Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Schoolwide Newsletter, Rāmere (Friday) 15th August 2025

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Principal's Update

Kia ora koutou

It has been a welcome change to see the weather brighten later in the week, allowing all our ākonga/students to enjoy the glorious sunshine. This week marks the halfway point of the term, and I would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work our staff have put in to make it such a success.


My update this week contains three important components, and I encourage you to take the time to read them.


  1. PTA - Disco and Family Portraits

Thank you to the PTA for organising our school disco - another wonderful event that brought our community together in a fun and engaging way. You can find some photos from this fabulous event further down.

The PTA currently needs support in two areas:

Family Photographs – If you haven’t already, and would like to have family photographs taken, please register your interest using this link:

https://shorturl.at/pn7pg

Uniform Donations – Our second-hand uniform shop is short of school fleeces. If you have one you are able to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.

The shop is open Mondays 2:45pm-3:15pm and Friday mornings from 8:45am-9:15am.

     2. Strategic Planning


It was very encouraging to receive feedback from 88 families as part of our community consultation. Last week we also met with whānau of Maori ākonga/students at our school to seek their feedback. We are now beginning to shape our Strategic Plan based on all the feedback we received, our own internal evaluation and ensuring we meet all our educational requirements. A summary of the predominant themes we have received from both consultations is below: 


Community Consultation

Key themes identified from this consultation were:


Lifting Achievement

Strong literacy and numeracy foundations, visible progress, appropriate challenge and support for every learner, and purposeful (not excessive) use of technology.


Calm, Inclusive Spaces Where Students and Staff Thrive

Calm, supportive learning environments, clear behaviour boundaries, and targeted support for neurodiverse learners -  while maintaining opportunities for collaboration.


Community, Culture & Citizenship

Strong home-school partnerships, visible celebration of all cultures, and student-led service that makes a positive difference beyond the school gate.


Māori Whānau Feedback 

Key themes identified from this consultation were:

Key themes:


  • Support for Māori Educational Excellence


  • Strengthening Te Reo Māori Delivery and Learning


  • Increasing Kapa Haka Engagement


  • Further developing Mana Whenua and Marae Connections



3. Attendance


This year, as part of our annual targets, we have introduced a goal focused on increasing the percentage of students who attend school regularly. The Ministry of Education defines regular attendance as being at school at least 90% of the time.


As a school, we are required to have a Stepped Attendance Response Plan in place by the beginning of 2026. We have been working on this, and more information will be shared in upcoming newsletters.


As a lead-in, we would like to share the following information with you:


Did you realise...


If your child misses one day of school every two weeks, they will miss more than a year of school by 16 years of age. As a parent or caregiver, you, alongside us, play a key role in building strong habits of regular school attendance.


All students are legally required to attend school every day, and it is a shared responsibility between home and school to make sure students attend and engage in learning from when they first start school.


Please let us know, by phoning the office on (03) 337 1404, if your child is going to be absent or intends to be absent for a portion of the school term for any reason, e.g., tangi/funeral or medical procedure.


NB: Family holidays or taking time off for extracurricular activities (not organised by the school or specifically supported by our Board of Trustees) are not recorded as justified reasons for being absent.


Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school can be tricky. Health guidance to support you to decide is available on the link below:

https://info.health.nz/keeping-healthy/healthy-homes-environments/knowing-if-your-child-is-well-enough-to-go-to-school-guidance-for-parents


If you are still unsure, get in touch with us and we can have a chat together to support your child.

If you are finding it hard to get your child to school, please talk with us so we can work together. We are committed to supporting your child to attend school.

We appreciate your support in helping us continue to build a culture that fosters attendance every day by having:

  • School staff who have strong relationships with students and families

  • A school culture that recognises your child and your family for who you are, where you come from, and what you value

  • A school whānau that takes all practical steps to make sure your child is at school and progressing in their learning

  • A school that is safe and welcoming for everyone in our school community

If you have any queries or wondering, please contact us so we can work together.


Have a fantastic weekend!



Ngā manaakitanga/With best wishes


Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

WEEK 6
Fri 22 Aug - Cycle Safe Yr 5&6
Fri 22 Aug - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)

WEEK 7
Mon 25 Aug - School Closes at 1:00pm (Teachers Union Meeting)
Mon 25 Aug - Fri 29 Aug - Cycle Safe Yr 5&6
Wed 27 Aug - Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)
Wed 27 Aug - PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm)

WEEK 8
Wed 3 Sept - Mt Hutt Ski Day - Kauri Yr 7&8
Fri 5 Sept - Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am in the Hall)
Sat 6 Sept - Sun 7 Sept - PTA Family Photo Fundraiser Sessions

WEEK 9
Wed 10 Sept - Board of Trustees Election Day (4:00pm Poll Closes)
Fri 12 Sept - Staff Only Day 

WEEK 10 - Last Week of Term 3
Tue 16 Sept - Wed 17 Sept - Board of Trustees Election Results Declared & Board Takes Office
Fri 19 Sept - Last Day of Term 3
Fri 19 Sept - Celebration Assembly
Fri 19 Sept - BGT - 'Beckenham's Got Talent' Show

WEEK 1 - First Week of Term 4
Mon 6 Oct - First Day of Term 4
Thu 13 Nov - Staff Only Day

Citizen of the Week

Paige - Year 5

Paige, your positive disposition shines through in everything you do. In your learning, you approach tasks with a growth mindset and are motivated to do your best. You are also a keen helper and love to make a positive difference by doing jobs around the hub and looking after your classmates. Kia kaha tō mahi, Paige! 

Poppy - Year 3

Poppy, you are a kind student who always sets a great example for others in your work ethic and attitude towards learning. You radiate positivity and consistently show our school values both in and out of the classroom. Ka pai Poppy, keep up the good work! 

BOT Update

2025 Triennial Elections - Voting Open

Voting in our School Board elections has started and you are now able to vote in the election. We have had 12 candidates nominated for 3 spaces for parent representatives on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto School Board. We have appointed Election Pilot as the Returning Officer for the election, and you will be receiving voting information directly from them.

Everyone who is eligible to vote in the election will receive voting instructions on how you can vote, as well as the candidate statements and photos that have been provided. 

If you have any questions about the election process, please contact the Returning Officer directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or election@electionpilot.nz.

Don't leave things to the last minute, because elections close at 4pm on Wednesday, 10th September.


Term 3 Policy Review - SchoolDocs

  1. Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
  2. Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
  3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
  4. Read the policy.
  5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
  6. Select the reviewer type.
  7. Enter your name (optional).
  8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
  9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Out of Zone Enrolment Process - Applications for Term 4 2025

Applications for out-of-zone places are now being invited for students who will be eligible to enrol in Term 4, 2025 (October 6th - December 16th 2025). 

We have up to 3 spaces available in our New Entrants area at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. 

Please note: Siblings of current students at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto who live out of zone do not have automatic enrolment. Families in this situation must apply through the Out-of-Zone Enrolment Process.

Applications will be prioritised using the following groupings:

1. Siblings of current students
2. Siblings of former students
3. Children of former students
4. Children of board employees or board members
5. All other applicants

Each priority group is considered one at a time.

If there are enough places for everyone in a group, then all children in that group will be offered a place.

If there aren't enough places, a ballot (random draw) will be held, and all children in that group will be included in the draw.

Key dates and information as follows:

  • The deadline for receipt of applications is Wednesday, 20th August 2025.
  • Applications must be submitted using the official application form.
  • Ballot day (if required) will be Friday, 22nd August 2025.
  • You will be notified within three working days following the deadline as to whether your child has been successful for Term 4 entry.

Our Out of Zone Enrolment Application Form is available at the School Office.

School Notices

Reminder - School Closes at 1:00pm, Monday 25th August

A reminder, that our teachers who are NZEI members will be attending a Paid Union Meeting on Monday, 25th August at 2:00pm at the Christchurch Town Hall. 
To support their attendance, we ar asking that all student be collected at 1:00pm on this day, as we will not have sufficient staff on-site to run classroom programmes.
We will have limited supervision available until 3:00pm, and BOSCO will also open early at 1:00pm.
 
To ensure we are clear about your plans for your child/children on this day, we also that every family please complete the survey link here.

Absences From School

With the ongoing winter ills that many of our whānau are suffering from, it is really important to let the office know, in the first instance, when tamariki (children) are going to be absent from school.

If you wish to provide extra information to their home group teacher, please feel free to email them as well. On some occasions their home group teacher may not be the person who marks the roll, so it is very important to let the office know every time your child is going to be absent from school or will be turning up late.

If your child is unwell, please support their recovery and others' health by keeping them at home. If they have had the vomiting bug they need to be away from school for 48 hours.

You can email office@beckenham.school.nz, send a text 021 0279 4107, or leave a voice message on 03 337 1404.

Please note: when children are collected from school, whether unwell or not, they must please be signed out at the office.

Staff Only Days

Please note, we have two planned staff only days on Friday, 12th September (this term) and Thursday 13th November (during term 4, the day prior to Canterbury Anniversary Day) for the rest of 2025. On both days, our teaching staff will be on-site and fully engaged in professional learning, related to the refresh of the New Zealand Curriculum, with a particular focus on Mathematics.
We appreciate our community's support of our teachers' ongoing professional growth.

Parking in the 3min area on Sandwich Road

A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a 3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. This means drivers are not able to sit in their cars from 2:30pm waiting for children, or to park cars in this area and go into school. If you arrive early and wait for children, or if you need to get out of your car and come into school, please find an alternative place to park. Having this area just for drop-offs means that the traffic on Sandwich Road moves smoothly before and after school, and this is much safer for our children.

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:
  • All students should only eat lunches and snacks that have been provided by their caregivers.  
  • Bottles, other drinks, and lunch boxes provided by caregivers should be clearly labelled with the name of their child.  Home group teachers and caregivers will decide where the children’s bottles and lunch boxes will be kept during the day to ensure no cross-contamination occurs.
  • Parents are asked not to bring food into school to be shared with other children. Whilst we understand that there are times you want to celebrate special events for your children with their friends at school, e.g. birthdays or being awarded prizes, by bringing food and treats for them to share, we have a policy of children only eating the food that their whānau have prepared and sent with them. We have a number of students with food allergies and also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children just to eat food they have prepared. From time to time, there may be an event that teachers have organised that will involve food (cultural or learning activities) and they will have advised families in advance that this will be happening.  
  • At the beginning of each year, caregivers will need to check the expiry dates on any medication to be held at school.  
  • On the first day of school, caregivers will need to bring their child’s medication to the school office. Caregivers will need to sign a medicine authority form (School Docs). The responsibility of monitoring the expiry dates of medications rests with the parent.
  • Caregivers may be asked to come and talk to staff about their child’s specific health needs and ways we can support them at school.
We will inform you during the year if specific guidelines for your child’s hub change. 

Our full allergy policy and guidelines are available on the Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto website under Information - Policies - SchoolDocs, then search ‘allergy’.

If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them in the first instance with your child’s home group teacher.

Kupu Māori o te Wiki:

Give these a go! Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge!


Kīwaha: Kia Tau! - this means relax, or settle petal!


Kupu: Kia tūpato - this means to be careful


Waiata: Korero, Parirau, Hopehope, Pakipaki


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij7EaOyL6rA&list=PLB22Bmg9f4m3Q9JhCx452QV9vQZpncT-X&index=7&ab_channel=DelmaRae


If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the Māori dictionary) where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.

BOSCO

BOSCO is looking for new members to join our committee. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Harriet Takamore via email or pop on in when you have the chance to chat.
You would be joining a lovely bunch of volunteers who are passionate about the service BOSCO provides and being a part of its future.
BOSCO currently has availability each day for before and after school care for regular or casual bookings.
If you have thought about using BOSCO for your tamariki but aren’t 100% sure what we're about or how we work, please feel free to pop in for a chat with Harriet or send through an email with any questions you may have.
A trial session is welcome if you would like your tamariki to give it a go first.
Harriet Takamore | Programme Leader | BOSCO Incorporated
office@bosco.org.nz | 027 645 6632

Sports News

Year 5/6 Volleyball Success:

The Year 5/6 Red volleyball team had an outstanding day, emerging as the winners of the Canterbury Championships. Many thanks to Lucy Story for coaching and supporting the team throughout the tournament. The players demonstrated excellent skill, teamwork, and determination, making it a proud achievement for everyone involved. It was a fantastic day of volleyball—a real example of hard work and dedication paying off. Ka pai to all the tamariki for their effort and sportsmanship. A great effort by our Year 5/6 Black team who finished off 5th. 

Year 7/8 Volleyball:

The Year 7/8 volleyball teams had a great day competing, with mixed results across both teams. A big thank you to Evan McLachlan for stepping in and supporting the players throughout the tournament. The day was filled with strong effort, teamwork, and valuable experience for everyone involved. Ka pai to all the tamariki for their dedication and positive spirit on the court.

PTA News

Disco - Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who helped out with our fabulous disco! A well-run evening with fantastic lights, enhanced by our fabulous new hall blinds. Thank you for supporting all our fundraising, which definitely helped make it a great night! 

Family Photo PTA Fundraiser

Over the weekend 6th and 7th September (Father’s Day) we will have a local photographer, Megan Cozzone of Green Melon Photography, here at School to take Family Photos. For $25 you get a 10-15 minute family photo session and a 10”x13” (253mmx330mm) studio quality, colour or black & white, family portrait, normally valued at $60.00. 


The full $25 fee comes back to the school PTA. 


During your session Megan will arrange a date to come back and view your photos. In addition to your 10”x 13” Family Portrait fundraiser, you can choose from an additional selection of prints or digital copies from each family sitting. There is no obligation for families to purchase these additional prints.


To book a session please complete this form and transfer $25 to the PTA account (Beckenham School PTA, account no. 12-3148-0244558-00) before 31st August.


Shortage of school polar fleeces at the Uniform Shop

If you have any outgrown school fleeces lying around at home they would be gratefully received at the Uniform Shop. They can be dropped off at the office at any time. 


Entertainment Book

We have joined up with Entertainment, an app where you can get Discounts off dining, activities and travel. The membership is for 12months from the date you activate it.

When you buy an Entertainment Membership this month for $70:

  • Get a FREE upgrade to a Multi City Membership (valued at $120!)
  • BONUS $30 Woolworths eGift Card (NZ).
  • The PTA receive 20% back.
That means for just $70, you’ll score access to up to 50% off dining, activities, shopping, and travel across Australia, NZ, and Bali.

It’s the gift that keeps giving all year round with over $20,000 in savings — from Rebel Sport, Supercheap Auto, BCF, and Shell fuel, to amazing dining deals Dad will love for Fathers Day — you’ll make your money back in no time (and maybe even use the savings to book your next holiday!).

To get your membership follow this link:


Community Notices

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

Join the Fun – Celebrate 100 Years of Cricket!

Southern Districts - your local Beckenham Park-based cricket club is celebrating 100 years of community cricket! We’re a small, family-focused club where everyone knows your name and every player matters. Our mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where young people can learn, grow, and enjoy the great game of cricket. 

We offer programs for new players of all ages and skill levels, with fun, friendly, and supportive teams and coaching.

Register now and be part of the action!
https://www.southerndistrictscricket.co.nz/



Girls Touch Competition - Term 4 - Nunweek Park, Monday Nights

The Mike Greer Kōtiro Touch (formally Kōtiro Ātaahua Touch module) is the only ALL GIRL touch competition in Aotearoa, New Zealand! From 16 teams to 42 in only 3 seasons just proves that girls feel more confident and get more enjoyment playing touch in all girl teams. Our motto is “Girls need to have fun to win!”

What can you expect?
  • 9 rounds in Term 4 only: 13/10/25-15/12/25
  • Collective 15 minute warm up and skill session for junior teams, (grades Year 0-2, 3-4 & 5-6) run by our coaches
  • Round 1: warm up starts at 5pm and game at 5:30pm for Year 0-2, 3-4 & 5-6 
  • Round 2: game starts at 6:10pm for Year 7-8 & 9-11
  • All games are 2 x 15 minute halves
  • Match ball & whistle given to each team and the loan of a POD trophy to use for the season
  • $320 per team for the Term 4 season
  • Limited spaces so the first teams registered and paid for have priority.



Love Tennis is coming to Beckenham Tennis Club - Sunday, 7th September


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