Hart and Parr do it again!

Kia ora ki te whanau o Cathedral Grammar.  

It has been great to see the strength of our family and community in action over the past two weeks. First, it was our parents positively supporting not only their own children, but encouraging and celebrating the success of others at the Swimming Sports. The pupils, too, were vocal in their support for others, particularly if they were in the same House! Fantastic to see such stoic support and passion for the Houses - the cheering was deafening. Congratulations to Girls’ champions Hart, and Boys’ champions, Parr. Congratulations also to those pupils who gained a medal placing, won a cup, broke a record and everyone who pushed themselves as hard as they could. Every effort gains points for the overall tally for each individual's house. Thank you to Mr Matai for organsing these events.

Secondly, the Back to School BBQ was a hit! Great numbers, perfect weather, lots of happy and positive people catching up, or meeting each other, along with children enjoying their friendships and activities. A huge congratulations and thank you to our Friends’ Association for putting on such a fantastic event for us all. You are wonderful people.  Thank you also to the parents of the choristers who ran the food stalls for us as a fundraiser for the ChristChurch Chathedral Choir 2018  tour to Australia and Japan this year.  We also very grateful to those who stayed until the end and helped with the pack and clean-up. I have been told that this does not always happen and it was very much appreciated. More great community spirit!

We have our Y8 pupils away on their camp in the Aoraki Mt Cook region and our Y6 pupils head off to Hanmer Springs tomorrow. Camps are memory creators and these ones will possibly be remembered partly due to the current and impending weather! We are in regular contact with the staff, watching all of the relevant websites and agencies and communicating with parents. We have experienced staff making correct decisions and all reports indicate the pupils are having a great time. I'm sure the Y6 pupils will also.

Clubs are well and truly alive and well at Cathedral Grammar! It was wonderful to wander through our school recently and see such a significant number of our pupils engaged in such a variety of fantastic opportunities. Everyone was busy and thoroughly enjoying what they were doing. It was very pleasing to have one of the people who takes a club to say to me that she visits a lot of schools and she loves Cathedral Grammar the most, due to the very polite and well mannered pupils. She referred to the fact the pupils greet her in the playground and open doors and gates for her. This has been the 'Grammar Way' since 1881, and it is good to know that these practises are still alive and well in 2018.

It has been wonderful to welcome Rev. Felicity Whitcombe into our school community. Her warmth, positivity, enthusiasm and big smile radiate across our campus. She has been full of praise about our school, our staff, our pupils and the wonderful feel and tone she has experienced.  She has told me she believes the school is an outstanding place, not only of learning, but of compassion and grace in the warm and dedicated staff, and that we have every right to feel great pride in what is being accomplished here. It is lovely to receive such validation from someone strong in Anglican faith coming in and experiencing our school.

Please remember:

•  to get any requests or ideas for the Friends' Association Wishlist into the labelled box in the office foyer, or emailed to Tasha Brobyn, hassist@cathedralgrammar.school.nz by this Friday 23 February. 
• to email Tasha Brobyn, hassist@cathedralgrammar.school.nz if you wish to attend one of the three sessions regarding understanding our strategic plan. The dates are as follows:

Tuesday 27 February - 8.30am
Wednesday 28 February - 2.15pm
Thursday 1 March - 7.00pm

Have a fantastic fortnight and thank you for your ongoing support.

Nga mihi,

Scott