That was term 3.

What an action packed week to finish the term...

On Tuesday we heard from Josie about Fair Trade. She left us with some key messages; Fair Trade is helping people to help themselves and it enables families to educate their children, have access to clean water, medical needs and adequate shelter. All we need to do to help is purchase Fair Trade products and now we know how to identify these by the label.

The House Captains and their helpers did a superb job of organising the House Picnic on Wednesday.

We enjoyed an afternoon of fine entertainment at the School Talent Quest. From cute magicians to stunning singers, musicians and dancers; what talent we have at Beckenham! Congratulations to Beth (first place) and Grace and Maddie (second place). I'm glad I wasn't judging - the standard was very high and it must have been a tough decision picking the winners.

Speech finals produced more superb entertainment. Topics ranged from 'How to procrastinate like a professional' to 'Ferral Children', 'Steriotyping' and 'Pop Music'. The audience was captivated for almost an hour. Brilliant work people, we loved listening to you all. Congratulations to Danielle (1st), Beth (2nd) and Anna J (3rd).

Mid- summer Night's Dream creation is in full swing. Rhythm bounces off the walls of Room 16, coordination and creation are abound in Room 17, the story is being pieced together as an original work in  Room 18 and paint, hot glue, bubbles and wire-cutters are being put to good use in Room 19. Next term we step up to two sessions a week as we work towards staging this production on Thursday November 29th.

On Friday we said a fond farewell to Mrs Radcliffe. We will miss her calm and reassuring manner and her style and grace.

Next term we have lots to look forward to:

• Team Spelling Bee on Thursday Oct 18th
• Athletic Sports on Thursday Oct 25th
• Weekly self defence for girls in Rooms 18 and 19 on Wednesday afternoons.
• Football Literacy for Year 8s
• Top Team competition on November 9th
• Mid-summer Night's Dream on November 29th
• and much more...

Week 11 Update

Year 8 Camp: What a fabulous two days we had of action packed leadership development. We kicked off with an inspiring session run by 'Full On' and followed this with a raft of practical activities, Gemma - our guest speaker from What Now, lots of opportunities to 'Sharpen the Saw' and brief reflections on how we were applying the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. As teachers we were hugely impressed with how all of the Year 8s responded. By the end we were all shattered, but still smiling. Check the photo gallery for more pictures, we have heaps more on the server at school.

The last week of term is a busy one...

Class Speeches: All Year 7 & 8 children should have finished or nearly finished writing their speech. These will be delivered to the class early in the week, with the Team Speech Finals on Thursday at 11am in the Hall. Parents are most welcome.

Fair Trade: We are hoping our quest speaker has recovered from illness and will be with us on Tuesday afternoon.

No technology at South this week.

We are taking part in the national wide Shake Out earthquake drill on Wednesday morning.

House Picnic is on Wednesday from 11:30. Children are to come in House colours and are encouraged to arrange a shared picnic with friends in their House. House Captains and their deputies are arranging games for Year 1 - 8.

The finals of the School Talent Quest are on Wednesday afternoon in the Hall starting at 1:30. Parents are welcome.

On Friday we farewell Caroline Radcliffe, our much loved receptionist, with a special assembly starting at 9:30. A number of children are performing at this assembly, including the Drama Club and Te Whanau Mahi Tahi.

Week 10 Update

With just two weeks to go, we are hitting the end of term busy season.

Year 8 families should have received a second camp notice this week, check out the Camp Page on this blog.

Well done to those who qualified for the school talent quest this week. We were impressed by the talent on show at our Year 7 & 8 Team heats. Finals are on the afternoon of Wednesday Sept 26.

Our team team speech finals will take place on Sept 27 at 11am. There is quite a bit of speech writing to do between now and then!

Next week we have a guest speaker from Trade Aid coming to talk with our classes as part of our Fair Trade study.

Please encourage your child to get their Spellathon money in and card returned ASAP.

Wek 9 Update

What an action packed week we have had. A huge congratulations to all of the children involved in the Band and Te Whanau Mahi Tahi; you all performed superbly this week. We oozed with pride in the audience!

The combined bands conducted by Anna

Art Mural: Much progress was made with the Cultural Diversity mural this week. We will require a couple to Friday sessions to complete it. If your child is in this group, please ensure paint clothes are packed on Fridays.

Flags, greeting and faces at various stages of completion.

Extra Technology: In week 11 this term there will be no Tuesday technology. To make up for this lost session there will be two technology mornings in week 9, Tuesday and Friday.

Speeches: All classes are now underway with speech writing. Discussion at home to develop ideas and check up on progress would help to support your child. The writing happens at school.

Thursday Cashmere Testing: A reminder that children who will attend Cashmere High School in 2013 have a testing morning at Cashmere on Thursday Sept 13. They are responsible for getting themselves there and back to school by 1:30pm.

Forms to return: There are a small number of spellathon and Year 8 camp forms to return. Please ensure these come back to school on Monday.

A big thanks to all those who have returned sports uniforms, again a few are still outstanding, please get these washed and returned to school on Monday.

Week 8 Update

Year 8 Camp forms were due back on Friday Aug, 31st. Please send any remaining forms to school on Monday. We had wonderful support for our PJ day, raising over $400. We were also given money to cover swimming and bus hire from Rotary. So this money along with some funding from the PTA has reduced our camp fee down to $10 per child, this will be charged to your account.

After a dramatic start to the day, with a bus accident (everyone was OK), the Year 7 & 8 Hockey, Rugby and Football teams displayed impressive resiliency to go on and perform admirably at the Canterbury Winter Sports Tournament.  A fabulous attitude was seen in all teams. We were particularly impressed with the Football team who we think were placed 5th.

Winter Sport has now finished and next Friday we will be underway with athletics.

We have spoken with the children about ensuring they are dressed in correct uniform and that their nails are polish free. If there is a valid reason why your child is not wearing correct uniform (black pants and red school top), please write a brief note for them to carry that day. Nail polish is fine for weekends, but please remind your daughters to remove it on Sunday evening.

On Tuesday's long hair needs to be tied back, for safety reasons, at technology. Most children come prepared with hair ties, but a number still need to remember this. Again, a reminder from home would be appreciated.

A big congratulations to the following sports stars...

• Latham Kelly-Foleni will captain the Under 65kg Canterbury Rugby Team in the South Island Tournament.
• Annalise Lightbourne, has been selected for the Canterbury 11 a-side development team. She will be attending the Festival of Hockey in Ashburton in October.
• We have four Canterbury reps who have been selected for Mainland Football this week; Henry Mabin has made the 12^th Grade Canterbury Red Team travelling to Blenheim, Callum Riley has made the 13^th Grade Canterbury Red Team travelling to Queenstown, Lyle Matthysen  has made the 14^th Grade Canterbury Black team travelling to Dunedin and Beth Elliott has made the 14^th Grade Canterbury Red Team who will compete here in Christchurch.

Wow! These are fabulous achievements, we wish you all well with your games.

Week 8 is a big cultural week. All the best to the band and te Whanau Mahitahi, who will preform on Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week.

We hope there has been a lot of spelling going on in your house over the past few weeks. Spellathon cards need to be returned on Monday with testing day on Friday Sept 7th. I have added the Spellathon words to the Spelling Page on this blog, so words are still available to practise, once the cards have been returned.

In week 9, our Year 8 students who are going to Cashmere High School next year will be attending a testing morning on Thursday September 13th. On that day they make their own way to Cashmere in the morning and need to be back at school before 1:30pm.

Week 7 Update

Things are ticking along nicely in the Year 7 & 8 team. Today (Friday) our Hagley Sports teams headed off to Pioneer Park to welcome home our Olympians.

The final round of Hagley Sport will take place on Friday Sept 31st. Basketball is also wrapping up for the year; the white team play their final game today and the red team have their last game on Monday 27th at 5:30.

Self defence is underway for Room 16 and 17 girls; this will run every Tuesday afternoon until Sept 18.

If your child is one of the 18 artists who will be working on the cultural diversity mural, please ensure they come to school dressed in old clothes for painting on Monday (Aug 27 & Sept 3).

Spellathon Cards have all been sent out. Please encourage your child to keep learning these words. Little and often is the best approach; just 3 words a day and they will have them mastered in no time. They also need to be gathering sponsors.

The first notice for Year 8 Camp is being sent home today. You will see we have a new page on this blog for Year 8 Camp, please check this weekly.

If your child is involved in the Music Festival Choir, you should have recieved a notice about their massed rehearsal on Friday August 31st

Week 6 Update

Self defence sessions will start for the girls of Rooms 16 and 17 on Tuesday August 21st, after lunch. This course will run for five weeks. Next term, Rooms 18 and 19 will have their turn.

Special art project: On Monday Aug 27 and Sept 3, four children from each Year 7 & 8 class will be working with Miss Dunlop on the creation of a mural, to celebrate the cultural diversity of our school. This mural will be attached to the wall of the library which faces Sandwich Rd.

ICAS tests: This week we received results for the ICAS science tests. Beckenham students performed very well with a number of distinction certificates being awarded. Special congratulations to Briana Steven achieving a High Distinction.

Spellathon: Spellathon cards will come home in the next day or two. Please read instructions carefully and encourage the children to gather sponsors and learn their words.

Winter Sport: Aug 24th will be the final day at Hagley Park. Students will leave school at 11:00, as we have been asked to join other selected schools to welcome home our Olympians in Hagley Park. Sport will follow after this welcome.
Unfortunately the South Zone Winter Tournament was cancelled due to ground conditions. On Thursday Aug 30th, our A football, hockey and rugby teams will be competing in the Canterbury Winter Sport Tournament. Teams we will be leaving school at 11am and returning by approx. 3pm.

Mid Summer Night's Dream: We are having lots of fun on Thursday afternoons as we create drama, music, dance and art. Below are some pictures taken from this week's props making session.

 The kind fairy Queen's flower garland is coming together, next step ... how do we make flower buds?

Large fruit take shape, next step ... papier mache.

3D trees under construction. We have a few attachment issues to be worked through.

Tissue flowers by the dozen!