Kahikatea-Term 3, week 10

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Kia ora whānau,
A huge thanks for all of your  continued support over the term. The kids have worked so hard and have earned a well-deserved rest (as have my team). 
A big thank you to Maddy, who has been with us for the last 6 weeks in Sarah's home group. We wish you all the best for your future teaching career!

Here are some learning highlights below:















Beckenham te Kura o Pūroto-'The school of the ponds'

We took our tamariki for a short stroll by the ponds as part of learning about our cultural narrative. We talked about the importance of the ponds to the everyday life of our ancestors. Many students were keen to collect rubbish while we were there, showing our values of 'We Care' and 'We Make a Difference'.

If you are able to parent help on our ponds trip next term please fill in the form HERE.



Kapa Haka
This term in Kapa Haka Whaea Cath has been teaching us how to use the poi-there is a lot of learning about tikanga with poi and we have impressed her with our learning.
















Book Amnesty:
Can you please have a look for any decodable reading books over the break and bring them back to us next term. We have a few that are missing. No books will come home during the break.

Talent Show:
Well done to the lava chicken boys: Atlas, Alex, Greyson, Gray, Johnny, and Finn who represented Kahikatea in the school talent show. You were amazing, what courage! You showed 'We Love Challenge'!






 

Kauri Blog – Term 3, Week 10

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 Kauri Blog - Term 3, Week 10

It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the Kauri hub, with tamariki engaged in a wide range of end-of-term learning and exciting EOTC opportunities. From classroom projects and assessments to experiences beyond the school gates, students have been making the most of every moment, showing focus, teamwork, and enthusiasm as the term draws to a close.

Upcoming Dates for Term 4:

  • Week 1: 

    • Throughout the week: Class Speech Competitions

    • Tuesday: Peer Mediator Training

    • Wednesday: Year 5-8 Relationships & Sexuality Education: Parent Information Evening

    • Friday: Celebration Assembly

  • Week 2: 

    • Throughout the week: Walk or Wheel to School week

    • Wednesday: Year 7-8 Speech Finals

    • Thursday: Year 8 Photos

Kauri & Pohutukawa Choir
The Kauri and Pohutukawa Choir had their Area Rehearsal for their upcoming performance on Friday 7 November. Tickets are now available through the following link, which also includes any additional information you may need: https://musicfestival.school.nz/

A huge ngā mihi to Megan for all of her mahi in preparing the choir and helping them sound beautiful. If you have any questions about choir, please reach out to Megan directly at megan.harris@beckenham.school.nz.

Kauri Ski Day
We had a fantastic day up the mountain for our Ski Day, and for many students it was a clear highlight of the term. The weather was kind, the snow was great, and the enthusiasm from our tamariki was infectious. It was awesome to see so many stepping beyond their comfort zones — from learning how to ski for the first time to challenging themselves on the bigger slopes. The determination, resilience, and teamwork on display were outstanding. Ski Day is one of those experiences our students will remember for a long time, and it was wonderful to see them embracing the challenge with such energy and pride.

A huge thank you from Team Kauri to Nicky, whose organisation and planning made the whole day possible, and to the many parents who came along to support. From helping with gear to cheering on the slopes, your contribution made a massive difference. 

Pō Whakangahau - Te Whānau Mahi Tahi Performance
He pō whakahirahira tēnei, kī tonu i te hari me te whakamanawa o ngā tamariki! This was a special evening, full of joy and the courage of our tamariki! Our Kapa Haka group, Te Whānau Mahi Tahi, recently performed at Pō Whakangahau at Cashmere High School. The performance showcased the amount of mahi and aroha that had gone into their preparations, as the tamariki represented Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto with pride and mana. Tamariki – your kaiako could not be prouder of you, and we hope you are so proud of yourselves too.

NFL Tournament
We had three Kauri students, Misha, Nick, and Clarel, as part of the NFL Flag Tournament team that represented Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto at the Canterbury U12 Tournament on Monday of Week 10. It was a fantastic day with great weather, exciting competition, and awesome exposure to a new game; and a big thank you to Chris from Pohutukawa who stepped up to take the team. Our students gave it their all on the field and came away with plenty of new skills, experiences, and memories.


Koru Games
Week 10 saw the long-awaited Koru Games take place. We had a record number of 93 students from the Kauri Team participating across seven different sports. This was an incredible feat, supported by three staff and nineteen parent helpers across the three days. For many of our tamariki, this was their first exposure to a competitive environment and, in some cases, an entirely new sport. The sportsmanship, behaviour, and hard work displayed throughout the event made us incredibly proud of our Kauri learners. 

We want to give a special shout out to our Ultimate Frisbee team who finished as the Bronze Medallists! What an incredible result. A very well done to Ben W, Max, Oscar R, Samson, Dylan, Robbie, Alfie & KJ. Karawhiua!

To all of our parent helpers, we are extremely grateful for you giving up your time — whether it was for one day or all three. Our students could not have these experiences without you, and we are so lucky to have had nineteen incredible volunteers who helped make this event a massive success and a truly memorable experience for our team.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini - My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.

                                

Beckenham’s Got Talent
And to finally end what has been a busy two weeks and term, we celebrated with Beckenham’s Got Talent! Kauri was represented by Ben Stoney – The Piano Whiz, Hanna O’Sullivan – The Irish Dancing Queen, and A.L.A.R.M. – The Next Generation of Musical Brilliance. These three acts were a brilliant display of talent from the Kauri Team and truly blew us all away! It was wonderful to enjoy all the acts from across the school and cheer them on as they demonstrated our value of We Love Challenge.

Thanks for an incredible team and we are looking forward to getting back into it for our final 2025 term after the break. Have a safe and enjoyable school holiday with your tamariki!

Nga mihi nui,
Hugo, Kate, Sarah, Chloe, Nicky & Megan

Koru News Term 3 Week 10 (19/09/2025)

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 Kia ora e te whānau,

Wow! We have reached the end of Term 3! What an awesome term it has been! We have celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). The tamariki have been looking at new kupu (words) and kīwaha (phrases). These have been pasted below, have a go at trying these out at home over the holidays! 

Our Beckenham Values:

  • He taonga te ako - We love learning!
  • Nau mai te wero - We love challenge!
  • Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoa - We get there together!
  • Nā mātou he rerekē te ao - We make a difference!
  • Arohaina te tāngata me te taiao - We care!

Kīwaha (phrases): 

  • Marama keke - a piece of cake, easy as!
  • Kei runga noa atu koe! - you're awesome!

Kupu (words): 

  • Kōanga - Spring
  • Mīharo - wonderful!

Reminders for Term 4:

Sunhats
In Term 4, children are required to wear their sunhats every day. If these are not brought to school, your child will need to stay under the veranda in the shade during Little and Big Play. Hats will be kept in your child's bag (or blue cubby) and taken home and brought back each day. Please ensure hats are named with a first and last name is written clearly on the inside of the hat - sometimes it can be tricky to find your hat when there is no name in it, and we have 500 children (=500 hats) at school! Thanks for your help with this!

Sun cream
Please apply sunscreen to your child before they come to school. We will have a bottle in the hub for children to reapply throughout the day if needed. If your child needs their own sunscreen, it can be brought to school in a named bottle and will be kept on the teaching station.

Lunch boxes
  • Please ensure your child is only bringing water to school (no juice or other drinks). 
  • Do not pack lollies, candy or chocolate in lunch boxes.
  • It is important to help teach your child how to open and close their lunch boxes, so they can do this independently at the start and end of eating times.
  • Thanks for remembering a spoon for yoghurt, as we do not have spare spoons to offer at eating time.
  • Please pre-cut, pre-open or teach your child how to open packets and yoghurt in their lunch boxes (for example, chip packets, twisty yoghurt pouches, museli bars, etc.)




Literacy folders
Please bring literacy folders back every day. New books usually go home on Thursdays for a week.

Library folders and poetry books:
These are needed on Fridays for our new poems, and also so that new library books can be issued.

Changes to contact details
If there have been any changes to your contact details or those of the emergency person you have for your child, please advise the Office so they can be updated.

Staff Car Park
We care about your safety! Please make sure that you enter and exit the school via the Sandwich Road, Eastern Terrace, or Norwood Street entrances. The gate from the car park is out of bounds; no families should be coming in or going out of the school through the car park. Thank you so much for your cooperation with this. The bottom two photos show where the get is, for families to use near the corner of Sandwich Road and Eastern Tce.


Literacy reading books (Pip and Tim books)
We would appreciate you all having a little hunt around at home in the holidays for any literacy story books. Please return ALL books at the start of Term 4 (no matter how long you've had them for), we love to look after our resources and they are very expensive to keep buying and replacing. 


Here are some photos of what our tamariki have been up to lately:


















We hope you all have a fabulous, safe, and relaxing school holiday. We can't wait to see you all refreshed for a wonderful Term 4!

Nga mihi nui,
Stacey, Katie, Elizabeth and Niquita







Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Thursday) 11th September 2025

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

As we reach the end of another busy term, I want to take a moment to thank you all for the energy, encouragement, and support you give to our kura.

ERO Review

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, we welcomed the Education Review Office (ERO) team as part of their normal review cycle. It was a very positive experience and a wonderful opportunity to share all the great things happening across our school to support student success. We expect to receive the finalised report in the coming months.

Kapa Haka Celebration

This evening our kapa haka group will make their first performance in their new costumes at the Pō Whakangahau celebration at Cashmere High School. A huge thank you to Cath, Paerua, and Georgia for all the mahi/work they have done to support the success of this group.

Property Projects Over the Holidays

It will be another busy holiday period at school, with several projects scheduled to take place:
  • Installation of the new public address and bell system
  • A full internal repaint of Parenga - Year 5 - 8 classrooms (including Ferndale)
  • Electrical testing of all school-owned equipment

Staff Only Day

I also want to thank our community for your support of tomorrow’s Staff Only Day, and for spending an additional day with your children while our staff extend their professional knowledge and strengthen their teaching practice. Your support enables us to keep improving learning outcomes for all students.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our kura as we continue to create a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment for our learners.

Have a restful weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

WEEK 9
Fri 12 Sept - Staff Only Day 

WEEK 10 - Last Week of Term 3
Tue 16 Sept - Wed 17 Sept - Board of Trustees Election Results Declared & Board Takes Office
Fri 19 Sept - Last Day of Term 3
Fri 19 Sept - Celebration Assembly
Fri 19 Sept - BGT - 'Beckenham's Got Talent' Show

WEEK 1 - Term 4
Mon 6 Oct - First Day of Term 4
Wed 8 Oct - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 10 Oct - Welcome Assembly (9:10-9:40am in the Hall)

WEEK 3 
Wed 22 Oct - Thu 23 Oct - Huxster Mountain Biking Event
Wed 22 Oct - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)

WEEK 4
Mon 27 Oct - Labour Day - School Closed
Wed 29 Oct - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm)
Fri 30 Oct - Athletics Day

WEEK 6
Thu 13 Nov - Staff Only Day
Fri 14 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day - School Closed

WEEK 7 
Fri 21 Nov - PTA Colour Run (1:30pm-3:00pm Fundraiser Event)

Citizen of the Week

Sofia - Year 7
Sofia, you are a kind, conscientious student. You apply yourself consistently in every learning area and you are a true role-model of our school values. You stand out as a leader through your actions both in your kindnesses to all students and staff. Thank you for being awesome!! Ka Rawe.

BOT Update

2025 Triennial Elections

Voting in our school board elections has now closed.

Keep an eye out for the announcement of the parent representatives elected to join the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto School Board coming soon. 

Thank you to all of our whanau and families who took part in the school board elections this
year.

Term 3 Policy Review - SchoolDocs

  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 policy.
  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.

School Notices

Sunhat and Drink Bottle - Reminder for Term 4

As we near Term 4 and warmer weather, it is very important that every child attends school with a named sunhat and water bottle. Sunhats are compulsory when outside during Terms 1 and 4. Please also remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied as well.


Absences From School

With the ongoing winter ills that many of our whānau are suffering from, it is really important to let the office know, in the first instance, when tamariki (children) are going to be absent from school.
If you wish to provide extra information to their home group teacher, please feel free to email them as well. On some occasions their home group teacher may not be the person who marks the roll, so it is very important to let the office know every time your child is going to be absent from school or will be turning up late. If your child is unwell, please support their recovery and others' health by keeping them at home. If they have had the vomiting bug they need to be away from school for 48 hours.
You can email office@beckenham.school.nz, send a text 021 0279 4107, or leave a voice message on 03 337 1404.
Please note: when children are collected from school, whether unwell or not, they must please be signed out at the office.

Parking in the 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a 3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. This means drivers are not able to sit in their cars from 2:30pm waiting for children, or to park cars in this area and go into school. If you arrive early and wait for children, or if you need to get out of your car and come into school, please find an alternative place to park. Having this area just for drop-offs means that the traffic on Sandwich Road moves smoothly before and after school, and this is much safer for our children.

Parking over Driveways 

We have received several complaints from surrounding residents about cars parking over their driveways.
Please ensure you leave 1 metre from any vehicle entrance (as is required by law) so that residents can access their driveways at any time during the day. This is especially important in case there is an emergency and residents need to exit their property or emergency services need to enter.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. We get there together!

Congratulations to ALARM 

Recently, A.L.A.R.M — Alex, Letta, Alfie, Robbie and Mark — took part in Rockshop Bandquest, Aotearoa’s live music event for primary and intermediate students. Now in its fifteenth year, the programme brings hundreds of young bands to stages around the country to showcase their talent.

A.L.A.R.M impressed the judges and secured 2nd place on Canterbury Day 4, winning $300 in NZ Rockshop credit for our Music Department.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and of the legacy they are leaving for other students to follow!

Community Book Swap

Need a good book to read, but can't get to the library? Need a good book to read but the prices are just too steep? We have the solution! 
Conveniently situated just behind the admin desk is a wide-ranging selection of books that have either been donated by staff or just somehow arrived at school. This is a book swap, so if you take one, it would be great if you could bring one too, but don't let that stop you if you're short of books you want to give away.
Come and have a look, you might just find that very something you've been looking for!

Kupu Māori o te Wiki

Give these a go! Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge!


Kīwaha: Kei runga noa atu koe! - this means You're awesome!

Kupu: Māra - this means garden

Waiata: Ki Mau Ki Tō Ūkaipo - Don’t Forget your Roots, Six60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFHaEuep5eI&ab_channel=M_Y_S_T_I_K  


If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

BOSCO

BOSCO currently has availability each day for before and after school care for regular or casual bookings. If you have thought about using BOSCO for your tamariki but aren’t 100% sure what we're about or how we work, please feel free to pop in for a chat with Harriet or send through an email with any questions you may have.
A trial session is welcome if you would like your tamariki to give it a go first.
Harriet Takamore | Programme Leader | BOSCO Incorporated
office@bosco.org.nz | 027 645 6632

Lunchonline Orders

Lunchonline now has a QR code for easy account creation and ordering of school lunch deliveries. 

Sports Highlights

We Love Challenge

It was amazing to see Nathan having an incredible time on the snow at Mount Hutt last week. After a few runs on the beginners slope, he asked when he was going on the lift!

Such a brilliant attitude and showing "We Love Learning" and We Love Challenge".

Kauri Mt Hutt Ski Trip

A fabulous day yesterday, Wednesday 10th September, on the slopes, with many happy and tired skiers!

PTA News

Calling All Business Owners and Local Legends! 

The Beckenham School PTA is excited to announce our very first School Colour Run, happening in Term 4! This vibrant community event will raise funds for a brand-new playing turf for our tamariki.

Do you run a local business, or work for a company that loves giving back to the community? We’re looking for sponsors to partner with us. In return, sponsors will receive promotion through event signage, social media, school newsletters, and more!

If you or someone you know is interested in supporting this exciting event, please click the link here to register your interest. 

KIDS TRYathlon

We have signed up a school group for The Weetbix TRYathlon and we’re looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible! Early bird entries are now open for the TRYathlon on 22nd February 2026 at Jellie Park. 

Last year our school won the prize for most students signed up, so let’s do it again! The TRYathlon is all about giving it a TRY and is a rewarding, fun day out for you and your child. Every child gets a t-shirt and medal. We will have the school gazebo set up, where children and parents can gather while waiting. 

Distances are approximate and are as follows:

6 year olds 50m swim / 1.5km run
7 year olds 50m swim / 4km cycle / 1.5km run
8 – 9 year olds 100m swim / 4km cycle / 1.5km run
10 – 15 year olds 150m swim / 8km cycle / 1.5 km run

Entry Options
  • Splash & Dash - 6 year olds only. Swim and run.
  • Individual TRYathlete - 7-15 year olds. Swim, cycle and run.
  • Teams of Two - 7-9 year olds (Juniors) and 10-15 year olds (Seniors). One team member does the swim, the other does the cycle, and both do the run.

If you have any questions please contact the PTA via pta@beckenham.school.nz 

Next PTA Meeting

Our next meeting has been rescheduled due to the school holidays and will now take place on Wednesday 8th October, 7.30pm to 9.00pm in the Staff Room.

Entertainment Membership

This month, your Entertainment Membership has double the power - because Entertainment is gift-matching every donation from your Membership purchase. That means your impact for our cause is instantly doubled.

And it gets even better. With your Membership, you’ll also unlock:
  • $20,000+ in yearly savings
  • Up to 50% off dining and activities
  • 15,000+ offers ready to use anytime, anywhere
Your Membership isn’t just about benefits—it’s about creating memorable experiences while giving back twice as much. Make your Membership go further today! Every 25 Memberships sold raises $350 for our cause.


Community Notices

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


Neurodiversity 101

Date: Tuesday, 16th September 2025

Essential Information for Parents

Join us in understanding Neurodiversity! The Cashmere Parents Group is pleased to present this event in partnership with The Collaborative Trust. Emma Read will lead this informative Parent Talk, accompanied by a Youth Tutor. Emma is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist.

This session is designed for those who are just beginning to explore these concepts, their meanings, and their effects on families. Deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and explore topics including autism, ADHD, and more.

If you suspect your child may be neurodiverse or has recently received a diagnosis, this presentation will give you some tools to support their journey. There are many strengths to neurodivergence, but it can also add extra challenges to the already bumpy teenage years. We'll explore some of the common struggles, look at what approaches can help you navigate those, and give you some practical tools for parenting a young person with neurodiversity.
  • Spot signs that show they are struggling
  • Learn approaches that help
  • Turn challenges into strengths
Nibbles, Tea, Coffee and Juice will be served in the foyer at 6.30pm prior to the presentation. It will start at 7pm in the Auditorium, with a Q & A session afterwards. The event is expected to end at 8.30 pm

Parking is available on school grounds; entry is through the Barrington Street entry, as the Rose Street gate is closed after hours.


Venue: Cashmere High School, Performing Arts Centre (PAC)
Date: Tuesday 16th September 2025
Time: Talk 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm (Drinks + Nibbles served in the foyer at 6.30 pm)
Cost: FREE

Gill Weavers, Chairperson  / Cashmere Parents Group
cpg@cashmere.school.nz

Storybox Drama – What’s On

School Holiday Workshops:
Join us these spring holidays for creative workshops at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora:

Tue 23 Sep - Call of the Kraken (ages 9–12)
Dive into the mysterious underwater world of Avis and the Kraken with music, drama, and a Q&A with author Heather McQuillan!

Tue 30 Sep - Tiny Seed (ages 5–8)
Playfully explore The Tiny Seed with collage, music, and drama alongside art educator Meg Nicoll. Together we’ll bring this heartfelt story of change and courage to life!

Term 4 Afterschool Process Drama Classes
Wed 15 Oct to Wed 3 Dec (8 weeks) at Somerfield Community Centre: 

Moon Mouse (ages 5–8)
Step into the world of Moon Mouse, a shy little space mouse who finds friendship in the most unexpected places. Join us on a magical process drama journey perfect for curious adventurers!

Off the Page: Voices Uncovered (ages 9–12)
Fairytale voices with a twist. Discover the secrets the characters have been waiting to share. Poems come alive through drama, music, and imagination.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram or email us: storybox.chch@gmail.com to register your interest:


Year 7 & 8 Team @ Beckenham 2025-09-05 15:36:00

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 Term 3 Week 8

Beckenham has got Talent!

Our Beckenham’s Got Talent contestants were a huge success, impressing us with their creativity, confidence, and skill. From the high standard set in auditions through to the final show, every performance shone and made the event a memorable celebration of talent. A big thank you to all of our students for sharing their talent with us.

For our final Kauri line up we have Hanna, Ben S and A.L.A.R.M. We look forward to seeing you there if you able to attend in Week 10, Friday 1.30pm.

Ski Trip

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility around the postponement and new skiing date. We know there were a lot of disappointed students and (teachers). We are exciting to be going this Wednesday the 10th instead. A big thank you to Mt Hutt for being so accommodating. 

Hikoi

In Week 7, our City Hikoi took us to several significant sites, including Margaret Mahy Playground, Quake City, and the Christchurch Art Gallery. It is always special to be able to offer these opportunities to our Kauri students, and we are grateful to our support team and whānau whose help made the trip possible. Experiences like this also provide a wonderful chance to see students thrive outside the classroom and share their learning in new ways.

















Passions- Drawing

Passions. this term is well underway. This term we have a second Felting workshop a series of S.T.E.M projects, debating and drawing. In drawing we have been looking at shading techniques and a number of different artist that inspire us. 






Cantamath 2025

Last Wednesday we had two teams competing at the annual Cantamath competition, solving 20 challenging maths problems over an intense 30 minute period. Our Year 7 team scored 75 points, coming in the top 15 of a 85-90 team field. The Year 8s came in 10th= with a score of 90 points. A fabulous result for both teams. We also had a large number of entries in the projects competition, with at least half of our entries being awarded Highly Commended or Excellence awards. 





Fibonacci

This term we explored Fibonacci numbers and their fascinating link to square roots, helping us see the bigger picture of how mathematics connects to the world around us. Students observed how Fibonacci numbers appear in nature, patterns, and art, bringing maths to life in exciting ways. Rowan Matthews also showed this in her Cantamath project on Fibonacci numbers.



Te Awa guests- some wanted some not!

Te Awa had an opportunity to take a closer look at New Zealand Predator Free 2050. As part of our science inquiry into extinct, endangered and threatened. We had some real life predators and prey from our friends at The Department of Conservation. This gave us a unique opportunity to do some close work observations and scientific drawings. 










Upcoming dates for the diary;

Week Nine- 8-12 September

Monday- Cashmere alternative testing day.

Wednesday- Ski Trip

Thursday Evening Te Whānau Mahi Tahi performance at Cashmere

Friday - Staff Only Day

Week 10- 15-19 September

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday- Koru Games

Friday- Last day of Term 3.