Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter 4 May 2018

Welcome back to the start of Term 2. A special welcome to all of the new children who have started this week, and to their whānau.
We are noticing the cooler temperatures already and it was good to see lots of children in gumboots on the rainy days we had at the beginning of the week. We encourage gumboots and slippers on wet days, along with an extra pair of socks just in case! The PTA shop does have some 2nd hand gumboots, and they will accept donations of gumboots if you have any that are not needed and are still in good condition. Note that the PTA shop will be open on Wednesday and Thursday evening this coming week from 6-8pm.

Some important upcoming dates this term:

Tuesday 26th June - no afternoon classes

This is the date that NZEI have confirmed that there will be a paid union meeting at Horncastle Arena from 2pm, for all primary teachers in Christchurch. Because we don't have a range of dates available to send our staff to, we do need to ask you to collect your children from school this day at 12:40pm.
If you are not able to organise any alternatives for this afternoon, please contact Jacky in the office as soon as possible and we will arrange for supervision of that small group of students.

Staff Only Day - Monday 2nd July - School Closed.

Education conversation

The government is currently consulting with New Zealanders about what they want to see education look like now and in the future. This aligns and will help guide the government’s programme of work in the education sector. If you haven’t already, join the conversation and complete the survey via this link.

The survey consists of four questions (along with the usual demographic type questions) which you can answer in as little as 5 minutes; or you can take as long as you like.

The survey closes on 31 May so make sure you have your say.

Fun in the Courtyard...

During each lunch break this term, our amazing staff have volunteered to run extra activities. On Wednesday it was "Art Attack" with chalk shadow drawings being created all over the courtyard. It was lovely to see the concept of "Tuakana Teina" in action - older students and younger students working and playing together and helping one another along.


Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal

Important Dates

Citizen of the Week

Sam Horgan - Year 4

Sam, you are a thoughtful role model in the Kowhai whānau. You are an amazing team player with a kind heart and caring attitude.  You always show great focus and determination when faced with new learning and your positive mindset and willingness to succeed is inspiring. Koia kei a koe, Sam!

Murphy McCabe - Year 8 

Murphy, you have a heart of gold! Considering other’s needs ahead of your own is something that is second nature to you. You are kind, caring and compassionate, embodying our ‘We care’ kete value. This year, you have struck up a wonderful friendship with a student from Ferndale and supported him in joining the Kauri hub in various sporting activities. Murphy, you acknowledge the things that others do to benefit you, always taking the time to make sure that their efforts are appreciated. These fabulous character traits coupled with your lust for life and cracking sense of humour bring so much joy and positivity to our Kauri whanau.

School Notices

New 3 minute drop-off area on Sandwich Road

The council have installed 3 min drop off signs on the school side of Sandwich Road, on the section of road between the Toy Library and the crossing.

The 3 minute drop off zone applies between 8:15am and 9:15am and again from 2:30 to 3:30pm on school days. The council discussed this with us last year, as a way of improving traffic flow and parking congestion around the school. We are very supportive of this new arrangement as we believe that, once we get used to using it, it will help to achieve its intended outcomes.

This will work well in the morning for people who want to just pull in and drop off. We regularly have concerns about people double parking and parking over driveways for this purpose.

We will be explaining to children that, if you have told them you will use the new pick up system, they are able to wait on Sandwich Road on the grass area along this side of the road, for you to pull up in the afternoon. Any children who are not collected by 3:15pm will be brought back into the office. If you normally get to school early to get a park, and sit and wait in your car for the children to come out, we encourage you to arrive just after 3pm now, and your children should be waiting for you to drive by and collect them!

Improved Bike Storage - Two separate Bike Stands

We are in the process of getting the fencing on the Bike stand on Sandwich Road finished. We are just waiting now for the two gates to arrive so that we can operate an 'In' and an "Out" traffic pattern through the bike stand.

We have set up another bike stand on the Eastern Terrace entrance to the school, at the top of the pathway on the right. This bike stand has temporary fencing around it at the moment.

Both bike stands will be locked between 9am and 3pm.


We encourage children to use the bike/scooter area that is most convenient to the way the come in and out of school. This will ease congestion in the Sandwich Road stand.

Comedy Evening

On Saturday May 19th, our very own funny man, Mr Jarred Skelton and friends, will be on stage in the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto hall. Jarred and his friends have entertained us in previous years and we can guarantee plenty of giggles and side splitting laughter. This stuff is great for your well-being, so grab some friends, buy your tickets and book that babysitter...

Proceeds go towards the costs of running the Year 7 & 8 Dunedin Camp. We've been there and done that and it was awesome! Now we just need to finish the fundraising to pay all the bills. We have worked hard to make this camp affordable for our families. Please support this fun night out.

Student Council

World Vision 40 Hour Famine

Sports News

Whole School Cross Country - this coming Thursday

This coming Thursday, the 10th of May, is our whole school cross country school event. This term, our concept focus has been sustainability and how we must act to sustain what is valued. Regular physical exercise is an important part of sustaining physical and mental health and so we have been out running daily in an effort to promote health habits that may last a lifetime.

On Thursday we will run together, demonstrating our school kete value of ‘We get there together’. By competing together we can maximise tuakana teina, showing that ‘We make a difference’ as we cheer on other teams. While some of our tamariki will be running competitively and striving for a place at our zone cross country event, others will be seeking success at a more personal level. We want to encourage all tamariki to set their own goals for cross country. Maybe it is to simply finish or maybe to keep running the whole way round the course: ‘We love challenge’.  We want all the children to experience pride and success regardless of their finishing position. Talking about a personal goal at home can support them in having a positive experience on the day.

On Thursday, all children will need to come to school with appropriate running shoes, a good lunch, a water bottle and a warm layer for before and after their race. Children may run in their house shirts if they wish to or they may run in their school uniform.

Our postponement date, in the event of bad weather is the following Thursday.

Thank you to all adults who have volunteered to help with the running of this event. We really appreciate you taking this time to support our children.

Our first event will start at 1:40 with all children off the course by 2:55. No times are being given as we sometimes need to be flexible on the day. Spectators, please arrive early to ensure seeing your child’s event. Events will follow the order indicated below:

3 km: 2 laps of the school block
Year 8
Year 7
2 km: 1 lap of the school block
Year 6
Year 5
2 laps of Beckenham Park
Year 3
Year 4
1 lap of Beckenham Park
New Entrants
Year 1
Year 2

Winter Sport

A mammoth thank you goes out on behalf of our Year 5 to 8 children to all the adults who have volunteered to take a winter sports team this season. We would like to acknowledge the huge commitment that is involved in taking a team and we are very aware that many of you have gone above and beyond to make yourself available for lunchtime practices and Friday games. Your efforts enable this valuable learning opportunity to be made available to more children. It is always a challenge, putting together teams for sporting events and it is always our aim to allow as many children as possible the chance to participate.

From Week 3 (Friday 18th May), the children will be travelling by bus to Hagley Park to compete in their games against other schools in Christchurch. In the event of bad weather, the game may be postponed. The call to postpone a game is made at 11 am that day so please ensure that your child comes to school with everything they need, even if the weather is questionable.

There will be a charge for the buses which will be added to school accounts for those children participating.

Children participating in winter sport will be provided with a school sports uniform to wear for games. They should bring this to school every Friday. Children will also need warm layers and a drink bottle every week. The following sports require the additional safety equipment.

Rugby: Mouth Guard
Football: Shin Guards and football boots
Hockey: Mouth guard and shin guard
Mouth Guards are available to purchase from the school office for $5 each. Please note these need to be paid for at the time and cannot be put on account.

We do have some football boots and shin guards available to lend out to children for the season. 

"Magic: The Gathering" Club - starting up this term...

Magic: The Gathering, is the world’s most popular collectible card game. It’s fun and it makes reading, maths, logic and decision making fun as well.
An independent Magic: The Gathering club will be run out of the Beckenham School Green Room (adjacent to the Hall) this term. Entry is open to all Year 6, 7 and 8 students and their parents.

My name is Cam Taffs, and my daughter attends Beckenham. I'm organising this group and I'm a self-professed super nerd and game aficionado.
I'm hoping that introducing Magic: The Gathering to a new generation will encourage face-to-face fun and sporting spirit in our community.

No prior knowledge of the game is required and players don’t need to bring any of their own cards (but if they already have some they can).
Game nights will run on Monday from 6.30-8.30pm starting from Monday 21 May. Entry will be by gold coin koha.
If you or your kids would like to join in, please feel free to rock up on the night.

Any questions or ideas can go through to Cameronjamestaffs@gmail.com

Spanish Clubs at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto - Mondays after school 3:00 to 4:00 pm 

Speak Spanish - Spanish Language School is based in Rangi Ruru Girls' School and offers Spanish Clubs in primary schools. Children learn Spanish in a fun and relaxed way focused on a topic: games, crafts, roleplays, songs are used to teach children.  We use Seesaw to build up a student profile and get children and/or families to be part of the club too from home! We are starting our classes in Term  2 ($15 per session - $120 - included GST 8 sessions) it's a great opportunity to experience learning a language!  Email us at info@speakspanish.co.nz to enrol sending your children's details.

ANDY GRIFFITHS & TERRY DENTON  

Andy Griffiths, author of the Treehouse books, is back, and this time he’s brought his pal, illustrator Terry Denton!  Andy and Terry will present outrageous tales from the new book in the series, The 104-Storey Treehouse.

With Terry drawing LIVE illustrations, this is a magical event for the whole family. The show will be followed by a chance for children to meet Andy and Terry, and books will be on sale from the University Bookshop team. This event will sell out quickly. Don’t miss out!

WHEN: Sunday, 22 July, 2pm
WHERE: Christchurch Boys High School Hall
Click on the link below to order tickets.
http://wordchristchurch.co.nz/event/andy-griffiths-terry-denton-the-104-story-treehouse/

Canterbury Volleyball has a great opportunity for kids to give Volleyball a go!

Kids who sign up will get to learn all the Volleyball skills from our Kiwi
Volleyball coaches and try these skills out in a game!
This will be a fun filled session and is perfect for kids that have never
played before or are just beginners.

Venue: St. Margaret's College Gym

Choose from the following options:

July 11- 11-13 year olds- 9am-12pm
July 12- 9 & 10 year olds- 10am-12pm
July 13- 11-13 year olds- 9am-12pm

Here is a link: https://www.canterburyvolleyball.org/kidsfest