Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
It was super to see so many children taking part in celebrating our 'Culture and Diversity Day' today! Alongside a wide variety of colour, we had children and staff celebrating many different cultures and ethnicities that are meaningful to them, from every corner of the globe! We had staff and students who shared aspects of their culture including sports and performance affiliations, and in Celebration Assembly, a wonderful presentation on Niue by Tayla Finlayson. We are incredibly lucky to have such diversity across our community and we appreciate and value the opportunity to learn about our differences and how we are all unique.
'Kaitiaki Crew' News Article
How wonderful, miharo to see the members of our hardworking and passionate Kaitiaki Crew given their 'moment in the sun' this week with the publication of an online news article on Newsline. The article, titled '
Beckenham Students Nurturing Nature' is about our ongoing partnership with the Council Community Partnerships Rangers and Community Waterways Partnership. It's a wonderful way to promote and celebrate the taonga of our spring-fed ponds for which our school is named, and recognise the mahi of some of our dedicated 'kaitiaki'. Nā mātou he rereke te ao, the world is different because of us!
You can read the article here.
Very proud of our tamariki and kaimahi (staff) as they build each year on the work around the ponds done by previous year's students.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki
Important Dates
(you can also find the Community Calendar on our website here)
Thu 7 Dec - BOT Meeting, 5.30pm, StaffroomFri 8 Dec - Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Fri 8 Dec - 12:15-3pm, Kahikatea Team trip to Isaac Theatre Royal, Southern Ballet
Mon 11 Dec - 7-8pm Kauri Production, in the Hall
Tue 12 Dec - 7-8pm Kauri Production, in the Hall
Fri 15 Dec - Final Celebration Assembly, 9:45am, in the Hall
Mon 18 Dec - Year 8 Graduation, 11am-12pm
Mon 18 Dec - Year 8 Leavers' Lunch 12:30-1:30pm
Tue 19 Dec - Last Day of Term 4, School finishes at 12.30pm
2024
Tue 30 Jan - Learning Conferences
Wed 31 Jan - Learning Conferences
Thu 1 Feb - Classes begin
Citizen of the Week
Aine Smyth - Year 8
Aine, you are an advocate for kindness and inclusion in our Kauri whānau. You have been a committed member of our Diversity Group, putting into action your values of making a difference to others within our kura. Aine, you have a brilliant mind: synthesizing, making connections and forming questions come naturally to you, and you confidently express your ideas during group discussions. Thank you for all the wonderful qualities you bring to our kura.
School Notices
Elmer Ōtautahi Art Trail
Last term we finished painting our Elmer Elephant sculpture. The Elmers gathered for an unveiling last Thursday before heading out on the art trail. Our Elmer, 'Rainbow Bloom', is hanging out at Tūranga for the next couple of months. They would love a visit from some Beckenham tamariki! Below is the blurb about our beautifully painted sculpture. We hope you enjoy going on the Elmer Ōtautahi Art Trail and spotting all of these fabulous works of art. The large Elmer's, painted by professional artists, are outside around the city. The baby Elmer’s, which have been school projects, are inside the many buildings that are run by the city council. Enjoy!
Name / title: Rainbow Bloom
Inspired by: Growing to your full potential and showing your true colours.
Brief description of sculpture: Rainbow Bloom represents our school values, especially 'We Get There Together: Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe'; inclusivity and how it is OK to be different. Above 'Rainbow’s' diversity socks are a selection of flags from the nationalities at our school. Our school's cultural narrative has strong ties to the Ōpāwaho River, so we have represented this on their trunk. We want 'Rainbow Bloom' to bring a smile to people's faces, even when it is the toughest of days.
Student Council - Celebrating Diversity and Culture Day
This term the student council planned a diversity-themed term. We have looked at different aspects of diversity including culture, LGBTQ+ and we are about to focus on disability. On Thursdays, we have had lunchtime activities such as nail painting, colouring in, and even Chilean dancing! This Friday, Dec 1st, the student council held a diversity day where children could dress up to represent a culture that is special to them or dress to support the LGBTQ+ community. Children bought a gold coin as a donation that will go to Qtopia.
Thank you to our Student Council for their continuous mahi and inclusive advocacy!
Congratulations to...
The following special Awards were presented today in Celebration Assembly:
Grace English
Taylor Cup for Sportsmanship
Grace, you perfectly balance a fierce competitiveness with a level head and inclusivity on the sports field. You recognise and encourage the strengths of those in your team and have a gift in bringing people together and creating cohesion within your team. Grace, thank you for the way you notice and act when others need support or a vote of confidence and for the way you play with the upmost respect for your opposition and the rules of the game. In defeat, you are unshakable, positive and upbeat, while you celebrate victories with great humility.
Kacey Pedersen
Taylor Cup for Sportsmanship
Kacey, you are a fantastic role model on the sports field. You lift others through your actions and comments, which positively contributes to the team culture. You extend your cheery personable nature to the opposition and game officials, always maintaining a balance of competitiveness and fun. Kacey, you regularly put yourself out there in sporting contexts, which inspires others to do the same. You embrace the challenges of sport with humility and grace. Whatever the sport and whatever the stakes, you play with heart and determination.
Cahlen Stace
Cross Country (Cooper Cup) Winner
Ella Coleman & Zoe Colville
Cross Country (Cooper Cup) Winners
Olivia Hurford
Athletics Senior Girl (BOT Cup) Trophy Winner
Blake Grayburn
Athletics Senior Boy (Jubilee Cup) Winner
Ashlyn Taffs
Kete Awards - Care
Kete Awards - Together
Frida Corin, Charlie Price
Kete Awards - Learning
Kete Awards - Challenge
Hamish Zinzan
Kete Awards - Difference
Congratulations also to:
Mirren and Coleman Leitch
Mirren and Coleman just got back from being at the Brazilian Jiu jitsu Gold Coast championships on Wednesday last week, it was their first international competition, they very proudly brought back 2 gold and 2 silver medals, after fighting some of the toughest. With Mirren even fighting an Australian champion.
Elijah Hakeagaiki
Last weekend, Elijah played in the Pacific Series Tournament for rugby league. His team was undefeated again and he had the best time. Here is a photo of him in the tournament.
PTA News
A reminder that all items ordered in the recent fundraisers are able to be collected from school next Friday the 8th of December.
BOT Update
Term 4 Policy Review
Thank you to all of you who have provided feedback so far on our Term 4 Policies, listed below, that are up for review.
- Curriculum and Student Achievement Policy
- Student Achievement Information/Student Assessment and Achievement,
- Home Learning
- Distance Learning
- Health Education
To review these, please follow the instructions below.
- 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 under Term 4 Review Topics
- 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.
Your feedback on the content (the policy) and implementation (how we follow the policy) promotes discussion with staff and the Board and helps us to evaluate our processes and make changes as needed.
This review closes Friday 15 December.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Exciting Opportunity for Aspiring Junior Chefs!
Introducing the in person Junior Chef Holiday Programme, designed to unleash your child’s culinary potential!
Start Date: 18 – 22 December 2023
Time: 9am – 12pm (8 – 16 year old)
Total Cost: $300 per student.
Start Date: 22 – 26 January 2024
Time: 9am – 12pm (8 – 16 year old)
Total Cost: $300 per student.
Location: International Culinary Studio Training Kitchen, 1/57 Warrington St, Christchurch.
Give your child the gift of being self-sufficient in the kitchen! They’ll learn essential culinary skills, techniques, and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced chefs.
Bring your own electronic device, such as a laptop or tablet, to fully engage with digital resources and take our learning to the next level.
Chef Pat will be teaching the kids a great set of skills. Empower your child with culinary expertise that will last a lifetime. Whether they aspire to be the next MasterChef or simply want to enhance their
cooking skills, this course is a stepping stone to their culinary dreams. This course will also help them with their mathematics, reading and social skills.
Enroll today and ignite their passion for the Culinary Arts!
We will only run the course if more than 8 people register. Maximum class of 14 people.
All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
AKOTECH CodeCamps Summer School Holidays - FREE PRIZE & EARLY DISCOUNTS
Our holiday camp allows children from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action packed environment. Create and train your own AI Avatars, make games, code drones & go to work for a simulated Tech Gaming Studio to build games for a big pretend client.
Develop confidence & initiative through design, creativity, solving problems, presenting & collaboration. Create your own games, worlds and apps to make our world a better place.
We also have Literati Lab just for girls
Venues: Canterbury Uni & St Andrews College
Dates: 8th - 11th & 15th - 18th January
Enter our competition to win a FREE 4 day pass to one of our CodeCamps
EarlyBird Save Up to 21% Until 14th December
Siblings Save 6%
Looking for another way to support the school with your Christmas shopping? Check out these amazing products for everyone in the family at
School Fundraising Shop.
School Fundraising Shop will donate 10% of each purchase back to our school when you select Beckenham at check out. Happy shopping!
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