Kia ora koutou and welcome back to term 2! Things are slowly returning to “normal” around the school and the term is shaping up to be a busy one. Winter sports are starting up this term, there are various subject-specific trips away for Year 12 classes, and the fashion and wearable arts competition will be held at the end of the term. A reminder that senior parent teacher interviews are also being held in weeks 3 and 4. This is a great chance to connect with your child’s teachers to see how they are doing in each of their subjects.

Despite ongoing restrictions, we had a number of Year 12s competing and gaining some fantastic results in a range of activities during term 1. Sophie Brand, Chloe Chittenden and Emma Eastwick were part of the Cashmere team that competed in the South Island Secondary Schools Dragon Boating Regatta, gaining second place trophies for both the 250m and 420m races. At the Torpedo 7 New Zealand National Mountain Bike Championships Maria Laurie came first in the U19 Cross Country and Leah Smith came 2nd in the U19 Downhill. Leah also finished 3rd overall in the MTB NZ Downhill Series which was run nationally throughout summer. Jack Bonner continues his bowls success taking out the Canterbury Secondary Schools singles champion for the second year running. He was also selected to play for the Canterbury Development squad and was in the winning team at the southern quad. Cashmere High School’s rowing success continued at the Maadi Cup with Sam Clelland and Oscar Clatworthy finishing 4th in the boys U18 Eight (our best ever finish in the premier race) and 5th in the boys U18 Four. They were also joined by James Martin to come 5th in the boys U17 Four. Congratulations to Matthew Fairhall who has been selected to be on the very first ever School Sport NZ Student Athlete Commission for 2022 & 2023, taking one of only 12 places offered nationally. In the music world, Orla Dunlop and Abigail Wheeler were accepted into the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, which is a fantastic recognition of their musical talent. Jasper Murray set a new world record for speedcubing, the first time a New Zealander has done this. Natasha MacGibbon also continued her impressive haul of medals and titles at the NZCT 2022 NZ Canoe Sprint Championships. Along with her multiple first and second placings, she has also been selected as part of the NZ team for the 2022 Asia Pacific Sprint Regatta to be held in Komatsu, Japan later this year. Well done to everyone who has achieved well in whatever activity they have participated in. I am continually overwhelmed at the depth and breadth of talent that we have amongst our year group. I am sure that Term 2 will offer many more chances of success and high achievement.

Despite the difficult start to the year, I continue to be impressed and extremely proud of the cohort as a whole. The way they act as a year group, the positivity and kindness they bring to the school, and the continual effort and excellence they show in their studies really are an asset to our school. As senior students they are really setting fine examples for our younger students and making a positive and lasting contribution to the culture of the school.

I am looking forward to continuing the journey with them and am privileged to be able to observe so closely their transformation into responsible, empathetic, and successful members of society.

Noho ora mai,

Brett Cox
Head of School | Year 12