Spring Success!

By Nick Leith | Posted: Wednesday November 1, 2017

The start of Term 4 has brought new challenges and some stunning success across our school.

Kia ora Koutou, 

We are well into the final term for the year. Nothing brings on the beginning of summer like a school athletics day. Huge thanks to all the parents and whānau who were able to take time to join us on Tuesday. Athletics days take a large amount of co-ordination and a bit of luck with the weather. It’s fair to say that we were successful in both departments this Tuesday. Thanks to Emily Mordue for her time setting up the day, with a large amount of support from the Casebrook staff. Our students were competing not only for personal bests but the chance to represent Casebrook at the Canterbury Inter-Intermediate Athletics Champs held in Ashburton later in the month. Good luck to all who are hoping to make that team. It is another wonderful opportunity to represent self and school on a competitive stage. 

Another pair of groups representing Casebrook proudly were our Rock Band and Kapa Haka. They set a very high bar of performance at the Northcote community celebration last Friday afternoon. We thank them for their involvement and efforts at the end of a very busy week; it is great to have the opportunity to share our school’s talent with the wider community. 

On a similar note, we hope you’ll join us for an important evening of song, dance, music and performance at the ‘On Our Way’ evening on Thursday 30th November. For many groups, this is a chance to share a years tuition and hard work learning new instruments, dances or songs. The evening begins at 7:00pm. 

Our water polo A & B teams deserve a very special mention. Their trip to Dunedin to compete in the South Island Water Polo champs was our most successful trip ever. This was the case in every facet thanks to the superb family support, fundraising and great training and organisation from Casebrook teacher Tom Straker and our coaches Connor Watherston-Spencer and Justin Perriam.  We are so proud of their outstanding results of second and fifth place at the tournament. 

A special mention to a group of students who have been true ambassadors for digital learning and creativity in our digital-space, led by Shona Kelleher. Liam McIntyre and Neo Irionare travelling to Tauranga for the Made Awards next week - this is the NZ Primary and Intermediate Schools most notable competition and to be elected as finalists is the highest honour. Good luck for even more honours! 

There is information in this newsletter about ‘STEAM+ Expo’ coming up later this month. This is another showcase of awesome learning and skill development, lead by our specialist and technology classroom team. We hope you can join us on one of those nights - Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd November in our school hall.

Finally, there are some important dates to put in your diary for the end of the term in this newsletter. We love celebrating the success and achievements of our students in various ways, our final assemblies are another way to do this. We really hope you can join us for those events in the final weeks of the term. 

Thanks as always for your support, 

Nick Leith