Wednesday 27 March 2013

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.

Friday 22 March 2013

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.


Friday 15 March 2013

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. 


 

Friday 8 March 2013

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.







Friday 1 March 2013

Swimming Sports: What a fabulous swimming sports we had today. Well done to all those who made the effort to take part. A special thanks to the Year 7 and 8s who helped the event to run smoothly: the photographers, the head catchers, number runners and supporters.

Next week Mr Rodger will let students know who has qualified for the zone sports. These are being held on Thursday March 14th.

Leadership Week: Week 9 this term is a special leadership week for Year 7 & 8. On Monday the Year 7s have a leadership day and on the Wednesday and Thursday Year 8s have their leadership camp. A letter and permission for will come home on Monday. Please fill this out and return it by Friday March 8th.

Purple Day: The Student Council are running a Purple Cake Day this Friday to help kids in Haiti, Nepal and Kenya. There will be face painting and nail polish (each 50c), you can come dressed in purple mufti (gold coin donation), buy some delicious purple cupcakes ($1) or bake your very own cupcakes and donate these!

Nails: Speaking of nail polish. We are about to crack down on painted nails at school. Each teacher will have nail polish remover and people coming to school with painted nails will be asked to remove the polish. Please remind your daughters to make sure they come to school with 'nude nails'!

Sport: Mountain biking, bowls and gymnastics start this Tuesday. Children will find out about their option on Monday. They need to come prepared for action the next day.

Football: We also have our football programme starting this week on Thursday. Every class will spend 30 minutes with a football specialist, each Thursday for the next 5 weeks.

Mathletics: All Mathletics children now have their log in details. We have had a couple of problems which were quickly rectified once we knew about them. Please let us know ASAP if your child cannot log in.