Closing Out Term 2

Principal’s Message

Tēnā koutou, e te whānau o Cashmere High School – Te iringa o Kahukura.

Thank you for your efforts in improving attendance this year. Our statistics are up across the board, with a five percent increase each term compared to 2024. This is a positive trend and we appreciate your continued support. Attendance matters, and consistent presence in class makes a real difference to learning outcomes.

With attendance in mind, the end of Term 2 marks the halfway point for our Year 9 and 10 students, but for seniors it is more like two thirds of the way through the year. Term 4 brings NCEA exams for Years 11-13, and practice exams are scheduled for Weeks 5 and 6 next term. Now is the time to get organised as preparation and time management are essential aspects of doing well in the final examinations. 

The term finished on a high with the annual Wearable Arts House Competition held in the PAC yesterday to a full crowd. Two alumni returned to judge the incredible costumes and designs themed around natural disasters. See our Facebook page for more details.

A reminder that the Careers Expo is happening early next term in the PAC (Wednesday 16th July). This is a valuable opportunity for students and whānau to connect with tertiary and pathway providers. Our Careers Centre is located in the library and is open to all students during the week.

Finally, we hope you have a fantastic holiday and get the chance to recharge by doing things you enjoy before a busy Term 3.

Hei konā mai

John Stradwick
Principal

School Office Hours 

Please note the school office is closed during the first week of the holidays and reopens on Monday 7 July. 

Our Uniform Shop will be open from 10.00am to 2.00pm on Friday 11 July. For 30-minute fittings, bookings can be made through SchoolBridge.

Farewell and Best Wishes to Miss Tessa Te Kahu

We would like to acknowledge and farewell our Head of Faculty for PE, Health and Outdoor Education, Miss Tessa Te Kahu, who is taking two years' leave to embark on an exciting new adventure where she is heading to an international school in Vietnam. Tessa has been a passionate and dedicated leader of her faculty, and her energy, professionalism and commitment to student wellbeing and achievement have made a lasting impact. We thank her for all she has contributed to Cashmere High School and wish her every success in this next chapter. Ka kite anō - travel well and stay in touch!

Senior Production: Aristophanes’ Frogs

The final week of Term 2 brought the culmination of many hours rehearsing and preparing for the Senior Drama Production. Our talented cast performed four sold out shows of Aristophanes’ Frogs, one of the oldest surviving plays in Western history. The students embodied Greek gods, heroes, ghosts, and creatures of all kinds in an epic journey through the underworld. First staged for the Athenian public in 405 BCE, it’s incredible that we’re able to produce a fun, fresh interpretation of this play where the boat that crosses the River Styx instead becomes an inflatable pool ring and our chorus of frogs wear neon gloves and goggles that glow under the UV light. Congratulations to all the students involved, and thank you to Drama teacher John Ussher for your visionary direction of this challenging ancient text!

Nga Manu Kōrero

On the 18th-19th of June we attended the Ngā Manu Kōrero ki Waitaha regionals hosted at Rangiora High School. On Wednesday we took some Year 12 & 13s and attended the pōwhiri and listened to some senior impromptu speeches. The following day we took around 50 students to help tautoko our two Kaikōrero. Lucy Tonkin Year 11 (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ki Heretaunga,Ngāti Hāmoa) spoke in the Junior English and Nariah Tuatahi Devereux Year 12 (Ngāti Porou,Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga ā Mahaki, Rongowhakaata) spoke in the Senior Māori Pei te Hurinui category.

We all looked very sharp, tidy and represented the kura with great mana. Nariah was the third speaker of the day and had his whanau there to support him on stage. He spoke and performed his kōrero with pride and integrity, and afterwards he was acknowledged for his hard work by our kura performing the school haka. 

We then had a decent break between our Kaikōrero so our taiohi indulged themselves into a couple fun activities with another kura (Te Pā o Rakaihautu). We then went over as a strong Rōpu for Lucy as she took the stage with her whanau supporting on stage as well, she performed with power and purpose. Lucy and Nariah showed the Kura COVE values superbly on the big stage. Lucy was then supported by the kura who performed the Kura Mōteatea. 

We are very proud of how our two students performed. At the evening Prizegiving Lucy came 4th place and Nariah came 10th out of all the schools. We are very proud of the hard work and long hours of practice it took these akonga to get to this point. We would like to thank everyone who was involved and are excited to have the honour of hosting Ngā Manu Kōrero 2027. 
Written by Nariah Tuatahi Devereux (Year 12)

Year 13 Principal's Assembly

Congratulations to Yana Sandford (Year 13), this week’s recipient of the COVE Award, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to our school community. Yana has shown an unwavering commitment to citizenship, her pursuit of opportunity, vibrant engagement, and a consistent standard of excellence. Part of her citation acknowledged her roles as Maths Prefect and Peer Support Leader, as well as her generosity with time, including countless hours as a reader-writer for fellow students. She also exemplifies the spirit of service, having volunteered at over 50 Parkrun events since 2016 and is nearing her 300th run. We also acknowledged a number of Year 13 students with individual and team achievement certificates at this week’s Principal’s Assembly. The theme of the assembly encouraged students to reflect on what it means to stay human; to hold on to the unique qualities of empathy, creativity, and integrity that define us, especially in an age increasingly shaped by technology and AI.

Shave for a Cure - Goal Doubled!

Over the past few weeks, sixteen Cashmere students have been working towards Shave for a Cure, a fundraiser that supports the charity organisation Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand, and their mahi to care for and cure those diagnosed with blood cancers. Each of our students had a different story behind their decision to take part, from shaving a long mullet, to honouring a family member, to shaving on their birthday! The support for this cause and our students participating has been awesome - what a way to make an impact with a new haircut!

At lunchtime on Friday, students piled into the gym to watch the big shave take place. The air was humming with anticipation as the audience started a countdown, whooping when the razors buzzed to life at last. One by one, each student stood from the shaving chair to thunderous applause, collecting their certificate and beanie - much needed in the middle of winter! A huge mihi to the brave students who stepped up for this cause; thanks to your amazing efforts, Cashmere doubled our original goal with over $10,000 raised! A special shout out to Ethan Weston who raised more than $2,000 for his shave. Thank you to everyone who kindly donated!

JazzQuest

Last week was a busy one for Cashmere’s jazz musicians, with four of our combos entered in the annual JazzQuest competition. This incredible event - organised by the Ara Music department - included masterclass workshops with the best musicians in the business working one-on-one with our students, and finished with a classy Gala Concert at the Piano on Thursday evening. Our four combos: Swing Theory; Baguette Quintet; Swing and a Miss; and Service Dogs each played swinging twenty-minute sets and should be proud of their awesome mahi.

Two of our combos - Swing Theory and Baguette Quintet - were asked to perform for the British High Commission for their King's Birthday dinner on Wednesday night at the Ilex in the Botanical Gardens. They played for a range of VIP guests including city councillors, politicians and the Mayor of Christchurch; the audience members were blown away by their level of professionalism and talent and were surprised to learn they were High School students and not local professionals!

Cashmere has some fantastic results at JazzQuest: Baguette Quintet and Service Dogs both bagged Bronze Awards; Swing and a Miss secured a Silver Award; and Swing Theory received a Gold Award. Cashmere students Tom Dewar (trumpet) and Frankie Ingram (vocals) also each received Top 3 Nominations for Best Instrumentalist, and Swing Theory received a Top 3 Nomination for Best Combo. A special congratulations to Tristan Dunlop who has been in a Top 3 placing combo for the last three years running, including a win back in 2023! This was his final year of JazzQuest and he was the well deserved winner of both Best Pianist and Best Composition.

A huge thank you to Ara Music and all the Cashmere Jazz tutors for helping these students become such talented young musicians!

Celebrating Leadership and Service – Bradan Foster

Congratulations to Year 13 student Bradan Foster, who was recently recognised at the Matariki Taonga Awards in the Hiwa-i-te-Rangi category for Youth Aspirations. Bradan’s award acknowledges his outstanding service and leadership with the NZ Cadet Forces and the Sumner Surf Life Saving Club. He has shown drive, integrity and maturity in both community and uniformed service. Bradan was also acknowledged at our recent Year 13 Principal’s Assembly — a great example of active citizenship and making a difference for others.

Health Curriculum Survey Reminder

Every two years, schools are required to consult with their community on the delivery of the Health Curriculum. We encourage you to complete the survey by Friday 27 June. Click here to access the survey Thank you for your input.

Key Dates

To keep up to date with what is happening in sport, arts and service please refer to the online calendar on the website HERE
Some Key Events

• Friday 27th June - Australia trip departs - 'Reef & Rainforest'

• Friday 27th June - Last Day of Term 2

• Monday 14th July - First Day of Term 3

• Wednesday 16th July- Careers Expo (5.30pm PAC)

• Monday 21st July - Arts, Sports, Culture Photos: Monday-Wednesday

• Wednesday 30th July - Best of Broadway Music nights: Wednesday-Friday

• Monday 11th August - Senior Exams begin (Week 5-6)

• Monday 25th August - Winter Sport Tournament Week (selected Prem. groups only)

• Friday 5th September - Senior Formal (Y12-13)

• Tuesday 9th September - NCEA Co-Req Numeracy Exam (Yr 10s)