Dear Parents and Caregivers, It really is quite amazing how quickly the years go by when working in a school setting.

As you may be aware, we are part of a Community of Learning, which encompasses Kaiapoi High School and the main contributing schools in our area: Kaiapoi North, Kaiapoi Borough, St Patrick's, Tuahiwi, Ouruhia, Woodend, Clarkville and Pegasus Bay.

It was a pleasure to have our new gymnasium announced officially opened by Mayor David Ayers and blessed by Papa Pone on Friday 13th September.

CACTUS is over for 2019! This term we had a group of over 20 students, including two of our Head Students, Flynn and Matt!

2019 saw the SISS Netball Tournament played at the Saxton Courts and Stadium in Nelson.

During tournament week, the senior girls' team travelled north to Nelson this year in search of a high placing in the South Island Secondary Schools' champs.

A brilliant result for the first year running the Language Perfect Global Championships at Kaiapoi High School; the students competed avec tous les coeurs (with all their hearts) and matched that with some outstanding results.

There has been a lot going on in the Technology Faculty this term.

The Dance and Drama Departments have once again had a busy term.

This year Kaiapoi High School sent a boys and girls team to Dunedin to the Junior South Island Secondary Schools' Basketball tournament. Both teams did well, the boys were placed 3rd and the girls came 14th.

On Tuesday 17th September the KHS Choir performed at the Voices Festival.

This year Cowles Stadium, Christchurch, played host to the Schick Southern Basketball Cup where 12 teams, including Kaiapoi High School, did their best to out-shoot, outsmart, out-muscle and out-hustle the opposing teams to claim the glory.

After a solid season, finishing third equal in the Christchurch secondary schools' competition, the KHS Girls' Hockey team ventured down south to Cromwell during tournament week to compete in the Jenny McDonald Cup.

Spring has now arrived and that feeling of summer being just around the corner! Term 3 has been an exceptionally busy term in the International Department.

The Royal Thai Embassy is offering NZ secondary school students a Thailand - NZ Language & Cultural Student Exchange from 3 January - 5 February 2020.

For the first time, this year we had three students enter the competition and they all did really well.

Term 3 has been another busy one in the Sports Department.

The Kaiapoi High School formal for 2019 was a Winter Wonderland theme.

Kaiapoi High School has a long tradition of attending camps at Boyle River with thousands of students having enjoyed their time in the outdoors. This year's 9K and 9Q students were no exception.

The 9A and 9V camp was a great success! The students were really excited to get outdoors and try new things.

This year 9C and 9T were the second group to embark on Year 9 camp. Just missing the snow, there was still a bitter chill in the air. The students were all buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the next three days.

On Monday 5th August, 9H and 9L arrived at the Boyle River Lodge, which was completely covered in snow!

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.