Tihei Mauri ora e te whanau. I hope you and your whanau are well as we enter into the winter months. Term 2 is a critical time of the year for our students. It is a time in which much of their focus needs to be on their academic programmes.

Earth & Space Science

On the 26th of May the Earth and Space Science Department held a star gazing event to celebrate the arrival of their new telescope, thanks to the kindness of the CHS Parents Group. It was attended by around 50 Earth and Space students from Years 12 & 13, along with their friends and families. It was a fantastic opportunity to view the blood moon - a lunar eclipse that will not happen again for another 40 years.

As it got closer and closer to the big moment, the ominous cloud cleared and the stars became brighter, making for excellent viewing through the telescope. Although it was a chilly night, everyone came prepared with warm clothes, hot drinks, blankets and in some cases, pajamas!

A huge thank you to Anna Morrison and Finn LeSueur from the ESS Department for helping to put this event together.

Jordyn Sadler

Head of Earth and Space Science 

ShowQuest

A big congratulation to all our students involved in Showquest 2021. This is a big event on the school calendar and we were happy to place third in the competition. This is a student led performance that requires numerous hours of practice and preparation. A big thank you must go to our Head of Drama, Shaun Edwards-Brown for his guidance and leadership throughout the journey.

Choral Celebration

On Thursday 27th May, the CHS Music Department held our annual 'Choral Celebration' Concert. This featured our main choir 'Cashmere Voices', Male Voices, Octaves (our Girls Chorus) and the Chamber Choir. Continuing the tradition of collaborating with other schools we also had guest choirs from St. Bedes College, Middleton Grange School and the Christchurch Youth Choir performing as well. All the singers joined together for a combined item to end the evening.

This was a wonderful occasion hosted and MC’d by our Head of Music, Mr Grant Bartley.

Parent Teacher Interviews

A big mihi to all of our parents who attended our senior parent interviews last week. We really appreciated the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the progress your child is making.

Language Perfect

Congratulations to our Education Perfect Languages Championships Elite winners. We were able to retain the title for the 6th straight year!. Elite winners must gain over 10,000 points on the Language platform over a one week period. Congratulations to all our Elite winners.

Isabella Gordon, Emily Cropp, Finn Cudby, Levi Parlane, Ruan Tunnicliffe, Cooper Brown Lee, Genevieve Mann, Ivan Santos, Tora Shin, Cora Scott and Hayley Falloon.

Celebrating success

Over the past two weeks we have celebrated the achievements of our Year 12 and Year 13 students at our Principal’s Assembly. I am in awe of the depth and breadth of success our students are enjoying. During these assemblies we have recognised national representation in sports and music, the talented showquest cast, three of our bands that have made the Smokefree Rockquest regional finals and regional and South Island competition winners. We have also recognised a number of students for their service to communities.

A special mention to our COVE award winners, Polly Daniels, Jayden Rosanowski and Oakley Inkersell. These students earned our most prestigious awards for demonstrating our values of Citizenship, Opportunities, vibrancy and Excellence.

Winter Sports Begins

Term 2 signals the start of our Winter Sports programme. Thank you to all the parents and whanau who come down and support all of our teams. We are incredibly lucky to have so many staff involved in our teams and we also thank the many parents who coach and support our programmes. A list of the main sports that are competing this year:

· Badminton

· Basketball

· Football

· Hockey

· Netball

· Road Cycling

· Rugby

· Squash

· Table Tennis

Smokefree Rockquest

Well done to the three Cashmere bands who competed and made it through to the Rockquest finals!

· Burning Monk (Dominic Muller, Daniel Clayton, Harvey Dennison, Duncan Gardner)

· Portland (Briannah Jarvis, Archie MacDonald, Jack MacDonald, Liam Crawford, Jono Blackie)

· T3 (Theo Clancey, Thomas Johnson, Thomas Brooks)

Quizmere

Sheppard House were the winners of our annual Quizmere Competition. It was great to see so many staff and students involved.

NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) Youth Mentorship Programme

Amelia Kirkness has been selected as one of just six secondary students in the country to receive a mentorship with a professional writer, as part of the NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) Youth Mentorship Programme. Usually, only four mentorships are awarded, but this year the panel found it impossible to limit the mentorships to four, and recommended two additional mini mentorships. Amelia received one of these. She will have the opportunity to hone her writing skills and develop her craft, with a particular focus on putting together her own collection of poetry. Congratulations, Amelia!

Cashmere High School Careers Expo

We have a great mix of tertiary providers and businesses joining us. This is an open night for all students and caregivers, providing everyone with an opportunity to have some face to face conversations about future pathways. We also have an inspiring keynote speaker - Gary Endacott. He will discuss his own passions and pathways to overcome a physical disability to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, become a Physical Disability Champion Tennis player, and complete the New York Marathon.

There will be information from our Careers Centre, an interactive Inzone Careers Bus to help students explore their pathways and even a digger simulator!

Thursday 17th June 2021

Doors open - 5.30pm

Keynote speaker – 5.45pm

Young Totara Award 2021

Earlier this year, Sophie Hartshaw was nominated for a Young Totara Award - 'Service beyond Self'

This Award recognises the positive achievements of our young people, promotes sound role models for our youth, and fosters responsible attitudes towards the community.

The future of the planet will be in the hands of the youth of today.

We are extremely proud to announce that Sophie Hartshaw was awarded this prestigious award.

Who’s who at Cashmere 

Tēnā koutou katoa

Tu mai ra a Aoraki raua ko Manganui

Ko Ōtakaro te awa

Ko Ingarangi te iwi

Ko Squire toku whanau

Ko Trudi Squire toku wahine

Ko Ben toku tama

Ko Lily toku tamāhine

Ko Craig Squire toku ingoa

No reira Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa

Te hei Mauri ora

I am one of the Deputy Principals at Cashmere High School. I first started at Te iringa o Kahukura in 2002 as a Physical Education and Health teacher after completing my degree at the University of Canterbury and Teachers College (at the time). I was drawn to teaching because I really enjoy supporting and helping students to achieve success.

As part of my current role I work closely with the Year 10 Head of School, Margaux Hlavac and Assistant, Nick Milward. I also work alongside the Māori and Arts Departments and support our Principal’s Nominee for NCEA/NZQA, Laura Martin.

During my time at Cashmere High School I have been part of coaching volleyball, futsal and girls football and Tom Wilkinson and I currently coach the first XI boys football team which won the Premier Football competition in 2020. These extra curricular activities have brought many highlights to my teaching career so far.

Outside of school I enjoy playing football, mountain biking, playing the guitar, working in the workshop and spending time with my family.

I believe in always putting people first and value connecting with others.

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

(What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people)

The Two Weeks Ahead