Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Welcome to our final term for 2021. Term 4 is always a busy term, with spring providing better weather for outdoor activities, camps that were planned, athletics, end of year activities. This year, we also have some additional 'COVID-catch-up' activities, that had previously been postponed such as the Year 7/8 camp next week, and the Cultural Festival in Week 3.
Learning in the Hubs - Mathematics
Our staff believe that games that stimulate our learners to take a risk and invite them to compare their ideas are a great way to capture and connect their minds to mathematics. This photo shows Kōwhai learners contributing their ideas to a new game our Teaching Assistants learnt on our recent Staff only Day.
Big Shake Out
Yesterday, we participated, along with many other schools and workplaces around the country, in the 'Big Shakeout' - demonstrating and practising what we would do in the event of a major earthquake during the school day. We all practised 'making a turtle' after which the whole school evacuated out to our assembly point on Beckenham Park. The children should be able to talk to you about this, and it would be a good opportunity to talk about the plan that you have at home for the family in the event of an earthquake when at home.
Pop-Up Penguin
Harcouts and 'Wild in Art' are presenting a second 'pop-up-sculpture trail' around Christchurch this year - this time in the shape of penguins. Our school was invited to decorate a penguin, which we were very excited to have the opportunity to do. Our students chose the theme: ‘We need to take action in order to keep the beautiful creatures on our planet’ and then weeks of work went into gathering ideas from students around the school and incorporating them into a cohesive design that would reflect this theme.
Year 7/8 students worked with Nicky and local artist and friend of our school, Ira Mitchell, to then get that design onto a fibre-glass bird!
We are incredibly proud of the result!
Yesterday our penguin was picked up from school and taken to be reunited with all the other penguins, where they will have their photos taken, and then will be placed on a trail around Christchurch. We will let you know more about that when we have the information.
After the trail has been going for 10 weeks, our penguin will be returned to us, and we can display it somewhere appropriate within our school.
Considering home groups for 2021
Very shortly we will be working on building our home learning groups for 2021. Our staff spend a lot of time carefully considering the needs of each child, and take into account a range of emotional, social, behavioural and academic considerations. We do NOT ask parents to choose a home room teacher that they would like for their child. We do know, however, that you hold information about your child's wellbeing at school that may be relevant when we are putting these groups together. Therefore, if you have any considerations about your child for us to add to our home group placement discussions for 2021 - please email these to Sandy by Friday 30th October (the end of Week 3 of this term).
Demonstrating how we are inclusive
At Beckenham we are constantly considering the ways that we can ensure we are being inclusive of all people, both whānau and tamariki, in our daily interactions both at school and with our wider community.
When we communicate with people, using both their name and pronouns correctly is an important way of demonstrating that we respect and value them. We work hard to use children's names correctly, and urge you to please let us know if we are not pronouncing or spelling your child/family's names correctly.
Using pronouns is also important. As our children move through the school, they get many opportunities to learn about ways that we can use language to be inclusive. You may have noticed that some of our staff and students have added their pronouns to their digital signatures. When cisgender people (those who identify with the sex/gender they were assigned at birth) do this, it normalises it for everyone and protects trans and gender diverse people when they include their pronouns. Having pronouns in an email signature also signals you as an LGBTQIA+ ally.
The State Services Commission has recently published a page on their website that explains this particularly well, if you would like to read and learn more about it.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings (pronouns she/her)
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Mon 19 - Fri 23 Oct: Kauri Team Camp in Dunedin
Mon 19 Oct: Canterbury Duathlon - Ruapuna Speedway
Wed 21 & Thu 22 Oct: Pōhutukawa trips to Rāpaki Marae
Thu 22 & Fri 23 Oct: Kōwhai trips to Canterbury Museum
Mon 26 Oct: LABOUR DAY School Closed
Tue 27, Wed 28, Thu 29 Oct: Kahikatea & Kōwhai SwimSafe programme - Pioneer Pool
Wed 28 Oct: 6:45pm Christchurch Arena, Christchurch Schools Cultural Festival - Te Whānau Mahi Tahi performing
Thu 29 Oct: BOT meeting 5:30 - 7:45pm, Staffroom, All welcome
Fri 30 Oct: Whole School Athletics - Beckenham Park
Mon 9th Oct: Zone Athletics, Hansen Park. 9am - 3pm
Term Dates
Click here to view 2020 and 2021 term dates.If you are someone who uses a digital calendar, you may find syncing the school calendar with your calendar a worthwhile thing to do. You can find the link for this on the school website.
Citizen of the Week
Sachit Rana - Year 7
Sachit, you are an exceptionally reliable member of the Kauri whānau. When given a job, you complete it without any reminders. You are kind and caring to all in our hub and we enjoy your wonderful sense of humour! Accha kam!
School Notices
Our senior kapa haka group, Te Whānau Mahi Tahi, will be performing at the Christchurch Schools Cultural Festival at the Christchurch Arena on Wednesday, 28th October at 6:45pm.
Tickets are now available through Ticketek. (This is the only way to get tickets - schools are not selling tickets directly).
Term 4 - HATS
As is our usual practice, hats are compulsory in Term 4 for all outdoor play and exercise. Please take a moment to ensure your child has a suitable red or black hat for use at school. Caps do not provide adequate sun protection and are not part of the school uniform. Please name your child's hat clearly.
We no longer sell hats at the school office. Bucket style hats or wide brimmed hats are available from our uniform supplier, Mainland Uniforms at 189 Peterborough Street.
Their website is: Mainland uniforms
New Finance Officer needed
We have regretfully accepted the resignation this week of Sandra Rauch, our Finance Officer. We are in the process of putting together an application package for this position which will likely be a part-time (around 25 hours, term time only) position, suitable for someone with bookkeeping and payroll experience. When the advertisement is completed we will circulate it, so keep your eye out for this if you think it might be the right job for someone you know who has the appropriate skills and is looking for this kind of role.
Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…
A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:10am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.
Lunchonline
Lunches can be ordered through the Lunchonline website on Wednesdays and Fridays
Refer a Friend Competition- $500 prize!!
Don't forget our refer a friend competition runs until 1st December.
Refer a new customer to Lunchonline, once the new member makes an order you go in the draw to win the $500 prize - just in time for Xmas !
Congratulations to...
Zoë Clarke and Max Graham for participating in the South Speech Zone Competition on Monday evening. They did an amazing job presenting their wonderfully written speeches. Max Graham placed 2nd in the Year 8 section! Well done to the two of you!
PTA News
Calendar Art Orders Reopened
Due to a number of you missing out on placing your orders we have arranged for the Calendar Art Orders to be reopened from 19 October, at 9am – 23 October at 11.59pm.
This will be your last chance to get your orders in this year.
PTA Bulletin Fourth Term
Please take a moment to read the latest news from the PTA.
BOT Elections
By now, all caregivers should have received an email containing information about the nomination process and nomination forms for the upcoming Board of Trustee Elections. You can also complete a nomination form online.
Nominations close on Sunday, 1st November at 12pm
If you have any questions about what might be involved in being a Trustee, do make contact with one of our current Trustees, or feel welcome to email our current Chair, Ester Vallero valleroester@gmail.com
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Election Day: Saturday 17 October
Voting will be open at the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Hall - 9am - 7pm
Loop the Loop
Monday 26th October start 4-6pm
A bicycle treasure hunt and neighbourhood exploration, followed by a community party.
Start at the Beckenham Ponds and end at the corner of Malcolm and Birdwood Avenues.
There will be a BBQ, outdoor games and a prize draw!
Studio One Performing Arts
Studio One Performing Arts, your local dance school, is currently giving Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary lessons in your area. The school’s director is teacher, choreographer & ex-ballet dancer Patricia Paul A.R.A.D. (London). Ballet lessons from 3 years through to Advanced, and all levels in Jazz and Contemporary starting from age 7. For all enquiries please phone 372-9191 or email info@studioone.co.nz