Principal's Update
Kia ora koutou
I hope you have all had a great week.
It was wonderful to see so many members of our community at school this week for our Learning Conferences. We greatly value the opportunity to connect with parents and whānau, celebrate each child's progress, and work together to support their next steps in learning.
This week I wanted to highlight one of our school values:
We Care – Arohania te tāngata me te taiao
This value sits at the heart of who we are as a school. It shapes the way we care for one another and underpins our commitment to ensuring every student has access to learning and opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstances.
As we celebrate this value, I would like to acknowledge and thank a number of people who have demonstrated what We Care looks like in action.
Thank you to our community
Recently, we asked for support to strengthen our hardship fund, and we were overwhelmed by your generosity. Together, you donated $11,234. These funds will allow us to continue supporting students and families who need a helping hand, both now and into the future.
Thank you to our Year 5–8 students
Our students have embraced the 40 Hour Challenge in support of World Vision. Their goal was to raise $7,500, and as of today, with one week still to go, they have already raised $7,278. It is inspiring to see our students making a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of others around the world.
Thank you to our PTA
In addition to the financial support they provide for school initiatives, the PTA plays a vital role in bringing our community together. This week's Mid-Winter Breakfast was a wonderful example of this. During the event, our Student Council collected canned food donations for the Christchurch City Mission, helping support people in need within our local community.
Thank you to Sofia, Jessica and Zaria, three of our Year 8 students
These students came up with the idea of providing graduation hoodies for every Year 8 student. Their vision was that no one should miss out because of cost. They have been working with suppliers to reduce costs and are leading fundraising efforts so that every Year 8 student can receive a hoodie at no cost to their family. It has been fantastic to see our students leading with such a strong sense of inclusion and care for others.
As a school, we are committed to achieving excellence in learning across all curriculum areas. Equally important, however, is ensuring that our values are lived every day. The examples above remind us that success is not only measured by academic achievement, but also by the compassion, generosity, and sense of community we show one another.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Ngā mihi,
Cade
Principal / TumuakiBeckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Important Dates
2026 Term Dates - Linked Here
Citizen of the Week
Freddie - Year 4
Freddie, you are a role model learner in the Kōwhai hub, consistently taking pride in producing high-quality work. You are also a reliable helper, always willing to take responsibility for looking after our devices and supporting others when needed. Your kind, caring, and considerate nature makes you a valued friend to everyone around you. Through your actions, you truly demonstrate all of our school values. Thank you, Freddie!
Mati - Year 5
Mati, your hardworking and diligent approach to learning is to be commended. You show genuine curiosity and a desire to increase your knowledge and skills, and your good humour makes you a pleasure to have in the classroom. You contribute positively to the class through your caring and respectful interactions with others. Tino pai, Mati.
Samson - Year 8
Samson, you make a positive impact in our kura through your leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment as a house captain. You support and motivate others, helping to create a respectful and inclusive environment. He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai.
School Notices
Offering Support to our Community - We Care
We are aware that the current economic situation is placing additional pressure on many families within our community. For some, we know these pressures are significant. Following our appeal for hardship donations, we are in a position to offer some assistance with uniforms, stationery or food to any families that could do with some help.
Supporting our tamariki at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto, and ensuring they have everything they need to succeed at school, is something we are very grateful we can assist with, thanks to our caring community.
Please feel free to reach out by contacting any of the team in the office or emailing accounts@beckenham.school.nz for a confidential request for support.
Variety - The Children's Charity
Variety, the children's charity, helps pay for the costs of essential things children need to stay healthy, to go to school, and take part in their community.
All applications and renewals must be completed by caregivers, but we are here to support you if needed. Follow the link here for further information and to complete your application(s). You can submit applications for multiple children in one family.
Please feel welcome to reach out for further support with this process by visiting the office for a sit-down and chat or emailing pa@beckenham.school.nz.
Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe - We are all rowing this waka together.
Shelter in Place and Lockdown Information for Whānau
Each term as a school we practice what to do in an emergency. This term is our Shelter in Place and Lockdown practice. Please find below a reminder of the procedure for your information. In this, you will find the information about what your role as parent/caregiver involves.
If a situation arises that people need to remain inside for safety, Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has two levels: Shelter in Place and Lockdown.
A Shelter in Place directive is issued when the threat is external and not directed at the school. For example, the school may activate the Shelter in Place plan if there is a report of a swarm of wasps, toxic smoke from a nearby fire, or an active armed defender in the community (but not in or near the school grounds).
A Lockdown instruction will be less commonly used and is only likely to be issued if the threat is directly to the school or in the school grounds. This will generally happen on instruction from Police.
LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS
Lockdown procedures are determined by Police advice and require the cooperation of students, staff and parents. We ask all parents to please follow the protocol outlined below to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
- When the school goes into lockdown, all parents will be notified via both a text message (via HERO) and a HERO notice (which will generate an email for those who don’t use the app). Please ensure the contact details the school holds for your child’s caregivers are current.
- All information will be sent to you through the channels outlined above as soon as it becomes available. We will be doing the best that we can to keep everyone informed.
- Students will not have access to laptops or other devices during a lockdown situation. This is for their own protection until the school ascertains the severity of the situation in consultation with the Police.
- School phones may not be manned, so please do not try to contact the school or your child.
- Please do not, under any circumstances, come to the school until you are advised it is safe for you to do so. You may be putting yourself and others in danger.
- The school will remain in lockdown until advised by the Police or other authorised personnel that it is safe to be lifted.
- Once the lockdown is over, parents will be contacted immediately.
Thank you for your understanding and for taking the time to familiarise yourself with this protocol as we work together in an emergency situation to keep everyone safe.
Trees for Survival Planting Day
An amazing total of 730 native plants were grown and planted.
The Trees for Survival charitable trust project organisers would love feedback from the students and/or staff who were involved on the planting day and Trees for Survival experience - please use this link or feel free to email any feedback or planting day stories to kathryn@tfsnz.org.nz. Thank you!
A nationwide creative writing competition for young Kiwi readers
Every Reader Has A Story … What’s Yours?
Books can stay with us long after we've turned the final page. Sometimes they help us through a difficult time. Sometimes they make us feel understood. Sometimes they open a door into a new world, a new idea, or a new way of seeing ourselves.
How has a book helped change you?
To help celebrate the inaugural NZ Children’s Books Week: Read Around Aotearoa, the children's book-gifting charity, Kiwi Christmas Books is inviting you, the keen young readers of Aotearoa, to tell a true story about how a book made a difference in your life. Entry form.
You could win $250 in books for yourself and $500 in books for your school, and have your story published!
Reminder ~ Matariki Evening - 22nd July
Kupu Māori o te Wiki
The Sports Corner
Kia ora koutou,
This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero, in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!
Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator
Celebrating Zayn's Karate Success
Congratulations to Zayn (Year 6), who proudly represented Beckenham at the South Island School & Canterbury Cup Karate Competition on Sunday, 21 June.
Zayn achieved outstanding results across both kata and kumite events:
10–13 Years Male Kata Premier – Gold Medal
Year 6 & 7 Boys Kata Premier – Gold Medal
Year 6 & 7 Boys Kumite Premier – Silver Medal
10–11 Years Male Kumite Premier – Bronze Medal
This is an incredible achievement and reflects Zayn’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to his sport. We are very proud of his success and congratulate him on representing our school so well.
Pōhutukawa & Kauri Weekly Winter Sport: Player of the day
Another fantastic week of Weekly Winter Sport! It has been great to see our students continuing to develop their skills, work together as teams, and represent our kura with pride each week.
Congratulations to this week's Players of the Day, who were recognised for their effort, determination, and the positive way they demonstrated our school values throughout the afternoon. We are incredibly proud of the resilience, sportsmanship, and encouragement shown by all of our students as they continue to grow in confidence and capability.
A huge thank you to our whānau and volunteers for your ongoing support and commitment. Your encouragement on the sidelines and assistance behind the scenes help make these opportunities possible for our tamariki.
Year ⅚ Flag Football - Archie & Keira
Year ⅚ Football - Alex, Harvey, Millie & Aidan
Year ⅚ Hockey - Stella, Cora, Ernest, Max & Mayeda
Year ⅚ Netball - Myka, Ophelia, Alexa & Jess
Year ⅞ Football - Louis & Henry
Year ⅞ Hockey - Woody, Constantin & Samson
Year ⅞ Netball - Zaria, Sristy, Seb, Vivienne & Saxton
Year 7/8 Chess Tournament Success
Congratulations to our Year 7/8 chess team who represented Beckenham at the recent interschool chess tournament. Competing against strong opposition, the team demonstrated excellent strategic thinking, patience, and sportsmanship throughout the day.
We are proud to share that the team finished 3rd overall in the B Grade competition - a fantastic achievement.
A special congratulations to Daniel, Ben, Tom B, and Shaan, who represented our school with confidence and determination. Their teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience at the chessboard were outstanding.
Well done to all four students on an excellent result and for being such positive ambassadors for Beckenham ♟️
Daniel's West Ham Invitation
This past April, Daniel (Year 5) spent two incredible days sharpening his skills at the prestigious West Ham George Cowie Holiday Programme.
His hard work, dedication, and natural talent truly shone through, earning him an exclusive invitation to a 4-day elite training and technique clinic on the Gold Coast!
We couldn't be prouder of Daniel for reaching this amazing milestone!
PTA News
Thank you to everyone who helped out with the fantastic Midwinter Breakfast! It was lovely to see all the children enjoying their breakfast together and helping to clear up too! As a small PTA, we couldn’t run these events without your support.
As you have heard, we have postponed the Kauri/PTA Bingo night until the 15th August due to the busy end-of-term schedule and the clash with the Matariki Fireworks in Brighton. We’re looking forward to hosting a fabulous event in August and can't wait to see you there! If you have already purchased tickets, they will be transferred to the new date (or refunded), and tickets are available to purchase through the link here.
In the meantime, we will see you at the Matariki Celebration on 22nd July! There will be sausages available from the PTA throughout the evening for a small koha.
Our next team hui is on Wednesday 1st July, in the school staff room, 7:30 to 8:30pm. All welcome.
Don't hesitate to get in touch by emailing pta@beckenham.school.nz if you have questions or are keen to get involved in any way!
Mid-winter Breakfast Highlights
BOT Update
Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs
- Visit the SchoolDocs website: https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
- Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
- Read the policy.
- Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Select the reviewer type.
- Enter your name (optional).
- Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
- Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
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Boulder Co. Climbing Gym - Term 3 Climbing Clubs
In Term 3, we are introducing Saturday classes, alongside our usual weekly classes.
2026 Term 3 dates:
Mondays 4:00pm-5:00pm, Wednesdays 4:30pm-5:30pm, Saturdays 10:30am-11:30am for 9-12 year olds, starting 20th July.
Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm, Saturdays 9-10am for 5-8 year olds, starting 21st July.
Mondays 5:30pm-7:30pm, Wednesdays 5pm-6:30pm, Saturdays 12pm-1:30pm for 13-17 year olds, starting 20th July.
All classes run for 10 weeks.
No experience is needed - our experienced coaches welcome complete beginners and work at every child's own pace in a safe, purpose-built environment. We keep the prices as affordable as possible with options for non-members and members available.
We also run holiday programmes during the school holidays.
Full details on all classes, including days, times, and how to book can be found at: www.boulderco.co.nz/locations/christchurch/classes-chch/kids-youth-classes/
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Guitar & Bass Lessons - Students Wanted!
'My name is Francis Laurie, and I am a 16-year-old student offering lessons for both guitar and bass guitar. I am grade 8 in guitar, and I’m studying for grade 7 in bass guitar.
I charge $20 for a half-hour lesson and can either host lessons or teach at your house. I have some experience in teaching, as I have already taught multiple students for over a term. I would also be able to let you borrow an acoustic guitar for the lesson.
Text or call 028 464 5605 to discuss further details.'
