Principal's Update
Ngā mihi e te whānau,
It has been an outstanding start to the year, with so much already achieved in a short time. Our students have settled confidently into their learning spaces, new staff and whānau have been warmly welcomed, and there is a strong sense of belonging and purpose across the school. Over the past weeks, our main focus has been on building positive relationships, establishing routines, and setting clear expectations for success. As we now move into the next phase of the term, our focus shifts fully to the implementation of rich learning programmes, with a clear intention: to support every ākonga to grow, thrive, and reach their potential in 2026.
Keeping Our Children Safe on Sandwich Road
A reminder that student safety is everyone’s responsibility, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day.
- The speed limit in the Beckenham Loop is 30km/h - please ensure you are travelling at or below this speed.
- Kiss and Go parks are for quick drop-offs only - they are not for parking.
- Please do not stop or park on yellow lines when dropping off or collecting children.
- Take extra care when driving through the pedestrian crossing, especially in wet weather.
This week, our Road Patrol students were hit with waves of water when vehicles travelled too quickly through the crossing in the rain. Our Year 6 leaders take their responsibility seriously, and we need drivers to model the same level of care and respect.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
Kapa Haka, Mentoring & Music
We are thrilled to welcome back our Kapa Haka tutor Cath, who is looking forward to building on the success of last year. Kapa Haka continues to be a source of pride for our school, strengthening identity, culture and confidence.
We also warmly welcome back Paerau from Tuahiwi Education, who will be mentoring students in Years 5 - 8 to support engagement and attendance. We are fortunate to have both of these skilled educators working alongside our tamariki.
Music lessons are now underway, with a significant proportion of our students involved in a wide range of instruments and vocal tuition. It is wonderful to see such strong participation in the arts across the school. Thank you to the tutors from CSM and OCSM who provide such a valuable outlet for creativity within our school.
Property Update - Ministry Pilot Programme
We are pleased to share that Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto has been accepted into the Ministry of Education’s pilot programme for retrofitting walls into open-plan learning spaces.
Work in the Pūkaki and Kōmanawa blocks has been approved, with the aim of completing the retrofitting as soon as possible. This will support improved acoustics, flexibility, and learning conditions for our students and staff. We look forward to sharing progress with you. Work has begun to explore concepts retrofitting walls in the Tahaki and Parenga buildings.
Weetbix TRYathlon
We want to wish all of our students representing our school in the Weet-Bix TRYathlon this Sunday all the very best.
Our school has a proud tradition of being well represented and successful at this event. A huge thank you to the PTA for organising the school gazebo as a focal point for our collective efforts and support on the day.
Good luck to all competitors - we are proud of you!
Ngā mihi nuiCade
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
Zelda - Year 4
Zelda, you are an outstanding role model in the Kōwhai hub. You are a focused learner and you put every effort into producing quality work. You are also a kind and caring friend and you help to make a difference by working hard to keep our hub tidy and clean. Thank you, Zelda!
Atticus - Year 5
Atticus, you are a standout member of our classroom and a natural role model for your peers. You consistently balance a helpful, supportive nature with a bright sense of humor that brings genuine joy and laughter to our kura. Most impressively, you have a unique ability to make those around you feel comfortable and included, creating a positive atmosphere for everyone. Keep it up Atticus!
School Notices
Financial Statements
You will have received your student's financial statement last week. We greatly appreciate all contributions you are able to make towards donations to help make a positive difference to our curriculum and the activities we are able to provide.
Donation payments, including camp and ski trip donations, are able to be submitted for the Donation Tax Credits from the Inland Revenue. This scheme entitles you to claim back 33% of your donation payments if you meet the eligibility criteria. Payments made by 31st March can be submitted as part of your application for the financial year ended 31st March 2026.
If you need any assistance logging into Hero to view your statement or if you wish to find out more about setting up payment instalments and claiming the donation tax credits, you can refer to the Finance and Annual Donation page of our website.
Student account payments may be made in part or full to the school bank account - ASB Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board - 12 3148 0131641 000 using your child's name as a reference.
The school office also has Eftpos facilities available.
If you have any queries, please email accounts@beckenham.school.nz
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 drink bottle. Hats are compulsory in Term 1 and Term 4.
Reminder - 'EZlunch' Lunch Orders
From Term 1, 2026 our school will be using Ezlunch, part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.
Ezlunch offers a simple, mobile-friendly way for families to order fresh, tasty lunches from the same local providers you already know and love. The ordering process is quick, payments are secure, and delivery to school is reliable and easy.
Parents/caregivers can order using the Kindo app (iPhone and Android) and choose from a range of convenient payment options, including card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and more. The system also includes helpful allergen alerts and automated reminders, so no one misses out on lunch day.
Ezlunch is free for schools, reduces admin time, and makes it easier for families to stay organised.
We’re excited to offer this service to our school community.
Parking Reminder - 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 on the street nearby. 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. Furthermore, please do not park in or block the staff carpark entrance or exit - this is for staff and service vehicles only. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Food Allergy Guidelines
Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.
To support the well-being of these students, we have the following guidelines in place, which we ask you to please 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 we also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children 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.
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.
Across our school, we have a number of children with different food allergies.
To support the well-being of these students, we have the following guidelines in place, which we ask you to please 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 we also need to respect the wishes of some families who want to monitor what their children are eating and prefer their children 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.
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.
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.
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.
Public Health Nurse Notice
My name is Holly and I am the Public Health Nurse for your school. 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
School Uniform
Our school uniform has been thoughtfully designed to be affordable, inclusive, practical, and flexible for all students. It is gender-neutral, allowing students to mix and match items according to their preferences and comfort.
Many uniform items are easy-wear and available at a wide range of clothing stores, giving families the freedom to choose based on their own preferences.
For your convenience, the school has partnered with Mainland Uniforms to stock and supply uniform items. These can be purchased in-store at their Peterborough Street location or online at http://www.mainlanduniforms.co.nz.
While Mainland Uniforms offers monogrammed polar fleece jackets and sweatshirts with the school name, these monogrammed items are not compulsory.
If purchasing uniform items from other suppliers, we simply ask that they are consistent in style and colour with the school’s uniform guidelines.
We aim to provide a uniform that supports student choice and comfort while maintaining a sense of belonging and school identity.
Uniform - Choose from:
Plain black culottes
Black and white gingham culottes
Black and white gingham dress
Plain Black track pants
Plain Black shorts
Red polar fleece jacket
Red polo shirt (long or short-sleeved)
Red fleece sweatshirt
Plain red zip Merino top
School Footwear
School shoes must be practical, safe, and suitable for active children. Flat shoes in brown, black, blue, or white are acceptable. Plain runners (sports shoes) are also suitable.
We ask that any branding or writing on shoes be kept to a minimum.
Students should not wear jandals, crocs, platform shoes, or boots that extend above the ankle.
Hair Accessories
Plain black/red headbands, ties, ribbons or clips.
Hats
Children can choose either plain red or plain black wide-brimmed or bucket hats - these can be purchased from a range of suppliers.
House Shirts
House shirts may be purchased through the school office for $30. These are not compulsory.
House shirts may be worn on Fridays and designated house activity days instead of the red polo shirt.
Thermals
Plain red or black thermals may be worn during winter terms 2 and 3 under polo shirts.
Jewellery
One piece of jewellery of cultural significance may be worn under clothing. It may be displayed on formal school occasions.
One pair of plain ear studs can be worn. Sleepers are not appropriate for school as they can catch and tear the earlobe. No facial or body piercing is permitted.
Nail Polish and Makeup
Wearing nail polish or makeup is not part of the school dress code and is generally not permitted during school hours. Exceptions may be made for special occasions such as drama productions, fashion parades, or kapa haka performances.
Special Activities Require Specific Clothes
Year 7 and 8 students are required to wear closed-toe shoes and have their hair tied back when participating in Technology classes in the Foods and Product Design rooms at Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate.
Sports Uniforms
We maintain a stock of sports uniforms available for loan to students who are representing the school in sports competitions.
Swimming
Students are required to wear togs or tankinis for swimming; bikinis and underwear are not permitted.
Gumboots
Children are encouraged to wear gumboots on wet days, and to bring a pair of slippers, or suitable inside shoes, to change into in the classroom.
Second Hand Uniform
An extensive range of reasonably priced second-hand uniform items is available through our School PTA Uniform Shop, open: Mondays 2:45pm - 3:15pm and Fridays 8:45am - 9:15am.
Seniors’ Jacket (optional)
Senior jackets are worn only by students in Years 7 and 8. They are available from Mainland Uniforms and are an optional part of the school uniform.
Welcome Alisha - Student Teacher
We are very lucky to have a speech-language therapy student completing a placement at our kura this term. Her name is Alisha and she will be supported during this placement by Lisa Collier (speech-language therapist and teacher). She will be on site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Celebrating Student Achievements - Mihi-Rose
Well done to Mihi-Rose for her incredibly brave performance. Recently performing for 700 children and staff at Rangi, accompanied by Ranui on guitar.
Her Aunty is a teacher there, and originally the song was just going to be for the te reo class, but it ended up being an assembly performance! Mihi-Rose was incredibly brave and memorized some complex te reo lyrics.
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
PTA News
We’re looking forward to seeing lots of you at the Weetbix Tryathlon this Sunday 22nd February! Come and find the gazebo to meet up with everyone and enjoy an ice pop after the Tryathlon!
MoveX Fundraiser – Friday 13th March
Get ready for an action-packed evening of fun at our Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto PTA MoveX Fundraiser!
Join us on Friday 13th March from 6–8pm for a high-energy session at MoveX that’s open to all ages. Bring the kids, bring your friends, and come along for a fantastic night of jumping, laughter and community fun — all while supporting our school.
- Tickets are $20 each (supervising adults do not need to buy tickets)
- Limited to 150 tickets – so get in quick!
To secure your spot, simply fill out this Google Form and complete payment.
We’d love to see as many of our school whānau there as possible. Don’t miss out —book your tickets today!
BOT Update
Term 1 Policy Review - 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.)
Community Piano Lessons
Hi my name is Aimee. I am a piano teacher with over 20 years experience. My studio is in Cashmere. Please contact me on 021 136 2865 or aimeeaiken@gmail.com
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