Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter 17 August 2018

Principal's Patch

Kia ora whānau

Last week I had several conversations with parents about the names of our new buildings and the teams in each space. Below is a map which I hope helps clarify any questions about who is where.


The names for the buildings were chosen because they link to our school name ‘Beckenham Te Kura o Puroto’  which translated means ‘Beckenham, the school of the ponds.’

• Kōpua - Deep Pool of water - The office
• Tahaki - River bank - The West Hub Yr1/2/3, 4/5/6
• Parenga - River bank - The East Hub Yr 3 & 4, 7 & 8
• Kōmanawa - Spring of water - the buildings closest to the ponds.  Our ponds are fed by natural springs.  2 New Entrant Classes
• Māpuna - Pool - The Hall - When our students come together they form a pool, one body of students.
• Hangare - Deep Pool in a stream - This building holds our larger PE equipment, Science, Art and Musical Instruments and is also a teaching space.
• Pūkaki - stream, creek, brook, source - 2 New Entrant Classes

Thank you...

Thank you, thank you, thank you ….to all our community who supported us in the march on the 15th of August, as we carried out our industrial action.
We really appreciated the families, Board of Trustees members  and even a Grandparent who came and joined us on the march through the city.  We also appreciate your verbal support and the support given for action to make our Education System reflect and support the needs of our tamariki and those working within our schools.

Passion Friday in Year 5 and 6  

This part of the Pōhutukawa week has everyone actively engaged in a wide range of wonderful activities that build Key Competencies.  This week some students were working together to bake delicious lemonade scones, next week they will be trying their hand at French toast and fruit salad.  Tracy has talked with our budding chefs about sharing their skills at home too.


Parent help is very important when you embark on a sewing project.  We really appreciated all the parents who came along to help the children with their pieces.  The concentration and hand eye coordination needed meant the theatre was a very quiet and busy place.


The stress balls (balloons with rice inside) were lots of fun to make and took much measuring, squeezing, cooperation and concentration (and a vaccum at the end of the time!)

Sue Leadbetter
Acting Principal

Kia ora from Sandy...

My last full day in Adelaide was spent at the South Australia Primary Principals Association Conference on Thursday, where we had the honour of hearing Dr Pasi Sahlberg, highly regarded educator from Finland, speak.

Pasi noted to the Australian principals gathered that he is watching the reviews of NZ Education system closely and that he holds some optimism for the direction that our current Minister is taking with the removal of National Standards. He talked at length about the Finnish education system where learning through play is a very strong feature of their early primary years and national testing is not a part of the primary system. The Finnish education system is held up internationally as an example of a high performing system that has both high student achievement and a high level of equity of outcomes. Whilst we understand that each education system exists within its own cultural, economic and geographical contexts and another system cannot simply be transplanted into our unique NZ context, we do believe that there is much to learn from the approach that they have towards teaching and learning.
You can hear and interview and read more about Pasi Sahlberg here:

A short interview with Pasi Sahlberg 
"Too much Control: Pasi Sahlberg on what Finland can teach Australian schools."

My four weeks in Adelaide has finished and I am on route back to Christchurch, via a two day meeting of the New Zealand Principals Federation Executive in Wellington on Saturday and Sunday.

I am very much looking forward to being back at school on Monday, and catching up with everyone.

Ngā mihi
Sandy Hastings
Principal

Important Dates

Citizen of the Week

Theodore Clancey - Year 8

Theodore, we have enjoyed seeing you grow in confidence since joining the Kauri Hub last year. You are such a mature and level-headed member of our whānau and you show our kete values on a daily basis, both in the effort you put into your learning and the way you work with others. Keep up the fantastic work!

Keanna Hakeagaiki - Year 4

Keanna you actively live our school values in all that you do. We love how you come to school every day with a happy, positive attitude and how you are determined to do your best in all things. Your willingness to help and support others with their learning is to be admired and makes you a role model in our hub. You strive to do and be your personal best, and regulalry persist with tasks when the 'going gets tough this often inspires others to do the same'. Your kindness and care brightens up our day!  Tino pai. 

School Notices

Upholsterer Required

We have a round vinyl covered cushion that needs the zip replacing in it.  Does anyone have the skills/necessary equipment to do this?
Please contact Jacky in the office if you think you can help. Ph: 3371404

Pitch Perfect Choir and the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival

Attention families of the Pohutukawa Pitch Perfect Choir… our performance night for the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival is Friday 26th October. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek. Adult tickets cost $22.00 and school age children are $10.00.

Sports News

After School Orienteering

Congratulations

Orienteering

Congratulations to Gemma York who represented Beckenham in the NZ Secondary School Orienteering Championships over the holidays.  She competed in three categories with her relay team gaining a 4th place.

PTA News

Be a STAR for the night & walk the 'Red Carpet'
Come along to the annual Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA QUIZ & enjoy a night at the OSCARS, guaranteed to be Fun with a capital F!

Saturday 1st  September at 7:30pm

Tickets $20 each
Teams of a maximum of 6
ADULT ONLY Event (R18)
Doors OPEN @ 7pm
Supper provided
Bar Available
Prizes Galore & Auctions throughout the night
An Oscar will be awarded to the Team with most "STAR APPEAL"
Bring cash for raffles & buying answers

Entertainment PLUS PLUS....this event always SELLS OUT, so don't delay booking tickets HERE.