Kia Ora Koutou,

Cashmere’s largest ever year group is going from strength to strength with more students taking up the challenge to “Open the Door”. This term was all about being open to what was closed. Students were encouraged to keep an open mind and push their comfort zones and challenge what they believe is possible. The feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive and it is great to see more students accepting and embracing our COVE values.

The student council have been busy including a great result from the Mud Run with Year 9 teams taking out the top 3 placings in the Secondary 5km competition, we look forward to celebrating them at our next assembly. Each form class attempted to break a world record, this included stacking M&M’s, most leap frogs and high fives in a minute, and eating a chocolate bar in the fastest time. No official records were broken, and students across all of the classes were seen getting involved and encouraging others. A warm up Year 9 v Year 10 competition was held at the end of the term. There was huge participation in the multisport and basketball, and I want to thank the students who orgainsed this event, and well done to everyone who participated.

The success for this cohort has continued outside of the classroom. Examples of this include James Burnby being selected for the Under 23 Men's Canterbury Netball team, a fantastic achievement at such a young age. Millie Junge continued her success in cycling with a 1st place the SISS Road Race Championship U15 Girls, a Silver in the NZ Schools National Criterium U15 Girls, and 1st in the Cycling Southern Tour Time Trial U15 Girls. Thomas Zinzan achieved success in the SISS Orienteering Championship placing 1st in Sprint and 2nd in Long Distance races. Grace Billings, Clementine Bruce, Zara Dyhrberg, and Milly Fear-Ross placed 3rd in the South Island Rock Climbing Open Female Division team event, while Katie Chinn placed 2nd Open Mixed Division Team event. Connor Ritchie placed 1st in the Junior Open section of SISS Canoe Polo Champs. Lily Porteous was a Member of South Island Tournament Winning 1st XI Girls Football Team and Mia Englegield was a cast member of the hugely successful major school production, Jesus Christ Superstar. Our lead student Zoe M Clarke was recognised with a COVE award, this was an easy decision with her efforts in and out of the class, including her work on both the Year 9 and student council.

Term 4 is a busy time for all of our students. It is an important time to reflect on this year, and make sure we are ready for the challenges that Year 10 will bring. If there is anything that you would like to discuss with me please be in contact, either via email (mwn@cashmere.school.nz) or by phone (3374721).

Nick Milward
Head of School | Year 9