Kia Ora Koutou,

Year 9 students have had a fantastic Term 3, setting themselves up for an excellent final term for 2024. We have seen much action both inside and outside of the classroom across many sporting, cultural, artistic and academic domains.  The overwhelmingly positive and settled feeling within the year group is reflected in 90% of students achieving above 80% in Term Three graduation reports. 

The Year 9 Student Council under the leadership of Mrs Newton, were busy planning the Brain Blast Challenge which was run over several extended form times in Term 3, to facilitate connection, competition, and fun.  Our champions were 9SSJ with 9TEB coming a close second. Congratulations to them and 9SSJ who have a yummy pizza lunch coming their way on the first Wednesday of Term 4.  We look forward to what other exciting projects the student council will bring us next term.

It is wonderful to see the many ways Year 9’s who put their hands up to get involved and make a positive difference in our community. Some examples of this include a group of students helping with a Boccia tournament and another group who volunteered to help run the Special Olympics Basketball tournament.  There were also many students who helped mark at our Kahui Year 5-8 Maths Championships. Your generosity and willingness to help others and give back is to be commended.

Our winter sports season has come to an end with a number of our students heavily involved and successful in the many extra-curricular activities on offer to them within the school.  We likewise have many students signed up for Summer Sport in competitive and social teams.  If your child has yet to join a team or activity, keep an eye on the notices or check out the sporty website as opportunities continue to come up throughout the year.  

There were several Year 9 students competing at national level.  Special mention to:

• Paris Edlin and McLane Gordon for coming second in the Year 9 Mixed Relay team for the NZSS Cross Country

• Timon Spill, Louis van Keulen and Hamish Zinan for gaining 1st place in the Junior boys NZSS Orienteering Championships

• Ivy O’Meagher for being the Canterbury Artistic Gymnastics Step 8 Champion

• Curtis Gilmore and Ethan Parkes for coming 1st in the SISS Squash Boys Div 4 competition.

It was also a thrill to hear our Year 9 Readers Cup team of Lucy Reynolds, Es Pitts, Amelia Finlay-Smits, Ollie Hair and Charlie Hair won this year’s National title which was recently held in the last week of Term 3 in Auckland. Congratulations on a truly amazing achievement!      

This term, COVE awards were presented to Ziva Bull and Levi Weston, both of whom exemplify our school values in action.  Congratulations again to you both.  

The final term includes junior examinations, junior activities day and end of year prize-giving’s.  It is an important time to maintain high standards of behaviour and effort, reflect on this year and set goals for the future.

Finally, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome your HOS, Mr Brett Cox back for Term 4. If there is anything that you would like to discuss with me or Brett Cox, please be in contact, either (cxb@cashmere.school.nz) or (bol@cashmere.school.nz) or by phone (3374826).

Lisa Book
Acting Head of School | Year 9