Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
As you will know, we had a Staff Only Day at kura (school) on Monday. These days are an opportunity for our kaimahi (staff) to do important professional development. On Monday we worked in two groups.
Our kaiako (teachers) worked on the assessment and reporting, particularly in mathematics, in preparation for the mid-year reports that will be shared with you via HERO in Week 9 of this term.
Our Teaching Assistants, Admin and Support Staff worked on developing their understanding of "Trauma Informed Practice". We know that when we further develop our understanding of trauma and add to our "toolkit of strategies, we can better support our tamariki (children)". We know that by being a 'trauma-informed' team, we help to create safe spaces for our tamariki, our whānau and our colleagues to be both safe and included.
This whakataukī (saying or proverb)is a great summary of what we are working towards for our tamariki (children) through these development sessions:
Poipoia te kākano- kia puāwai ai.
Nurture the seed and it will blossom.
COVID-19 update:
We reported 9 new cases of Covid-19 across our school (students and staff) this week, and our rolling 7 day average is 1.4 cases a day. Whilst we do still have COVID in our school community, it does seem to be less active than it was at the end of Term 1. We have had four of our teaching staff away this week in isolation, and we look forward to having them back next week. A number of our tamariki and their whānau are still going through various stages of isolation.
It was really special to be able to welcome you all back onto the school grounds again this week. Thank you for staying out of the hubs at this time, and for supporting our older children to continue to wear masks so we can try to keep everyone as healthy as possible.
We had our first Welcome Assembly of the year today! The sun was shining and everyone was able to meet together outside in our Pūkaki Courtyard. A video will hopefully be available to share with you early next week.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Term 2 Dates
Monday 6 June - Queen's Birthday - School closed
Friday 24 June - Matariki - School closed
Friday 8 July - Last day of Term 2
Citizen of the Week
Jayme Scott - Year 3
Jayme, you are amazing! You have a growth mindset and tackle challenges with a positive attitude. Ka pai! This makes you a role model for others in our kura. You are kind and caring, and always there for others. You show initiative in the way that you volunteer to help out and find different ways of problem-solving. We look forward to seeing your lovely smile each day. Keep being your fantastic self. School Notices
Diversity Group - Period Products
The Ministry of Education have provided our kura with packs of period products to distribute to all children who need them. The Diversity Group were given the task of creating a plan for how to make these available in a safe, inclusive and sensible way. The Diversity Group are currently working on a project to get period products easily available to children who need them at kura.
There was lots of rich discussion about how to promote and action this. The children were very mindful that some might be embarrassed about this and so discretion was a key factor. These will be accessible in our bathrooms for children to take as they need. This avoids the potentially embarrassing task of needing to ask an adult, or going to a specially designated place outside of the wharepaku (toilet). The packs can also be taken home and refilled at school whenever needed.
The children have also designed a social story to educate others on how this system works and why it is important to have period products easily accessible to those who need them.
Concerns and Complaints Process
We understand that from time to time you may have a question or concern that you would like to raise with someone at school. You can find a copy of our Concerns and Complaints Process below, and you can also access this through our
school website, or by using the
SchoolDocs login (user: beckenham password: pride).
We always want to work with you to resolve any worries or concerns you might have.
Traffic Reminders
Parking in the 3min area on Sandwich Road - A reminder please, that the stretch of road adjacent to the Admin building on Sandwich Road 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 on Norwood Street - Please take extra care while doing the after school pick-ups on Norwood Street. Due to the road closures and road works we are seeing a lot of congestion in the afternoons from parents parking at the park gate, trucks, and children trying to cross the road. If you are able to park further away from school and walk, please do so. If you are parking near the park please park carefully and respectfully so as not to disturb the residents and most importantly, to keep our ākonga (students) safe.
Staff Carpark - For everyone's safety, please DO NOT walk through any parts of the staff carpark to access the school grounds. We are noticing some of our parents using this as a thoroughfare to get to the new gate for the Koru/New Entrant area. Please use the gate on Eastern Tce, or the gate at the corner of Eastern Tce and Sandwich Road, or come in via the main entrances and walk the path between the classrooms to get to the Koru area.
Eastern Terrace Closures - We have been advised that different sections of Eastern Terrace between Sandwich Road and Tennyson St will remain closed until the end of May.
Latest Scholastic Lucky Book Club - out now!
Thinking about our environment and the amount of paper waste that occurs we are no longer issuing Scholastic Book Club brochures to students. You can however view the Scholastic Book Club brochure online and place your order as usual. You can access the brochure via the link below.
Lunch Orders Reminder
Due to the nature of COVID, there may be times you will need to cancel upcoming Lunch Orders for your child (for example if you have a weekly reoccuring order set up, and your child is isolating for the week). Please see the instructions below on how to cancel upcoming orders through
Lunch Online. Whānau are able to easily cancel lunches they have pre-ordered if for any reason their children are unable to attend school.
Sports News
Student Achievement - Basketball
Bella and Lola represented the Yr 7/8 Girls Pioneer Basketball Team in the SIPT (South Island Primary Tournament) held in Rangiora over Anzac weekend. Their team went through the 4 day tournament unbeaten and were convincing winners in the final with the end result being 48-23. Great work by the girls… and their dads as coach and manager.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Think Kind Student Competition 2022
It's that time of the year again where we call all students to submit their very own project. The focus on this project is being kind to our animals and the planet.
The winner of the competition will receive $1,000 towards their school, with every entrant receiving a HELL Pizza Voucher, you wont want to miss out! Entries can range from artwork, literature, film, music and anything in between. The competition encourages students from years 0 to 13 to enter.
The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 31 August 2022. After entries close, the NZ Vegetarian Society judging panel will select the top 10 projects to present for public voting from 1 October – World Vegetarian Day - which will determine the overall winner. The winner will be announced on 1 November, World Vegan Day.
Julia Clements, NZ Vegetarian Society President, says the competition aims to encourage youth to start thinking about what they are eating.
“Think Kind reflects great values - healthy living, sustainability and reducing animal cruelty. It’s important to encourage young Kiwis to reflect on the importance of kindness to animals, and it’s great to see how many students want to get involved and make a positive contribution.”
For submitting entries please visit the link below:
For regular updates check out our Facebook page:
Rugby
Sydenham Rugby are still taking registrations for junior rugby if your son or daughter would like to play. Contact 03 332 8875 for information.
Aerial Circus Classes
Hi I’m Rena Oliphant and I am an aerial performer with over 5 years of experience. Aerial circus is a form of dance/ acrobatics that involves apparatus that is suspended in the air. Examples are the trapeze, lyra (hoop), and silks (pictured above in the silhouette).
I am running aerial circus classes for school aged students (ages 5-13), that provide an opportunity for beginners to complete beginners, in a local and affordable setting. We work on beginner skills that develop flexibility, strength and creativity. There are a few options for classes: Either the Wednesday group class, $10 for an hour, 3.30 - 4.30 (which has 6 places) or a group private class which you can invite friends or family to try a one off session, any time that suits you (also the same price $10 per person for an hour), which is more fun based, rather than skill. Contact Rena on 0273245633 or stmartinsaerials@gmail.com to book or to ask questions.
Mother of All Clean Ups - Beckenham Loop
This annual riverbank cleanup is coming up on Saturday 7 May, 10am-12 noon.
It is a city-wide effort which covers three areas (Opawaho-Heathcote River, Otakaro-Avon River, and the Estuary) and last year collected more than 400 bags of rubbish. This keeps the river at its most attractive and safe.
The BNA (Beckenham Neighborhood Association) helps with a short section of this, on one bank of the river through Farnley Reserve and along Palatine Terrace. All helpers welcome, just bring a pair of gloves and the rest is organised.
Meet at 10am at Beckenham Scout Den, Centaurus Rd, behind the Brickworks.
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