Koru Team News Term 3 Week 4

Kia ora e te whānau,

Welcome to Week 4 of the third term! 

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Poppy Wallace-Bell. Poppy is with us for the final 7 week placement of her teacher training at the University of Canterbury. Please introduce yourselves to Poppy and help to make her feel at home with us here at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto.

There is so much wonderful learning taking place within our hub, including a focus on Calendar Art, a Digitech topic starting next week, amazing learning in Maths (including 2D and 3D shapes, repeated addition leading on to multiplication, skip counting forwards and backwards in 2s, 5s and 10s and learning the doubles, e.g., 3+3, 7+7, etc., all the way up to 10+10) and of course, our Structured Literacy group learning. Your children are fantastic learners and we're all very proud of them!

Eight of our Koru team members are going to be moving through to the Kahikatea team on Monday next week. We wish them all the very best and will miss them enormously. We know that as long as they continue to be guided by our Beckenham Values they are going to prove to the new Kahikatea team members that they are wonderful learners and loyal friends.

Maths Week Next Week!

To celebrate Maths Week, we will be having a daily joke and maths problem on a whiteboard, outside Hangere, for you and your child to solve! Come to school each day with plenty of time to spend with your child mulling over the joke and solving the problem together.

Mathematics & Statistics: Understanding your child's learning

The Ministry of Education's Parent Portal is a collection of resources for parents, families and carers. Here, you will find information about the learning your child is engaging in at school, within their year level, and how you can support them at home with their learning. Feel free to have a look and explore what you can do at home to support your child's Maths learning, while, at the same time, keeping it fun!

KOS:

Keeping Ourselves Safe

The Koru team will be participating in the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme during Weeks 6 and 7 of this term. Your child's homegroup teacher will teach six sessions and Constable Meg will teach two sessions.

What will children learn?

They will learn:

- to work out when their safety is at risk

- how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people

- who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused

- to go on asking for help until someone does something to stop the abuse

- that it is important to make and follow personal, family, and school safety rules

Children will have some short activities to work through at home with you. Thank you for your support with this. Please click on this link for more information about Keeping Ourselves Safe.

Beckenham's Got Talent:

The Student Council members are organising a Beckenham's Got Talent event this term. If your tamariki are keen to sing, dance, play an instrument, perform some magic, drama or poetry, please sign them up by emailing your child's teacher. The maximum group size is eight people and the maximum performance time is four minutes. Auditions for the final event are in Week 8.

If your child wishes to audition for our school talent show, whānau are welcome to organise this with their child and/or a group of children. Any practices will need to take place at home after school. 

Structured Literacy:

Here are a few little video links below (some of which have been shared before, and are now being reshared for new families):

One of our teachers has recorded some videos to support our whānau with understanding what our literacy stages look like and what you can do to support your learner at home:

We hope you find these videos both informative and helpful as you support your child's learning at home!

And now for this fortnight's photo gallery:

Showing 'We Care', by helping with some planting in the Pūkaki play space.

Preparing the roots of this little tree for planting.

Wow - awesome building skills on display here!

More care and kindness being shown towards the environment.

Caring for this newly planted tree.

'We Get There Together'.

Wonderful teamwork, tamariki.

Inquiring into why our shadows change at different times throughout the day.


Making the link between repeated addition and multiplication.


...and learning that the multiplication sign 'x' means 'groups of'.


Beautifully formed letters at handwriting time.

Making the link between knowing the doubles and therefore knowing the two times table.





We know that a sentence starts with a capital letter, has spaces between the words and (mostly) ends with a full stop.



Learning about 2D shapes and their properties.
.
A hexagon...

A trapezium...

A parallelogram...

A triangle...

A pentagon...

A rhombus...

Showing 'We Get There Together' and 'We Care'.

More lovely teamwork.

Good friends working together on their project in the sandpit.

What a wonderful thing to do together in the warm sunshine - don't you just love a good book!

The audience grows...


Happy times with our Koru team friends!


We hope you all have a glorious weekend with your families and friends, and we look forward to seeing those gorgeous, wide smiles again on Monday!

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou,

Katie, Stacey, Niquita and Elizabeth


Kōwhai News Term 3 Week 4

Kia ora koutou, 

We hope you have all had a good week. We have been busy bees in our hub! This week, our tamariki enjoyed watching the staff vs students netball game and there was a lot of excitement and cheering. We were also looking forward to a tug of war between the houses today but unfortunately, it was called off last minute due to bad weather. Hopefully, we can rearrange it for another time! 


Beckenham's Got Talent

The student council is excited to be running another talent show this year. There has been a lot of enthusiasm for this and lots of brainstorming amongst the students. At this stage, our students have been given the opportunity to sign up for this during our morning notices. Whānau can also email their child’s homegroup teacher to sign them up if they wish.

When the students are planning their act, it is important to note that the maximum group size is eight people. The maximum performance time is four minutes and we encourage students to be able to perform their act for at least 1 minute. Students will have the opportunity to organise and practice during Discovery time.

The auditions will held in week 8 within our hub. We will then narrow it down to 4 semi-finalists who will perform for the whole Kōwhai hub and 2 acts will be chosen to go through to the finals which will be held in the hall on Friday 19th of September. Good luck!



4 Square Tournament

A schoolwide 4 Square tournament is being held during Friday lunchtimes in weeks 7 and 8. Students have been signing up for the event and are practising diligently in preparation for this.



Maths Week Next Week!

To celebrate Maths week next week, we will have a daily joke and maths problem for you to solve on a whiteboard outside the Kōwhai hub. Please do check them out and see if you can solve the conundrums together. We Love Challenge!


Mathematics & Statistics: Understanding your child's learning

The Ministry of Education Parent Portal is a collection of guidance and resources for parents, families and carers. Here, you will find information about the learning your child is doing at school within their year level, and how you can support them in their learning. Feel free to have a look and explore what you can do at home to support maths learning, while keeping it fun!



PB4L (Positive Behaviour For Learning)

So far this term, we have been: 

  • Celebrating how our brains work (learning about the diverse strengths and differing ways that our brains think)

  • Learning how to use the S.O.A.R (Stop, Observe, Assess, Respond) strategy to problem solve in the playground

  • Learning how to use a set of negotiation steps to express our problems and work with our peers to find a solution and check in with how this solution is working.



Cyber Safety

Staying Safe Online: Snapchat and Privacy

Snapchat is a popular messaging app that lets users exchange pictures and videos (snaps) that are meant to disappear after they’re viewed. Many young people love Snapchat but it’s important that they understand how to protect their privacy on the app.


Check out Netsafe’s Privacy on Snapchat page for some helpful information on Snapchat’s features. You can also find out more information about privacy, security and safety on Snapchat’s help centre.


Have a great weekend!

From the Kōwhai team



Team Kahikatea Week 4 Term 3

 

Kia ora whānau,

Welcome to Week 4! Our teaching and learning programmes are now in full swing, and it's been wonderful to see our new homegroup settling confidently into the breakout space. Next week, Kendall will be welcoming another group of learners from the Koru team. These tamariki have already visited our hub, and their transition is going smoothly as they begin to feel more at home in their new environment.

Supporting Your Child's Independence

We’re thrilled to see so many families encouraging independence by allowing children to come into the hub on their own in the mornings and confidently follow their daily routines. To support this further, at the end of the day,  you may want to establish a designated meeting spot with your child—such as the library steps, hall steps, flagpole, or another agreed-upon location outside the hub. This small step makes a big difference in reducing congestion and ensuring a smooth and safe pickup process. Thank you for your continued support!

Mathematics 

We are now using these fabulous Oxford Maths Student Workbooks. We will be using these once a week to provide students with the opportunity to revisit and practise key mathematical skills and strategies. Our Year 1 students are using book 1, and our Year 2 students are using book 2. 

Maths Week 

Click this link for information on how whānau can access the parent portal and find out more about mathematics in New Zealand schools. 

Next week is Maths Week, and we’ll be sharing a new maths challenge each day! If you’re dropping by, be sure to check out the whiteboard outside the hub and give it a go. Creating positive and engaging experiences with maths is a key focus of the refreshed curriculum, and we’d love for whānau to join in the fun and be part of the learning!

Keeping Ourselves Safe Weeks 5 & 6

This term, as part of our Health Curriculum, teams will be teaching Keeping Ourselves Safe in Years 0-8, supported by our Police Education Officer, Meg.  Click HERE to see more information on our school website. 

The four focus areas in the Keeping Ourselves Safe (KOS) junior primary programme are:

  • I am unique, He taonga ahau
  • My body is my own, Nōku tōku tinana
  • Unwanted behaviour or touch, Kore e hiahiatia te whanonga me te pā kino
  • Adults who help, Ngā kaiāwhina pakeke

What will children learn? They will learn:

  • to work out when their safety is at risk
  • how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people
  • who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused
  • to go on asking for help until someone does something to stop the abuse
  • that it is important to make and follow personal, family and school safety rules
There will be homework activities for you to complete with your child/children, and we will send these home at the end of each learning session: 
Focus area 1 – I am unique, He taonga ahau
Focus area 2 – My body is my own, Nōku tōku tinana
Focus area 3 – Unwanted behaviour or touch, Kore e hiahiatia te whanonga me te pā kino
Focus area 4 – Adults who help, Ngā kaiāwhina pakeke
 

Welcome, UC Student Teachers 

We are fortunate to have students from the University of Canterbury, and this term we welcome Robert Carpinter to Amber's Homegroup, who has joined us this week and is here for 7 weeks as part of his final placement. Starting on Monday, we welcome Maddison Frame, who will be working alongside Sarah for 6 weeks.

Winter Ills and Chills 

Thank you for keeping your child at home when they are unwell — we really appreciate your support. As is common during winter, we’re seeing an increase in illnesses such as fevers and tummy bugs. To help prevent the spread and ensure all tamariki are well enough to fully participate in learning, we kindly ask that you keep your child home until they have fully recovered.

Friendly Reminders - Library Days 

  • Tuesday: Amber & Talia's home groups
  • Thursday: Sarah & Kendall's home groups
Library books can only be issued when your child has returned one or both books and has their library folder. Please support your child in returning their folder to school on their designated library day.

Smash Play Cricket Sessions 

Our tamariki had two fantastic sessions with Dan on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Here are some photos of the action...














Have a lovely weekend, from team Kahikatea. 

 Lisa, Amber, Sarah, Talia & Kendall 




















Kauri News – Week 4, Term 3 2025

 Kia Ora Koutou e te Whānau,



Upcoming Events

Week 5

  • Wednesday 13th August

    • Cheese Roll fundraiser

  • Friday 15th August

    • Year 5-8 Duathlon

Week 6

  • Tuesday 19th August

    • Cantamath display drop off

  • Wednesday 20th August

    • Cantamath display open to public and Interschool competition

  • Wednesday 20th August & Friday 22nd August

    • Beckenham in school Touch competition 

Week 7  

  • Wednesday 27th August

    • Year 7 Girls self-defence

  • Thursday 28th August - Team Kauri trip

    • Quake City, Art Gallery & City Hīkoi

  • Friday 29th August

    • Beckenham in school Four square tournament

    • Te Whanau Mahi Tahi Wānanga

Week 8

  • Tuesday 2nd September 

    • Year 8 Cashmere testing day

  • Wednesday 3rd September 

    • Team Kauri Ski trip

Week 9

  • Thursday 11th September 

    • Team Kauri Ōpawaho Hīkoi - TBC

    • Pō Whakangahau - Te Whānau Mahi Tahi Performance 4:30-6:30pm

Week 10

  • Monday 15th September 

    • Staff vs Students basketball

  • Tuesday 16th - Thursday 18th September 

    • Koru Games


Calendar Art

Over the first few weeks students have been creating their Calendar Art using digital skills and applications. Students were to create a piece that was unusual and included an element of themselves in the art. As I am sure you are aware, Calendar Art is a great fundraising opportunity for our school and a great way for you to display your child’s art in a number of ways. We look forward to seeing what it looks like later in the term.


Bekamaths & Cantamaths

In preparation for Cantamaths 2025, Team Kauri students participated in a problem solving event we call Bekamaths. This event involved the students solving problems in small groups. As a home learning task students have also been encouraged to participate in a home learning challenge to create posters or projects to do with Maths. Students have been bringing them in this week and they will be available to view in the Kauri breakout space before and after school in Week 5. A number of these projects will be chosen by Teachers to represent Beckenham at the Cantamaths competition later this term.

Passions Term 3

This term teachers are offering some tried and tested and some new Passions for students to discover:

  • Felt-making

  • Buddies (students working in the Koru & Kahikatea)

  • Mad Lab (STEAM activities)

  • Debating

  • Drawing workshop






Felting (above)





Debating (left, above)


Some students have requested some more outdoor options as were offered in Term 1 & 2, however, it was felt that the weather might be an issue this term so indoor options were offered instead and that more outdoor opportunities will be made available in Term 4.


Ski Trip

In Week 8, the Team will be heading out to the Ski fields for the day. This is an annual event for Team Kauri. One we would like to continue for the foreseeable future. We appreciate the support families are showing for this event by coming as parent helpers and by supporting school fundraising which has been helping reduce the cost of these events for families.


Maths Week Next Week!

To celebrate Maths week we will have a daily joke and maths problem on a whiteboard, outside our hub, for you and your child to solve! You are also welcome to come into the hub before and after school to walk through our Cantamath projects in the breakout space in Kauri Hub.


Mathematics & Statistics: Understanding your child's learning

The Ministry of Education Parent Portal is a collection of guidance and resources for parents, families and carers. Here, you will find information about the learning your child is doing at school within their year level, and how you can support them in their learning. Feel free to have a look and explore what you can do at home to support Maths learning, while keeping it fun!


Staying Safe Online: Snapchat and Privacy

Snapchat is a popular messaging app that lets users exchange pictures and videos (snaps) that are meant to disappear after they’re viewed. Many young people love Snapchat but it’s important that they understand how to protect their privacy on the app.


Check out Netsafe’s Privacy on Snapchat page for some helpful information on Snapchat’s features. You can also find out more information about privacy, security and safety on Snapchat’s help centre.




Have a safe and happy weekend!


Ngā mihi nui,


Team Kauri Teachers

Hugo, Chloe, Sarah, Kate, Nicky, and Megan H

Pōhutukawa News Term 3 Week 4 2025






Ngā mihi e te whānau, warm greetings to you all,

Read on for news and information about some exciting upcoming events. 2 more weeks of Winter Sports! Have a great weekend everyone, kia pai ngā rā whakata.


Year 5/6 Pōhutukawa Team Flag football GOLD Team
(Left to Right) Hugo Maier, Isabelle Gale, Archie Gardener, Hamish McCrae and Ruby Grice

Spring is in the Air

It's starting to feel more and more like spring, and as is always the case at this time of the year we have had a fair bit of sickness throughout the team. Thank you for your vigilance around keeping children at home if they are unwell. Also, with the variable weather at this time of the year, it's a good time to remind everyone about the importance of noticing when it gets warm that we need to look after ourselves by drinking lots of water, and taking a layer off...(and then looking after polar fleeces!), particularly in the afternoons. As always, there are many learning opportunities about managing ourselves and looking after ourselves. Thank you for your support around this, mā tātou kātoa te waka e hoe, we're all in the waka together. 


2025 Keeping Ourselves Safe

From Tuesday 19th August until Friday 29th August,  the New Entrant to Year 8 teams will be teaching the personal safety programme by New Zealand Police - Keeping Ourselves Safe. We cover this programme every two years as part of our Health curriculum. 

What will children and young people learn?

They will learn:

  • to work out when their safety is at risk

  • how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people

  • who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused

  • to go on asking for help until someone does something to stop the abuse

  • that it is important to make and follow personal, family and school safety rules

They will know:

  • that abuse is never okay

  • that abuse is never their fault

What part do parents, caregivers and whānau play?

Parents and whānau are strongly encouraged to support Keeping Ourselves Safe.

You can:

  • find out about abuse and what to do if you think a child you know is being abused

  • talk to your child about what they have learnt in Keeping Ourselves Safe

  • set safety guidelines with your family

  • help young children with the Keeping Ourselves Safe activities they bring home

  • give the same safety messages as the school is giving

  • look at the whānau section of NZ Police Keeping Ourselves Safe for more information

  • frequently asked questions - click here

Keeping Ourselves Safe will be taught by your child’s Home Group teacher, with support from

Constable Meg Moynihan, our local Police School Community Officer, as required. The lessons are age appropriate in content and delivery.

To be successful, Keeping Ourselves Safe needs your help and support. It is important that you

participate as much as possible and talk to your child about what they have been learning. This will

reinforce the messages the school is giving, and help your child to use their skills with confidence.

If you require more information about the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme or wish to discuss the

learning, please speak with your child’s Home Group teacher in the first instance.


Calendar Art

The tamariki have been busy producing their Matariki-themed Calendar Art for the PTA fundraiser this year. The art is inspired by the Pinot & Picasso Art Studio here in Christchurch and their Matraiki art prints. https://www.pinotandpicasso.nz/

Keep an eye out for order forms coming your way soon.


Working hard in Mathematics in the Pathway






Cyber Safety


Gaming


Eighty percent of tamariki in New Zealand aged 8-17 have played games online. Games can have many benefits: entertainment, social opportunities, coordination development, problem-solving and multitasking skills. But, most of all, gaming is popular because it’s fun. But games can be tough for parents and whānau to navigate. How much gaming is too much? How do I make sure my tamariki aren’t seeing inappropriate content or chatting in-game with strangers?


Today we’re sharing Netsafe’s Online Gaming Whānau Toolkit so you have all the resources you need to keep your kids safe. 


YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/rPN_ev1RSDQ





This weeks Pōhutukawa Team Hui Certificate recipients

Back Row: Ada, Sanvi, Finn, Shannon, Alazaya
Front Row: Moana, Vivienne, Haydn, Harvey, Henry, Rosi

Well done everyone we are so proud of you! 



Snapchat


Snapchat is a popular messaging app that lets users exchange pictures and videos (snaps) that are meant to disappear after they’re viewed. Many young people love Snapchat but it’s important that they understand how to protect their privacy on the app.


Check out Netsafe’s Privacy on Snapchat page for some helpful information on Snapchat’s features. You can also find out more information about privacy, security and safety on Snapchat’s help centre.


Ngā mihi nui. Kia Kaha.

The Pōhutukawa Teaching Team

Chris, Gayle, Nick, Megan, Rae, Georgie, Viv, Stacy and Laura