Week 12 Update

Phew, we have nearly made it to the end of a rather long term. This week we have a big focus on J-Rock, finalising choreography and practise, practise, practise. Thanks to those of you who have offered to source costumes. Any child who is unable to arrange their own costume, needs to let their teacher know by the end of term so that we have a complete list for the crew who are sourcing costumes. Please make sure you have set aside May 20 and 21st on your calendar, we should know this week the exact day of the performance.

Sport: Our summer sport options of bowls, gym and mountain biking come to an end this week. The school cross country is in the second week of term 2, so it would be great if children could put in some training runs over the holidays. Friday winter sport gets underway mid-way through term 2. If you are able to help out with coaching a rugby, football, hockey or netball team, please let Bruce Rodger know ASAP. The number of teams we can enter is dependent on the number of coaches we can get.

Home Learning: Friday is the final due date for home learning this term. Those children who have always met home learning deadlines will be rewarded with an 'attitude afternoon' on Friday. Thanks to those of you who have already filled in the home learning survey that was emailed out on Saturday. If you haven't yet completed this, please take a couple of minutes to fill it in before the end of Tuesday. Home learning will be reviewed at Learning Conferences in the first week of term 2. We plan to send home an options sheet before then so that you can discuss any changes you and your child would like to make to their home learning plan before the conference.

Learning Conferences: Thanks to those who have already booked a learning conference for week one next term. If you are having trouble logging in to School-links, please give Jacky a call in the office.

Week 11 Update

What an action packed two weeks we have had in the Intermediate Team.

 Leadership week was a huge success. The Year 7s had lots of fun learning about 'Be Proactive', 'Put first things first', 'Think win-win' and "Synergize'; 4 of the 7 habits of highly effective people. On the Thursday they went off to be leaders in the Junior classes. What fabulous feedback we have had from the teachers, here's just a sample...

• 'Absolutely lovely boys - I will have them back anytime!'  
• 'In the class as a helper he was positive and willingly helped the children. the kids loved his easy going and helpful manner! I thought he was totally AWESOME!'
• 'Confident, well-organised, used her initiative, eager to help, related well to the younger children, innovative and engaging group activity'

Year 8 Leadership Camp was also a wonderful time. The Year 8s stepped up and made the most of the opportunities to practice the '7 habits' and had lots of fun in the process.

On Thursday we had a unique musical experience with Rhythm Interactive. After an hour of drumming, the majority of the team were still fully engaged. If was high energy, fun, loud and tested our persistence.

Friday was duathlon day. We had one of the best participation rates we have seen from Year 7 & 8 at this event. We were especially impressed with those who knew they wouldn't win, but just wanted to challenge themselves - fabulous attitude and effort. Also a big thanks to the lap counters, course marshals and photographers, who stepped up to this leadership challenge and contributed to the success of the event. 

No time to rest, our next challenge is J-Rock. This will be our major focus for the next four weeks. If anyone has time to help with sourcing or making costumes, please send me an email nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz so that we can put a team together get the costume ball rolling. We are still after a person with woodwork skills to construct our 'giant wooden man', again please email if you can help out.

Writers' Workshop: Recording studio day is Monday April 15th, leaving school at 3pm sharp. A notice will come home early next week with more details. We couldn't find a day that was perfect for everyone, but hope that all will be able to take part in this exciting experience. 

In the next week ... we are looking forward to hearing the band children play for us on Wednesday morning and good luck to the swimmers competing at the Canterbury Champs on Thursday.

We are having a great time on camp.

Finding our way through the maze taught us the importance of risk taking.

Balancing 8 people on 2 concrete blocks requires; beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, synergy, pro-activity and a willingness to hug anyone!

Getting energised with Full-On first thing in the morning.

Jase and Mikey were full of life, passionate about their messages and gave us lots to think about.

Home learning due date change.

Due to Leadership Camp next week and the Easter break, we have changed the next home learning due date to Friday April 5th, after Easter. The final home learning for the term will be due on the last day of term, Friday April 19th.

Week 9 Update

What a week it's been in Year 7 & 8...

PCT Competition:On Wednesday our two teams of Year 8 students had a fabulous time challenging themselves on the police training course. Leaping through windows, scaling fences, pushing trailers and carrying bodies, they competed against 47 other Year 7 & 8 teams, placing 9th and 10th. A fabulous effort, tu meke!

Writer's Workshop: The next day our Writer's Workshop got underway, under the tutelage of Elizabeth O'Connor, scriptwriter. Ideas and creativity bounced around the staff-room as they created their radio play based around a raft competition. After Easter they will visit a recording studio to ready their work for broadcast on Plains FM. We will let you know when to tune in.

Learning Environment Experiment: In Room 19 the desks have been put into storage and have been replaced  with tables, low tables, cushions and beanbags; the aim being to create a comfortable and flexible work-space. Two and a half days into the experiment and we are loving it so far. We will evaluate our experiment at the end of the term.


Leadership Week: Week 9 is Leadership Week in Year 7 & 8. On Monday the Year 7s will be working together as they learn about the 'Habits of Highly Effective People'. The Year 8s will be combined into 2 classes for the day. Wednesday and Thursday is the Year 8 Leadership Camp based at school, with excursions. They will be learning more about the 'Habits' they were introduced to last year and put these into action. The Year 7s will be taught by Paul McAven on Wednesday and on Thursday will put their leadership skills into action working in small groups in classrooms around the school.

Basketball: Trials were held for our two basketball teams on Thursday. Teams will be announced on Monday. We still have room for one more player. See Miss D if you are interested.

Te Whanau Mahi Tahi went to Barrington Mall on Friday to thank Paper Plus and ASB for the wonderful generosity they have shown towards our new library. The children returned buzzing from the experience.
the Friday before Easter. Apologies for the error on the entry notice, this event is on the 5th of April. Your child will need to do some training for this event, Easter should provide a good opportunity for this.

Week 8 Update

Attitude Presentation: On Friday afternoon, Year 7 & 8 spent almost 90 minutes learning about the X-Factor; how to be a great friend. We learnt that being friendly will have a huge impact on our success in life. James held us in the palm of his hand, made us laugh (lots!) and gave us some invaluable advice on what we should and shouldn't do when it comes to friendship.
'To wish you were someone else or to pretend you are someone else is to waste the person that you are.'

Class Photos: These are happening on Monday. Please make sure you come to school sparkling in your tidiest uniform!

Good Luck: On Wednesday eight Year 8 students will represent Beckenham at the Blue Light Canterbury Schools PCT Competition. This is where teams of Year 7 & 8 students compete against each other as they challenge themselves on the same test the police must undertake as part of their training. James, Jacob, Teille, Emily, Jack M, Jimmy, Naquita and Briana, we know you will give of your best and make Beckenham proud.

Swimming Zones: Well done to all those who competed at the Zone Swimming Sports on Thursday. All the best to those who have now qualified for the Canterbury Swimming Sports.

Year 8 Leadership Camp: Thank you for getting all forms back. Keep an eye out for another notice early in Week 8.

Writer's Workshop: This coming Thursday and Friday, ten children will  be working with Elizabeth O'Connor, a fiction/scripting expert, to write a script suitable for a radio play. We look forward to hearing what they create. This workshop has been offered to some of our talented writers, unfortunately we were limited to just 10 children. 

Sausage Sizzle: Take a break from making sandwiches on Friday, we will be selling sausages for lunch to raise money for our Year 8 Leadership Camp. We hope you can support this fund-raising.

Many Thanks to the six mums who have spent two afternoons putting together spelling resources to be used in our Year 7 & 8 classes. We very much appreciated your time and look forward to using the cards in our spelling programmes. 

Duathlon: Look out for duathlon entry forms in Week 8. This event takes place on April 5th. We investigated  the possibility of having the cycle section on the road, so that we could run a full length event. Unfortunately the cost of setting up the safety systems required was way beyond our budget, so the event will take place on and around Beckenham Park. 


 

Week 7 Update

What a fabulous Purple Cupcake day we had today. A huge thanks to the Student Council, Mrs Inwood and all the people who baked cupcakes.This was an idea that came from the children, was developed by the children and carried out with style and oodles of fun.... and heaps of money was raised for children who are a lot less fortunate than we are!

J-Rock: Classes are about to leap into creating a dance presentation for J-Rock, a junior stage challenge that is performed in the second week of next term. Our presentation will be based around the learning we have done as part of our 'Sharpen the Saw' health topic. Each class will portray a different aspect: heart, body, mind and soul. We are looking for a parent with wood-work and basic electronics skills to construct a large prop that will be an integral part of our performance. Please contact your child's teacher if you are able to help us with this.

Leadership Camp: Please make sure that permission slips for the Year 8 Leadership Camp are in ASAP.Thanks to all those who have already returned these.

Sport: We have had our first session of gym, lawn bowls and mountain biking. Feedback has been very positive. This programme continues until the end of term on a Tuesday afternoon. Shorts are needed for gym and bikes and helmets for mountain biking.