Duathlon

Due to the tight time schedule and the upcoming fair, we have decided to reschedule the duathlon until later this year. At that stage more time can be given to training and we hope to have lots of people keen to enter.

Week 7 Update

The countdown to camp is on; less than three weeks to go. You should have a gear list and parent helpers have been confirmed. On Wednesday this week a notice will come home with more details and a health form for you to complete and return to school by Wednesday March 21st.

Our Year 5 - 8 Duathlon (run, bike, run) is scheduled for next Thursday, March 22nd between interval and lunch. Entry forms out later this week. This is a school only event, there is no zone event. We would like to encourage as many children as possible to take part. The Duathlon will be our first 'Scoobie' competition of the year, points will be awarded for participation.

We have started a Tuesday afternoon buddy programme with Room 20 students and the Year 7 & 8 students. The aim of this programme is for our students to walk in someone else's shoes and develop empathy and awareness, as well as to get to know each other better. Each week six Year 7 & 8 students will be buddied up with six Room 20 students for an afternoon of art.

Our school fair is a week and a half away. Today a number of students put their names down to help out at the fair, in a range of capacities. If your child's help is required a notice with details will be coming home on Thursday.

Basketball trials are on Monday at lunchtime. There is still time before the end of this week to sign up.

Week 6 Update

Wow, we are now half way through term 1. Update pages this week include Photo Gallery and Home Learning.

Thanks to those who have offered to help on camp. We were flooded with more offers than we had spaces. Bruce Rodger will be contacting parents who have offered.

We are looking for a few parents to help with putting together some learning resources for our team. If you have a couple of hours to spare and would like to help out, please let me know. nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz

Week 5 Update

We are now full swing into 2012. Our leadership roles are up and running, with children showing off their skills with the Organisation Key.

The Media Team have had their first special assignment. Click on the 'Photo Gallery' tab to see the pictures they took on Wednesday.

Please make sure you get your photo orders in and the 'Important Contact Information' forms back ASAP.

Thanks to those who have offered to help out on camp. The camp page in this blog has been updated; please have a read.

Due to the loss of our pool we have replaced the triathlon with a duathlon this year. We are looking at Week 7 for this event. So get those running shoes on and oil up the bike; we are looking forward to lots of entries. More details soon.

Week 4 Update

Additions to blog: see Spelling tab.

Well done to those who got their home learning in on time. I've read and viewed many great ideas on how we can lead change in our lives. The second home learning assignment has now been posted, get busy putting first things first. Two weeks is plenty of time to complete assignments, make sure you get yours in on time.

This Wednesday we are taking part in a special earthquake memorial event at school. If you can, bring along a flower to drop in the river as part of this event. Parents and neighbours are welcome to join us; we'll be gathering on the school field at 12:45.

All classes have been discussing the first habit of highly effective people: BE PROACTIVE. We are all working on being less reactive. Hit the 'pause' button, stop and think, then hit 'play' and act proactively. Talking about proactive responses at home will help to reinforce this very important habit.

Leadership roles have now all been finalised. Training for various roles is underway. Leap in and make the most of your leadership opportunities. It's been great to see the enthusiasm so far, keep it going.

Week 2 / 3 Update

New things to check out on our team blog this week:

• 'Photos' tab: pics from technology this week.
• 'How to Comment' tab: we love your comments, find out how to do this.

We would love to start putting photos on our class blogs. If you would not like photos that include your child to be posted, please let your child's teacher know by the end of week 3. Blogs are only accessible by those who know the address, so those viewing are a relatively closed community.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evening to find out about class programmes and socialise at the BBQ to follow.

What a great start!

Many thanks to those of you who returned reply slips and student profiles to school. Most classes still have a few outstanding, please take time to fill these out over the long weekend and send them back on Tuesday. It is especially important to get the Technology Buses form back.

In Week 2 Technology at Christchurch South will begin and in Week 3 we will be in full swing with languages also happening on a Monday.

We have been so impressed with the attitude and effort being seen from all Year 7 & 8 students. Week 1 has been fabulous and we are all looking forward to more of the same!

Click the Home Learning tab to view the first assignment. This is due on Friday February 17.