Kahikatea Team News T1 Week 5

Kia ora Whānau, 

Wow, we are now halfway through the term! Our tamariki are truly demonstrating our school kete values as they learn new routines, get to know new friends and challenge themselves to meet new learning goals. We are so proud of everyone for all their amazing mahi, ka rawe koutou! 


Word of the Week

Our word of the week is RESPECT. 

Respect is an attitude of caring about people and treating them with dignity. Respect is valuing ourselves and others. We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. When we are respectful, we treat others as we want to be treated. 


Structured Literacy 

Teachers are in the process of completing literacy assessments. You may notice that your child has not yet come home with a decodable text. Once we have the most up-to-date information about your child's literacy needs we will resume sending books home. 

When you have time these videos show what our literacy stages look like for our Year 1 and 2 tamariki. 


Learning Through Play 

Our tamariki are highly motivated to play and explore new learning as independently as possible. When planning for our LTP sessions we try to provide diverse play options.  We are always looking for new things to engage our tamariki, including: 
  • Water play toys
  • Craft and construction (wool, boxes, buttons, lids, containers etc) 
  • Magazines, coloured paper or card, posters, old calendars
  • Stickers/labels 
  • Good dress-up costumes (including hats, accessories, shoes) 
  • wrapping paper
  • ribbon or string
  • boxes for box construction (cereal boxes, biscuit boxes, small paper bags, egg cartons etc


Photos

Photos from... learning through play, maths, and fun with our Year 7 leaders and all things fun here in Team Kahikatea. Enjoy! 





















Reminders: 

  • please name your child's belongings
  • please remind your child/ren they do not need to bring toys to school
  • hats are to be worn during break times

If you need to korero with your child's teacher please remember you can email us: 

sarah.angelo@beckenham.school.nz
ella.rainbow@beckenham.school.nz
quynh.nguyen@beckenham.school.nz
amber.donovan@beckenham.school.nz
lisa.collier@beckenham.school.nz

Arohanui, from Team Kahikatea 

Amber, Quynh, Lisa, Sarah, Ella & Katie 



Kōwhai News Term 1 Week 5


Kia ora whānau,

Welcome to our Week 5 blog! Here is some information on what's been happening over the last two weeks and what is coming up. 

Native Nurturing Learning Trips to Victoria Park

We are very excited about our trips to Victoria Park on the 13th and 14th March. Children will definitely need their hats, water bottles, jumpers and lunch box. 

Schedule  

Weds morning: Anna M's group      Weds afternoon: Anna R's group
Thurs morning: Nick's group           Thurs afternoon: Rowe's group
Krystal's group will go in smaller groups with one of the groups above.

We will:

  • Explore the different habitats that exist in Banks Peninsula and identify why they are valuable.
  • Explain how plants and animals that live in native forest and tussock lands are interdependent.
  • Explain how pests impact our native forests and explore some solutions to these problems.
  • Identify actions that they can take to encourage sustained growth of native animal and tree species.

Learn more about New Zealand nature with this booklet from DOC, designed for caregivers and their children.

Maths 

We're so impressed with how quickly students are getting to their maths class and embracing all our different types of learning. All groups are working on place value, number knowledge and basic facts. Each week, students complete exercise and application tasks, open-ended and unfamiliar problem-solving tasks, games and teacher focus groups. The akōnga especially love our introductory 'Rapid Routines'. These are fun maths thinking tasks, such as Which One Doesn't Belong.

Science: Gathering Data by Listening 

During the afternoons, we're enjoying tasks from other curriculum areas, such as social sciences, sport and P.E., science and interpersonal learning. Some classes loved an activity which involved listening to and testing sounds in science recently!




Discovery 

Enjoy looking at our recent Discovery pictures!







Top Team

Today Top Team came to Beckenham and the Kōwhai children had a great time trying lots of different team-building activities out on the park. They worked in teams of 6-8, competing against other teams as they rotated around a variety of tasks. They showed amazing co-operative skills and really embraced the school value 'We Get There Together'. It really was wonderful to see and we are so grateful that the weather turned out so well for us. Have a look at the photos below:




















Have a great weekend!

From the Kōwhai team





Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 23 February 2024, Week 4

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

On Tuesday we hosted a whānau workshop on 'Parenting in the digital age'.  Rory from an organisation called Attitude, spoke to whānau about supporting tamariki as they negotiate the online world: Social Media - messaging, scrolling or watching, and gaming. The overarching message was to take time to understand the forums your child wants to use, learn how they work and what works well and what are the challenges. Have coaching conversations with your child before they use social media about what would they do if...? How would that make them/others feel? Just as we teach our children to swim and be safe in the water, what do we need to prepare them for before the online world?

He also emphasised the importance of monitoring how long they have screen time. Just like eating food, what are our tamariki consuming/watching? What is too much or just right for your whānau? Screentime can affect the amount of sleep we get so where are devices kept at night time in your house? Do they have a centralised location to get them out of their bedrooms? What are the natural stopping cues in your house? Just like credits on a programme/movie what are the indicators that it's time to switch off? No phones at meal times, no phones before school, what else could you do before going on a device etc.

Rory shared online places to get support such as Netsafe and the Parenting Place websites. He also suggested a Digital contract that whānau could have together and shared this example which can be printed or used for ideas to come up with your own whānau contract about devices.

Overall, stay actively involved. As we coach our children through so many aspects of life as we prepare them for the world ahead, we need to do so with digital literacy.

Leadership Week
The Year 7 and 8 team have spent time this week learning about the 7 habits that can support leadership. They have had activities to support good communication and coming together as a team. Thank you to all the adults who supported these learners with the programme this week. We look forward to them sharing more about what they did and what they learned with the rest of the tamariki. 

Good luck to our tamariki who are taking part in the Weetbix TRYathlon this weekend. We have had just over 60 entrants from our kura alone!

Ngā mihi nui
Jo Smith - Tumuaki (Acting Principal)

Important Dates

(you can also find the Community Calendar on our website here)

Wed 28 Feb - BoT Meeting, 5.30-7.30PM, Staffroom
Wed 28 Feb
 - PTA Meeting, 7.30-9.30PM
Thu 29 Feb
 - School Swim Sports, 12.30-3PM, Wharenui Pool
Mon 11 Mar - Zone Swimming, 9-12.30PM, Wharenui Pool
Wed 27 Mar
 - Canterbury Swimming
Wed 27 Mar
 - BoT Meeting, 5.30-7.30PM, Staffroom
Wed 27 Mar - PTA Meeting, 7.30-9.30PM
Fri 29 Mar 
- Good Friday (kura/school closed)
Mon 1 Apr
 - Easter Monday (kura/school closed)
Tue 2 Apr
 - Kura/School closed
Fri 12 Apr 
- Last day of Term 1
Mon 29 Apr - First day of Term 2
Fri 3 May 
- Welcome Assembly, 9.15-9.30am, Hall
Tue 14 May 
- School Cross Country TBC
Wed 22 May 
- PTA Meeting, 7.30-9.30PM
Wed 29 May
 - BoT Meeting, 5.30-7.30PM, Staffroom
Fri 31 May
 - Staff Only Day (kura/school closed)
Mon 3 Jun -
 King's Birthday (kura/school closed)
Wed 26 Jun
 - BoT Meeting, 5.30-7.30PM, Staffroom
Wed 26 Jun -
 PTA Meeting, 7.30-9.30PM, Staffroom
Fri 28 Jun
 - Matariki (kura/school closed)
Fri 5 Jul
 - Last day of Term 2

Term Dates: Click here to view  2024 term dates

Citizen of the Week

Daniel McKean - Year 6 (Week 3)

Daniel, thank you for always being the best you can be! You encapsulate our kete values with your diligence, your determination, your curiosity, and your subtle sense of humour. You have tremendous mana amongst your peers and it's wonderful to see how you quietly lead the way for others to follow in our team. Tino pai rawa atu kia koe, Daniel.

Citizen of the Week

Daniel Crump - Year 3 (Week 4)

Daniel, you are a role model student, demonstrating the school values each and every day. You have a thirst for learning, an exceptional work ethic and work diligently to achieve goals. You are friendly. Ka pai, Daniel! Keep up the fantastic work!

School Notices

Kia Kaha Waitaha

Our Year 7/8 students decided to send a message of appreciation to the firefighters working in the Port Hills this week. Our thoughts are with them and everyone affected by the fires. 

Walk or Wheel to School Week


In week 6, from Monday 4th March to Friday 8th March 2024, our school is participating in Walk or Wheel to School Week, brought to you by Christchurch City Council. This fun and action-packed week is to promote walking and wheeling to school. There are daily themes and prizes up for grabs for students who participate. For more information head over to the Christchurch City Council webpage. We can’t wait to get started next week!

If students walk or wheel to school 3 mornings or more during the week they will go in the draw to win spot prizes.  Cards that students need to fill out if they are participating will be sent home (pictured below). Tamariki (children) need to write both their name and hub on the back of this card. 


PTA News

Request for help!

If you are available to help set up the tent at Jelly Park Stadium on Saturday night or Sunday morning for the Weetbix Triathlon, please contact Carol at: pta@beckenham.school.nz

Order your yummy hot cross buns now! 

Ordering for our fundraiser is up and running - Our PTA are raising money to help update the Kapa Haka uniforms and replace the school's gazebo which was broken last year.

You can fill in the paper order form which should be in your child's bag (spare forms will be kept in the school office).   Paper forms can be returned to the box in the school office,. Please make sure any cash is in an envelope, or note clearly the date paid.

OR - order online here.


If you have any questions please contact pta@beckenham.school.nz or via Facebook Messenger.

BOT Update

Term 1 Policy Review

In term 1 we are reviewing topics in the Governance and Management, Parents and Whānau, and Documentation and Self-Review Policy sections. 
Who reviews our policies and procedures?

All reviews are open to board, staff, students, and the school community (parents/caregivers/whānau).
Anyone can review any policy/procedure that has a review button. The board is responsible for board-level overarching policies. 

To start reviewing, click on a topic name above, then click the Start your review button. If a link is inactive, our school doesn't have the topic.

When we review our policies with SchoolDocs, we are reviewing each policy for its content as well as how well the school implements it. To share your comments and rate its implementation, click the "Start your review" button, or see detailed instructions below.
  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policies up for review.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. 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.

Community Notices

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

Christchurch City Council Speed Changes 


Christchurch City Council have let us know they're making it safer for our ākonga (students) to get to and from kura (school) in our area. You'll notice speed signs changing to 30km/h in our area, as well as some changes to line markings in areas around our school neighbourhood.

It's important that everyone takes responsibility for safety on our roads. We can all do this by adjusting our speed to the conditions and speed limits, especially around schools and surrounding suburbs.

To learn more about this project, you can visit the Council's Safer speeds webpage, where there's also a map of which streets will have speed limit changes.




Sea Week is coming up, 2-10 March, and there are heaps of fun ways you can get involved. Activities and events range from creative craft sessions through to beach clean ups.

Kauri Whānau Update: Term 1, Week 3

 

IN THIS POST:

  • Technology
  • Leadership Week
  • Swimming Sports
  • Attitude Parent Evening
  • Cheese Rolls
  • CSM try outs
Kia ora whānau, another great week in the Kauri hub. There was much excitement around our first Technology session on Tuesday, everyone managed to get to school on time and all went smoothly. We are gearing up for Leadership week next week and rallying parents together for another fundraising opportunity.

Technology:
The students represented Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto with pride. They had a great morning and there were many proud, smiling faces as we wandered around checking in on what they were making and doing.








Leadership Week:
Leadership week is coming up next week, students will work with their own year group. Both year groups will be participating in activities based around the 7 habits of mind, aimed to grow their leadership abililities.

Year 7 students will have a day participating in a rotation of activities, they have been asked to come to school in activewear on Wednesday.

Part of the plan for our Year 8 students is to have two EOTC days-Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd February, they may wear activewear on these days. On Thursday students will participate in school based activities, they will then be provided dinner here before we head off for an evening play at Margaret Mahy. We need parent helpers from 1:15-3:00pm on the Thursday at school to help run these activities.
The Thursday is an overnight stay, students sleep in the hub. More information will be sent out in a separate HERO post to all Y8 parents including a gear list and a medical form to fill out. On Friday we head to Spencer Park by bus from 9:30-3:00pm. We need parent helpers for this also.  If you are able to help please email sarah.junghenn@beckenham.school.nz. 

Swimming Sports:
This is happening on Thursday 29th February 12:30-2:30 at Wharenui Swimming Centre. Please fill in the parent help form in the HERO post if you are able to help on the day.

Attitude Parent Evening: Parenting in the digital age
To be held on Tuesday 20th February (next week) in our school hall 6:00-7:00pm.


Cheese Roll Fundraiser:
We are making/selling cheese rolls to go towards our EOTC funding. This will be happening on Thursday 4th April. If you are able to help with this please fill in this google form.
Thanks to all whānau who have paid or have set up payments towards school donations, this is enabling us to plan ahead to provide EOTC opportunities for our Senior students.
Please contact the school office if you would like to set up an automatic payment.

CSM Try outs:
An opportunity for students to give an instrument a go! This will be in Pohutukawa on Wednesday the 21st of February from 4:00-6:00pm.


Kia Kaha Fire Fighters:
We appreciate everything you do!












Kahikatea News Term 1 Week 3

Kia ora e te whānau,

We have had a wonderful start to the year in the Kahikatea team. Time has flown! We have loved seeing tamariki settling in so well and coming to school with smiles on their faces.


Learning Through Play Highlights

We love Learning Through Play in the Kahikatea team!

"I like putting in water for water play!" - Jacob

"I like being outside and water play!" - Emily

"My favourite activity is dress-up." - Maryam

"I like being on the swing." - Henri

"I love playing outside." - Archie

"We love playing with the Duplo." - Kura and Mia










Learning Through Play Resources

Kahikatea is on the lookout for toys and resources for Learning Through Play. If you have toys, games, puzzles, or dress-ups that your family no longer needs or uses, we would happily take them off your hands! He waka eke noa, we get there together.


House Games

We will be having House Games on Mondays during weeks 4 (19/2/24), 6 (4/3/24), and 8 (18/3/24) this term. Your child is welcome to wear their house shirt.


Library

We will begin our weekly library visits next week (Week 4). The library is also open during morning tea and lunch play times - children are welcome to go to the library to return books, issue new ones, or browse books during this time.

Library Days

Tuesdays - Amber and Ella's home groups

Thursdays - Quynh and Sarah's home groups


Literacy

We began working with our literacy teachers this week. It has been lovely to see children showing 'We Love Learning' during literacy time. Your child's literacy folder tub is kept in the pathway. We encourage children to bring their literacy folder to each literacy lesson.


Whānau Photo Wall

One of our kaiako, Sarah, had a wonderful idea of putting whānau photos up on the wall in Kahikatea. If you have photos of your family that you would like to contribute to this, please feel free to email Sarah (sarah.angelo@beckenham.school.nz) or your child's home group teacher.


Netball Sessions

The Kahikatea team is really looking forward to our upcoming introduction to netball sessions. We have coaches from Cashmere Netball Club coming to run four sessions per homegroup, beginning in Week 5. Sarah and Quynh's home groups will have their sessions on Tuesdays, and Amber and Ella's home groups will have their sessions on Thursdays. Thank you Cashmere Netball Club!
That's all for now,
Team Kahikatea

quynh.nguyen@beckenham.school.nz
amber.donovan@beckenham.school.nz
sarah.angelo@beckenham.school.nz
ella.rainbow@beckenham.school.nz
lisa.collier@beckenham.school.nz
katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz