News Update:
Kia ora whānau
Today our thoughts continue to be with the firefighters and teams who are supporting them.
Our focus at school has been to reassure our children of their safety and, once again, remind them that school is a safe place and we will look after one another here.
Before lunch we were made aware of the following health warning from the CDHB.
Canterbury District Health Board's Community and Public Health Division have issued a health warning to residents over the smoke coming from the Port Hills fires. They are recommending that the elderly, and children, remain indoors. We are taking a conservative approach at our Beckenham site and are keeping the children inside for lunch today.
Based on that information, we made the decision to keep the children on the Beckenham site indoors at lunchtime. Champion St was less impacted and they continued on as normal.
We were advised at 1:55pm that the Champion St site had no power and we are aware that power has gone out in other parts of the city. Power was back on again by 2:25pm. Our Beckenham site has had continuous power.
Lack of power, particularly in summer, is not a reason we would usually close the school so we are continuing on as normal.
PTA Support for Firefighting teams
Our amazing PTA have contacted the fire service, and have posted the following message on the Beckenham School PTA facebook page today:
We are all feeling for our fire fighters & support crews so let's show our support & fill their tummies.
We've spoken to CHCH Fire Station this morning & services are stretched right across the city...not just the Port Hills.
If you would like to help please drop off savoury & sweet baking to the Beckenham School Office Reception between 3-3:30pm today OR Thursday between 8:30-9am
Thank you.
BOSCO
BOSCO will be carrying on as normal - and will keep the children indoors, using both the BOSCO rooms and the hall. If you need to contact BOSCO, pls call Yvette on 027 645 6632
Kind regards
Sandy and the Team