Ko te manu e kai i te miro nōna te ngahere, ko te manu kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.

The bird that eats the miro berry owns the forest. The bird that feasts on knowledge owns the world.

Nau mai, haere mai and a very warm welcome to you all. It is so wonderful to have students back in the school again after the long summer break - He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata! I hope you all managed to relax, recharge and spend quality time with those you love. This year we welcome six new Year 13 students to Cashmere High School - I wish you all the best in settling into our kura.

Wandering around the school and in and out of classrooms has shown me that the Year 13 cohort has started the year with focus and engagement in their learning. As Year 13 students you set the tone and role modelling for younger students. This includes how you spend your study periods, how you behave outside the school, how you drive, what you say and what you do around the school grounds. You have the opportunity to make a genuine and meaningful difference both within and outside our kura, and so I encourage you to act with care. Our Peer Support leaders have done a phenomenal job welcoming our Year 9 cohort, and working alongside them to help them transition successfully into our kura - thank you for all your hard work.

It’s wonderful to be able to acknowledge some of our akonga who, over the summer break, have been working hard. Firstly, a huge mihi to Solitaire Barlow, Emily Cropp, Lucia Tod and Mal Wickham who have been training all summer to participate in the two-day Coast to Coast event. Unfortunately, due to the red light setting, this event has been cancelled but their training will not go to waste as their sponsors have created a multisport event that will test their limits and give them something to continue working towards. I wish them all the very best with that. Congratulations to Petra Arthur and Hunter Wilkinson who, along with two other teammates, participated in the Elliot 6 South Island Interclub Regatta, and came first overall. Our rowers and beach volleyballers have also been busy in their respective sports competing and excelling throughout the summer. Also, congratulations to Toby Hull, who was the 2021 Tom Latham Kookaburra Scholarship, from the North West Youth Cricket Club.

Year 13 is a big year. A vital key to success will be good time management. Often at this age, students are juggling school, leadership, work, sports, art folios, friends, and family commitments. It is important to plan ahead to ensure that it is all manageable. This might include getting an early start on schoolwork where possible, knowing your limits and seeking support when it is needed.

I am looking forward to what 2022 holds for our cohort, and to seeing them continue to grow into capable and confident young adults who contribute positively to our community. As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns or queries: bea@cashmere.school.nz or 337 4726.

Aysha Beer
Year 13 Head of School