Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 24 February 2023

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Te Matatini 2023

Today in assembly we talked about the national Kapa Haka competition that is currently happening in Aotearoa this week - "Te Matatini". This festival is the 'Olympics' of Kapa Haka. Just as our top sports people, scientists, academics and artists begin their journeys in homes and schools around our country, so do our top kapa haka performers begin their journeys in marae, homes and schools. When our tamariki learn and perform haka, they are not just learning about the performance, but about the value and importance of language and culture and we are giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. To understand more about the 'Power and purpose of Kapa Haka' you might find this article interesing.

Kiss and Drop zone

The 3min drop-off areas on Eastern Tce and Sanwich Roads have been designated, by the City Council, as a drop-off zone to help all of our whānau with drop-offs and pick-ups in the mornings and afternoons and to keep traffic flowing. Please DON'T get out of your car and go into school if you are in the 3 min zone between 8:30 and 9:30am or between 2:30 and 3:30 pm! 

We are ordering new signage to put up to help remind people! 

Thursday 2nd March - School Closes at 1pm for Teachers to attend Paid Union Meetings

If you have not yet filled in the survey to let us know your plans for your child(ren) from 1pm that day, please do that now by clicking on this link. So far we have information for 280 out of 473 children.

Property Update - the 'Water Slide!'

We share everyone's frustration at the issue we have with the 'pond' at the bottom of the green slide in our playground. We have had significant and ongoing challenge finding a contractor who will take on the work needed to create a permanent solution for this isse. We reported at the end of last year that a contract had been accepted by a contractor, however, they have withdrawn from that and we are again back to trying to find another. Simply filling in the hole is not a solution as there are associated drainage issues that need to be rectified. When the rain came againt his week, of course, the side became a 'water slide' and the water, a health hazard! Thank you very much to Temp Fence for supplying us with temporary fencing free of charge around our Junior Playground slide, while our 'haerenga drainage solution' (drainage solution journey) continues.  

Cyclone Gabrielle Fundraising

Today a non-uniform day was held to raise funds for schools in flood-impacted communities. It was a fantastic effort and demonstrated again that we  understand the importance of helping others. A total of $1424.20 was raised by our community. 

Ngā mihi nui
Sandy Hastings
Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Mon 27 Feb - Year 5-8 Swimming Sports - Wharenui Pool 12:30-2:30pm

Thu 2 Mar - School Closes at 1pm for Teachers to attend Paid Union Meetings

Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week

Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui

Fri 10 Mar - South Zone Swimming Sports (Y5-8), Wharenui Pool

Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1

Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (School closed)

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 17 February 2023

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

Our thoughts are with the people of those North Island communities who have been devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle. I know that many of you will have whānau, friends or colleagues impacted. Expect to hear something in next week's newsletter about some action that we can take to show our support to schools in the impacted areas.

Our thoughts are also with the Turkish community as the scale of the devastation from their earthquakes continues to grow. Those of us who experienced the Canterbury earthquakes understand some of the sense of helplessness and loss that is felt when a natural disaster strikes at the heart of a community. 

Reminder: Early Finish on Thursday 2nd March - please fill in the survey link below (if you haven't already done this)

As you may be aware, the teachers' union, NZEI, are still in negotiations with the Ministry of Education around a new collective agreement. There is going to be a paid union meeting that all union members are expected to attend, on the afternoon of Thursday 2nd March. As the vast majority of our teachers belong to the union, we need to stop classes at 1pm on this day.

If you are NOT able to arrange for your children to be collected at 1pm on Thursday 2nd March, we will arrange supervision here at school. If your child normally attends BOSCO on a Thursday, we will make sure they get to BOSCO as usual.

EVERY FAMILY needs to fill in this survey, please, to let us know what your plan is for this day so that we know where every child is going to be at 1pm, and we can plan adequate supervision for those who need to stay at school.

Reminder: 2023 Whānau feedback on reporting through Hero

During 2022 student reports were provided to whānau through Hero. As this is a new process for our school community, we would appreciate your feedback as we look for ways to improve the experience.

We would appreciate it if you would be able to take a few minutes to complete this survey (click here).

If you are new to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in 2023 there is no need to complete the survey.

We will be closing reports for viewing from Monday morning. This is to allow teachers to begin to update student records. They will be opened again when mid-year reports are ready in Week 6 of Term 2.

Request for Annual Donation

Today you will have received an email requesting your contribution in the form of an annual donation.

If you need any assistance logging into Hero to view your statement or wish to find out more about the school donation or setting up payment instalments, you can refer to our website https://www.beckenham.school.nz/ and follow the “Finances and Annual Donation” link in the “Information” dropdown menu. You will also find information on applying for Donation Tax Credits from the IRD on this page. This scheme entitles you to claim back 33% of your donation payments, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Receipts for donations payments (including camp donations) made to us before 31st March this year, can be submitted as part of your application for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.

If you have a student in Year 7 or 8, a Camp donation request will be going onto your account next week and the Year 5 & 6 Camp donation request will be added in a few weeks time. If you have chosen to pay your donations in instalments over the year, please consider increasing these to allow for the cost of camp.

We greatly appreciate all contributions you are able to make towards donations. These go a long way towards providing a rich and diverse programme for our tamariki.

Payments may be made in part or full to the school bank account -

ASB Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Board of Trustees 12 3148 0131641 000 using the 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

Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings

Principal - Tumuaki

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Wed 22 Feb - PTA Meeting; All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 23 Feb - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm- Staffroom)

Fri 24 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10.00 - 10.30am in the Hall)

Mon 27 Feb - Year 5-8 Swimming Sports - Wharenui Pool 12:30-2:30pm

Thu 2 Mar - School Closes at 1pm for Teachers to attend Paid Union Meetings

Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week

Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui

Fri 10 Mar - South Zone Swimming Sports (Y5-8), Wharenui Pool

Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1

Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (School closed)

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 10 February 2023

Principal's Patch

Kia ora koutou

We are all getting back into the rhythm of school again. With two short weeks now behind us, we can see lots of great routines being established by tamariki (children), whānau (families), and kaiamahi (staff) around getting to school, being at school, and managing a Monday-Friday school pattern again.

Being in a 'House' at our school...

We have four Houses at Beckenham, and each child is put into a House when they start at school. Children who are part of the same family are put into the same house, and they usually stay in that house for all the years they are at Beckenham. All of our new students have now been allocated a House. If you are not sure which house your child is in, please contact Jacky or Reihana at the office.

House Shirts: Fisher, Waimea, Heathcote and Tennyson

We have a House Shirt as an optional part of our school uniform. The House shirt can be worn every Friday, and on days when there are going to be House activities such as 'House Games', Athletic Sports, Cross Country etc. On other days, regular, red school tops should be worn. House shirts are able to be purchased through the office for $25 each.

Each house has four senior students who lead the house - two House Captains and two Deputy House Captains. During the year, we have different events where children compete or participate in activities in Houses. The House Captains and Deputies often run these events. At our Celebration Assembly this week, our House Captains and Deputies were introduced.

Early Finish on Thursday 2nd March - please fill in the survey link below

As you may be aware, the teachers' union, NZEI, are still in negotiations with the Ministry of Education around a new collective agreement. There is going to be a paid union meeting that all union members are expected to attend, on the afternoon of Thursday 2nd March. As the vast majority of our teachers belong to the union, we need to stop classes at 1pm on this day.

If you are NOT able to arrange for your children to be collected at 1pm on Thursday 2nd March, we will arrange supervision here at school. If your child normally attends BOSCO on a Thursday, we will make sure they get to BOSCO as usual.

EVERY FAMILY needs to fill in this survey, please, to let us know what your plan is for this day so that we know where every child is going to be at 1pm, and we can plan adequate supervision for those who need to stay at school.

Laura and Baby Max

Congratulations to Laura Williamson and her partner Steve on the birth of baby Max at the end of November last year. Some of our staff and students had the pleasure of meeting Max when Laura popped into school for morning tea last week.

2023 Whānau feedback on reporting through Hero

During 2022 student reports were provided to whānau through Hero. As this is a new process for our school community, we would appreciate your feedback as we look for ways to improve the experience.

We would appreciate it if you would be able to take a few minutes to complete this survey (click here).

If you are new to Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto in 2023 there is no need to complete the survey.

Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings

Tumuaki (Principal)

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Wed 22 Feb - PTA Meeting; All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 23 Feb - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm- Staffroom)

Fri 24 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10.00 - 10.30am in the Hall)

Mon 27 Feb - Year 5-8 Swimming Sports - Wharenui Pool 12:30-2:30pm

Thu 2 Mar - School Closes at 1pm for Teachers to attend Paid Union Meetings

Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week

Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui

Fri 10 Mar - South Zone Swimming Sports (Y5-8), Wharenui Pool

Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1

Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (School closed)

Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto Newsletter Rāmere (Friday) 3 February 2022

Principal's Patch

Kia ora and Assalam alaykum

Last week, during one of our Staff Only Days, our staff and one of our board members were extremely fortunate to participate in some professional development designed to increase our understanding of Islam so that we can better support our Muslim ākonga (learners) and their whānau. Alongside the session at school, our staff also had the opportunity to visit the Al Noor Mosque. Being culturally competent is an important part of our work, and when we participate in any new learning, we always seek to find broader principles of understanding, including how having faith of any kind can be an important pillar of whānau values.

This morning we welcomed all of our new tamariki and their whānau to our school with our start-of-term Welcome Assembly. 

This would have to have been one of the biggest groups we have welcomed for a long time, with the broadest range of cultural diversity in its make-up. This was evidenced by the 17 flags that were brought in to represent the different cultural backgrounds of our new whānau. We feel incredibly lucky to be able to welcome and be part of such a diverse community.

Reminder to all whānau that Monday the 6th of February is a public holiday and school is closed. We look forward to seeing you all back again on Tuesday.

Ngā mihi nui

Sandy Hastings

Tumuaki (Principal)

Important Dates

Upcoming Events

Term 1

Mon 6 Feb - Waitangi Day (Kura Closed)

Wed 22 Feb - PTA Meeting; All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 23 Feb - BOT Meeting (5.30-7.30pm- Staffroom)

Fri 24 Feb - Celebration Assembly (10.00 - 10.30am in the Hall)

Mon 6 - 10 Mar - Walk or Wheel to School week

Mon 6-Fri 10 Mar - Year 7/8 Camp - Wainui

Wed 22 Mar - PTA Meeting - All Welcome (7:30 – 9:30pm in The Green Room)

Thu 6 Apr - Last day of Term 1

Fri 7 Apr -  School Holidays begin (Kura closed)