{"id":14589,"date":"2026-03-20T10:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T22:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beckenham.school.nz\/?guid=6fb03c1fc018cbf2f8cc724cbe27a55e"},"modified":"2026-03-20T10:14:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T22:14:57","slug":"beckenham-te-kura-o-puroto-schoolwide-newsletter-ramere-friday-20th-march-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beckenham.school.nz\/index.php\/newsletters\/beckenham-te-kura-o-puroto-schoolwide-newsletter-ramere-friday-20th-march-2026\/14589","title":{"rendered":"Beckenham Te Kura o P\u016broto Schoolwide Newsletter, R\u0101mere (Friday) 20th March 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Principal's Update<\/h2>\n

Ng\u0101 mihi e te wh\u0101nau,<\/h3><\/div>

It has been a very busy couple of weeks at school. Students have been working hard in the classroom and engaging in a wide range of activities beyond it. At times like this, it can be difficult to keep up with everything that is happening!<\/span><\/p>

Thank you to all our staff for providing these opportunities, and to our community for your ongoing support in making them possible for our students. There is some important information in this newsletter. Thank you for taking the time to read it carefully.<\/span><\/p>

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Join a band!<\/h3>
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You may have seen a HERO post earlier in the week about opportunities for students to register their interest in school bands. This is a great opportunity for those learning instruments to take their practice to the next level in a highly supportive environment.<\/div>

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If you would like your child to take up this opportunity, please click the link below:<\/div>

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https:\/\/forms.gle\/yQSJeg5LLUPrSaKYA<\/b><\/a><\/div><\/div>

Safety on the Roads<\/h3>
Please note this message relates to a very small minority of our community. <\/b>We are becoming increasingly concerned about some of the driving behaviours being demonstrated at pick-up and drop-off times. These include making U-turns in areas with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and using designated no-parking areas for parking.<\/div>

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If this behaviour continues, we will seek support from external agencies to help mitigate the health and safety risks to our students.<\/div>

Digital Technologies Review<\/h3>
As part of this year\u2019s Annual Plan, we will be undertaking a review of how digital technologies are used in our school to support learning. This will include gathering feedback from families, reviewing current research, and considering health and safety guidelines related to digital technology use.<\/div>

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Our aim is to ensure that when digital technologies are used, they enhance learning experiences and outcomes, while also equipping students with the skills and attitudes they need to use these tools effectively and responsibly in the future.<\/div>

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Please look out at the beginning of next term for opportunities to be involved in this important review.<\/div>

Turf Update<\/h3>
We are pleased to confirm that our new turf will be laid during September and\/or October this year. The turf will be a real asset to our school and wider community.<\/div>

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Thank you again to the PTA for their work on this project, and to our community for their generosity through our fundraising efforts.<\/div>

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The turf location and design is shown below. <\/div><\/div>
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Update from the Chicken Palace<\/h3>
 It is hard to believe that the tiny chicks that graced our office space at the end of last year are now on their way to maturity.<\/div>

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Caring for the chickens provides our students with valuable, real-life learning opportunities. Through this, they develop a strong sense of responsibility, empathy, and respect for living things, while also building patience and an understanding of animal welfare. These experiences bring our school values to life in a meaningful and authentic way, particularly in fostering care for others.<\/div>

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Thank you again to everyone who has played a part in making this possible at our school.<\/div><\/div>
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Work at School over the holiday break <\/h3>
Over the holiday break, work will be completed on the exterior of the Old Dental Clinic (PTA Uniform Shop), and the interiors of the Music Rooms, P\u016bkaki, and K\u014dmanawa. Please feel free to use the school grounds as usual, but take care around work areas.<\/div>

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Have a great weekend!<\/div>

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Ng\u0101 mihi<\/div>
Cade<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n
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Principal \/ Tumuaki<\/b><\/span><\/p>

Beckenham Te Kura o P\u016broto<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/span><\/div><\/h2>

Important Dates<\/h2>

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2026 Term Dates - Linked Here<\/a><\/h3>

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Upcoming Events<\/td>Term 1<\/td><\/tr>
Mon 23 Mar<\/td>Canterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 7\/8)<\/td><\/tr>
Tue 24 Mar<\/td>Canterbury Hockey Sessions (Yr 5\/6)<\/td><\/tr>
Wed 25 Mar<\/td>Canterbury Swimming Event (Yr 5\/6)<\/td><\/tr>
Wed 25 Mar - Sat 28 Mar<\/td>South Island School MTB Championships<\/td><\/tr>
Wed 25 Mar<\/td>Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30pm, Staff Room)<\/td><\/tr>
Thu 26 Mar<\/td>Canterbury Swimming Event (Yr 7\/8)<\/td><\/tr>
Fri 27 Mar<\/td>Celebration Assembly (10:00-10:30am, Hall)<\/td><\/tr>
Wed 1 Apr<\/td>PSC Huxster Mountain Biking Event<\/td><\/tr>
Wed 1 Apr<\/td>PTA Meeting (7:30-9:30pm, Staff Room)<\/td><\/tr>
Thu 2 Apr<\/td>Last Day of Term 1<\/td><\/tr>
Fri 3 Apr<\/td>Good Friday - School Closed<\/td><\/tr>
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Upcoming Events<\/td>Term 2<\/td><\/tr>
Mon 20 Apr<\/td>First Day of Term 2<\/td><\/tr>
Wed 22 Apr<\/td>Ng\u0101 Puna Wai Tournament (Yr 5-8)<\/td><\/tr>
Mon 27 Apr<\/td>ANZAC Day - School Closed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/div><\/h2>

Citizen of the Week<\/h2>

Stella - Year 5<\/h3>

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Stella, you are a magnificent role model in our hub. You are always positive, kind, and thoughtful towards others. You are an incredibly hardworking student, and you consistently demonstrate excellent self-management skills in all that you do. You are a star, Stella!<\/div><\/h2>

Kura - Year 4<\/span><\/h3>

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Kura, you are a highly engaged student who thrives on a challenge. Your inquisitive mind and confidence allow you to make insightful connections across your learning. You embody all of the Beckenham kete values every day. Thank you for always being an outstanding role model in our team!<\/span><\/div><\/h2><\/div>\n\n
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School Notices<\/h2><\/div>

Parking Reminder - 3min area on Sandwich Road<\/h3>

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A reminder please, that the drop off and pick up area on Sandwich Road (by the bike stands) is a <\/span>3min drop-off zone from 8:30-9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm on school days. <\/span>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. <\/span>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.<\/span><\/h4>

Furthermore, <\/span>please do not park in or use the staff carpark entrance or exit<\/span> - this is for staff and service vehicles only. <\/span><\/h4>

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!<\/span><\/h4><\/div>
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'EZlunch' Lunch Orders<\/h3>
Our school now uses Ezlunch<\/b>, part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.<\/div>
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.<\/div>

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You can view the available menu, linked here.<\/b><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Hardship Fund Contributions<\/h3>
We know that sometimes families, and others in our community, would like to contribute towards the costs for students whose families might be experiencing some hardship, and are not able to readily fund uniforms, stationery, or even lunches. If you, or anyone you know, would like to make a contribution to our hardship account, please email accounts@beckenham.school.nz or simply deposit funds into the school bank a\/c, Beckenham Te Kura o P\u016btoro Board of Trustees - 12 3148 0131641 000<\/b>, with the reference \"Hardship donation\". We will ensure that these funds are used to support those families who need support. <\/div>

Getting support from our Hardship Fund<\/h3>
If you are a family who would appreciate some support with uniforms, stationery, or food, please contact the office or email accounts@beckenham.school.nz, and we will do the best we can to support you. We want to ensure that all of our tamariki have everything they need to succeed at school.<\/div>

Kupu M\u0101ori o te Wiki<\/h3>

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Kia ora koutou! This year, we are embracing our te reo M\u0101ori and will be learning a new Whakatauk\u012b (phrase\/proverb), K\u012bwaha (saying), and Kupu (word) each week. Here are the last two weeks' new te reo we have focused on:<\/div>

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Give these a go! Nau mai te wero - We Love Challenge! He taonga te ako - We Love Learning!<\/div>

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Whakatauk\u012b:<\/td>Mauria te pono<\/td>This means to believe in yourself!<\/td><\/tr>
Whakatauk\u012b:<\/td>He rau ringa e oti ai<\/td>This means many hands make light work. So, let\u2019s focus on working together as a team!<\/td><\/tr>
K\u012bwaha:<\/td>He reka!<\/td>This means yum!<\/td><\/tr>
K\u012bwaha:<\/td>Wananei<\/td>This means wicked!<\/td><\/tr>
Kupu:<\/td>Wero<\/td>This means challenge.<\/td><\/tr>
Kupu:<\/td>Ako<\/td>This means to learn.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/div>

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If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word, have a look at Te Aka (the M\u0101ori dictionary) <\/a>where you can hear how the word is spoken correctly.<\/div><\/h3><\/div><\/div>

Chicken Chat<\/h2>
Chicken fact ~ Did you know? Chickens are the closest living relatives to the Tyrannosaurus Rex!<\/span><\/div>
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The Sports Corner<\/h2><\/div>

Kia ora koutou,<\/h4>

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 \u0101konga (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\u2019d like to share with our community, please email me with a short blurb and photo to: kate.mcgregor@beckenham.school.nz<\/b> - We\u2019d love to feature it in our next newsletter!<\/div>

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Ng\u0101 mihi nui,<\/div>
Kate McGregor<\/div>
Sports Coordinator<\/div>

Swimming Sports Success <\/span><\/h3>
What a fantastic day we had for our <\/span>Beckenham Te Kura Swimming Sports!<\/span> It was wonderful to see our tamariki giving their best in the pool and supporting one another throughout the day. Ka mau te wehi! A huge<\/span> ka pai<\/span> to all of our swimmers. You should be incredibly proud of the effort, determination, and positive attitude shown throughout the day. <\/span><\/div>

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Results:<\/span><\/div>
Year 5 Champions: Thalia & Jos <\/span><\/div>
Year 5 Runner-Ups: Jessica & Mati <\/span><\/div>

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Year 6 Champions: Chloe & Laurence <\/span><\/div>
Year 6 Runner-Ups: Laurien & James<\/span><\/div>

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Year 7 Champions: Harriet, Hazel & Haydn<\/span><\/div>
Year 7 Runner-Ups: Clara & Harvey <\/span><\/div>

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Year 8 Champions: Sarah & Sebastian<\/span><\/div>
Year 8 Runner-Ups: Zaria & Samson<\/span><\/div>

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Following our school event, a number of swimmers went on to represent Beckenham Te Kura at the <\/span>South Zone Swimming Competition<\/span>, where they achieved some outstanding results against strong competition from across the zone. We are very proud of all the students who represented our kura so well. This event was a fantastic example of what can be achieved through determination, resilience, and supporting one another. As the whakatauk\u012b reminds us: \u201cWh\u0101ia te iti kahurangi, ki te t\u016bohu koe, me he maunga teitei.\u201d<\/i> Pursue that which is precious, and if you stumble, let it be upon a lofty mountain.<\/span><\/div>

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South Zone - Individual Results:<\/span><\/div>