Kahikatea News Term 1 Week 7

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Tēnā koutou katoa,

Weeks 6 and 7 of Term 1 have really seen the weather changing as we head into Autumn. There are a few bugs about and some tamariki are showing signs of tiredness. Much like our environment that has been flowering and fruiting all summer we are ready to slow down a little and nurture ourselves. 

We Care | Arohaina te tāngata me te taiao

Maths

Kahikatea is currently exploring pattern-making in mathematics. This has included patterns with skip counting, multiplication, identifying, and creating patterns. We have been on the lookout for ways in which maths is used in our daily lives, for example, in arts and crafts, nature and gardening, tattoos, wrapping paper, and design. 

NZ Maths Website
NZ Maths has some great maths activities for tamariki. This is the link for NZ Maths home kete. NZ Maths also has some great resources on number facts games that support our tamariki in their number knowledge. 

Literacy

Tamariki should all be bringing home their reading books regularly now. Most children are putting their literacy folders into their literacy teacher's container at the start of the day and packing them into their bags after literacy. We encourage tamariki to read and practice their sounds each night to increase fluency. We appreciate your support in their literacy journey. 

Te Reo Māori

We have been focusing on daily greetings in Te Reo Māori. Here's the link to Ata mārie- Good Morning waiata. We have been learning kupu (words) in Te Reo Māori as we work towards creating our own pepeha (introduction).

Netball

Our netball unit continues and we are seeing some great skills developing in catching, throwing, dodging, and jumping. 

Digital Technology in Kahikatea

Nick from the Kōwhai team has created some wonderful apps for our tamariki that align with learning in literacy and maths. The length of time in which children are on devices is usually 5-10 minutes and is supervised by an adult. We also use an app called ChatterPix - this app allows children to create characters and use an audio tool to give the characters a voice. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact your child's homegroup teacher.

Nuts at School

Just a reminder that we have children in our team who are allergic to nuts. One of these is life-threatening. Therefore, we are asking that nuts and nut-based products are not brought to school by your child. This includes all nuts.

Walk and Wheel to School

Thank you whānau for supporting this year's walk and wheel to school. It was a great opportunity for our kaiako to learn more about how your tamariki get to school.

Parent Playground Helpers

Last year, we had a wonderful group of parents and caregivers who came along to school during lunch play to support our tamariki in the junior playground. We will be restarting this again from the beginning of Term 2. The benefits of being on the parent playground roster include being involved in the school day, and getting to know other parents and your child's friends. Please email Katie if you would like to offer your help for Term 2. katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz

Visual Diary of Kahikatea 



















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 7

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Kia ora whānau,

Here is an update on what we have been doing over the past 2 weeks.

Reading/Library Folders

We would just like to remind you that in order to take reading books and library books home, your child will need to have a reading folder OR a library folder. This does mean that your child will need to keep their folder in their bag so they are able to take reading books home during the week, if needed.

Our library days are as follows:

Monday = Nick and Rowe's literacy groups

Tuesday = Anna M and Anna R's lteracy groups

Wednesday = Krystal's literacy group

Construction Boxes

We are needing more construction boxes for Discovery. The children just love making things, from houses to instruments and many other imaginative things besides. If you have any tissue boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes or any other cartons, please bring them to school as we would love to use them!

PB4L Focus

This week we are focusing on tidying and friendship.

For tidying, we are focusing on the following good tips:
- tidy as you go
- finish the job
- cooperate
- everything has its place, e.g., sandpit toys, sports equipment
- take care of our outside environment by, e.g., picking up rubbish

For friendship, we have been looking at what friendship means to us and how we can be a good friend.

Toys At School

An increasing number of children have been bringing toys to school this term. We would just like to emphasise that toys are NOT allowed at school. We would really appreciate it if you could be vigilant so that there aren't any toys going to school in your child's bag. They are a huge distraction and we also don't want them to get lost. Thank you so much for your support with this.

Parent Playground Helpers

Last year, we had a wonderful group of parents and caregivers who came along to school during lunch play to support our tamariki in the junior playground. We will be restarting this again from the beginning of Term 2. The benefits of being on the parent playground roster include being involved in the school day, and getting to know other parents and your child's friends. Please email Katie if you would like to offer your help for Term 2. katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz

Victoria Park

This week we had some amazing trips to Victoria Park where we learnt lots about the native plants and animals that can be found on the Banks Peninsula and how things have changed over the years with pests being introduced and settlers arriving. We experienced a bush walk, looking out for the native plants and animals that we could see and we learned about pests and how we can track them by identifying their tracks and poo which we found out is called 'scat'. We also looked at the different traps that are used to get rid of pests. It was a very informative experience whilst also being lots of fun! A huge thank you to all the parents who came along to help. We couldn't have done this without out you. Have a look at the photos below:




































Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 8 March 2024, Week 6

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou,

We Care
We are now halfway through Term 1 and officially it is Autumn! Although we are having some cooler days as a SunSmart school we are still officially in a hat wearing term. The staff are reminding all children to wear their school sunhats during outside play. Please support this by checking with your child that they are bringing their hat to school.

We Love Learning
For the first part of the term, teams have worked on building connections, routines and expectations. Teams are now moving into the learning timetable, groupings and programmes for the year. As always please contact your child's Homegroup teacher if you have any questions or things you would like to share.

We Make a Difference 
Thank you to the Road Patrol volunteers. You contribute to the safety of the community by ensuring a safe place for everyone to cross Sandwich Road.

We Get There Together
We have been advised that the Christchurch City Council will be working on an urgent repair to the sewer system on the street front outside Tahaki (Kōwhai). Some of you may have seen the plumbers on site a couple of weeks ago. This was caused by a blockage in the pipe on the street front. The work will take place on Tuesday 12th March for the day. This means there will be very little parking on Sandwich Road and the drop-off area will be closed. Please consider using alternative entries on this day, Eastern Terrace and Norwood Street. There will be a temporary footpath that will run along the bike stand area.

Ngā mihi nui
Jo Smith - Tumuaki (Acting Principal)

Important Dates

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

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)
Tue 25 Jun - Matariki Evening at Kura
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

Korell Carlyle - Year 8 (Week 5)

Korell, you have shown yourself again and again to be a true upstander. You have strong morals and stand up for what you believe in. You help others and are not afraid to speak up in support of your peers. You are quiet, kind and humble and we love having you as part of our Kauri team, you make a difference. Keep shining Korell, you are a star!

Alex Straker - Year 6 (Week 6)

Alex, your caring, thoughtful and resilient nature shines in all that you do. You have a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards all areas of learning and you are a fantastic role model to other students. You are self-motivated and you constantly strive to be the best you can be. Tino pai tō mahi, Alex!

School Notices

Request for Annual Donation

You will have received a link to your Financial Statement in mid February, with our annual donation request.

We greatly appreciate all contributions you are able to make towards donations. These go a long way towards providing a rich and diverse programme for our tamariki.

If you need any assistance logging into Hero to view your statement or wish to find out more about the school donation or setting up payment instalments, you can refer to our website https://www.beckenham.school.nz/ and follow the “Finances and Annual Donation” link in the “Information” dropdown menu. 

You will also find information about applying for Donation Tax Credits from the IRD on this page. This scheme entitles you to claim back 33% of your donation payments, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Receipts for donations payments (including camp donations) made to us before 31st March this year, can be submitted as part of your application for the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Payments may be made in part or full to the school bank account -

ASB Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board of Trustees,  12 3148 0131641 000 using the child's name as a reference. The school office also has Eftpos facilities available.

If you have any queries, please email accounts@beckenham.school.nz

Celebrations

We know that within our community many different celebrations happen for whānau and friends. One we often hear about at school is birthdays. From time to time discussions about birthdays do arise and staff explain to the tamariki that all whānau celebrate differently. Some have small or large parties, some celebrate with just their family and some choose not to celebrate. We encourage invitations to be given outside of the school setting.  If invitations need to be given out at school we recommend that whānau contact their child's Homegroup teacher so that this can be done with discretion.

Arriving early to school

The doors to hubs are opened at 8:30am and school starts at 8:55am.  We have noticed a growing number of children arriving at school as early as 8:10am. There is no supervision for these children.  We strongly suggest that children do not arrive at school until 8:30am to ensure that children are kept safe.

If your child needs to be at school before 8.30am, please enquire with BOSCO, our on site before and after school care.

Cheese Rolls

Year 7 & 8 are fundraising for outdoor education days by making cheese rolls. These delicious cheese rolls are made with the traditional Southland recipe! Please click on this link to place your order.

Many thanks for your support. This form must be submitted or the paper form completed and handed into the Office, by Friday March 22nd. Orders will be made up on Thursday, April 4th and will be ready for collection after school. If you would like to supply your own container (and we very much hope you do), please clearly name it and drop it off in the collection box outside the hall from Monday, March 25th. 

Sports News

School Swimming Sports

We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of swimming sports at Wharenui Pool with a group of our Year 5 to 8 students. The children showed awesome values as they embraced the challenges of their races and there was lots of amazing swimming on display. Thank you to the Year 8 leaders and whānau whose mahi made the event a success. In the house relay, Heathcote came out victorious in a very exciting and competitive race. 

A group of children are on their way to our zone swimming sports on Monday to compete against children from schools in our local area. All the best to them.

Staff Profiles

Best of luck... to our Year 7/8 Kaiako Thomas Woodfield, who will be debuting with Toi Toi Opera in their production of 'The Three Little Pigs', this Saturday the 9th of March. Read more about Thomas' mahi here.


Congratulations to... our Teaching Assistant Paul McKinnel, who won the Canterbury Pairs for bowls! 

PTA News

Weetbix TRYathlon

It was fantastic to see so many Beckenham kids and their whānau at the Weetbix TRYathlon. 

Thanks to the PTA for all the work getting the tent and banners up, along with the ice blocks, and having Sandy there! It was so great to have the school banner for families to gather by and have a meeting place. 

We had 62 students registered. Prebbleton won the most children registered with 65, as well as the school with the highest percentage of participants based on student roll. What about setting an aim to be the highest next year? We were very close. 

Hot Cross Buns

Don't forget order your yummy hot cross buns now! Orders close 15th March 2024.

The PTA are raising money to help update the Kapa Haka uniforms and replace the school's gazebo, which was broken last year.

We'll be collecting forms on Wednesday the 13th, Thursday the 14th, and Friday the 15th of March.
Or 
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.

Thanks for your support.
Jason Orchard (PTA Chairperson)

BOT Update

Congratulations to Marcel Frei on being re-elected as the Presiding Member (Board Chair) for 2024. 

Please click here to see the 2023 Te Reo Māori in our Teams update that was shared with the Board at the end of last year. Particular thanks to Steve Cooke for all his work in this space, and to all our kaiako who support the success of all our tamariki.

Community Notices

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

Maths Club

Hi, I run a "Fun Maths" club on Wed afternoons, for students who enjoy maths, games and puzzles.
At present, I'm taking year 7 and 8 students on a Wednesday from 3.30-5pm.
I'm happy to run another class for younger students should there be enough interest.
We look at mathematical patterns, puzzles and problems, then after a short break for a snack, we play strategy games.
I'm a fully qualified and registered teacher of Mathematics.
I operate from home at the bottom of Cashmere Hills.
$20 per session.
Please feel free to contact me on 021 072 2939
Kirsty Frew



Get down to Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre for the Off Centre arts festival on the 8 – 9 March. There will be loads of fun, free and low cost entertainment for tamariki and their whānau.
See the full programme and book tickets at artscentre.org.nz


Sharpen your game these April holidays with Rams & Pouākai basketball camps, coached by Tall Blacks Taylor Britt, Walter Brown and Max Darling, and Tall Fern Esra McGoldrick!

There are junior camps available for school years 5–8 and senior camps available for school years 9–13. Registrations close April 14th. 

Rams Camps: https://canterburyrams.basketball/camps/
Pouākai Camps: https://pouakai.basketball/camps/

Kauri Whānau Update: Term 1, week 5

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IN THIS POST:

  • Leadership Week
  • Cheese Rolls
  • Inquiry
  • Walk and wheel
  • School Swimming Sports


Leadership Week:
A few pics from an amazing week. The team had a large amount of positive feedback from staff for our wonderful Year 7 students who organised and ran activities with our younger tamariki. The Year 8 leadership days and over night stay were a huge success and it was great to see everyone working together and having tons of fun!









































Cheese Rolls:
Cheese Roll Fundraiser
We hope to get heaps of cheese roll orders to enable us to plan some outdoor education days.  

Many thanks to the 6 people who have offered to help with this fundraiser so far. This help ranges from supplying equipment to ordering supplies to helping out on the day. We need more people on board, so please fill in this form if you can help.


Watch out for the order forms which will be coming home in a few days. Please cast your net wide when seeking orders. Workplaces have been a great place to sell in the past.


Inquiry:
Our focus for Inquiry this year is identity, with our overarching statement being: "Whakapapa shapes identity which can build confidence and awareness of uniqueness. "
This term we are focussing on self identity. We have been looking at the meaning of identity, and how our character traits and experiences all make up who we are. We have also tied this theme into our unpacking of Leadership.
If you or someone you know would be keen to come and chat to our tamariki about your job, your experiences, or any ways you show leadership. Or if you have interesting stories that have shaped your identity please get in touch with your child's homegroup teacher. We would love to have you involved!


Walk and Wheel to School:
Next week is Walk or Wheel to School 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 have been handed out to students today and will need to be given to homegroup teachers next Friday morning.


School Swimming Sports:
What a fabulous event! It was awesome to see everyone representing our school with pride and making the most of the oppurtunity. Congratulations to student's in Heathcote who won the relay and therefore win the school cup!




Koru News 1/03/2024 Term 1 Week 5

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Kia ora whānau,

Wow! We have been having so much fun in Koru and made it through the first 5 weeks of this term! 

Maths:

We are starting to learn some Rapid Routines to begin our maths lessons. This term, we have been learning about 'Notice, Think, Wonder' tasks. A photo is shown to the children and they are asked the questions: "What do you notice? What do you think? What do you wonder?" These tasks provide a visual stimulus for tamariki to discuss, notice, think, and wonder about. This could include graphs, puzzles, pictures or graphics. We are learning to act like Mathematicians, which means the children are learning to look for patterns; take a risk and explain their thinking. 

Here is the image looked at, and all the ideas the children thought about. 

  • I notice a big diamond in the middle
  • there is a pattern with the diamonds, they are red and white
  • the triangles go together to make a diamond
  • there are squares
  • the triangles fit into the pattern
  • the shapes are all joined together
  • I think it is a floor
  • I wonder if they are tiles?

What other ideas do you notice, think and wonder about at home when looking at this image? We would love to hear your ideas!
What do you notice?
What do you think?
What do you wonder?

We can find numbers everywhere around us. At the end of Little Play and Big Play, the bell goes and the tamariki come back to Hangare (this is the name of our classroom) and stand on a number. I wonder what numbers you can see? 






Our mornings:
Georgia and Stacey are so impressed with all the children unpacking their bags each morning independently. When the bell goes, the children leave what they are doing and come and sit on the mat. We talk about 'showing 5' when we are doing 'super school sitting!' Legs are crossed; hands are resting; eyes are looking at the front; ears are listening; and mouths are quiet (maybe even with a beautiful smile!) Each morning say good morning and check who is at school, begin with our karakia and sing our National Anthem. Then we look at our Daily Notices, where we find out what flag is flying on the flagpole each day, look at the word of the week and any other notices. 

On Mondays, our first block of learning is Learning Through Play. Then, after morning tea and Little Play, in our middle block, we have whole class and small group Literacy lessons. After Big Play and lunch eating, we have Maths, Kinetic Letters with Bounce and Skip (handwriting), and finish with a shared story. 


We hope you have a wonderful and restful weekend. See you all on Monday.
Stacey, Georgia and Paul

stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz
georgia.mckenna@beckenham.school.nz