Koru Team Blog Term 1 Week 5 (27/02/2025)

Kia ora e te whānau,

We are having a wonderful time in the Koru team and it's already our fifth week at school this year! 

Maths: Notice, Think, Wonder

We are starting to learn some Rich 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, signs or graphics. We are learning to think and act like a Mathematician, which means the children are learning to look for patterns; make connections; take risks and explain their thinking to others.

Here is the image we looked at, and some of the ideas the children thought about:

  • Joe: I can see some shapes. Some are triangles.
  • Ash: I notice some diamonds.
  • Piper: I notice the shadow. Maybe the shadow is a person.
  • Max H: There are six colours in the picture.
  • Luca: Maybe the dark blue is water.
  • Frankie: I think there is a pattern. Blue, blue, yellow, yellow.
  • Olena: I wonder if it is a floor and a chair?




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

What do you notice?

What do you think?

What do you wonder?

Can you take some photos and share them with us for some new 'Notice, Think, Wonder' sessions? 

Yoghurt pouches 

Please loosen your child's yoghurt pouch before school, so they can easily open these during eating time. Thanks!

Online 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 of 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

Community notice:

Sydenham Rippa and Footy Fun: This free and fun non-contact rugby program is open to all Year 1 and 2 tamariki in our local community, giving them a great introduction to the game in a safe and supportive environment. 

New Start Date: Friday, March 28th
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Sydenham Park

Reuben Harvey (Rugby Development Officer)

' 03-332-8875  * srfc@xtra.co.nz þ www.sydenhamrugby.co.nz

Facebook http://facebook.com/sydenhamrugby  Online Store  sydenhamrugby.gearstore.co.nz/



Ngā mihi nui,
Katie, Elizabeth and Stacey

katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz
elizabeth.drummond@beckenham.school.nz
stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz



Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 21 February 2025

Principal's Patch

Ngā mihi e te whānau,

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of Week 4! The term is well underway, and it’s great to see so much positive learning happening across the school. Our new staff and students have been warmly welcomed by our community, which has been wonderful to see.

This newsletter is packed with important updates, and we hope you take the time to read it through.

Kauri Camp

Next week, the Kauri team will embark on their exciting camp adventure at Wainui, departing on Monday and returning on Friday. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and build resilience. We wish them all the best and extend our gratitude to Hugo, the Kauri team, and the dedicated parents who are joining them for the duration of the camp - your support makes this experience possible. 

PTA

Joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a fantastic way to get involved in your child’s education and make a meaningful impact on the school community. The PTA provides a platform for you to contribute to school events and fundraising efforts that support important school initiatives. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents and stay informed about what’s happening at school. 

The first PTA meeting of the year will be held next Wednesday, February 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Room, adjacent to the school hall. We would love to see you there.

If you are unable to attend meetings regularly but would still like to contribute, consider joining the PTA support group. This group assists the PTA by helping at events throughout the year. A strong support group is essential for the PTA to successfully organise events that benefit our school.

To join the PTA support group click on the link below: 

Weetbix TRYathlon

This weekend, more than 60 students from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto will be participating in the Weet-Bix TRYathlon. We wish them all the best for the event and look forward to hearing about their experiences and results next week.

Celebration Assembly

Thank you to the whānau who attended our celebration assembly last Friday. It was great to come together and recognise our students’ achievements. Congratulations to those who received certificates for demonstrating our school values.

As a reminder, the values that are central to our schools vision are:

Arohaina te tāngata me te taiao - We care about people and the environment, fostering an inclusive community.
Nau mai te wero - Bring on the challenge.
Nā mātou he rerekē te ao - The world is different because of us.
He taonga te ako - The treasure is learning.
Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe - We are all rowing this waka together.

Thank you for your ongoing support in role modelling and reinforcing these values with your children. 

Uniform 

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto requires students to wear a school uniform. Our uniform expectations outline what students can and cannot wear at school and when representing the school. Staff are actively reminding students about the correct uniform, particularly regarding tracksuit pants,  shorts and hats. The imagery below provides a clear guide on these uniform expectations, which you can use at home to support your child’s understanding.
Communication

Open and transparent communication is at the heart of a successful school. We value building strong learning partnerships with whānau. From time to time, you may have questions or concerns about your child’s learning at school. This is completely normal, and we encourage you to raise these promptly by following the steps below.

Step 1 - First point of contact
Home Group Teacher: Your child’s Home Group teacher should be your first point of contact for any important information or worries. They are best placed to understand your child’s individual needs and address your questions directly.

Step 2 - Second point of contact
Team Leader: If you feel the matter requires further attention after speaking with the Home Group teacher, please contact the relevant Team Leader. Contact details can be found on our website, linked here.

Step 3 - Third point of contact
Senior Leadership: If the issue remains unresolved at the Team Leader level, Senior Leadership can be contacted for further support. 

We also want to hear about any celebrations, cultural traditions, or achievements outside of school. Please share these with your child’s Home Group teacher so they can be acknowledged at school.

Ngā manaakitanga
Cade

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Mon 24 Feb - Fri 28 Feb - Wainui Camp - Kauri (Y7/8)
Wed 26 Feb - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 28 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, in the Hall)
Mon 3 Mar - Fri 7 Mar - Walk or Wheel to school week
Wed 5 Mar - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room) 
Wed 5 Mar - School Swimming Sports
Fri 7 Mar - Kōwhai Top Team Challenge
Thu 13 Mar - Zone Swimming Sports Y5-8
Fri 14 MarCelebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, in the Hall)
Wed 19 Mar - School Photos TBC
Wed 26 Mar - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)
Fri 28 Mar - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, in the Hall)
Wed 2 Apr - Fri 4 Apr - Living Springs Camp - Pōhutukawa (Y5/6)
Thu 3 Apr Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Fri 11 Apr - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, in the Hall)
Fri 11 Apr - Last Day of Term 1
Mon 28 Apr - First Day of Term 2

Citizen of the Week

Keira Ai - Year 4

Keira, your positive disposition shines through in everything you do. In your learning, you approach tasks with a growth mindset and are motivated to do your best. You are also a keen helper and love to make a positive difference by doing jobs around the hub and looking after your classmates. Kia kaha tō mahi, Keira! 

Jeremy Kemsley - Year 6

Jeremy, you are an incredible role model in the Pōhutukawa hub, in the way you consistently show all of the school values. You are a conscientious learner, keen to do your best, and you are highly organised, thinking ahead and making sure you are prepared. You are also an extremely caring friend, always looking out for others and helping where needed. Jeremy, you are an absolute star!

School Notices

PTA News

Join the PTA In 2025! 
We will be having our first hui next week 26th February, 7.30pm in the room next to the hall. We’ll be planning lots of fun fundraising and school community events for the year and we’d love some more hands. Don’t hesitate to get in touch via pta@beckenham.school.nz. If you can’t do meetings but would like to help with events we would also love to hear from you. 

The PTA meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm at school. We raise money for the school through a variety of fundraising efforts (new ideas welcome!) and run events such as the Disco and the Bingo night. We also run the second hand uniform shop. 

We’re looking forward to seeing Weetbix Tryathlon participants on Sunday. Look out for the big black gazebo at Jellie park and don’t forget to come and get an iceblock after the run. 

Communicating Absences

Our Text Line for reporting absences is currently not working. Please contact the school office if your child will be absent from school via the below methods instead:

Phone: (03) 337-1404
(Press 1 to leave an absence message)
Email: office@beckenham.school.nz

When contacting us please remember to include; your name, your child's name, the reason for their absence, and how long you expect your child will be away from school.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we sort this matter.

Garden Club

Some children put together some bags of beans last week grown with loads of aroha.

The year 1-4s hope to have more vege sales…so keep an eye out for our garden sale table in the mornings.

Any koha would be greatly appreciated to keep up the hard work!

There has been celery, apples & more beans, even some sunflower seeds in the mix! 

Also if anyone has any leftover seeds at home they are happy to donate to the garden club, we would love to get growing this term.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

The munch bunch!

Financial Statements

You will have received your student's financial statement this week.

This is just a reminder that donation payments (including camp donations) are able to be submitted for the Donation Tax Credits from the IRD. This scheme entitles you to claim back 33% of your donation payments, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Payments made by 31st March, can be submitted as part of your application for the financial year ended 31st March 2025.

If you need any assistance logging into Hero to view your statement or if you wish to find out more about setting up payment instalments and claiming the donation tax credits, you can refer to the Finance and Annual Donation page of our website.

If you have a student in Kauri, you will see the camp contribution request for the Wainui camp has now been added to your account. Thank you very much to the PTA for the kind contribution towards the buses! If you have chosen to pay your school donations in instalments over the year, please consider increasing these to allow for additional contributions towards the cost of camp.

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 your 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

Reo Māori o te Wīki

Have a go at saying these every day, throughout the day. “We Love Learning ”, "He taonga te ako”!

Whakataukī: Ahakoa he iti kete, he iti nā te aroha - This means it’s the thought that counts. 

Kīwaha: Mē he tē! - this means like a boss! An expression used to say that someone does something very well.

Kupu: Kāore - this means no.

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

CSM Band programme try-an-instrument

CSM try-an-instrument afternoon was a busy success! Thank you to everyone who came along to try out an instrument!

If your child is interested in learning an instrument with the Christchurch School of Music School Band Programme in 2025, we encourage you to enrol using the google form https://forms.gle/pJ322wdRYh44hPZ77

Con Brio band was filmed by What Now last year: https://youtu.be/t17V1suMMMY?si=U0_FXDOem8kWuU__

Lunch Orders

Lunches are delivered to the school office for children to collect at 1.20pm

Monday – Sushi Factory is available through LunchOnline.

Tuesday – Subway is available through LunchOnline

Wednesday – Subway is available through LunchOnline.

Thursday – Sushi Meets Dumplings is available.

Friday – Sushi Factory is available through LunchOnline.

Lunch Online

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto uses Subway and Sushi Factory through the Lunchonline web based ordering system.
LunchOnline orders  need to be placed by 8:30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Please ensure that you update your child's details on their database so lunches can be matched up with your child more easily if they need to be delivered.

To access this, you will need to set up an account with LunchOnline here.

Sushi Meets Dumplings

Sushi Meets Dumplings is delivered on Thursdays.
To place an order, please complete this form – Sushi meets Dumplings order form.
Orders for Sushi Meets Dumplings need to be placed the night before, and latest by 9am on Thursdays.

'Kiss & Go' Drop Off Area - 3 min Parking

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.

Staff Profiles

As part of promoting the teaching profession, interviews were carried out with new teachers, and published on the Education Magazine - The Education Gazette.

This article features our very own Georgia. 

Well done Georgia.

BOT Update

Policy Review

From time to time we ask you to review one of our policies that come up on our review cycle. A policy for whānau review is the Recording and Reporting Accidents, Injuries, and Illness policy. You will find it on School Docs at this link. Click on current review, start review and follow the directions. 

Username: beckenham
Password: pride

Instructions for reviewers
  1. Follow the link to the policy.
  2. Read the policy.
  3. Click the "Start Review" icon at the right-hand top corner of the page. A new screen will appear.
  4. Select your role (board member, staff member, student, whānau or other) from the drop-down list.
  5. Enter your name (optional).
  6. Submit your ratings and comments.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can easily provide you with printed copies of the policy and the review form.

Community Notices

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

Events/Activities: for Caregivers and tamariki

Christchurch City Libraries, what’s on:  https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/holiday-programmes-events-and-activities/
Sparklers at Home: https://sparklers.org.nz/wh%C4%81nau/
www.nooknz.com : Keeping families up-to-date with ‘what to do’ : https://nooknz.com/

Community Services Quick links:

Foodbanks: https://www.foodbank.co.nz/links
Family Services Directory - The Family Services Directory is a searchable online database.  It lists information about family support organisations and the services/programmes they offer to support New Zealand families (we call the organisations in the Family Services Directory "providers").  The purpose of the Family Services Directory is to connect people with providers who can help them to cope with common issues and problems.  https://www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory/
Community Law: https://communitylaw.org.nz/

 Wellbeing Support:

Safe to Talk: https://www.safetotalk.nz/
Youthline: https://youthline.co.nz/  Call: 0800 611 116  Call: 1737
Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ: https://info.health.nz/

Food Support:

Kairos: https://www.foodb Kairos Free Store: Mondays and Fridays 5:30-6:30, 284 Tuam St  Free Store: Kairos Food Rescue foodbank.co.nz/canterbury
Christchurch City Mission foodbank: via appointment 0800 787 855
Salvation Army foodbanks and other welfare services: Central, Sydenham, Linwood, Aranui.
St Ambrose Church foodbank: 03 388 6699
Hoon Hay Foodbank: 14A, 12 McCarthy St, Hoon Hay
Lyttelton Community House: 03 741 1427
Pataka Kai:(community pantries)
The Housing First Christchurch Office: 242 Ferry Road
111 Barbour Street Waltham

Fantastic Start for Team Kauri 2025, Week 3, Term 1



 We are off to a fantastic start in the Kauri team, with our Year 7 and 8 ākonga settling into their new routines, forming connections and stepping up as leaders in our kura. The start of the school year is always an exciting time and we’re focused on building a strong foundation for learning, teamwork and personal growth.

At the heart of everything we do are our school values like: "We get there together." This has been a guiding principle in our first few weeks, as students have worked together to support one another, take on new challenges and prepare for a fun year ahead.

Building Strong Connections

Transitioning into Year 7 and 8 brings new experiences, responsibilities and opportunities. To help everyone feel at home, we’ve engaged in a range of getting-to-know-you activities and team-building challenges. These games and collaborative tasks have helped students forge friendships, develop trust and learn the importance of working together.

Preparing for Wainui Camp

One of the most anticipated events in Kauri is our upcoming camp at Wainui! The students are already buzzing with excitement as we begin our preparations. They have been learning about resilience and problem-solving skills that will be put to the test in the outdoor adventures ahead. We can’t wait to see them challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zones and build even stronger bonds as a team. 

Creative & Active Learning

Kauri students have already thrown themselves into their learning with enthusiasm. From tie-dying tops (which turned out amazing!) to creating artwork that reflects their personal stories, creativity has been flowing. In sport, students have been getting active and showing great sportsmanship as they dive into new games and activities.







Stepping Up as Leaders

A highlight for many students has been the assignment of leadership roles. Whether as house leaders, peer mediators or members of the admin team, our Year 7 and 8s are stepping up and embracing the opportunity to make a difference in our kura. Leadership in Kauri is all about service, responsibility and leading by example, and we’re already seeing some fantastic leadership in action.

Looking Ahead

As we settle into Term 1, there is so much to look forward to. We’ll continue to explore new learning opportunities, develop our leadership skills, and most importantly, support one another in achieving our goals. Because in Kauri, We get there together!


Staying Safe Online


As our tamariki spend more time online, it’s important parents and whānau help them

stay safe. Now is a great time to talk to them about how we use the internet and digital

technology.


Netsafe has created an Online Safety Parent Toolkit so parents, families and whānau have

all the information they need to talk about online safety.


If you or anyone in your whānau needs support, you can contact Netsafe.



Koru Team News Term 1 Week 3

Kia ora e te whānau,

We have had a fantastic week in the Koru hub. It has been amazing to see tamariki embrace our school values as we continue getting to know each other!

Mathematics

This week, we have started our mathematics programme. We are working through a thematic unit called 'All About Us', which engages children in early numeracy activities. So far, we have explored children's prior knowledge of numbers, counting, and grouping, and we have conducted a simple statistical inquiry to find out our favourite sports and foods - some children even created their own graphs during learning through play!














Literacy

Teachers have been busy working through initial assessments with tamariki this week. It is so exciting to see the letters and letter sounds that children already know! Next week, we will be learning what to expect during a small-group literacy time and practising the routines involved. Literacy folders will begin coming home in Week 5.

We have been doing whole-class literacy activities this week. These involve a letter-of-the-day focus. We practise writing the letter in the air, look at our Milo the Monkey book, and go on a Pirate Island adventure (example below). Tamariki then engage in a task linked to the letter of the day.








Learning Through Play

We love learning through play! This week, we have continued to explore the resources and activities within the hub. Learning through play allows children to explore, discover, experiment, and solve problems in playful and imaginative ways. This time is very special as it is a time in which children can make new friends, practise our school values, and have fun!










Yoghurt pouches

Please loosen your child's yoghurt pouch so they can easily open these during eating time. Thanks!




Library

Our library time is each Friday. Please support your child to remember their library folders each week so that they can enjoy issuing two new books.


Staying Safe Online

As our tamariki spend more time online, it's important for parents and whānau to help them stay safe. Now is a great time to talk to them about how we use the internet and digital technology.

Netsafe has created an Online Safety Parent Toolkit, so that whānau have all the information they need to talk about online safety.

If you or anyone in your whānau needs support, you can contact Netsafe.

That's all for now! We hope you have a fantastic weekend and look forward to seeing you next week.

Ngā mihi,

The Koru team

katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz

elizabeth.drummond@beckenham.school.nz

stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz

Pōhutukawa Team Update Term 1 Week 3

Ngā mihi e te whānau, warm greetings to you all

We've now spent a very busy and productive 2 weeks in Pōhutukawa establishing routines and building relationships. We've all been impressed with how quickly the Year 5 students have adapted to new ways of doing things, and we love when the Year 6 students show support and aroha to their peers. Arohaina te tangata me te taiao, We Care. Thank you for reading on for some very important updates about what we have been up to in Pōhutukawa, and what is coming up.

Swimming Sports Wednesday, March 5

Beckenham te Kura o Pūroto Swimming Sports is being held at Wharenui Pool on Wednesday 5th of March.

This is an optional event open to children in Years 5 to 8. Races are held for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. For each stroke, there will be a 25m and 50m event. You may enter races in all strokes but may only enter one distance in each stroke. For example, you could enter 25m backstroke and 50m breaststroke but you can not enter 25m and 50m backstroke. Only competitors from the 50m events are eligible to be considered for Zones. You will race against your year group. Please click here to enter.

To take part, you must be a confident and competent swimmer for the stroke and distance you have entered. If you are unsure of your ability, please ask a teacher for advice. Parents and/or your swimming coach, (if you have one) are also great people to ask for advice.

Workshops

All the teachers have now had the chance to teach every student in our team through a series of workshops. Our beginning of the year 'Workshops/ Papamahi' covered Using Google Classroom, Active Listening, UDL (Universal Design for Learning), and Lunchtime Games and Activities. It would be great to discuss with your tamariki about these workshops, and what they have learned. It was a lot of information, so asking them to share what they remember is a good way to consolidate their learning. These Workshops aim to introduce important aspects of life in Pōhutukawa, which we will continue with next week with Cyber Safety, PB4L, Health and Wellbeing, and Diversity.

Learning at Home and Google Classroom

All of the students have now signed up for the Pōhutukawa 2025 Google Classroom and their Home Group Google Classroom. Students can also access the Pōhutukawa Learning Site via their Google Classroom. The site serves as an online hub of resources should you wish for your tamariki to continue doing some school work at home. We will continue to add material and build the students' knowledge around using Google Classroom and Google Sites in the coming weeks. As always, we encourage you to actively participate in this area of your tamariki's learning. Ask them to show you what is available to them online and what they can see and do. He taonga te ako, the treasure is learning.

CCC

You may have heard your child talking about our CCC "cool curriculum classes". This is how we start our day; they are a great way to ensure we are teaching all areas of our curriculum. We are planning to start the programme next week. Megan is teaching Midfulness, Rae is covering Digital Technology with Coding. Chris is teaching Visual Arts via visual Mihimihi and Pepehas, while Gayle is teaching PE and Games, Nick is teaching Digital Technology . There is such a lot of learning happening over the term in CCC, so we encourage you to keep chatting about what we are covering in these courses with your tamariki. He taonga te ako, the treasure is learning.
Staying Safe Online

As our tamariki spend more time online, it’s important parents and whānau help them stay safe. Now is a great time to talk to them about how we use the internet and digital technology.

Cyber Safety

Netsafe has created an Online Safety Parent Toolkit so parents, families and whānau have all the information they need to talk about online safety.

If you or anyone in your whānau needs support, you can contact Netsafe.





Have a great weekend everybody, kia pai ngā rā whakatā!

The Pōhutukawa Team

Chris, Nick, Rae, Megan and Gayle