Thursday 15 December 2016

Kauri Whanau: last post for 2017

What an action packed fortnight we have had. Here are a few pics to show what we have been up to.

After the big climb up to Victoria Park, we had a great time chilling with friends.




On Monday morning we bonded with the children from Koru Whanau when they came to visit.




Monday afternoon was Christmas treat time, making 'hot choc' marshmallow cups.



The cooler temperature on Monday didn't stop Year 8 from having a blast at their pool and pizza party. Thanks Tracy!


Swimming, walking, cricket, rock exploring, nail painting (!!) ... we had a great time at Corsair Bay.



Amongst all this fun, there was also quite a bit of classroom learning!

Today we farewelled our Year 8s. Click on this link to view a video of the graduation assembly. A big thanks to Maddy's dad, Don, for putting this lovely movie together. https://vimeo.com/195739199

A reminder to Year 7s to come prepared (change of clothes, towel and 'weapon' - could be a plastic drink bottle), for our annual Year 7 water fight tomorrow.

Have a safe and happy Christmas everyone.

Monday 5 December 2016

Kauri Whanau: Update Term 4 Week 9

Important reminders for this week:

Tuesday Dec 6th: A Very Kauri Christmas

We are very excited to be bringing you our original Christmas show tomorrow evening. Please make sure that your child is at the school hall by 6:45pm. They need to be in costume and ready to go. We ask audience members to bring a gold coin donation. The PTA will have ice-creams for sale at the show: Fru Jus for $2.50 and Kapiti vanilla bean ice cream tubs for $1. The show will finish by 8pm.  No child can leave the hall without a parent or caregiver.

The children will not be at Champion Street tomorrow, Tuesday, as they are coming directly to Beckenham after technology for a final rehearsal.


Wednesday December 7th: Top Team and Canterbury Athletics

We are crossing our fingers for a fine afternoon on Wednesday for our top team event. All children will need a change of clothes (we recommend a thermal top, e.g. polypro) and a small towel, in a plastic bag. Many thanks to Jo, Elise, Huriana and Rebecca who will be helping out with this fun filled activity; please be here by 12:30. We still need two more parent helpers. Please email one of us if you can help out.
We will be at Champion St all day on Wednesday.

Canterbury athletics. We wish Henry, Vita, Lauren, William, Amelia, Shakira, Joe and Dominic all the best for the Canterbury athletics competition in Ashburton. 


Thursday December 8th: Final celebration assembly and helpers afternoon tea

The assembly starts at 2pm. This will be preceded by a helpers thank you afternoon tea which starts at 1:30 in the hall. 


Friday December 9th: Victoria Park walk

Children are to be at Beckenham by 8:50am. We will not be going to Champion Street this day. Children will need a daypack with a large (or 2) water bottle, a substantial lunch, sunblock, sunhat and a warm top. They are to wear mufti suitable for hiking in. Many thanks to Mike, Suu and Katherine who will be joining us. We need just two more parent volunteers. Please email one of us if you can help.


Week 10

Monday December 12th: Year 8 pool and pizza party

A normal day at Champion Street. Year 8 children are invited to a pool and pizza party at Tracy's place, 101 Studholme St, just off Somerfield St. Please drop children off at 4pm, with togs, and collect them by 6pm. 


Tuesday December 13th: Corsair Bay trip 

Children are to be at Beckenham by 8:50. We will not be at Champion St this day. Thanks to Tanya, Kate, Desiree and Jill who will be accompanying us to Corsair Bay. We will be leaving Beckenham at 10:30am and returning by 3pm. We still need two more parent helpers for this trip. Please email one of us if you can help. Children will need a daypack with a water bottle, a substantial lunch, sunblock, sunhat, togs and a towel and a warm top. 


Wednesday December 14th: A normal day at Champion Street.



Thursday December 15th: Year 8 leavers' graduation assembly and lunch

Year 8s may arrive at Beckenham by 10:45, dressed in their best clothes. Everyone else catches the bus at 8:30 as usual. Year 8s finish the year after the leavers' lunch, which will wind up by 1:15pm. Year 7s will be back at Champion St for the afternoon. If you have yet to respond to the leavers' lunch invitation, please click here and fill out the form. If you have yet to send Nicky a photo of your Year 8 when they started school, please email that to Nicky ASAP, or send in a photo for scanning.


Friday December 16th: Last day (morning) for Year 1-7

Normal morning at Champion St. School will finish at the end of the morning, with children arriving back at Beckenham by 12:30.


Saturday December 17th: Phew we made it!

Any Year 7 parents who would like to join us for our Wainui camp next year, from Monday Feb 27th  until Friday March 3rd, need to click here and fill in this form. 

Here is a wee glimpse of  'A Very Kauri Christmas'.






















Friday 25 November 2016

Kauri Whanau: Term 4 Week 7/8 Update

A Very Kauri Christmas:

The dancers are looking dazzling, the wearable arts are looking fabulous and the drama is side-splitingly funny. We are just over a week away from performing our show 'A Very Kauri Christmas'. This should be in your diaries for Tuesday December 6th, starting at 7pm. All Year 7 & 8 students are involved in this evening performance. Please chat with your child this weekend about what they need to get organised for their costume.

Next week we are doing some extra rehearsals at Beckenham. These will affect bus times. For those families who drop off or pick up children at Champion Street, please take special note.
Monday Nov 28: We will all head back to Beckenham at 12:45pm for an afternoon rehearsal.
Tuesday Nov 29: The drama group will go to Beckenham, straight from South at 11:30am and will rehearse there for the rest of the day. The dance and wearable arts group will be at Champion Street as usual.
Friday Dec 2: We will meet in the hall at 8:30am and practise at Beckenham until 10:30. Then we'll head over to Champion Street.

Top Team:

On Friday afternoon, December 2nd, we will be having a Top Team event at Champion Street. Tracy has sent out information about this event, including a request for parent helpers. Please make sure children have a change of clothes and a small towel. If they don't have a change of clothes, they will not take part ... and it's going to be too much fun to miss! We need parent helpers. Please email Tracy if you can help out.

Parent helpers required:

If you can help on the following events / trips, please email us:
Friday Dec 2nd: Top Team, 12:30 - 2:30pm at Champion Street. So far we have no helpers.
Friday Dec 9th: Walk from Beckenham (uphill) to Victoria Park and back. 9am - 3pm.  So far we have no helpers.
Tuesday Dec 13th: Corsair Bay trip, from 10:30am - 3pm, departing from Beckenham. So far we have Kate, Desiree and Tanya.

Year 8:

In less that three weeks the Year 8s will have graduated from Beckenham. An invitation to the leavers' assembly and lunch will be coming out next week. We are looking forward to you joining us from 11am on Thursday December 15th. The leavers' assembly is followed by a luncheon for leavers and their parents / caregivers. This all wraps up soon after 1pm. At that stage the Year 8s are finished for the year. On that day the Year 8 children can come to Beckenham at 10:45, dressed up in their best clothes. If that is not possible, they will need to catch the bus as usual at 8:30am (dressed in their best clothes).

Just before the assembly, we show a presentation of our big Year 8s as little five year olds. Can you please either email or send to school a photo of your child when they were 5, if possible on their first day of school. Emails to nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz

The other special event for Year 8s in the last week is the pool and pizza party at Tracy's on Monday December 12th, from 4 - 6pm. More details about that later.

Canterbury Triathlon:

Best of luck to Alex, Kaia, Henry, Rosie and Daisy, who will be competting in the Canterbury triathlon at Pegasus on Thursday.

2016 Kauri Photo-book:

If you would like to order a photo-book packed with memories from this year, please click on this link.  Books will cost $25. So far I have orders from Vita and Isla, William, Amelia Cu, Max, Lachlan, Dom and Felix. There were also two other orders from people who did not record their names. Could those two please fill in the form again; I have made it clearer.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Kauri Whanau Update; Term 4 Week 6

Rapaki Marae:

We had an awesome day at Rapaki Marae last Thursday. The children responded very positively to the powhiri and it was great to see a number volunteering to hongi with the tangatawhenua. Many thanks to Manaia Cunningham to joined us and was our speaker.  Rakapi marae has recently been rebuilt and is stunning inside and out. We do not have photos of the interior; you will need to see this with your own eyes. We learnt a lot about the history of the marae and the meaning behind the tukutuku and kowhaiwhai on the walls and roof. After visiting the Marae we had fun exploring the bay.


Summer Tournament tomorrow, Wednesday:

Best of luck to our slow-pitch and kiwi-tag teams, who will be competing at Hagley Park tomorrow. Tracy has already sent out notices to the families with children involved. Please add a raincoat to your child's supplies for the day, as rain is in the forecast. Children and transporters meet by the hall steps before 8:30.

Children not involved in the tournament will be doing sport, art and inquiry activities at Champion Street. Their bus departs at the normal time.

Passion Friday Food:

This Friday is 'appliance day'. The children involved in the food passion are to bring an appliance (if possible) and appropriate ingredients. They are also to bring pizza toppings. Tracy will supply the pizza bases.

First aid training:

On Thursday this week the Year 7s will be having a day of first aid training with the Red Cross. Year 8s will continue with the normal programme. Year 8 have their first aid day in a fortnight.

Photobook:

After our Dunedin camp in term 1, we produced a photo-book which was sold to a large number of families. We have a lot of great photos from throughout the year,  recording the many different learning experiences the children have had. The plan is to make another photo book about 2016 in the Intermediate Hub. This will be sold for between $25 and $30, with profits going towards our camp to Wainui next year. If you would be interested in purchasing one of these books, please click this link. If you didn't order a Dunedin camp book and would still like to, please email Nicky.

School for young writers:

We have a number of talented young writers in our team who may be interested in attending the Summer Writing School from Jan 16-20 2017. Click here for information and registration.

More photos from the Rapaki Marae trip:






Tuesday 8 November 2016

Kauri Whanau: Term 4 Week 5 Update

Our week deviates from the normal programme this week. On Wednesday, over a third of our hub will be at Hansens Park for zone athletic sports. Sport buses depart from Eastern Tce at 8:45. Children not taking part in the zones will head to Champion Street at the usual time. We are off to Rapaki Marae on Thursday, see below. Friday is Show Day. 

Trip to Rapaki Marae this Thursday:

This year one of our strategic goals was that every child from Year 5 to 8 should visit a marae. We are looking forward to our visit to Rapaki Marae on Thursday this week. Sherrilee and Manaia Cunningham will be joining us for the day. The cost of the trip is $7.50. This amount will be added to your school account.

Children are to arrive at Beckenham by 8:50 and meet in the school hall. We will travel to Rapaki by bus and be dropped off at the top of the road. We will walk down and be formally welcomed onto the marae. After the powhiri we will have morning tea and then be taken on a tour of the wharenui where we will learn the history of the marae. After lunch, buses will head back to Beckenham at 1:30pm, in time for assembly.

Children are to wear school uniform. Girls need to wear track pants or culottes, not short shorts. All children need a backpack with sunhat, lunch, water bottle, sunscreen and their school jacket.


Big Day Out:

We had a great day in town last Thursday. At Quake City we looked at Civil Defence activity immediately after Feb 22nd, the physical impacts of the earthquake and quake-proof building techniques.


In the gardens we searched for clues to complete a scavenger hunt and enjoyed the park environment.


'Art in the palm of your hand' was a very engaging exhibition. We started by looking at examples of medals in the museum, before visiting the exhibition where our preconceptions of what a medal was were thrown wide open. Finally we had the opportunity to create our own artistic medals. These are drying at school, before we paint, ink and polish them.  


A huge thanks to Mike, Amanda, Robbie, Katherine, Tanya and Huriana who helped out on the day. 

Sports day: 

It was great to see so many parents at Beckenham Park last week for our athletics day. The children ran, jumped and threw with determination and enthusiasm. On Thursday champions in each age group will receive their medals at assembly (2:15 start). Best of luck to all who are competing at zones tomorrow.


Passion Friday continues to be a weekly highlight. Below are our fibre-craft group, proudly displaying their felted pictures.


Tale with a twist:

Since the start of term we have been writing tales with twists in our hub. We were focusing on using a variety of sentence types, including complex and short sentences for effect,  and varying our sentence starters. Here is Isla's tale ...

As the car swings profusely around the corner, I can’t believe what's before me. My eyes blink rapidly, trying to adjust to this crazy misconception. Why is this here? Who in the world did this? This can’t be right. It simply can’t. Very confused, I pull over to take a closer look.

It was the summer holidays. I had decided to take my new car for a spin. Fresh from University I was excited to get away from everything and just relax alone for a bit. It had been a stressful few years and I’m very glad they are over. I had chucked a bag of chips in the back (for emergencies of course) and packed a small bag of clothes and other junk Mum insisted I put in there, then I was ready to go.

My car sliding along the smooth concrete road, I gaze out my window at the shining sun ahead of me. The luscious lime green grass blankets the bare, chalky dirt in a unconditional green casing. As the last of the afternoon rays of sun disappear, a bright mustard sun sets ahead of me. Birds sit in the unlimited chain of tall, oak trees, chirping away. The rattle of my tyres driving over small, crunchy stones calms me and makes me want to fall asleep, but I am close to my hotel, so I keep driving, despite my droopy, tired eyelids blanketing my emerald eyes. Turning the corner quickly, I spot something that shocks me.

Pulling over to inspect this mystery further, I yank my cellphone out of my back pocket. In my entire 18 years of life I've never seen anything like this before. It is heart stopping and blood curdling. Sitting on the dark maroon mailbox is ‘ISLA’ written in bold, cream lettering. Just behind the mailbox sits a small, light yellow house. A large, dull oak tree sits right out the front, working like a giant sun umbrella, giving shade to the house. Attached to the large tree sits two, wooden swings. They go back and forth, back and forth, almost like someone is sitting on them. I squint my eyes super tiny. No one. Not a single person on either swing yet they still move back and forth, back and forth. Peculiar. Very peculiar.

After a lot of hesitation I decide to go investigate this mystery further. After all, my name is on the mailbox, and that’s not something you see everyday. I put my car in park and undo my sharp, itchy seatbelt practically strangling me. My hands shaking like crazy, I tentatively pull my door handle and step outside. A cold gust of air hits me like a monster truck, sending shivers throughout my whole body.  My cold, bare feet crunch on hundreds of little stones as I walk up the path to the house. As I get further and further up the path, the swings begin to swing more precisely. Quicker, faster they swing as I get further up the path. Then suddenly…. POOF!

With a large gust of wind two dark shadows appear on the wooden structure. Sprinting now, with nerves and a sick feeling in my stomach, I quickly approach the swings. Sitting there are two strange people.‘’I’ve been expecting you for some time Isla’’ says a tall, dark figure. The girl reminds me of myself, only older I guess. She has this weird sheen to her, almost like a ghost. ‘’Who, who are you?’’ I quickly say without hesitation. ‘’I’m you silly!’’ she replies. Very, very confused I take a look at the small child sitting on the other swing. Again, she reminds me of myself. It's almost like looking back at old photos. She doesn't talk, I guess. But there is something about her that shocks me. Her blood red eyes. They stare into my soul. My future and my past. My everything, in her eyes.

‘’Who’s in the house?’’ I ask, without thinking. ‘’Someone very important’’ the older one replied slowly ‘’Our master.’’ ‘WHAT?’ I think to myself. But without any hesitation I walk over to the old, small house. The long, long grass itches my legs as I walk past, but if I didn't go in I know I would regret it so I continue. My entire body shakes in the crispness of the night. I walk up the stone path, on my way to the wooden door. The wooden door. It gets closer and closer but I feel like getting further and further away. I approach slowly, yet I still feel like i’m going to jump out of my skin. I quickly knock on the door and it slowly creaks open. And then suddenly.. BANG..

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Kauri Whanau Update: Term 4, Week 3

Week three and things are humming in the Intermediate Hub at Champion Street. The children have adapted really well to the new normal.


This Week:

Writing:

Most of the children have made a great start to their 'Tale with a Twist' writing. During Wednesday and Thursday they will have a 15 min workshop and 60 mins of writing. By the end of Thursday their writing should be finished. Please ask your child to show you their writing and encourage them to work at home, if needed, to meet the deadline.

Next Week:

Athletic Sports: 

At the moment the long range forecast is looking good for our sports day next Monday, Oct 31st. A reminder that we stay at Beckenham all day for this event.

Big Day Out:

On Thursday Nov 3rd we are off to the city for the day. The children will be rotating around three activities in their home-groups: Medal Art at the museum, Quake City and the botanical gardens. We will send out a message with more specific details early next week. At this stage we are looking for two parents to accompany each home-group. Please fill in this form if you can help. We will be leaving from Beckenham at 9am and will return by 3pm.

Maths home-learning:

Due in on Friday Nov 4th.

Future Events: 

We will send home a paper planner for your fridge with these dates.

Wednesday November 9: Zone athletics at Hansen Park

Thursday November 10: Rapaki Marae trip - all day

Wednesday November 16: Summer tournament for slow pitch and kiwi tag teams

Thursday November 17: Year 7 doing 'People Savers' first aid course at school

Thursday December 1: Year 8 doing 'People Savers' first aid course at school

Friday December 2: Top Team competition at Beckenham in the afternoon (parent help required)

Monday December 5: 'A very Kauri Christmas' matinee performance for school

Tuesday December 6: 'A very Kauri Christmas' evening performance at 7pm. All children involved.

Wednesday December 7: Canterbury athletics

Friday December 9: Walk from school to Victoria Park - all day (parent help required)

Monday December 12: Year 8 pool and pizza part at Tracy's from 4-6pm

Tuesday December 13: Corsair Bay trip - from 10:30 - 3:00 (parent help required)

Thursday December 15: Leavers' assembly and lunch. Year 8 may arrive at Beckenham at 10:30am. Year 8 finish school for the year after the shared lunch.

Friday December 16: Last day for Year 1- 7, finishing at 12:30


Thursday 13 October 2016

Kauri Update: Term 4 Week 1 / 2

We have swept into term 4, embracing the newness and the challenges with smiles and enthusiasm.

This week...

Life at Champion Street:

Busing to school has quickly become with new norm. No one has missed the bus and behaviour has been pleasing. We are loving the new furniture and the children have quickly adapted to the new environment.

Writing:

We kicked the week off with a birthday party, or rather three birthday parties, for our writing motivation. The children have planned / or are planning, a piece of descriptive writing with a twist. This writing will be due at the end of week three.

Ready for another piece of chocolate.

Home-learning:

This was given out on Monday. Hopefully it is underway at your place.

Sunhats:

This term all children need named school sunhats. If your child needs to purchase a new one, they can do this at the school office after school.

Climate Change:

We have started our learning about climate change by viewing and discussing 'An Inconvenient Truth'. Discussion has included talk around the fact that there is more than one opinion about why our climate is changing and this movie presents one of these opinions.

Next week...

Athletic sports:

Our sports day is next Thursday, October 20th. As we will be holding this at Beckenham Park, we won't be going to Champion Street this day. Children will need to be at school by 8:50, not 8:30. Before school, they can play in the park. When the bell rings, Year 5-8 will gather in the hall. Parents are most welcome to come and watch during the day. Tracy will send out a programme next week.


New Zealand Playhouse Performance:

On Monday we will be returning to Beckenham straight after lunch, in time to see the New Zealand Playhouse travelling performance: 'The Fairest Of Them All.'  $4.50 will be added to your account, as a donation for this performance.

Coming soon...

Week 4:  Thursday November 3rd, are will spend the day in town, including an art session at the museum.
               Sexuality Road lessons begin

Week 5: Wednesday November 9th, zone sports at Hansen's Park
               Thursday November 10th, Rapaki Marae visit

Coming later...

'A very Kauri Christmas' performing arts evening, Top Team, Victoria Park walk, day trip to Corsair Bay, first aid training and more. A calendar of Kauri events will come out next week.

Lunchtime on the first day of term.

There she goes...

Congratulations to our newest Gold Leaders.





Wednesday 28 September 2016

Kauri Whānau: End of term 3 update

Last week was pretty massive, as we packed up, farewelled our Beckenham hub and moved to our Beckenham @ Champion St hub. It was wonderful to see so many parents at our new location for lunch on Friday. Our new spaces are looking good, with beautiful artworks outside and new furniture inside our light filled hub. We are lucky to have a breakout space too. 

Getting to school in term 4:
From day one of next term, children will need to be at school between 8:20 and 8:25am. They check in with a teacher, by Eastern Tce, and then board their bus. The buses depart at 8:30. Flag monitors and bus monitors will need to be at school by 8:15. 

Help needed:
On the last Friday of the holidays, October 7th, the rest of our new furniture will arrive at Champion Street. The tables will be in flat packs. We are looking for a team of parents to help us put these together. Please email Nicky if you are able to help out. Exact times will be confirmed next week. 

One of our Passion Friday groups for next term is all about learning to knit (we may learn about crochet too). If you can knit and would like to help out between 11 and 12:30, please email Nicky. Even if you could just make one or two Fridays, that would be appreciated. We are also collecting any donations of wool. 

Take care and enjoy the holiday. 

 
Last photo opportunities. Our old hub comes down next week.

 
Enjoying to new sports equipment at Champion StEnjoying the new sports equipment at Champion St...

 

... and the new furniture.

 

Our Burton Morris inspired kiwiana murals look fabulous.