Kia ora e te whaanau o te kura tuarua o Te Oko Horoi,
Dear parents / caregivers of Cambridge High School,
As the term draws to a close, it is an ideal time to reflect and be thankful for the strong school community we form together. The start of the school year is always challenging for our rangatahi. Setting goals, academic and otherwise, and making progress towards REACHing them is cause for celebration.
Term 2 will seem much shorter than this one. Firstly, because it is (!) and secondly, because there will be no settling in time. Our core business is teaching and learning, and we intend to get right back to that from the first day back, 28 April (timetable Day 6). Your support in having students ready for school – with correct uniform and equipment – will be greatly appreciated. I trust you received valuable information at the recent parent/teacher meetings, information that will help set them up for success as their 2025 learning journey continues in term 2.
As many of you will have seen on social media, we bid farewell this term to Mr Marty Gleave and Mr Blair Ludlum. Together, these two Cambridge High stalwarts have over 60 years of service to the school. This is incredible dedication in a modern era where workplaces and careers often change and is a fine example of what is possible within education. Mr Gleave and Mr Ludlum have touched many lives during their time with us, and both shared powerful messages with the school during the assembly last Wednesday. If you would like to see this, and to see the wonderful student-led haka performed in their honour, the recording of the full assembly is here. We wish them all that they wish for themselves as they head into their next chapters.
Congratulations are due to Mrs Ball, who will step into the Acting Head of Faculty role in Social Sciences (replacing Mr Ludlum while we recruit a permanent appointee), and Mrs James, who becomes the Head of our Guidance department, Mr Gleave’s former role.
While the noise of productive teaching may die down for two weeks, school activities continue. The opportunities we offer our students are many and varied. We currently have a group of students enjoying a cultural experience in Singapore, and a separate trip with similar objectives departs for France on Saturday. We wish all concerned safe travels and plentiful fun and learning.
Our programme has been so packed with activities and successes it is difficult to list them all here. I ask that you follow our school Facebook page to look back at our Tournament Week medallists, hockey success, and recent outstanding achievements at the NZ Youth Jazz Festival and Shakespeare Festival – both this week! We will share these achievements with the school at an appropriate assembly early next term.
We are incredibly proud of all who represent our school. It is not only those who receive the accolades that make the difference, but all those who take part, coach, manage and volunteer, who create the environment that makes success possible.
On behalf of all CHS staff, I hope you enjoy the upcoming break and get some quality whaanau time along the way.
PL McAvoy
Acting Principal
