Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Remember that this is a four-day weekend with Labour Day on Monday and a Staff Only Day on Tuesday. We look forward to seeing all the children back on WEDNESDAY.Welcome Assembly today
We had a welcome assembly with a difference today - outside and sadly, without all of our new families and whānau there to share in the welcome.
We welcomed 29 children, 25 of whom were new to Beckenham since Week 2 of last term, and four children who have recently returned to Beckenham after having some time away.
We celebrated their 12 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds with a parade of flags and got a lovely photo of them all together at the end!
It was great to have Te Whānau Mahi Tahi performing again for us and leading from the front of the assembly, welcoming us all in.
Thank you!
...to one of our wonderful parents who built this beautiful 'fairy garden' in one of the planter boxes over the school holidays. It has been played with constantly since school started again this week!
Please be aware of Netflix's new streamed show "Squid Game"
This programme has a rating of 16+ for a very good reason - extreme violence, strong language, and regular, very frightening scenes depicting death that are not suitable for primary aged children.
You may have seen this article on Stuff about the impact that viewing this programme is having on children in Australia.
We urge you to closely monitor your child's viewing, and be aware that they may be able to watch this through Youtube or other platforms, so extremely close parental guidance is encouraged.
Athletic Sports next week - no spectators please
After carefully considering the guidance from the Ministries of Health and Education, we will be running the Year 5-8 Athletic Sports next week as a 'no spectator event'. Whilst we operate with staff and students, we are able to have events like this outside, but as soon as we add spectators into the mix, we would be operating outside of those guidelines.
Thank you for your understanding of this. We will do our best to take lots of photos and will post these to our school Facebook page.
We wish you all a very relaxing and safe long weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
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)
Week 3:
Wed 3 Nov - Board of Trustee's Meeting (5.30 - 7.30)
Sat 6 Nov - Theatre Sports Competition (@Rangi Ruru Girls)
Week 4:
Wed 10 Nov - New Entrant (Chelsea and Tracey's Home Groups) & Year 8 School Photos
Thur 11 Nov - Year 0 - 4 Athletics (TBC)
Fri 12 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (School Closed)
Term Dates
Click here to view 2021 & 2022 term dates.Citizen of the Week
Misha Lee - Year 3
Misha, you are an absolutely awesome member of the Kōwhai whanau! You have an fantastic 'can do' attitude and set a wonderful example to others as you cheerfully work hard in all areas of school life. Misha, you are a considerate, caring and enthusiastic friend, who naturally incorporates our key values in everything you do. Thank you for being such a superstar! Tino Pai!School Notices
Food Allergy Guidelines
Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.
To support the wellbeing of these students we have the following guidelines in place which we ask you to follow:
- Whenever children bring food to school for shared kai occasions, please follow the guidelines provided by the teachers for that event.
- We will inform you during the year if specific guidelines for your child’s hub change. Our full allergy policy and guidelines in this booklet, are also available on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto website under “Information - Policies - SchoolDocs” then search ‘allergy’.
Username: beckenham
Password: pride
If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them in the first instance with your child’s point of contact teacher.
Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…
A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins”. Sessions are now on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 for parents, starting on November 2nd. 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 yj2ed. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.
Sunscreen, Hats and Drink Bottles
Please remember to send your child to school each day with sunscreen applied, and with a named school hat and their named drink bottle.
Medication At School
If a child requires medication at school on a long or short term basis, parents/caregivers need to complete a medicine authority form with Jacky or Reihana in the office. Procedures are followed to ensure that it is kept securely, and administered appropriately.
Any medication that is required to be kept at school on an ongoing basis, expiry dates need to be checked regularly by parents/caregivers. If the school notices an expiry date is due parents/caregivers will be advised.
Parents/caregivers are asked to please update the school on any medical/health information about their child by contacting the school office.
ESOL News
This week...
Koru children enjoyed talking and playing a shopping game. They learnt about healthy food, too.
Kahikatea and Kowhai did likewise, and also played some memory and team building games.
Canterbury Schools Orienteering Festival 6th and 7th November
Orienteering is a fun sport, using a map to navigate around checkpoints. While the aim is to finish the course as fast as possible, one of the great aspects of orienteering is that everyone is free to go at their own pace which suits their fitness and desire! For those interested in adventure racing, navigation is an essential skill and most teams have at least one member with orienteering experience.
The schools orienteering festival events are at the Groynes on the 6th November and Bottle Lake forest on the 7th November. The courses are set to be suitable for aged 9 and older and can be done individually or in pairs (many younger children also compete as well but would need to feel confident without an adult). Participants are able to enter one or both days. More information is available on the webpage
https://papo.org.nz/series/view/21/canterbury-schools-orienteering-festival-2021 or from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto parent and orienteering club member, Jenni Adams jennia.home@gmail.com Entries for the festival close Friday 29th October and should be made individually using the link from the webpage.
After school training opportunities are available over the next two weeks:
Tuesday 26 October | Halswell Quarry | Finlay’s Picnic Area at the end of the main road into the park
Wednesday 27 October | Barnett Park | End of the car park near the field
Monday 1 November | Heathcote Domain | Meet by Cricket pavilion
Tuesday 2 November | Hansen Park / Rudolf Steiner School | Playground in Hansen Park
For the trainings bring: Comfortable shoes, a compass if you have one, and $2 for a map.
Sports News
Congratulations to Nevannah who is developing a passion for Netball Umpiring, and has been recognised for her commitment and dedication with these two awards. Nevannah's goal is to one day umpire a Silver Ferns test match.
Cousins Ollie and Lola represented Canterbury during the school holidays, in a 4 day basketball tournament held in Ashburton. Both played some exceptional basketball and had some great wins for their respective U13 teams. Congratulations!
PTA News
Event Cancellation
Regretfully due to COVID, the PTA has decided to err on the side of caution, and cancel the Halloween picnic at the park, that was to be held on the 31st.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Huntsbury Preschool is hosting an OPEN DAY
Tuesday 26 October from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Spaces available for 2-5 year olds, Monday-Friday
Come check out our special little preschool on the hill.
Art Competition
As part of our council consultations on coastal hazards, we are running an art competition on what Christchurch might look like in 50 years. We want people to get creative and show us how life in coastal Ōtautahi Christchurch will be. Floating houses? Water cars? Houses and schools on poles? Water bikes? You can show us in any way you like – a drawing or painting, short movie, a presentation, a sculpture, a poster, a photo – get creative!
Drop off is at any of our Christchurch City Council libraries, or get in touch with Hannah.Ballantyne@ccc.govt.nzto arrange collection.
