Principal's Update
Kia ora koutou
We are moving quickly through the final term of 2025. With the warmer weather, it’s been great to see students actively engaged in athletics through the Health and Physical Education curriculum - developing their skills and applying them across a range of events.
Class Placements for 2026
This week, we have begun transition conversations to support students as they take their next steps within our school. Our focus is on ensuring these conversations identify and build on each student’s strengths as they move to their next teacher and learning environment.
As part of this work we will begin the development of homeroom classes for 2026. If you have any considerations you would like to share as part of this process please email me at principal@beckenham.school.nz
End of Year reporting
As you may be aware, we have been working hard throughout 2025 to implement the refreshed New Zealand Curriculums in Mathematics and English. I would like to acknowledge the work of all our teaching staff for their enthusiasm and professionalism in refining their practice to align with this new direction.
This week we received confirmation from the Ministry of Education about how we should report students’ end-of-year achievement against the year level they are in.
We will be using these new common descriptors in our end-of-year reporting. The descriptors we will be using are:
Emerging - The child requires support to meet curriculum expectations for their year level and/or goals as described in their personalised learning plan.
Developing - The child is making some progress towards curriculum expectations for their year level.
Consolidating - The child is meeting many curriculum expectations for their year level and are steadily strengthening their understanding across learning areas.
Proficient - The child is meeting curriculum expectations for their year level.
Exceeding - The child is exceeding curriculum expectations for their year level.
Judgments will be made in your child’s report for Reading, Writing and Mathematics. As with previous reporting structures, it is important to remember that all children develop at different rates, and our reporting processes will continue to focus primarily on progress and the celebration of learning.
Chickens have arrived!
As you may be aware, eggcitement has been building across the school about the arrival of our chickens! On Wednesday, our first delivery of eggs arrived, and the incubator has now been set up ready for the hatching of our very first chicks.
We are working closely with Cook Brothers Construction, who have generously offered their labour free of charge to help build our chicken coop. We’re currently on the hunt for materials - if you have any contacts or are able to help with this, please get in touch with Sue. She would be most grateful to hear from you!
We really appreciate the community we work with to make our school the best it can be. Have a great weekend.
Ngā mihi
Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Important Dates
Upcoming Events - Term 4
WEEK 4
Mon 27 Oct - Labour Day - School Closed
Wed 29 Oct - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm)
Thu 30 Oct - Athletics Day
Fri 31 Oct - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)
WEEK 5
Fri 7 Nov - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)
WEEK 6
Thu 13 Nov - Staff Only Day
Fri 14 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day - School Closed
WEEK 7
Fri 21 Nov - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)
Fri 21 Nov - PTA Colour Run (1:30pm-3:00pm Fundraiser Event)
WEEK 8
Wed 26 Nov - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Thu 27 Nov - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm)
Fri 28 Nov - Whānau and Volunteers Thank you (8:00-8:30am)
Fri 28 Nov - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)
WEEK 9
Wed 3 Dec - Kauri Production (1:30-3:00pm Matinee & 6:30-8:30pm First Night)
Thu 4 Dec - Kōwhai Production (11:30-12:30pm) & Kauri Production (6:30-8:30pm Final Night)
Fri 5 Dec - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am)
WEEK 10
Fri 12 Dec - Final Celebration Assembly (9:45am-10:30am)
WEEK 11
Wed 17 Dec - Last Day of the Year, School finishes at 12:30pm
2026 Term Dates
Citizen of the Week
Devin - Year 7
Devin, you consistently demonstrate our school values by being courteous and conscientious both in and outside the classroom. You further strengthen the Kauri team with your kindness, thoughtfulness, and great sense of humour. Your mahi and leadership are recognised and valued by the whole school community - thank you for the positive impact you make every day.
Kit - Year 4
Kit, you are an exemplary role model in our hub who strives to uphold our kete values everyday. You do this through being a willing helper, a kind friend, and a motivated learner. No matter the task, you always approach it with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine desire to grow from it. Kia kaha tō mahi, Kit!
School Notices
Kiwi Competitions
Congratulations to the students below who achieved outstanding results in the Kiwi Competitions this year. This was our first time taking part in these competitions, and we’re excited to continue building on our success in future years.
Parking and Driver care on Sandwich Road
We know that everyone is keen to keep our children safe as they travel to and from school. To support this, please can drivers not try to undertake U-turns on Sandwich Road during the pick-up and drop-off times.
Please also remember that the 3 min "Kiss and Go" area on the school side of Sandwich Road is MAX 3 minutes - not enough time for you to get out of your car and go into school to drop off or collect your child(ren). If everyone can please use this area as a drop-off/pick-up point, then all of the traffic will flow smoothly. We get there together!
Staff Carpark
For safety reasons, we please ask that the staff carpark, fence line and entrance way are kept clear at all times for staff, Ferndale and taxi access.
This area is not for pedestrian access or parent & caregiver parking at school pickup or drop off time.
Please use the main school entrance and the surrounding street parking spaces.
Reminder - Sunhat and Drink Bottles
As we enter Term 4 and warmer weather, every child must attend school with a named sunhat and water bottle. Sunhats are compulsory when outside during Terms 1 and 4. Please remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied as well.
Welcome - New Staff Member
Carmen Lund
"Kia Ora koutou,
Ko Carmen ahau,
No Tūranganui-a-Kiwa ahau.
My name is Carmen and my hometown is Gisborne. I am excited to be at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto this term as a learning assistant in Kahikatea. I love reading, music and travel - I have visited 34 amazing countries so far! I can’t wait to work alongside the tamariki and get to know everyone."
The Sports Corner
Kia ora koutou,This section of our newsletter is dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. It’s fantastic to already have three Kauri students sharing how they are embracing We Love Challenge - Nau Mai Te Wero beyond the classroom and pursuing their passions. 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
Matthew Blackman - Tennis
A huge congratulations to Matthew, who won the 10 and under Boys Singles at the Talley’s Spring Junior Open in Nelson! Matthew also achieved an impressive runner-up placing in the 10 and under Boys Doubles at the Tennis Canterbury Junior Spring Open. Ka mau te wehi, Matthew!
BOT Update
Welcome New Board Members
A warm welcome to our new Board Members: Kate Stallworthy, Annabel Ramsey & Emma Jenkins!
We would like to thank all of our community members who stood for election, as well as those of you who cast your votes in this important process.
Term 4 Policy Review - SchoolDocs
- Visit the 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, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
PTA News
Save the date for our next big fundraiser - a Colour Run Friday 21st November! We are currently looking for local businesses or corporate sponsors who would like to support this exciting and fun event, taking place in Beckenham Park.
Entertainment books are still for sale and available to
buy here. There are heaps of savings and 20% of the book cost comes straight back to school.
There's still time to register for the
Weetbix TRYathlon which is happening in February.
Click here to register with our school group!
Keep in touch with the PTA!
To stay up to date with the PTA, please check out our Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA Facebook page,
linked here. Or come along to one of our meetings - all welcome.
Meeting dates can be found in the school newsletter, or on the school calendar -
linked here.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Dyspraxia Support Group
The Dyspraxia Support Group is a charitable, non-profit organisation, committed to providing support, practical advice, and educational programmes for those who support and care for children, youth and adults affected with Developmental Dyspraxia/DCD. This neurological disorder affects at least 6% of the population.
If you wish to learn more regarding our child and youth programmes we hold in Christchurch or just learn about dyspraxia/DCD, please feel free to contact us.
Email: dyspraxai.centre@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.dyspraxia.org.nz
Corson Avenue Renewal - Open for Feedback
The council has advised it is currently open for early engagement for a street renewal on Corson Avenue.
The main goal of this street renewal is to enhance the road, footpath, kerb, and gutter but we have room to include some other enhancements. They will be using community feedback to develop a street renewal plan so they can provide something that aligns with the needs of local residents.
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