Science Faculty

It has been a real pleasure to return to school this year, meeting both the Science staff and students keen to get stuck into teaching and learning. It is wonderful to see the positive attitudes on display and the many experiments already underway. Science is based on observations, constructing theories to explain phenomena, and then testing these ideas by experiment. When students are actively involved in these processes they can understand and apply new concepts, not only improving their performance in examinations but enabling them to think for themselves and make evidence based decisions in all areas of their lives. The excellent facilities at Cashmere really do enable us to make Science lessons “Fascinating and Fun!” and bring Vibrancy/Hiamo into the labs.

As well as in-class there are a huge range of opportunities for students in Science, both while at school and as future careers, with new discoveries producing new jobs that do not even exist today. The more students take up these opportunities at school the more doors open for them, many of which come with funding and lead to the next amazing opportunity.

Here are some of the Science Opportunities/ Whai Huarahi available to students at Cashmere. There will be others that arise during the year for individuals or classes, so keep an eye on the notices and information from Science teachers:

Science Fair
All Year 9 and 10 students will be carrying out an investigation, research or experiment for the Cashmere Science Fair, to be held early in Term 3. Senior students are encouraged to enter too. Entries from each class will be on display in the library with certificates awarded and parents invited to view. Students may choose to enter the Canterbury-Westland Science Fair in September for a chance of higher honours and prizes.

ICAS Science Competition
Students are encouraged to enter this international competition, especially if they have a good Science general knowledge and are logical thinkers.

Science Club
This after school activity packed with interesting experiments runs in Terms 2 and 3. (limited to 30 students).

Electronics Club
An activity run at lunchtime once per week where students build electronic devices from scratch. This year the aim is to include a programming component using microprocessors.

Space Club
A new initiative which will incorporate aspects of rocketry, astronomy and the existing Satellite Team aiming to launch a satellite into earth orbit. The journey continues as we Ekea ki nga whetū.

Sustainability Council
A student group that meets regularly and implements activities to improve the school environment along sustainable lines.

Bee Club
With the Science Faculty setting up a beehive last year, the Bee Club is in full swing with some tasty honey already sampled.

Healthy ōpāwaho
A group aiming to empower young people to lead community action to help create a healthy River

Space Camp 2023
We hope to be able to run this amazing trip again, consisting of a week of astronaut training at Space Camp, USA followed by an action packed week in Florida including a visit to Kennedy Space Centre. Obviously dependent on safe travel returning.

Reef and Rainforest trip 2022 and 2023
We hope to run these trips again, to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rain forest in tropical Queensland. Also dependent on safe travel returning.

Finally, congratulations to the Science Scholarship students from 2020, who achieved at the highest level despite the problems with Covid.

Chemistry: Sam Anderson, Emily Blennerhassett, Isaac Cone, Kavya Thomas

Biology: Jess Cowie, Catrin Fletcher, Scott Hall, Cassie Tenebaum

Physics: Emily Blennerhassett, Jeremy Gatdula, Alison Murray

Taking on these examinations is another way of extending and challenging yourself, so keep striving for your personal Excellence/ Aorakitaka in all you do.

David Paterson
Head of Faculty