Principal's Patch

Kia ora e te whānau

What a great start we have had to the term! It's been lovely to see everyone back and to welcome seven new tamariki and their whānau to our school. Along with that, the sun has shone for much of the week!

A group of learners from Pōhutukawa enjoying learning outside in the sun...

Learning this term includes preparations for athletics, Pōhutukawa Camp, Intermediate Hub Production, Firewise programme, and excursions out of school for all teams. On top of teaching, teachers will be busy with assessments and end of year report writing.

Organisation for 2019 is well underway too. As part of this organisation, we are looking at the learning groups for 2019. Because we work so collaboratively, this is a much less complex task than it was when we had teachers and children operating in individual classes in isolation from one another. We can support different social groupings within a collaborative team, without worrying about which 'class' a child in a team is in as the whole team will be working in collaborative space and the groupings will be be fluid and needs based.
If there is a consideration you would like me to be aware of when we are putting learning groups for 2019 together, please email me by Friday 2nd November. We will add your considerations to the considerations we have for all of the children.

We are pleased to have two trainee teachers working in our school at the moment. Lisa Griffiths is in the Pōhutokawa Hub being mentored by Tracy Inwood, and Alicia Northe is in the Kauri Hub being mentored by Hannah Elliott. We value the contribution that they make to our children's learning and we think it is important that our school and staff contribute to the ongoing development of the profession by having teacher trainees in our school.

We have a vacancy in the school office...

Due to an unexpected offer of a job with more hours and more responsibility that she would have been crazy to turn down, our financial officer, Vicki Renwick, will be leaving us in four weeks.
As you will all be aware, the role of a financial officer is critical in the smooth running of a school!
A brief description of the role is below, with more details available on the Vacancies page of our school website.
If you know anyone who is interested in this type of role, please ask them to make contact.

Financial Officer - Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Role Purpose
This is a key administrative role in a progressive and busy, full primary school where efficiency, flexibility, collaboration and initiative are key attributes for success.  The support this role provides to the leadership team enables student learning to be upheld as the primary focus of the school. 
This role is responsible for ensuring all aspects of the school's financial management complies with sector best practice, defined delegated authorities, statutory requirements and policies.  By completing all financial administration tasks efficiently and effectively, this role assists the school to manage its resources competently and responsibly.

Our Values
We care
We get there together
We love challenge
We love learning
We make a difference

We are seeking a special person to become part of our school family.

This is a key administrative role in our school, responsible for ensuring all aspects of our school's financial management complies with sector best practice, defined delegated authorities, statutory requirements and policies.   Key tasks include accounts payable and receivable functions, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, HR administration, and maintaining the assets register.
Ideally we are seeking someone who can 'hit the ground running' through their experience and knowledge of financial administration practice, and their commitment to innovate and improve systems and processes.   We are seeking someone who combines an analytical, systematic and accurate approach to their work together with a genuinely warm, positive, flexible and approachable manner.
If this sounds like you, and you'd love to join our school family then we'd love to hear from you…
Applications close 4pm, Monday 12 November, 2018

I will be in Wellington next week at the New Zealand Principals Federation Conference.
I hope you all enjoy the upcoming long weekend. I am looking forward to a busy and exciting term ahead and hope you are too.

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings - Tumuaki

Citizen of the Week

Arran Robertson - Year 7

Arran, you exemplify our value 'we care' in the way that you interact so positively and willingly with a wide range of people. From working with the preschool children at Cherry's (who absolutely adored you), to sharing a friendly word with those who need it, you show your emotional intelligence on a daily basis. Thank you for making our hub and school a brighter place. Tino pai Arran.

School Notices

Fridays are House Shirt Days!

Future of Education Seminar

Frances Valintine, founder of MindLab, will be presenting about the Future of Education, Tuesday 30 October, 5pm. St Francis of Assisi School, Innes Road, Christchurch. This is for principals, teachers, board and PTA members, parents and local businesses. RSVP here.
You can find out more about Francis Valintine, founder of MindLab here.

The Great New Zealand Shake Out

Yesterday we engaged as a school with the Great New Zealand Shakeout Earthquake Drill and Evacuation and the children were very calm and evacuated out onto the field with no fuss.


We are also able to take part in the Great NZ Shakeout School Challenge.
Each person who completes the 8 challenges with their families will be in to get some cool prizes.

Some of the challenges include...

• Show someone how to drop cover and hold – inside and outside.
• Check your tsunami zone and plan where to go.
• Store water for three days or more.
• Identify which key household objects need to be secured or made safer through Fix. Fasten. Don’t Forget.
• Find out which natural hazards could affect your family.
• Work out what to pack in a getaway bag for your family.
• Make a plan that includes who will pick up the kids if the adults can’t get to school.
• Make a list of who can help in an emergency

The students have been given a booklet to take home. If your child would like to participate by completing all of the challenges, they just need to bring the booklet back, with each challenged signed to say it was completed, to collect their small prize.

PTA News

Calendar Art

Paper order forms for this will be coming out next week...check out your child's back pack so it doesn't get lost!

BOT Update

Whānau Hui - Māori students achieving success as Māori

The Board of Trustees are seeking support from whānau to help guide their strategic thinking and planning in this area. We are keen to be doing more to affirm the identity and success of our Māori tamariki as tangata whenua and we need your guidance and direction in this kaupapa.

Community Notices

Skeleton Hunt 

Have some family fun at the skeleton hunt this halloween!  Work out the clues to complete the skeleton puzzle with the pieces you find from your adventure to earn your trick or treat.  Too easy?  Each clue requires you to complete a challenge that will test your skills and keep you busy...good luck!
12pm Sunday 28th October, Cathedral Square,  $2 entry ages 5 -14.

"SPOOKED" - A Circus Spooktacular

Presented by Christchurch Circus Trust
October 27th 4pm and 7:30 pm Shows
Tickets $15 from: dashtickets.co.nz
PGR 7 yrs.

The first E Tū Whānau poster competition is now open!

The competition gives people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to win great cash prizes by designing posters expressing values that underpin the E Tū Whānau kaupapa. Their work will be judged by renowned artist, academic and educator, Kura Te Waru-Rewiri and celebrated urban artists, muralists and community art activists, Janine and Charles Williams.

E Tū Whānau, the movement for positive change, want whānau across the motu to unleash their creativity and have a go at designing A3 sized posters on:

AROHA - giving with no expectation of return , OR
MANA/MANAAKI – building the mana of others through nurturing, growing and challenging, OR
WHAKAPAPA – knowing who you are and where you belong.
“Art and design are powerful tools to communicate ideas, convey emotion, and inspire action. E Tū Whānau is all about taking action to create positive change in our whānau and our communities,” says E Tū Whānau Kaiwhakahaere, Ann Dysart.

The competition has two prize categories. The General category is open to anyone and has prizes worth $2,500 for the winners of each value. The Tamariki category is for children aged 12 years old and under, and winners will receive a $200 gift voucher for each value. A cash prize of $1,500 will also be awarded to the entry that gets the most votes overall.

Entrants may use any medium and enter as many times as they like, but each entry must focus on one value only, not a combination. The competition will run on the E Tū Whānau Facebook page and an online entry form must be completed for each entry. A jpg of the poster design must also be uploaded with each entry form. Entry to the online competition closes on Sunday October 21.

“This competition is open to everyone and anyone, whether you’re a new artist starting out, someone more experienced, or someone who just loves the E Tū Whānau kaupapa and wants to express their feelings visually. Don’t be shy. Just get in there, give it your best go and have fun,” Ann Dysart says.

For more information please contact:

Pamela Fleming, 029 2881 463,   pamela.fleming006@msd.govt.nz

Teresa McGregor, 027 2075 016, tmcgregor@maorimedia.co.nz

Love authentic Latin food? 

Interested in Art? Movies? Music? In to Latin Dancing? Want a place to chill out with Amigos?
Bring your colours!!!
Enjoy our Spanish & Latino Week  in Christchurch!
 Come and enjoy a full week of Latin events. Authentic Latin Street food,  dance performances & workshops, movies, story telling, live music, Art exhibition, and much more  in a colourful and fun atmosphere around our beautiful city.
- Spanish & Latino Week 2018 -
- Christchurch City Centre -
- 15th to 22nd of October -
Spanish & Latino week, proudly sponsored by the CCC,  brings the "LASFF" Latin America and Spain Film Festival, Latino Market Picante, Night in Pijamas at the Library, Language, Cooking and Dance Workshops, Latin Art Exhibition, Fiesta under the Stars and much more