The Cashmere High School Foundation is delighted to introduce Rachel Eadie as its newly appointed Advancement Manager. Through a rigorous selection process, Rachel stood out for her exceptional commercial acumen, networking expertise, and deep commitment to the Cashmere community.
Rachel joins us from a successful career in publishing, most recently as Non-Fiction Publisher at Penguin Random House. She brings significant governance expertise, having served on several boards where she built successful partnerships and achieved impactful community outcomes. As an alumnus of Cashmere High School, the Deputy Chair of the CHS Board of Trustees, and a parent representative on the school’s Kāhui, Rachel has a deep understanding of the school’s needs and values.
“The appointment of an Advancement Manager is an exciting step forward for our school,” said Principal John Stradwick. “This key role goes beyond fundraising; it’s about strengthening community ties to enhance our students’ educational experience through the philanthropic support of our dedicated families, alumni, and partners, who contribute their time, services, and donations.”
“I am thrilled to join the CHS Foundation team and feel immensely privileged to come full circle in this role,” said Rachel. “It’s an honour to give back to the school and community I care deeply about, and to work alongside the teachers who helped shape me. I look forward to building relationships that support the school’s vision and collaborating with alumni and the community to create a lasting impact for Cashmere students.”
We are excited about the expertise Rachel brings and the positive impact she will undoubtedly make. Please join us in warmly welcoming Rachel as she begins this exciting new chapter at the Cashmere High School Foundation.
2025 April
Recently, we welcomed back alumnus and world championmountain bike rider, Charlie Murray (Class of 2013), who shared his inspiring story with students, encouraging them to follow their passions and embrace challenges. In this special moment, he gifted his MTB Enduro World Championship Rainbow Jersey.
Charlie’s journey into professional sport began when his mentor, Justin Leov, encouraged him to take a chance. ‘His belief in me gave me the confidence to leave my engineering career and fully commit to racing.’ By making that bold decision, Charlie unlocked a new chapter in his life. He went on to secure the Rainbow Jersey as part of Team New Zealand’s victory at the Trophy of Nations in Italy, and more recently, claimed victory at the 2024 Poland World Cup.
Although Charlie studied civil engineering at University of Canterbury after leaving school, he now regrets not pursuing a different stream of engineering. Reflecting on his experience, he shared with an assembly of students that many of his choices were influenced by what his peers were doing rather than his own true interests. He urged the students to carefully consider their next steps after school, advising them to choose university courses that align with their passions and strengths, rather than simply following the crowd.
Charlie credits Cashmere with laying the foundation for both his career and life. ‘The confidence to take risks and the resilience to handle failure have empowered me to chase my dreams. The staff, community, and students at Cashmere are some of the best people I’ve had the privilege to be around. Kia ora.’
In addition to his athletic success, Charlie is also a mentor and founder of WeAreGritt, a charity that helps young athletes turn their hobbies into careers. ‘I believe hobbies can become meaningful careers, and through our program, we work to inspire young athletes to keep pushing toward their goals while providing support during the tough moments when they need it most.’ His journey is a testament to the power of belief, perseverance, and the importance of giving back to the community that helped shape him.