Term 3 is a time where we have plenty of student achievements to celebrate. After all the hard work that goes into providing new opportunities and experiences for our students, to hear about student success in a Casebrook uniform puts the icing on the cake.

Huge congratulations to our Digi-students who won a number of prizes at Tuesday night’s Core Digi Awards. Kieran, Josh and Isabel took out the overall prize, winning the school a Chromebook. Ethan Adams and Felix Halford placed first in the coding category and Daniel Hann a top three place. As a school we have taken big strides ahead in our digital technologies curriculum thanks to the leadership of Shona Kelleher. Her guidance of the students and willingness to open new pathways in their learning deserves a special mention.

Big congratulations to our students competing at the highest level next week in their competitions at the AIMs games in Tauranga. Our Girls Basketball team will be guided by Miss Courteney Bull and Mrs Christine Gillard and expertly coached by Mr Paul Isitt. Thanks also to the family members accompanying the team on our first team entry to AIMS. Also travelling to Tauranga are Matthieu Rigter (Trampoline) and Imanuel Abdel Malak (BMX). We wish all our competitors safe travels and the best of luck competing against the finest Intermediate school athletes from all over the country.

We have had some great sporting results this term, namely our Girls Football, Year 7 Netball and Girls A Basketball teams, all winners of their divisions. Our Boys A Basketball team came a close second in their division. Our water polo teams remain in the hunt for success with semi final games this week.

Our head students, Ben and Brontē have returned from an exciting trip to South Korea, competing alongside students from all over the world in a global app design collaboration competition. Their team won a creativity prize, an impressive achievement on the world stage.

Congratulations to all the ICAS and Kiwi Test achievers over the past month. We are experiencing a growing number of achievers in these examinations which is great to see. On a similar note, a big congrats to Mr Cook, Mrs Dick McCann and Miss Cooper for the outstanding results from our Cantamath efforts this year.

Spring is in the air…literally in some regards. After a wet winter, the burst of sunshine and pollen can do some funny things to children’s brains entering puberty. Please talk at home about doing the little things well and focusing energy on learning. A special request to please remind our students about changing their shirts and socks and ‘upping’ the shower usage. There is nothing better than a fresh pair of socks on a warm September afternoon...

Finally, thanks as always to everyone in our community who help contribute to the success our students achieve and the communication between home and school to make success happen. The large number of students who completed our REP @ Home challenge over the last fortnight is testament to the partnership we share in educating young Casebrook minds to achieve…and clean up after themselves.

Look forward to seeing you all at the Aotearoa Bandstand Production nights in the final week of this Term. Tickets are still available but selling out fast!

Ngā mihi nui,

Nick Leith

Deputy Principal