As we come to the end of Term 3 I want to wish all of the Cashmere whānau a wonderful upcoming 2 week holiday. It has been a great term with our students immersed in a whole range of excellent educational experiences both in and out of the classroom. A big thanks to all of our staff who have worked really hard to support our students to be at their best!

Canterbury-Westland Science Fair

Over the weekend the Canterbury-Westland Science Fair took place. We did especially well.

• Millie Palmer - Microplastics - 2nd overall Year 11-13, 1st= The Environment Canterbury Sustainable Resource Management School Award

The following four all won New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Canterbury Branch Awards for excellence in the investigation of Chemistry

• Taylah Cameron, Elsie Brown, Maya Chiron - Chemical combat: Homemade vs Commercial
• Isla McWhirter, Sacha Gelin - Perfecting Hokey Pokey
• Emma Lovegrove - Say Goodbye to Yellow Teeth
• Lily Withers, Mila Hubbard - Which fabrics are the most flammable?
• Rowan Matthew - Flower Power - Canterbury Botanical Society award, 1st =The Environment Canterbury Sustainable Resource Management School Award This project also won the best project in the year 11-13 category overall. Rowan is now eligible to apply for the Prime minister's Science Scholarship as a result.
• Clementine Bruce - True or Poo- 3rd The Environment Canterbury Sustainable Resource Management School Award, Best senior exhibit by a female student, Avon Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust award, University of Canterbury, School of Earth and Environment Award for best use of spatial information on any display, Best overall exhibit in year 9/10.

The Raven Memorial Award for the best project in the whole Fair was also won by Clementine and the first time CHS has won the prize.

House Lip Sync

A big congratulations to Sheppard House for winning this year’s House Lip Sync Competition. It was great to see so many students involved in this year's event and the House Captains did a great job of pulling everyone together for the performances last Friday.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

We are very fortunate to have such a fantastic Dance and Drama Department at Cashmere High School. Every second year they team up with the Music Department to host a Major Production, however in the alternate year they put on a scaled down performance, but one that is of exceptional quality. This year was no different as they performed One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Well done to the talented cast and crew and also to our fantastic staff.

Whanau Hui

Thank you to all of our whanau and friends who attended our Whanau Hui last Thursday. It was great to be able to connect with all of you and to update you with what is going on in our Māori Department. Last week was Te wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language week and I thank our Māori Department staff for putting on a host of events that promoted and celebrated Te Reo Māori.

Music Tour

Last week over 70 students and a number of staff headed over the ditch to begin our Cashmere High School Music Tour. This group will travel through Sydney performing at numerous venues. We look forward to hearing all about their time in Australia.

COVE Awards - Finn Groer, Dwayne Ramos and Lottie Ward

Each week we present COVE Awards to students who are achieving exceptional success across the school and who are living our COVE values of Citizenship, Opportunities, Vibrancy and Excellence. Service is a key part of this Award and I am always amazed at the contributions our students are making to our communities, both individually and collectively. Congratulations to Finn Groer, Dwayne Ramos and Lottie Ward, who each received a COVE Award over the last two weeks.

iSay Speech Competition

Congratulations to all of our students involved in the iSay Speech Competition earlier this month! As always we were treated to a wonderful evening in which students demonstrated their oratory skills. A big thank you to our judges, particularly alumnus Hannah Daniell and former teacher Ms Margaux Hlavac, as well as our amazing English Faculty staff who organised the event.
Ko Te iringa o Kahukura ko te korowai matauraka ō tātou tīpuna

Orienteering Success

Congratulations to our team who competed in events at Ferrymead Heritage Park and Bottle Lake forest last weekend. As well as a number of podium places, the team came away with overall school winner in Year 9 and Years 10 & 11!

Cycling Success

Congratulations to our cyclists! Some awesome results with Meg Baker, Maria Laurie, Millie Junge and Eliana Beale Winners of the Christchurch Schools Cycling U20 Girls Team Time Trial.

The U20 Girls were also 2nd in the Team Time Trial series.

Millie Junge and Zania Roberts came 2nd in the U16 girls 2up Time Trial and Millie also placed 2nd U16 Girls for the series.

International Food Festival

Last week we held our annual International Food Festival.

Seniors vs Leavers Rugby Game

Last week we held our annual Seniors vs. Leavers rugby match. It was great to have another outstanding game played with great spirit!

Professor Phil Bagshaw Visit

It was a real honour for Cashmere High School's Social Science faculty to host Professor Philip Bagshaw last week. He spoke about the issues facing the New Zealand health system. He also spoke about the Canterbury Charity Hospital he helped setup and the incredible work that it has done and still does for many, many people. He finished his talk by answering many questions from students and staff.

From the Archives

Woodwork class at Cashmere - date unknown

Who’s Who at Cashmere High School -  Bob Tuaine

My name is Bob and I began my journey here at Te iringa o Kahukura just after my son was born over 25 years ago. I was much younger then and filled with the desire to make a difference. My first head of Faculty said that “Cashmere students are special and that this school grows on you”. This turned out to be true and 25 years on I am still grateful for the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young minds.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with my students. I see myself not just as an educator, but also as a mentor and guide and I do not take this responsibility lightly.

Science has always fascinated me, and I am passionate about sharing that enthusiasm with my students, adding my own sense of humour to the mix.

When not at school I can be found out on the mountain bike, enjoying walks on the beach with the family and dogs, Quizz nights with friends, or spending time with our kids whenever they are around.

Recently a number of students have asked what they should do as they choose their pathway for next year. I would say follow your passion, ‘make your vacation your vocation” and you’ll never work a day in your life. Sometimes following your passion can be daunting, one of my favourite Whakatāuke fits well here,

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū
“Feel the fear and do it anyway!”
The future is yours

The Fortnight Ahead - Term 4