Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
Staff Only Day Professional Development
On our most recent staff only day, our kaimahi (staff) came together to take part in a Professional Development workshop on the topic of Restorative Practice, which was presented by Rich Matla. It was a highly engaging and incredibly informative day. Restorative Practice is a strong part of our school culture and Positive Behaviour for Learning. Staff explored how to support children by working with them when unpacking boundaries, and routines and exploring incidents. This also included how to work with those ready and able to engage and those who may take a little longer or who have a skill set to build. Keep an eye on team blogs for some tips for home.Staffing Update
Nau mai haere mai ki te Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto kaimahi. Welcome to our two new Teaching Assistants, Maisy and Lucy. Maisy will be working mainly with the tamariki in Koru, and Lucy will be working in Kahikatea, Kōwhai, as well as gardening club and ESOL.
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| Maisy |
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| Lucy |
We also welcome Chloe to an administration role. Chloe will be supporting the admin team until the end of the year.
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| Chloe |
Maths and Literacy Curriculum
You will have seen in the media that the focus for Curriculum Refresh for 2026 is English and now includes Mathematics. As a kura we have strongly focused on how we teach English and Maths over the past 3 years. We know we are in a strong place with the upcoming changes, and there will need to be time for staff to familiarise themselves with Te Mātaiaho The New Zealand Curriculum. The Ministry of Education has asked schools to take a Staff Only Day in Term 4, the focus being on these curriculum areas. Our day will be Monday 18 November.
2025 Enrolments - do you have a 4 year old!
We welcome enrolment forms for any New Entrant students who may start with us in 2025. It is never too early to pre-enrol your child, and having this data early will help us in the coming months when we begin to organise teaching staff for the following year.
If you know of any in our area, please encourage them to enrol.
Enrolment forms can be collected from the Office or can be found online here.
We welcome enrolment forms for any New Entrant students who may start with us in 2025. It is never too early to pre-enrol your child, and having this data early will help us in the coming months when we begin to organise teaching staff for the following year.
If you know of any in our area, please encourage them to enrol.
Enrolment forms can be collected from the Office or can be found online here.
Enrolment forms can be collected from the Office or can be found online here.
School events
It has been a busy couple of weeks at school! Further down you will see photos and write ups. Well done to all the tamariki involved and to our whānau for your support.
Ngā mihi nuiJo Smith - Tumuaki (Acting Principal)
Ngā mihi nui
Jo Smith - Tumuaki (Acting Principal)
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Thu 12 Sep - Pō Whakangahau - Te Whānau Mahi Tahi (4:30-6:30PM, Cashmere High School)Fri 13 Sep - Celebration Assembly, 10:00-10:30am, in the HallThu 19 Sep - New Entrant and Year 8 Photos, 9:00-10:00amTue 24 Sep - Koru Games (Senior Students)Wed 25 Sep - Koru Games (Senior Students) Wed 25 Sep - PTA Meeting, 7:30-9:30PM, Green RoomThu 26 Sep - Koru GamesThu 26 Sep - BOT Meeting, 5:30-7:30PM, Staff RoomFri 27 Sep - Celebration Assembly, 10:00-10:30am, in the HallFri 27 Sep - Beckenham's Got Talent!Fri 27 Sep - Last day of Term 3, School finishes 3pmMon 14 Oct - First day of Term 4, School starts 8:55amFri 18 Oct - Welcome Assembly, 9.15-9.30, in the HallFri 18 Oct - Picnic in the Park (Possible Date), 5-7.30PM Wed 23 Oct - PTA Meeting, 7:30-9:30PM, Green RoomWed 23 Oct - BOT Meeting, 5:30-7:30PM, Staff RoomThu 24 Oct - School Athletics TBCMon 28 Oct - Labour Day (kura/school closed)Fri 15 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (kura/school closed)Mon 18 Nov - Staff Only Day (kura/school closed)Wed 27 Nov - PTA Meeting, 7:30-9:30PM, Green RoomWed 11 Dec - BOT Meeting, 5:30-7:30PM, Staff RoomFri 13 Dec - Final Celebration Assembly, 9.45-10.30am, in the HallMon 16 Dec - Year 8 GraduationTue 17 Dec - Last day of Term 4, School finishes 12.30PM
Term Dates
Click here to view 2024 term dates.
Citizen of the Week
Alex Mussell - Year 8
Alex, you bring fun, insight and inclusivity to our Kauri whānau. You are a deep thinker and motivated learner, who is naturally curious about our world. Your quick thinking coupled with your dry sense of humour is appreciated by many. Alex, you are in your element in a team environment whether that's problem solving in a group or playing sport. Thank you for the way you show our kete values every day at kura.
Simon McKean - Year 4
Simon, you are an excellent role model in our hub and someone who makes a positive difference on a daily basis. The Kōwhai team appreciates your kindness, enthusiasm for learning as well as your willingness to help out whenever you see a need. Tēnā rawa atu koe, Simon!
School Notices
Kiingi Tūheitia Tangihanga
The Māori King passed away last week, and as a show of respect we raised the Tino Rangatiratanga flag at half mast. Our ākonga Māori shared with us that it is important to them for all kids to know about this, as it shows respect to Māori, and the Kīngitanga. We love this advocacy from our tamariki, and we got to hold space with them while the flag was raised, and a karakia was said. At the end of the day as the flag came down, waiata and haka took place, with all ages and abilities joining in and sharing this space together.
This was such a great display of leadership and respect from our tamariki.
Updating Student/Whānau Contact Details
It is important that we have the correct contact details for people who are listed as caregivers for all of our students. If you have moved house, changed your phone numbers or have different people who you would like to have as emergency contacts, please get in touch with the office and update us with the new details.
Obviously if other details concerning your child have changed, e.g. medical issues, then we would also appreciate knowing about these.
Hats, Sunscreen & Drink Bottles
Term 4 is incoming and this is a reminder that in Term 4 all children need to come to school each day with a school hat and their (named) drink bottle, it is also recommended that children come to school with sunscreen applied. We welcome children to begin bringing their hats now!
Water Play
We are looking for donations of old water play equipment for some of our tamariki to use during the warmer months. If you are willing to donate anything such as a hose, watering can, old guttering, etc we would gratefully accept! If you do have something to donate please give it to the office. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Coffee Van!
We are very fortunate to now have a coffee van at school on Mondays from 8am to 9am.
To help care for the environment please consider bringing a keep cup to use.
Please see the price list below.
Lunch Orders
Lunches are delivered to the school office for children to collect at 1.20pm
Monday – Sushi Factory is available through LunchOnline.
Tuesday – Subway is available through LunchOnline
Wednesday – Subway is available through LunchOnline.
Thursday – Sushi Meets Dumplings is available.
Friday – Sushi Factory is available through LunchOnline.
Lunchonline (Subway/Sushi Factory)
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto uses Subway and Sushi Factory through the Lunchonline web based ordering system. To open an account please go to the Lunchonline website to get started.
Lunchonline orders need to be placed by 8:30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Sushi Meets Dumplings
Sushi Meets Dumplings will deliver on Thursdays.
To place an order, please complete this form – Sushi meets Dumplings order form.
Orders for Sushi Meets Dumplings need to be placed before by 9am on Thursdays.
Maths Whānau Evening
Thank you so much to all the families who attended our recent Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto maths evening. It was wonderful to see so many people together sharing ideas about maths!
These are Rob's slides from the evening. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child's Homegroup teacher, or alternatively, you can email them to krystal.hunt@beckenham.school.nz
Kauri Ski Trip
What an amazing day! The sky was blue, not an ounce of wind in sight and 16cm of fresh snow!
The Year 7 & 8 kids were wonderful and had a blast.
BandQuest
We had wonderful news from the school band The Groovy Geese who came second place on their performance night at Bandquest 2025!
Alex, Art, Alfie, Mark and Robbie received huge applause for their two songs “For What it’s Worth” and “Little Lion Man” and we were so proud of their hard work and efforts which were rewarded on the night. They have won a $300 Rockshop voucher for the school.
The judges commented on their musicality, stage presence and how tightly they performed. Well done and huge thanks to everyone who helped.
Rockshop Bandquest is Aotearoa’s live music event for Primary and Intermediate aged school students. In its fourteenth year, the programme annually hosts hundreds of young bands in venues throughout the country.
The kaupapa is to encourage Primary and Intermediate aged musicians onto the stage; learning through experience and developing their performance skills alongside their teamwork, communication, goal-setting and leadership skills.
Entrants get to perform in a supportive and encouraging competition format, with a focus on education, inspiration, and entertainment.
Sports News
Winter Sport
Over the past 11 school weeks, children from Years 5 to 8 have participated in winter sport. Fourteen teams competed against local schools in football, netball and hockey. The children have shown fantastic dedication to their team throughout this season and it has been awesome to hear about the leadership and sportsmanship shown by tamariki (children), at their games. My highlight was hearing the positive talk and encouragement that was a continuous narrative of our Year 7/8 football games.
A huge thank you goes out to the adult coaches who volunteered their time to support this sporting opportunity. Helping us with winter sports is a huge time commitment and we are extremely grateful for your time and expertise. Nga mihi nui mo to mahi!
Back at kura (school), children developed skills in badminton, table tennis, Korff ball and theatre sports.
If your child has a sports top, shin guards or football boots that have been borrowed from school, please return these as soon as possible. We have upcoming sports events and will need to reallocate uniforms. If your child has a black polo or basketball singlet and is competing in Koru Games or Canterbury Duathlon, they may keep their sports top.
PTA News
Thank you all for getting behind our Cookie Time fundraiser! We raised a fantastic $2,800 which makes a significant contribution to the new school gazebo. The gazebo, complete with Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto graphics, has been ordered and should be easy to spot at upcoming events.
We hope you’re all enjoying the cookies! We have a few bags left so if you would like to buy another bag contact pta@beckenham.school.nz
Speaking of events, registration opens for the Weetbix Tryathlon next week. We’d love to get a prize winning big group together this time around! Look out for a Hero post next week.
BOT Update
Policy Review Term 3
We would welcome your feedback on our policy topics, and subtopics, that are up for review this term. These topics can be found at the link below. Please follow these intstructions below to submit your feedback.
- 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, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
This review closes on the 27th of September 2024.
Principal Appointment Ongoing
The Board of Trustees would like to remind you that the Principal position is currently being advertised and we expect to hold interviews later in October.
Measles Immunity - Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Importance of being immune to measles
Aotearoa New Zealand is at a very high risk of a measles outbreak. Measles cases are rising worldwide, increasing the risk of an infected person bringing measles into the country. This is happening while a decline in local childhood immunisation rates is being recorded.
Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease. It makes most people very sick and can cause severe complications, including damage to the lungs (pneumonia), brain swelling (encephalitis), and sometimes death. Measles also affects your immune system, so if you get measles you are more likely to get other infectious illnesses for months or years afterwards.
Across Aotearoa, people’s immunity to measles is currently too low to prevent outbreaks from happening.
Checking if you are immune to measles
It is important to find records to confirm if you are immune to measles and not rely on your own or anyone else’s memory.
This is because many viral illnesses can cause symptoms like measles, particularly in tamariki (children). In the past, people may have mistakenly been told they had measles when they had another illness instead.
It is also common for people to be told they received vaccines as a child, but without written records, no one can be sure what vaccines they received and when they received them.
In Aotearoa, the timing of when measles vaccines have been given to a person has changed a lot over the years. This means many people are not aware that they missed out on getting one or both of their measles vaccines. This is particularly likely for people born in Aotearoa between 1969 and 1980.
To find out if you are immune to measles, you can check your relevant immunisation records or test results. Proof of this information is needed for a healthcare professional to confirm if you are immune.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT!
Ahoy there me hearties! Luminaires is seeking singers, dancers and actors for their next major show, “Pirates of the Curry Bean”
For ages 8-25. No experience necessary.
For more information and to register go to: https://forms.gle/PaGDwAc7gNDMP49P7
If you have any questions or would prefer to be involved behind the scenes then find us on social media or email us luminairescharitabletrust@gmail.com
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Brain Play has arrived in Christchurch! We teach all things science & technology to Kiwi kids - coding, robotics, science experiments, Minecraft & more. Join a free drop in session of our after-school coding classes - group sessions for ages 7 - 12. Or send us an email to hear more about our 1:1 sessions - these are a great match for students who are looking for extension, a new hobby and to build confidence and skills, and/or for students with high and complex needs. Visit brainplay.co.nz to read more, or email us on referrals@brainplay.co.nz.
French Classes for Children - Beginners
Give your child the opportunity to start learning French!
Alliance Française Christchurch is offering a beginners' class for children in Term 4. These fun and interactive classes are perfect for children who want to explore a new language and culture.
When? Thursdays, starting October 17th
Time? 4 PM - 5 PM
Where? Alliance Française Christchurch, 275 Cashel Street
Cost? $150 per term
For more information or to enrol, visit https://www.afchristchurch.org.nz/learn-french/children/crocos/?course_id=1691. All welcome!