‘Ideal Cups’ are NZ Made, BPA Free, Leak-Proof, Robust & Barista-friendly.

Order from our We Care Range using the following link Order We Car Range, or pop on down to the next Beckenham Booty Car Boot Sale & purchase direct.



It is a busy term ahead, remember to always check the PTA Facebook Page & the PTA Website for up to date information.


Thank you for your ongoing support


Regards

Leigh, Rachel & the PTA Team

Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 2-3

Two weeks down and things are humming along nicely in our intermediate hub. Megan was swamped with hugs and words of welcome when she had her first day back today, following getting sorted after losing her house. It was exciting to see so many children presented with leadership awards in assembly today. A big congratulations to our gold recipients:
Term 2: Lucy, Gemma
Term 3: Ben, Charlotte Grey, Charlie, Ella C, Emily E, Kate, Maddi, Maria, Matilda, Meg, Morvern, Olivia K, Roxy, Ruby, Sophia and Vienna

Meeting Deadlines

One of our key foci in the hub at the moment is completing work within set time-frames. On Monday children will be expected to have calendar art, speech research and static images (for Jenny and Megan's reading groups) completed. If this is not done, children will spend 30 minutes of their own time getting these finished. This will be at the same time as the Ki O rahi trial for Koru Games. If the work is not done, the child will not be able to trial.

Cantamath individual projects should be well underway at home. These are due on Tuesday, August 13th, which is the day after our teacher only day.

Ski Day

We are off on our annual ski day to Mt Hutt on Friday, September 6th. Please click on this link to read more about this trip and fill in the form.

Technology

Christchurch South Intermediate has requested that children are not dropped off at technology, rather they catch our bus that leaves Beckenham at 8:30 each Tuesday. If you must drop your child off directly at South, please wait with them until our bus arrives.

Becamath

We have our annual Becamath competition in the hall on Tuesday, August 6th, afternoon. Children will be working in mixed ability groups to solve maths problems, in an action-packed competition.