Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Unlike our colleagues, friends and whānau in Auckland, we managed to make it to the end of term 3 at school, albeit at Level 2. Our staff would like to thank you for your patience and support with continuing to drop and collect children at the gate each day and to only come onto the site to visit the office if you absolutely have to. We also appreciate everyone wearing masks at the gate.
It is currently very difficult to predict what the COVID situation will be next term, so whilst we will hope for the best, we will assume that there is a good chance that we will still be operating at Alert Level 2.
We did have a lovely Celebration assembly today, out in the courtyard with each hub sitting separately from the others. It's the first whole school assembly we have had since August 2nd so the sun and warmth were very much appreciated. If your child received a certificate, their teacher will have taken a photo to email you.
Social Media and your child
We have noticed a significant increase in issues being reported to us at school about out-of-school activity on social media platforms that is becoming increasingly tricky for our young people to navigate. This is not just in our Year 7/8 area, but through Year 5&6 and to some extent, also in Year 3/4
One of the new platforms being used is 'Messenger Kids'. (Years 6-12) This is a new platform through Facebook Messenger, designed to have strong parental controls built-in. However, these controls are only effective if parents actually monitor them and work with their child to help them understand what kinds of comments and messages are appropriate and what isn't.
If you want to learn more about how to monitor your child's Messenger Kids, there is a great link here from Netsafe.
We have also become aware of unmonitored conversations out of school hours between students on a platform designed for 13years + called 'Discord'. This is often a platform associated with gaming, including the very popular 14years plus game 'Fortnite' which we know many of our students play.
This 2019 article "The Dark side of Discord' is a very important reminder to caregivers that 'gaming does not equal safe'. A useful anaology might be that we wouldn't send our children into the city, unsupervised and let them talk with anyone they met without any worries or fears for their safety. Therefore, when our children are online, we need to assume that they are potentially in a world where they can meet and talk with anyone, unsupervised. Even when they are talking with their friends, without supervision, conversations can quickly take on negative and harmful directions including bullying, sexual comments, racist slurs, threats of harm, and encouragement to self-harm.
We encourage you to use the holidays to engage with your child's online activity and ensure that you have a full and ongoing understanding of what they are involved in.
I wish you all a safe and relaxing next couple of weeks. We look forward to seeing you all back in Term 4.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy and the team
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 1:
Mon 18 Oct - First day of Term 4
Thu 21 October - Year 5-8 Parent Information evening - 'Sexuality and Relationships' topic for Term 4
Fri 22 Oct - Welcome to School Assembly (9.15 - 9.30am followed by Morning Tea for whānau, if we are at Alert Level 1)
Week 2:
Mon 25 Oct - Labour Day (School Closed)
Tue 26 Oct - Staff Only Day (School Closed)
Wed 27 Oct - PTA Meeting (7.30 - 9.30pm) Dessert Evening - All Welcome
Thur 28 Oct - Year 5 - 8 Athletics
Fri 29 Oct - Celebration Assembly (12 - 12.30)
Sun 31 Oct - PTA Halloween Picnic in the Park - BYO Food & Blanket
Week 3:
Wed 3 Nov - Board of Trustee's Meeting (5.30 - 7.30)
Week 4:
Thur 11 Nov - Year 0 - 4 Athletics
Fri 12 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (School Closed)
Term Dates
Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.Citizen of the Week
Otis Yeoman - Year 8
Otis, your lust for learning and fun is infectious. You have an inquisitive and creative mind. We love the way you share your knowledge and insights with us. Otis, you are a kind and loyal friend, a dedicated leader and have an awesome sense of humour. Keep doing all the wonderful things that make you, you!
School Notices
Diversity Group
Our Diversity Group meets once a week on Fridays in the Kauri Hub. Our current project is creating posters with uplifting messages to display in our hubs.
Speeches
A huge congratulations to our zone speech finalists. Both children delivered their persuasive speeches incredibly well to a very engaged, socially distanced audience. The speech topics were Gender Equality in Sport, a well-researched exploration on gender disparity in sport, and Why Sport is Bad for You, an ironic yet convincing speech, given by a very talented sportsperson.
ESOL News
It was lovely weather for gardening this week and Kahikatea students planted out strawberries, vegetables and summer bedding plants.
Kōwhai students worked hard to tidy up and weed the garden under the apple trees.
Koru students talked about the things they like most about Spring.
Sun hats will be needed again next term
Please remember to hunt out your child's school sunhat in readiness for Term 4. Your child will need a named, plain red or black, bucket or wide-brimmed hat every day next term.
Uniform reminder
Please check that your child is coming to school in uniform each day. We have worked hard to make our uniform a cost-effective and fully accessible option, and we do expect that all chidlren will wear uniform every day. Fundamentally, this is plain black on the bottom half, and plain red on the top half. Sunhats need to be plain red or plain black bucket or wide-brimmed hats.
jumpers or polar fleeces need to be plain red.
There is also the option of the black and white gingham dress or culottes.
Sports News
Athletics
Term 4 is athletics season at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto.
In the past, we have organised this as a whole school event. It is awesome to see the whole school out at the park participating in their events and it is fantastic for school spirit. We know this can also be easier for whānau who have children across year levels.
This year, Covid has factored in our decision making and this has been the deciding consideration that has led us to hold two separate events for 2021.
Thursday 28th October - Year 5 - 8 athletics
Thursday 11 November - Year 0 - 4 athletics
More information to come on these two events.
If you would be able to support in the running of the Year 5 - 8 athletics day, please email Jenny.
PTA News
Congratulations! We made it to end of term 3! Thanks to everyone who supported the Readathon - we have had our lucky draw and someone from each hub will be taking home a book voucher to keep the reading going.
Next term we have a few things to let you know about.
We need new helpers in the PTA as lots of people are moving on as their kids age out. Our meeting on Wednesday 27th will be a dessert evening! So please come along if you are curious about what we do and want to know more - or you just want to eat cake!
On the 31st of October we are planning a relaxed Halloween picnic in the park- come along in your costumes before trick or treating- or come along to avoid the trick or treaters at your place! It will be BYO food and blanket.
Calendar Art order forms will be out early next term! Get in quick for great Xmas pressies.
Keep safe and have a wonderful holidays!
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations now available at The Princess Margaret Hospital
In response to an increase in demand to get vaccinations sooner, a walk-in option is available at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Cashmere from 20 September until 3 October.
Drop-ins are welcome anytime 2pm – 8pm, on weekdays, or 10am – 3pm on weekends. We can accommodate up to 300 drop-ins each day. This is in addition to our booked appointment capacity.
We are pleased to now be able to provide this option for people who have not yet booked their appointments and for people who’d like an earlier appointment.
We ask people who take up the chance to drop-in to The Princess Margaret Hospital remember to cancel any booked appointments no longer needed.
We recognise that school holidays are coming up and for those planning to travel, having at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can provide them with an additional level of protection. We continue to encourage proper hand hygiene, use of masks or face-coverings and scanning.
Low Sensory COVID Vaccine Bookings
We are very pleased to announce that bookings can now be made for the Low Sensory Covid 19 Vaccination Clinics hosted by Nurse Maude, supported by Autism NZ.
The sessions will be held in the Ballroom of Nurse Maude, at 24 McDougall Ave, Christchurch. This is a quiet location with features to make the vaccination experience as relaxed as possible.
We would like to highlight that family members from the same household, and any carers, are also eligible to be vaccinated – you just need separate bookings for each person at the same or adjacent times.
Also, you can book either your first or second Pfizer dose through this invitation.
If you have any questions, contact Debra or Karen at Autism NZ.
To book, go to https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ (Please do not use Internet Explorer)
When asked, enter access code - B7W7T5BB1E
When asked for location, enter CHRISTCHURCH
There will be a range of dates and times to choose from between Sept and November.
We look forward to welcoming you.
From the team organising Low Sensory @ Nurse Maude
Below is a link with some helpful information to assist with preparation for vaccinations:
Explore has provided some very useful documents that can be downloaded off their website above.
These include:
- Supporting people through the vaccination process
- First-then
- Social script
- Square breathing exercise
- What to expect on the day
Please feel free to contact us at Autism NZ for more support. You can also email us with any information you would like us to pass on to help support you best during your visit.
The clinic is low sensory which includes low lights, less sound, more time and less people, to create a calmer environment.
Debra Lord
LEGO and Social Group Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
250 Westminster St, Christchurch Park, Mairehau, Christchurch 8013
+64 3 343 2225 + 021 0858 9616
debra.lord@autismnz.org.nz
autismnz.org.nz
PO Box 21273, Edgeware, Christchurch 8143
Walking in Harry Ell's Footsteps
10 October, 9.30am - 2pm, at the Sign of the Bellbird. Join a walk on the Port Hills which focuses on the conservation efforts of Harry Ell and the Summit Road Society. Harry Ell is recognised as one of Christchurch's first conservationists. It is thanks to his legacy that we have the network of reserves on the Port Hills, the Summit Road and the four rest houses. This event is free. Phone: 03 349 3409.
Jewellery Making Classes for Kids
This school holidays Workspace Studios is offering special classes for kids to learn some amazing techniques in our professional jewellery workshop!
We are running the classes in two age Piwakawaka (6-10) and Kereru (10+)
Pendant Making
Use our copper or brass shapes to make your own pendant.
Learn to texture the metal with hammers, punches and letter stamps, then use coloured pencil to colour it how you like. The final step is choosing cord to turn it into something wearable. Kids are welcome to bring beads from home to add to their piece.
Ring Making
Create your own ring stack from copper/brass and silver in this super fun workshop.
Learn to measure your finger, cut metal to length and texture it with hammers and punches. Then solder the ring into a circle using a jewellers torch and finish with sandpaper and polishing. Students will create one ring in copper or brass and one in sterling silver. They can be worn on a cord or chain instead of the finger if preferred.
**Note to parents** this class uses fire! Please ensure you feel confident your child can follow instructions safely before enrolling them.
Piwakawaka - Pendant Making; 14 Oct, 10-11am, $34
Piwakawaka - Pendant Making; 15 Oct 10-11am, $34
Kereru - Ring Making; 14 Oct 12-2pm, $48
Kereru - Ring Making; 15 Oct 12-2pm, $48
Book online at: www.workspacestudios.co.nz/chch-shortworkshops
Southern Districts Cricket is based in Beckenham Park, and require a few more players from Yrs 0-8 to complete teams.
Open Day & BBQ Saturday 25th & Saturday 2nd from 12pm at Beckenham clubrooms. Or contact Cat for more information
admin@kidsinaction.nz or 0272981031
Our Generation Give participant teenagers, from across the city and the plains, are as passionate about making a difference as we are. We have been highly impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm to make Greater Ōtautahi Christchurch better.
We are thrilled to share that they have developed a fun way for you to support local charities whilst helping them learn more about philanthropy.
Who Gives a Duck is their upcoming fundraising event, a rubber duck race in the heart of central Christchurch, with a prize for the winning duck.
Donate a Duck to 'enter' the race then watch in person, or via live stream, as they race down the Ōtākaro/Avon River.
The race is being held on Monday 11 October, 2021, starting at the Bridge of Remembrance.
Brannigans, Jarden and The Christchurch Foundation collectively will match the first $10,000 NZD raised.
Please note that Covid restrictions may require changes in how this event is run.
Congratulations — the holidays are here!
Any school term that includes a Covid stay-at-home period is a term that isn't the easiest for staff and students. So, we hope you have some plans in place to unwind and reset.
Perhaps we'll see you at one of the Biketober events? Or exploring the city as part of the Passport Competition?
Be kind. Stay safe. Pedal.