Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter December 19th 2019

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

What a fabulous send-off we had today for our Year 8 Leavers! With 62 graduates, this is the biggest cohort we think the school has ever had in Year 8. There was laughter, singing, sharing of memories and tears on many faces, along with broad smiles. We are, as always, very proud of these young people who have grown up in our school, many for the past eight years. Our Year 8 Leavers' Graduation is one of my favourite days of the year. It is a huge celebration of the growth and achievements of these fine young people.

A huge thank you today to the PTA and 24/7 team for supporting the prizegivers by providing the Leavers' Lunch for our leavers and their whānau.

Please remember that school finishes today at 12:30pm.

Home Groups for 2020

Today the children will get told about their home groups for 2020. They will then spend some time in their hub for next year, with next year's teachers and their new home groups. EVERY child who is returning to Beckenham next year will be given a paper copy of the letter explaining who their teacher is, AND how to book a Learning Conference for the start of the year.

Please note that we are only sending home one paper copy of the above information. If you do not get the paper copy today, Jacky will be in the office until midday on Friday 20th so you can contact her there to find out who your child's teacher is. The office will open again on Monday 27 January.
The information about how to book the learning conference is copied below, for your reference. You just need to know the name of the teacher your child will be with before you can book.

As we have done for the past two years, we will spend the first two days of Term 1 2020 (Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January) holding Individual Learning Conferences. You need to book a 30 minute time slot where you, your child, and their home group teacher, can meet to get to know one another and to talk about your child's learning. This is your chance to share any particular information you have about your child and the way that they learn. You can share your aspirations, your worries and the challenges and successes they have experienced so far in their learning. It will also be an opportunity for their home group teacher, and the rest of the teachers in the team, to talk with you about how the team will operate.
You need to book a time for this learning conference that will work for you and your child. To do this, you need to go online to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the password sa3zp. Remember to book your learning conference with next year’s teacher.

If you need supervision for your child on the Learning Conference days, please book this with BOSCO by Wed 22 Jan at the very latest. You can contact BOSCO by emailing Yvette at manager@bosco.org.nz

Stationery for 2020

Your child will also bring home a stationery list tomorrow for next year. If you plan to use the OfficeMax online ordering, do get your order in by mid-January, so that it arrives in time for the start of term. The stationery lists are also available on our school website.

Office Hours

The office will be closed from 1pm today, then will be open again tomorrow (Friday 20th) from 8:30am - midday. It will then be closed until Monday 27 Jan.

There will be staff around school from Monday 20th -24th January, however, the office will not be staffed.

Thank you all for the support you have given to our staff and our children this year. I wish you all a very safe and relaxing holiday season and we look forward to seeing our 2020 students and whānau back in the new year!

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

HELP Mini Ball Coach Needed

We are in the need of some wonderful parents who would be interested in coaching a Year 3-4 mini ball team in Term 1. There would only be 8-9 children in a team and practises could take place with before school, lunchtime or after school. We have 26 keen and enthusiastic players, however only one coach. It would be a shame to only provide this opportunity to one team.

If you are able to coach a team in Term 1, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Paulette Newton at paulette.newton@beckenham.school.nz

Outdoor Spaces Celebration!

This week, we have met with Greenscapes who have successfully won the tender to redevelop the main play space. At this stage, the landscaping of stage 1 is likely to begin early January. This will involve the creation of the river, the hill with slide and the pathways in the main play space.
As this is a large area being redeveloped, it will be fenced off while construction takes place. Feel free to pop in to take a look.

We are really thankful to the PTA for the fundraising they have done to make this happen and are aware that this has been a long time in the making.  Here is the play space plan.

Keeping it cool for our Tamariki!!

Over the holidays we will have a large group of workers installing air cooling units into Tahaki and Parenga ready for the summer heatwave. If you are playing at school, please be aware there may be several areas closed off.
SUPPORTING YOU OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD

Please be aware of the following organisations who can provide support over the holiday period if required:

Parent Helpline 0800 568 856

Healthline Call 0800 611 116

1737 Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.

Kapa Haka Uniforms

Please return these to the office by Thursday.

PTA News

Uniform Shop hours - January

The uniform shop will be open on Thurs 30th Jan between 10am - 11:30am & 5pm - 6:30pm (the first day of the Learning Conferences).

Congratulations to...

Well done to the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto students who took part in Southern Cross Irish Dance's Christmas show - Sean Pettigrew, Alex Pettigrew, Liv Wilson, Sophie Redmile, and Jayme Scott. You all put on an amazing show!

Community Notices

Huntsbury Hill Celebrations

Fri 14th – Sun 16th February 2020
In January 1920, the first sections were sold on Huntsbury Hill. Now, 100 years later, we are celebrating our unique Huntsbury Hill community with a weekend of events for young and old, past and present residents. Come and join us!

* Wine and cheese evening at Community Centre
Friday 14th 6.30-9.30pm
Meet your neighbours, Entertainment, history & photo displays

* Garden party at the Reservoir
Saturday 15th 1pm – 5pm
Market stalls, Performances, food trucks, bouncy castle, zorb balls & mini jeeps.

* Devonshire Teas at Community Centre
Saturday 15th Feb 11am – 4pm
Photo & History displays

* Walking History tour, hosted by Mike Yardley
Saturday 15th Feb 4-6pm & Sunday 16th Feb 10am–12pm
Learn the fascinating history of development on the hill

Huntsbury Residents we need your help!
Can you assist us with Donations, sponsorship/prizes, volunteering your time, ideas or historical knowledge, & contacting past residents?

Registrations for market stalls, performers or walking tours please email Anna: huntsburyevents@gmail.com<mailto:huntsburyevents@gmail.com>
Event details: www.facebook.com/groups/HuntsburyNeighbourhood<http://www.facebook.com/groups/HuntsburyNeighbourhood/>

Play Football throughout 2020 at Halswell United AFC.

The registrations for the Winter Season 2020 are now OPEN for all members
Club Trials dates for Juniors and Youths are also set (starting January/February)

Just head to our website for more information and to register: http://www.hawkfootball.org.nz/Register

Skills Centre+ Registrations (for kids aged 8-12) & First Kicks/Fun Football Registrations (for kids aged 4-8) are open for Summer Term 1
http://www.hawkfootball.org.nz/Programmes/Summer-Programmes

Starfish Swim School Bookings for the January Holiday Program are now open!

Week One: Monday 20 th January to Friday 24th January
Email: info@starfishswimschool.co.nz
Or phone us at: 03 3381795
2 Nash Road, Aidanfield

Come swim in our intensive week to refresh your skills!