Principal's Update
Kia ora koutou
This week I attended some professional development where I was asked to reflect on what drains my optimism as a leader and what restores it. I was very quick to answer what fills my bucket - connecting with our staff and students.
We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful school community, and I feel very privileged to be part of it. The care, commitment, and positivity shown by our students, staff, and whānau every day make our school a very special place.
There is some important information in this newsletter, so I hope you have time to read through it carefully.
Upcoming Reporting
As part of our ongoing professional learning, teachers have been developing their knowledge and confidence in reporting student progress and achievement against the Ministry of Education’s new curriculum and descriptors for English and Mathematics.
This work has focused on making accurate, strengths-based judgements about student learning and includes opportunities for moderation through professional dialogue. Particular attention has also been given to identifying clear next learning steps for students.
In our next newsletter, we will provide further information about the new descriptors, what each of them means, and what our updated student reports for 2026 will look like.
Book Character Day and Readathon
It was fantastic to see so many students dressing up today as their favourite book characters. Today’s celebrations, along with the current Readathon kindly organised by the PTA, reinforce the importance of reading and developing a love of books.
The benefits of reading are well researched and documented. Research consistently shows that habitual reading, especially reading for pleasure, is linked to improved health and well-being, greater academic achievement, enhanced cognitive function, and even longer life expectancy.
Thank you to our PTA for supporting this wonderful initiative, and thank you to families for continuing to encourage reading at home. Keep encouraging your children to read, it truly makes a difference!
Digital Learning Survey
Thank you to the 130 parents who provided feedback through our recent digital learning survey. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your voice and perspectives with us.
Our first step has been analysing the information gathered. From this, the key message emerging from the survey is a desire for a more intentional, transparent, and balanced approach to the use of digital tools in learning.
Our next steps will involve completing a research review and gathering further feedback from both teachers and students. Following this, we will develop a pathway forward to ensure our digital learning practices are the very best they can be for our learners.
Ngā mihi nui,Cade
Ngā mihi nui,
Cade
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Principal / Tumuaki
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto
Important Dates
2026 Term Dates - Linked Here
Citizen of the Week
Kyle - Year 8
Kyle, you consistently demonstrate all of our school values in everything you do. You show genuine kindness and inclusion in every setting, making others feel welcome and supported. You are a loyal friend with an honest and caring nature, and you approach every challenge with a positive, fun-loving attitude. Kyle - well done!
Nina - Year 6
Nina, your gentle and patient nature makes you a pleasure to be around, and this shows in the culture you set in the learning space. You consistently impress by how you stay deeply concentrated on your tasks, showing a level of focus that leads to wonderful results while also bringing your fun and outgoing energy. You have a fantastic balance of personality and diligence; you should be very proud of your progress.
School Notices
Public Health Nurse
My name is Holly, and I am the Public Health Nurse for Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto. The Public Health Nursing Service (PHNS) work with tamariki and their whānau where health and wellbeing concerns impact on their home and school lives.
Please contact me if you have any health concerns for your tamariki.
waea pūkoro: 03 383 6877 ext: 99628, 0272843397
īmēra: holly.cummings@tewhatuora.govt.nz
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, Alisa or Chloe 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.
Kupu Māori o te Wiki
The Sports Corner
Kia ora koutou,
This section of our newsletter will be dedicated to highlighting the successes and challenges our students are experiencing in sports outside of school. We love seeing our ākonga (students) showing our school values, especially We Love Challenge Nau Mau Te Wero in the community. If your child has had a sporting success that you’d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz - We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter!
Ngā mihi nui,
Kate McGregor
Sports Coordinator
BTKOP Cross Country - Champions & Runners Up
Our school cross country was a fantastic success, with students showing determination, resilience, encouragement, and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day. It was wonderful to see so many tamariki challenging themselves and supporting one another across every race. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our Cross Country Champions and Runners-Up listed below — an incredible effort from all involved. Congratulations also to Fisher House, who took out the Inter-House Cross Country Cup this year!
Koru:
Champions: Thomas & Devon
Runners-Up: Max & Izzy
Year 1:
Champions: Arthur & Tallulah
Runners-Up: Rafael & Athena
Year 2:
Champions: Greyson & Erin
Runners-Up: Max & Sadie
Year 3:
Champions: Hugo & Leah
Runners-Up: Bear & Hanaē
Year 4:
Champions: Beau & Florence
Runners-Up: Mason & Violet
Year 5:
Champions: Hunter & Amelia
Runners-Up: Jos & Stella
Year 6:
Champions: Ethan & Laurien
Runners-Up: Simon & Chloe
Year 7:
Champions: Haydn & Jayme
Runners-Up: Lucas & Clara
Year 8:
Champions: Zach & Laura
Runners-Up: Ben & Misha
PTA News
Readathon - Thank you
Thank you for all your hard work on the Readathon! If there are any last-minute forms or sponsorship money to return, you are welcome to bring it next week - we still have plenty of bookmarks!
Sponsorship money can also be paid directly into the account:
PTA-Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto 12-3148-0244558-00
PTA Supporters Group
We’re always looking for people to support our fundraisers and events, so if you’re keen to get involved (but can’t attend meetings), you can join our Supporters Group:
Help us tidy up the school grounds!
We would love you to join us for a garden and outdoor space tidy up (and BBQ!) on Sunday, 24th May at 10am. Meet at Tree-mendous with your gardening gloves and tools!
BOT Update
Term 2 Policy Review Now Open - SchoolDocs
- Visit the website https://beckenham.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- Enter the username (beckenham) and password (pride).
- Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
- Read the policy.
- Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Select the reviewer type.
- Enter your name (optional).
- Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.
- Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.
If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
ACTT Parent Seminar (Mandarin)
Many children growing up in New Zealand today are navigating life between two cultures. This Mandarin-language seminar explores how parents can better understand “third culture” children and create a safe space for communication and connection at home.
Saturday 16 May
1:00 PM
Halswell Library
Free childcare available for children aged 5–12. Please scan the QR code on the poster to register.
ACTT亲子讲座
在新西兰长大的孩子，往往生活在两个文化之
间。本场中文讲座将帮助家长更理解「第三文
化」孩子的内心世界，并学习如何建立一个让
孩子愿意沟通与表达的安全空间。
5月16日（星期六）
下午1点
Halswell 图书馆
提供5–12岁儿童看顾服务。
请扫描海报二维码报名。
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Spaces Available at Pebbles
Dear Families,
We are pleased to share that we currently have spaces available in our Kea Room at Pebbles Montessori Cashmere (26 Colombo Street), for children under 2 years of age.
Our centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:30pm, including throughout the school holidays. We close for a two-week period over Christmas each year.
At Pebbles Montessori, we warmly welcome all enquiries. You can get in touch via the online enquiry form on our website linked here. We would love the opportunity to show you around our centre, introduce you to our teaching team, and give you a chance to observe our Montessori philosophy in practice.
If you would prefer to speak with us directly or arrange a visit, please feel free to call us at any time on 021 274 1967. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming your family to our community.
Kind regards,
Pebbles Montessori Team
