Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto School Newsletter Term 4 Week 1

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Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

First day of Voting in the Library
... happened this week, to support our students with the concept of using a voting system to have a voice. They were voting on which genre of books they would like more of: Fiction (novels), Non-Fiction, Picture Books or Graphic Novels.

Our tamariki used their vote to provide us with crucial feedback for our purchasing! This is "Youth Voices Matter" in action!

Early indications show Graphic Novels are in the lead. Voting will continue for another week. The students have been very enthusiastic with several discussing the NZ Elections whilst queuing to vote.

Important Dates

Sat 14 Oct - Election Day, Voting Open in the School Hall 
Fri 20 Oct- Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Mon 23 Oct - School Closed, Labour Day
Wed 25 Oct - PTA Meeting, 7.30pm
Thu 26 Oct - School Athletics Day TBC
Fri 3 Nov - Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Fri 3 Nov - CHCH Schools Music Festival Beckenham Performance Night
Wed 8 Nov - BOT Meeting, 5.30pm, Staffroom
Fri 10 Nov - Zones Athletics, Hansen Park
Thu 16 Nov - School Closed, Staff Only Day
Fri 17 Nov - School Closed, Canterbury Anniversary Day
Mon 20 Nov - Mon 27 Nov - Year 6 Beckenham Cycle Safe
Wed 22 Nov - PTA Meeting, 7.30pm
Fri 24 Nov - Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Fri 24 Nov - PTA School Picnic, 5.00-7.30pm, Beckenham Park
Fri 1 Dec - Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Thu 7 Dec - BOT Meeting, 5.30pm, Staffroom
Fri 8 Dec - Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Fri 15 Dec - Celebration Assembly, 10am, in the Hall
Mon 18 Dec - Year 8 Graduation, 11am-12pm
Tue 19 Dec - Last Day of Term 4, School finishes at 12.30pm

Term Dates: Click here to view 2023 & 2024 term dates

Citizen of the Week

Emily Christensen - Year 4

Emily, you are a wonderful role model in our hub. You are always positive, caring and helpful. You put your best effort into learning and have outstanding self-management skills. Thank you for always demonstrating our school values in everything that you do. Well done, Emily!

School Notices

The sun is out, and our tamariki have been enjoying our newly installed surfaces in the Junior Playground! Don't forget hats are required in Term 4. Please ensure your child's hat is clearly named. 

Earthquake Drill

Next week on Wednesday 18th of October at 12.30pm is our scheduled termly evacuation drill. This term will be an earthquake drill. Drills are held once a term and most of our children are familiar and confident with the process. 

Teachers have been supporting learning and discussions on natural disasters in preparation for this, and there are discussion starters in the daily notices which are read each morning with all tamariki. 

If you are collecting your child early on Wednesday for any appointments etc. Please ensure they are signed in and out at the Office, as usual, to assist in the accuracy of our drill.

Staff Profiles

Please join us in welcoming one of our new Teaching Assistants who started with us this term.

Laura Stewart-Cameron joins our Learning Support Team as a Teaching Assistant and will be working primarily in Kahikatea. 

Laura Stewart-Cameron

"Kia ora. I’m Laura. I enjoy sewing and creating and love spending time with my two children and two dogs. I have a background in early childhood teaching and ballet teaching. I am looking forward to supporting the students at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto."

While we welcome Laura to her new role, we also farewell Amanda Kay who has given her time to our kura, and Ferndale. Amanda is making the move back to the North Island with her whānau, and we wish her all the best with her move and future endeavours!

PTA News

Thanks for all of your calendar orders - orders closed at midnight on Friday 13th October so we can get all the orders out in time for Christmas. 

Planning for our Community Picnic is coming together, we’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday 24th November.

Look out for our 2023 Christmas Goodies fundraiser, we’ll have Christmas cakes and honey this year, which should make fabulous presents. More info coming soon! 

And finally, we have our monthly meeting next week, 25th October at 7.30pm in the staff room - it’s always great to see new faces!

BOT Update

Board Parent Mid-Term Election 2023 - 3 Vacancies

At the close of nominations at 12 noon Wednesday, October 11th, the following nominations were received for the parent vacancies on the School Board. 
* Reena Brinner
* Craig Hurford
* Alex James
* Daniel Toledo
* John Richard Ussher
* Darren Webster 
We will now be proceeding to an election. Full candidate statements will be shared with you next week.

Instruction on how you vote electronically will be distributed by email this Wednesday the 18th of October. For those without valid email addresses - you will be mailed voting papers for a paper vote.

Voting closes at 4:00 PM Wednesday, November 15th.
The new Board will take office on Wednesday 22nd November 2023.

Thank you to all of our candidates who have expressed interest in supporting the governance and success of our kura. 

Community Notices

(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)


Team Social began with two parents who saw a need for social opportunities for young adults with special needs in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Their first event is a disco, so if you love to dance, come along. Ticket price includes food and soft drinks.

The Team Social crew will be there to supervise, but you are welcome to bring your own support person if required. We look forward to seeing you there! Jo, Gavin and Aron Harris. 0274264660 The link for tickets is below. 

Cashmere Kea's

Cashmere Kea’s for 5 to 8 year olds: spaces available for next term onwards. Fun and friendship are the cornerstones of the Kea programme. It is filled with a little bit of everything: outdoor activities, games and crafts. 

Meeting Place: Scout Den, Hackthorne Road, Cashmere, Christchurch Meeting time: Monday 5.45pm – 6.45pm Info about prices / contact details for Cashmere Kea’s https://scouts.nz/groups/cashmere-scout-group/ More info about Kea’s in general: https://scouts.nz/keas/


When:  Thursday 19th October 2023, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Where:  La Vida Centre / CHRISTCHURCH

Presentation:  Understanding Your Brain: Building Resilience & Maximising Learning

'The concept of building resilience in our children is more and more at the forefront of parents' minds. Academic success is in fact a result of resilience and can mean very little without it. In this summary of the evidence and research around what resilience looks like, how it’s fostered and which environments do it the best, Nathan will break down for parents (in his usual ’straight from the hip’ humourous style) exactly what we can do to facilitate our children developing resilience, increase their academic ability and enjoy an overall better quality of life. We will look at how our brains work as a basis for understanding how to achieve this.'

(note: this presentation caters for parents/carers and educators who care for children of all ages.  It is also relevant for us grown-ups!)

More info/tickets available on Eventfinda NZ or by clicking on the link below:


Early bird tickets are still available - until sold out.  Get in quick!


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