Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Reminder: School finishes for the year on Wed 15th December at 12:30pm
And just like that, we are at the end of the school year!
We Got There Together!
Mā tātou katoa te waka e hoe
We are all rowing this waka together
Thank you!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our school, our staff and our tamariki through this year. In a non-covid year, we would have had multiple occasions to publicly, and in person, thank people within usual school events, however, this hasn't been possible this year.
A huge thank-you to our Board of Trustees who have shown wise governance, care and support of me, our staff, our tamariki, our school and school community through this year. Ably led by Matthew Macdonald as Board Chair, our board members are: Lisa Taylor, Marcel Frei, Sampson Karst (Ngāi Tahu), Jude Clarke, Richard Scott, Suran Dickson, Nicole Forster and Anna Reid (staff trustee).
To our PTA - Thank you! You have successfully navigated your way through another challenging year, supporting our staff, tamariki and community with your energy, pastoral care and fundraising. A special thanks to the co-chairs - Nicola Arnott and Jody Smith. We all appreciate the time, energy and creative enthusiasm that each member of the PTA brings in support of us all - thank you!
To all of our whānau - THANK YOU! This year has again provided many challenges in how we have had to rethink the ways that we physically engage with whānau and we appreciate that this may have been challenging and even frustrating at times. Thank you for continuing to drop off and pick up at the gates. Thank you for wearing masks every time you come onto the school grounds. Thank you for providing vaccine information, vehicle information, and being willing to do police checks when we have requested you to... for the safety of our children. Your support of us in following the health and safety guidelines we have been required to work under has been very much appreciated. Thank you for coming to talk with us when you have had a worry or concern, rather than letting it build up - we appreciate being able to work together to find solutions and move forward. Thank you for the support that many of you have given with trips, transport and with sharing your expertise and time with our staff and tamariki.
Next year will look different again, as we understand what operating under the Covid Protection Framework (Traffic Light system) will look like at school. We will provide clear communication in the new year about this before school starts. Like this year, we do anticipate that these guidelines will continue to change and evolve as the Covid situation in our community changes.
And finally, to our staff - Wow! It is such a privilege to work with you all. To Sue and Jo - our Deputy Principals - you are our rocks and 'you rock'! Your patience, wisdom and leadership is appreciated each day by us all. To our Leadership Team - Nicky, Steve, Laura, Amber and Elizabeth - thank you for the warm, intuitive, steadfast and caring way you approach each new challenge; always looking for solutions and ways to improve and work forward together. To our amazing teachers, we appreciate each and every one of you and the care and energy you bring to your work each day to provide the best that you can for our tamariki. To our growing team of Teaching Assistants - thank you for the work that you do with our children who need the extra support, love and understanding that you are so willing to give in your small group and 1:1 interactions. To all of our relieving teachers this year, and there have been many - thank you for the way that you work to quickly understand how we work together at Beckenham, and fit so smoothly into each team that you have worked in. To our staff in the office and library - Jacky, Reihana, Rachel and Anne - you approach your work with care and warmth and this is evident in the patient way you approach each new challenge you are presented with. To Tony, our caretaker - thank you! The role you have is often a thankless one and we appreciate very much the support you give on a daily basis to both your general duties and the emergency requests that you are asked to fulfil. To our Ferndale colleagues - this year has been extra challenging as you have had to work in your own separate bubble since August - we value the strong professional relationship we share and the way that we continue to learn from one another. And to two special people who are contracted to our school - Dave from 24/7 Youth Work, and Whaea Cath our Kapa Haka tutor - we consider you part of our staff and really appreciate the wisdom, expertise and care of our tamariki that you bring to your mahi.
To those of you who are leaving our school community - we wish you all the very best, wherever you are heading. To those of you returning next year, we look forward to seeing you again in 2022!
I wish each and every one of you a 'Meri Kirihimete' and I hope that you are able to enjoy some time with your whānau to relax and refresh over the summer holidays.
Sandy Hastings
Tumuak - Principal
...and to finish with some fun and caring...
To finish our school year by demonstrating We Care for others and with some Christmas fun for ourselves, we encourage everyone (whānau, staff and tamariki) to wear Christmas accessories on Wednesday, our final morning of school for the year, in return for bringing a donation to our City Mission Christmas Foodbank Collection. We will have collection bins in the office every day this week, and at the flagpole on Wednesday at drop-off and pick up time.
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Mon 13th Dec - Beckenham Cycle Safety Programme (Y6)Tue 14th Dec - Beckenham Cycle Safety Programme (Y6)
Tue 14 Dec - Year 8 Graduation (live-streamed event - link will be resent via HERO on Monday to Year 8 whānau)
Wed 15th Dec - Last Day of School for 2021 - School Finishes at 12.30pm
Term Dates
Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.Click here to follow our school Facebook page.
Citizen of the Week
Layla McCallum - Year 6
Layla, what a positive person you are to be around! It gives your teachers such pleasure to receive a cheery greeting from you every morning. This sets us up for a positive day. You love learning! You are always keen to contribute to discussions and you actively listen to others. You are an amazing friend and such a kind and caring person. Ka pai to mahi.School Notices
Year 8 Graduation - Tuesday 11am
The link for this live-stream event will be reshared with Year 8 whānau via HERO on Monday. For the privacy of our tamariki, we are not able to share this link publicly. Year 8 whānau are welcome to share the link directly with friends and whānau, but are requested not to share the link on any public platforms.
Te Tuna Tāone / Urban Eel Group
Kia ora/hello we are the Te Tuna Tāone - Urban eel group and we take care of our river and the living things inside of it. We went around our neighbourhood putting blue eels (tuna) and fish (kokopu) next to stormwater drains.
So, when walking around the Beckenham neighbourhood look out for drains with blue fish or eels around them. The blue fish remind us that the water that goes into those drains goes to the river so we need to keep these drains clean. You can find some of these stormwater drains on Sandwich Road and Eastern Terrace. These drains mean that if rubbish or dirty polluted water goes into our river it will become worse not only for us but for the living things inside of it like our eels and fish. You can help by picking up rubbish and putting it in the red bin. Let's look after our river and our very special longfin tuna and pick up 5 pieces of rubbish every day!
Ngā mihi from Melissa and Izzy on behalf of the Urban eel/Te Tuna Tāone group
Gangsters! Cream pies! Singing! Dancing! And Splurge guns...
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto ākonga, Aine Smyth is currently in rehearsals with Elmwood Players for the hilarious family musical BUGSY MALONE!
Based on the hit 1976 film originally starring a preteen Scott Baio and Jodi Foster, and featuring a catchy, swinging score by the composer of The Muppet Movie. Two gangs, comprised completely of children, square off in a 1920s rivalry of Capone-ian standards. Dandy Dan's gang has gotten the upper hand since obtaining the "splurge" gun. Now, Fat Sam and his bumbling buffoons are in real trouble! Bugsy Malone, a one-time boxer, is thrust not-so-willingly into the gangster limelight when he becomes the last chance that Fat Sam's gang has of surviving. All Bugsy really wants to do is spend time with his new love, Blousey, but that just isn't in the cards for our hero. Bugsy Malone is a classic musical comedy not to be missed.
Check out Aine on stage at Elmwood Auditorium over the Summer School Holidays in January.
Christchurch School of Music
Band Programme Music Lessons at your School
Does your child want to learn a musical instrument? Did you know they can learn at school and play in a concert band from their first day?
The CSM Outreach Band Programme combines individual lessons with ensemble playing right from the first note. Being part of a band can provide students with skills that will last a lifetime. As well as the wonderful musical benefits students will gain valuable social, physical and academic skills. And most importantly, it’s fun!
Students must be in year 5 or above and can choose from the following instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Guitar, Percussion, French Horn.
Band Programme Fees
The Christchurch School of Music provides the Outreach Band Programme at your school. We work hard to keep the fees as affordable as possible. The fee for a standard 15 minute lesson per student in the band programme is $157.50/term or $630/year. Band is free to all students learning in the Outreach Band Programme. If you have a Community Services Card you may be eligible for a 50% discount on the base year’s fees. 
Students start in the Training Band, then move onto Concert Band and can then be invited to join Youth Band or Jazz Band. Click to check out some of our level 2 performances. To enrol, click here to go to the enrolment form.
For more information contact Jody at outreachband@csm.org.nz
CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL OF MUSIC
60 Ferry Road, Christchurch 8011
P (03) 366 1711
Dental Care during the School Holidays
The Community Dental Service will be providing dental care for children enrolled with our service during the upcoming school holidays. The clinics will offer treatment and relief of pain sessions by appointment only. To make an appointment please call/email our Contact Centre which operates between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday throughout the holidays (closed between 25th December and 10th January). If your child requires dental care during the time we are closed contact your family dentist.
The following Dental Clinics will be open during these school holidays:
· Hillmorton Clinic, Sylvan Street, Christchurch – from Monday 10th January
· Aranui Clinic, 240 Breezes Road, Aranui – on 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th January
· Hornby Clinic, 2 Hei Hei Road, Hornby - from Monday 10th January
· Timaru Clinic, Level 1, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru – from Monday 10th January
The clinics will offer appointments between 8.15am and 4.45pm for school-age and preschool children. If your child has dental pain because of an accident, please contact your dentist in the first instance.
To book an appointment at one of our clinics please:
Call 0800 846 983
Or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Our Hauora
Our Hauora have two programmes coming up this summer for tamariki:
- Hauora Heroes Holiday Adventure - 20th, 21st December
- Hauora Heroes Summer Adventure 17th - 21st January
These programmes are founded on building resilience and confidence. Activities include mindfulness, learning about emotions and self regulation, creativity, connection games, cooking/baking and outside movement.
Feel free to check out our website www.ourhauora.nz for more information or email Ella ella@ourhauora.nz
Christmas Around the World
Find out how Christmas Traditions and how Christmas is celebrated in lots of different countries and cultures around the world!
Risingholme’s Adult and Community Education - Courses for 2022
Are you a face-to-face learner? Make 2022 your year to learn something new with Risingholme.
Risingholme offer affordable and easily accessible evening, weekend, and daytime short courses with experienced tutors in a friendly environment.
Re-igniting what makes you tick through new skills reduces boredom, makes life more interesting, and can even open future opportunities. Whether you’re looking to learn new skills for enjoyment or employment - Skill development helps our interpersonal skills, creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, reflection, adaptability and much more. With over 76 years of experience delivering adult community education and activities throughout Ōtautahi at multiple locations – Risingholme has got your back!
Every year, Risingholme offer over 320 courses. There are the regular programmes of art, craft, woodwork, music and educational courses at Risingholme, and we always considering new course ideas and adding to the ‘New and Interesting’ section of the website. Some of the courses include:
Arts and Crafts in a variety of mediums including drawing, sketching, wood sculpture, printmaking, watercolours, acrylics, crochet, and upholstery.
Digital Skills
Advanced Photoshop and DSLR photography for all levels.
Exercise, Wellbeing & Health
For those wanting to improve their health, check out yoga, reiki, compassionate communication, mindfulness, mindset and zentangle.
Plus many more course categories.
Risingholme courses are open to everyone age 16+ who are not currently at school, regardless of educational background – it’s never too late to learn something new.
Check out the amazing variety of face-to-face courses on offer at Risingholme in 2022 and commence the week starting Tuesday 8 February 2022, enrol today to save your spot.
Full details available are on www.risingholme.org.nz
Risingholme office at 22 Cholmondeley Ave, Opawa
Phone 03 332 7359 |Email info@risingholme.org.nz
- 2022 Course Brochures will be available from the CCC public libraries over summer.
- There is the possibility of financial support for WINZ clients through support the Course Participation Assistance scheme, which is financial help towards the costs of attending a short-term training course or programme. Check in with your WINZ case manager about your eligibility.
- Christmas Gift Course Vouchers are also available.
Coding NZ
Exciting news! Coding NZ is offering a free 1 hour tutored holiday coding activity for students in years 6 to 13. Check out codingnz.com
CodeCamp
CodeCamp allows kids from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action packed environment. Develop confidence & initiative through design, creativity, solving problems, presenting & collaboration. Create games, apps.
Venue: Waimairi School, Bryndwr
Dates: 10th – 14th January,
17th – 21st January
Book Now at https://codecamp.co.nz
