On November 3rd, the Cashmere High School Foundation hosted a 10-year reunion for the Class of 2013. It was held in the Performing Arts Centre and was attended by approximately 65 2013 graduates, plus partners and staff.
Guests gathered in the auditorium for a formal welcome, which included brief speeches by principal, Joe Eccleton, the 2013 Head of School, Ken Thomson, two of the 2013 Head Students and the 2023 Head Boy and Head Girl. Following the formalities, guests were taken on guided tours around the school so they could see the amazing additions and improvements that have been made to the school’s learning spaces over the past ten years.
Of course, there was also plenty of time for guests to catch up and reminisce over drinks and nibbles.
Music was provided by jazz band, Frenesi Quartet (all CHS alumni).
Make sure you keep your details with us updated so we can keep you informed of further reunions!
2023 November
The Foundation Pupils Association is a past pupils group limited to pupils who attended Cashmere High School in the first 5 years. It is through this group of Foundation Pupils that the Cashmere High School Foundation was established, to ensure Cashmere High School was supported by its past students well into the future. Many years ago the Foundation Past Pupils set up a Year 13 award of $1000 for the graduating student displaying All Round Excellence in curricular and co-curricular areas.
This year’s recipient of the All Round Excellence Prize is described as a motivated and diligent student, who works consistently well in all of her subjects.
This student ranked 3rd in Music 301, 12th in Chemistry, 12th in Physics in 2023. She has also achieved an A in her first year Environmental Science paper at the University of Canterbury this year.
A member of the Year 13 Student Council and the full Student Council, this young woman has contributed to the organisation of school events in 2023.
She has also been involved in water testing for the Sustainability Council this year.
This young woman was elected to be the Student representative on the Board of Trustees for 2024 and has done a wonderful job, keeping the Board informed on student matters.
She has been a member of the Senior Adventure racing team who went to Nationals in early October in Tongariro. Her dedication to training made her a physically fit and strong team member with the endurance to compete across various multisport disciplines over 5 days (running, kayaking, trekking, high ropes, mountain biking). In addition, this young woman’s ability to think logically and calmly under pressure made her an asset to her team, especially during problem solving challenges. The team placed 7th in the country at this event.
An outstanding musician, this student has been involved over the last five years in our Orchestra as Principal Violin and Concert-Master, in Concert Band, Choir, Chamber Choir, Octaves, String Ensemble and even Percussion Ensemble. She also led the Orchestra for our most recent production of Jesus Christ Superstar as well as playing in Sweeney Todd, countless concerts and has been a winner of many awards in the October Music Competition.
For the last two years this student has been a member of the First Violins of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra performing some of the greatest works by Mahler, Elgar and Copland under internationally renowned conductors. She also successfully auditioned for the NZSO Young Artists Showcase this year. For the last four years she has been a member of the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra rising to the posting of Associate Concertmaster this year.
She has competed very successfully many times in the NZ Chamber Music Competitions and also tutored a younger group. She is a member of the Big Band and Strings project for the upcoming Chch Big Band Festival and last year became an Associate of Trinity College gaining Distinction for her ATCL in Violin. This year she was also an Ambassador for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
This student has been accepted to the NZ School of Music and the Otago Performance Programme for 2024.
Congratulations to Orla Dunlop, the 2023 winner of the Foundation Pupils All Round Excellence Prize.
