Our camp in Dunedin is just seven weeks away. It is time to get fundraising. We have the following projects planned:
Sausage sizzle at Countdown this weekend. Many thanks to the parents and children who have volunteered to man the BBQ and busk. Pop down and buy a sausage between 10 and 2 on Saturday or Sunday.
Next week we will be selling banana berry smoothies at school. The children will manage this, under the direction of Hannah.
On the 12th of March cheese roll orders will go out, with production days on the 28th and 29th of March. We will be seeking parent help for some equipment and supervision of groups on the making days.
The weekend before camp, on the evening of April 7th, we will be holding our comedy evening. Jarred and his crew will keep the audience rocking with laughter. This will be a major fundraising event and one that we need your support to run. Please complete this form if you are able to help out.
Vicki is currently applying to the Southern Trust for a grant towards our transport costs.
Thanks for supporting our fundraising efforts.
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Update for Wednesday 21st February 2018
Cyclone Gita and impact on School
Kia ora koutou
At this stage, we are planning to be open for school as usual tomorrow morning.Whilst the Christchurch City Council has put a State of Emergency in place, each school Board of Trustees has the responsibility for making the decision about whether a school opens or closes.
We are conscious, when we do close the school, of the impact on families who need to continue with as much normality as possible, and we don't make this decision lightly.
A big consideration in deciding what to do will be the state of Eastern Terrace on the eastern boundary of the school in the morning. When that road is closed and flooded, there is a significant impact on children's ability to access the school safely on foot, and the impact on traffic is also severe.
We will assess the situation again in the morning and send out a text.
If you decide that it is safer to keep your child(ren) at home tomorrow, please let the office know by leaving a message on the school answerphone.
Ngā mihi
Sandy and the team
Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 1 Week 3
We are well into the swing of things now in the Intermediate Hub, with literacy and maths programmes underway. Please read the important messages below. Our aim is to keep messages brief for quick reading. Feel free to email us if you feel you need more information.
Kete Award Scheme:
It was exciting to read a child's first blog post and award points last week. A number of families are paying for maths and science badges by Friday this week, so these can be ordered. The link to the scheme is on our blog. It is great to see the children living our values by getting involved in this scheme.Swimming Sports:
This Thursday we have around 40 of our children heading to Wharenui Pool at 11:30am for our swimming sports. Jenny will send a separate message with information and instructions for the day.Math Club:
It was great to see so many keen mathematicians at 8:20am last Wednesday. This club with continue every Wednesday at this time.Technology at South:
If you need to drop your child at South Intermediate on a Tuesday morning, it is very important that you let us know (text of email) each day, so that we can mark our roll correctly. Our bus arrives at 8:45. Please do not drop children off at South before 8:40.Writing:
Last week we had our first writing motivation: Fear Factor. The children are now writing a descriptive piece about fear. The focus is on the quality of the writing (varying sentence starters, using short sentences for effect, use of similes and metaphors and developing ideas within paragraphs), rather than the quantity. We are discouraging them from writing a 'story'. This piece of writing is due next Friday. We will be reading all writing and providing feedback each weekend. If your child has not completed enough writing, we will send them an email and copy you in, asking them to work on this at home. Of course, any child is welcome to continue working on their writing at home if they would like to. On their document they have a link to 'Literacy Links' which is a website we have created to support them with their writing. They also have an exemplar in the books at school and a planning sheet.HPV Forms:
Earlier this term all Year 8 children brought packs containing HPV forms home. Please make sure these forms are completed and returned to the school office this week.Looking for someone with design skills:
Do you work or dabble in art, design or advertising? Would you be interested in helping design our wellbeing definition? This will be central to our student wellbeing strategy this year....and beyond! Please contact me if you can help. Many thanks, Charlotte (charlotte.verity@beckenham.Police Competency Test:
Today we will be telling the children about the PCT competition. This is a team competition open to Year 7 & 8 children. They literally complete the Police Competency Test, so a moderate to high level of fitness is required. This half day competition is on March 27 and includes other activities based on the police force. We will aim to put in two teams of 4 and will need a parent helper per team. Sign up sheets are up in the hub this week. Next week we will run trials to select eight children, four girls and four boys.Photos from Fear Factor...
Feb 2018: Special Bulletin – Farewell to a dear friend of the school
With the fondest memories of a dear friend and colleague
Kia ora koutou
As many of you may have read on the school, or neighbourhood Facebook pages, we heard the very sad news last week of the passing of Caroline Radcliffe, a very dear and loved colleague and friend of the Beckenham School community.
Caroline began her association with Beckenham School when she attended here as a child herself. She then sent her four daughters to the school, and then began working here in the office as the school secretary, a position she held for 30 years.
Caroline was the welcoming face that greeted everyone who came into the school, managing to get a laugh and a smile from even the most serious.
Along with her wicked sense of humour, she was renowned for her fabulous sense of style. She always looked immaculate, and ran many fashion shows at Beckenham as fundraisers.
Her bright lipstick and immaculately polished, extra-long nails, were legendary!
On her last day at Beckenham, we had a special "Glam up your nails" day - in honour of this gorgeous lady and her nails!
Caroline retired from Beckenham in October 2012 and moved to Blenheim with her husband Mike.
She passed away on Tuesday of last week, with her family around her.
A memorial service for Caroline will be held at 2pm this Friday 23rd February, at Lamb and Hayward, Wairakei Road. To all attending this service - you are encouraged to "Glam up your nails and lips" in honour of Caro.
At school this Friday, we will be encouraging those who remember Caroline, to 'glam up their nails' and put on their brightest lipstick, as a salute to this special lady. This will particularly apply to our staff and our Year 6, 7 & 8 children who were just 5, 6 & 7 year olds at the time that Caroline retired.
We will be flying our New Zealand flag at half mast on Friday, in memory of Caroline.
Koru Term 1 Weeks 1 & 2
Welcome Back!
Learning Conferences
It was wonderful to have such a large turnout to our Learning Conferences held earlier this Term. We appreciate your time to connect with us at school - setting our children up for a great start to the year.
Fill your Cup
We have enjoyed seeing the cups return, overflowing with some wonderful sharing. it is not too late to bring your cup - it is a great way to get to know each other.
Paint shirts
Do you have any old, large shirts or t-shirts at home? We are hoping to have a collection of paint shirts for art. Please send in any spare old shirts that you don't need to be returned. Please don't name. Thanks.
Your Help
Do you work or dabble in art, design or advertising? Would you be interested in helping design our wellbeing definition? This will be central to our student wellbeing strategy this year....and beyond! Please contact me if you can help. Many thanks, Charlotte (charlotte.verity@beckenham.
Do you have any old, large shirts or t-shirts at home? We are hoping to have a collection of paint shirts for art. Please send in any spare old shirts that you don't need to be returned. Please don't name. Thanks.
Do you work or dabble in art, design or advertising? Would you be interested in helping design our wellbeing definition? This will be central to our student wellbeing strategy this year....and beyond! Please contact me if you can help. Many thanks, Charlotte (charlotte.verity@beckenham.
Reading
We are excited about starting our reading programme from Wednesday next week. (New Entrant may be arrange differently). We have working through shared big books or poems to familiarise the children with our reading protocols and allow for assessment. Please enjoy reading these with your child, supporting them as they need. Your child will start bringing take-home books at their level after week 3.
Home Learning
We are in the process of a school-wide review of our Home Learning protocols. In the meantime your children will bring their reading book and Home Learning Book home every day in their reading folder. There is a tip sheet to help with the reading as well as a reading log that you can complete.
Discovery Learning - Play Based
Our tamariki have embraced learning through discovery. They are getting to know other children in their group as well as to feel settled as they start the school year.The following link provides some great information for parents and caregivers about our children's play-based urges (schema). Nature Play
Would you like to come and share an aspect of your profession or an interest during Discovery Learning, e.g. yoga, art or an outdoor activity? Sessions run between 9.15 and 10.15, and we can support you with materials and resources. Please email Charlotte if you are interested. Thankyou.
Enjoy these photos of our children - doing what they do best!
We need your help!
Koru West Wing would love to start up a wood working play area. If you any tools like hammers, saws, hand held drills, nails, screws and screwdrivers - we would love to gather these in to create the area. Also any off cuts of timber and plumbing that are spare at your place. Dorinda will be collecting these donations.
Fairness
We have had wonderfully rich talks about this picture - see what things your children notice - it's really fascinating! What 'box' does your child need to learn?
