Great fun at Top Team

The sun came out and we had an awesome time at Top Team on Friday. The teamwork was crucial to success and we saw it in bucket-loads. Special congratulations to the Room 17 team whole came in first place. A big thanks to all the parents who helped to run each event, we couldn't have done it without you.

Week 4 Update

A big thanks to all of those who worked to make Quiz Night such as success; the parents who helped to set up and run the evening,  the students who spent Saturday afternoon moving furniture and decorating the Hall, the students who made the decorations and the people / organisations who donated the prizes. A super huge thanks to Leigh, Kathryn and Phil who made it all happen. The final total isn't in yet, but it looks like we have raised a very healthy sum for the 2014 Intermediate Team Camp to Dunedin.

Congratulations to all of our leadership award recipients, who were presented with their awards at PRIDE Assembly on Friday. A special congratulations to our six Gold Leaders.

This Friday we have our Top Team event starting at 11am. If the past two years are anything to go by, this will be a fun filled and mind stretching morning. All children need to bring a change of clothes and a towel. We are in need of parent helpers. If you are available, please contact Tracy in Room 17.

Zone sports are this Wednesday. Children involved will spend the whole day at Hansen Park. With 40 Year 7 & 8s competing, the rest of the team will be taking part in an alternative programme back at school. Good luck to all our athletes, give your very best and have fun.

Week 3 Update

Athletics: We were very impressed with the fabulous attitude and effort displayed by all of Year 7 & 8 at our Athletic Sports. The staff from Room 20 (the Ferndale unit) commented on how inclusive and positive our children were of the Room 20 students. Many thanks to those of you who helped to run events or supported the children. Next week Bruce Rodger will establish who will be doing what at the Zone Sports, which are on Wednesday Nov. 6th.

Health Topic: We are about to start our Changes at Puberty topic. This is a series of 4 lessons looking at the changes that occur to girls and boys at puberty and the daily routines associated with these. If you would like more information on what we teach, please drop in to see me in Room 19.

Quiz Night: We hope you have got your team together and bought your tickets for Quiz Night on November 2nd. We are still looking for two more adults to help out on the night, please contact nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz if you can help out. We are also looking for a group of Year 7 & 8s to help decorate and set up the Hall on the Saturday afternoon, bonus leadership points will be given for this. If you have not yet sent in your donation for the hampers, a non-perishable grocery item or something for the 'Pamper Pack', please do so ASAP.

Leadership Awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold leadership Awards will be presented at the next PRIDE Assembly on November 1st.

Top Team is coming up on the morning of November 8th. This is a fun packed event that sees the children working through a diverse range of team challenges, several involving water. We need parent help to run this event. This is a great chance to see your children in action, working with others. Please let Tracy know, in Room 17, if you can help out.

Year 8 Leavers' Yearbook: The Year 8s need to get their Yearbook Profile completed and handed in ASAP, it is now overdue. Please remind your child to get this done. It involves asking a teacher to write a memory they have of them, any teacher who is still at Beckenham, as well as asking a friend to write a memory and writing their own.

Dowelling Needed: We are making 14 hobby horses for Ali Baba and need some dowelling for their 'stick bodies'. If you have an old broom stick etc lying around, please sent it to Room 19.

Carisbrook Exchange

We had a fabulous morning of competition against Carisbrook School today. Great skill, great support and a lovely vibe. Beckenham won the football and the netball, and Carisbrook took out the basketball in a very close game. A big well done to all students, you played hard and were very positive in your support of all teams.

Football result was 1:4

While Beckenham had the lead in the first half, the second half of netball was closely fought.

The supporters enjoyed the action from the viewing deck.

Basketball was the closest game with Carisbrook winning 26:28.

We thanked Carisbrook for initiating the first of many exchanges between our schools.

Beckenham takes out the trophy.

Many thanks to Carisbrook for gifting us a lovely elm tree.

Leadership Awards

We will be awarding the following leadership awards at our next PRIDE assembly on November 1st.

Bronze	Silver	Gold
Briearnah  Ryan  Simone  Zhenya  Cougar  Lucy  Dominic  Tahlia  Cameron Finn  Flynn	Abigail  Sam P Alyssa  Isabella  India  Beth Georgia  Melanie  Lily  Keiana	Henry  Niamh  Sabine  Jessica L Andrew Leni

Fabulous effort from all of you. There will be opportunities to earn extra points this term for those Year 8s especially who are striving from Silver or Gold by the end of the year.

A superb day on the snowy slopes of Mt Hutt!

A big thanks to everyone who helped make our ski day possible: the mums and grans who made the arm bands, the people who lent their clothing, the families who let us practice with their gear at school and the parents who guided nervous skiers down the mountain. Despite the weather, we had a fabulous day. Children experiences many emotions during the day, ranging from fear to elation. The smiles on their faces and the stories on the bus were priceless.

Getting the hang of stopping gracefully took a wee while.

Ready to tackle the challenge of the quad chair green run.

Half way down and lots of smiles.

Guidance and advice from the experienced to the newbies.

Satisfaction after a great day on the slopes.

Week 8 Update

Ski day this week! Not many sleeps now until we hit the slopes. Thursday's weather forecast looks good, so we are looking forward to a fabulous day. An important notice regarding this trip went home on Friday, in paper copy and electronically. If you didn't receive this, please contact your child's teacher.

Last home learning for the term is due in this Friday.This can be handed in on Wednesday, so that it is not forgotten after the tiring day on the slopes on Thursday.

Reminders:

• Band Concert this Wednesday 9 - 9:30
• Ski day this Thursday, be at school by 6:45 am
• Kids in Town, drama group Thursday Sept 26 at 12 noon
• Talent Quest finals Friday Sept 27, starting at 1:30. Parents welcome.
• Technology change of day next week, not Tuesday, but Friday instead.

Speech Competition:

Due to illness, Leni Frampton stepped in to represent us at the South Speech Competition last Thursday evening. She delivered a very well presented speech on 'opinions'and came 4th in the competition. Well done Leni, you were brilliant!

And they're off! A small but dedicated team competed at the School's Orienteering Festival on Saturday. We are awaiting results.