Week 10, Term 2, 2023

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava and warm greetings, 

We hope this newsletter finds you and your family well. What a great term it has been. 

North West Music Festival – we want to thank all parents who attended the North West Music Festival last Wednesday night. It was a magnificent evening, and having a strong Cobham contingent was very pleasing. We thank Dr Andrew Withington, a former teacher and conductor of multiple national groups, for his review of the event. Dr Withington said the following about the performances: “Bravo to the soloists for such confident performances. The clarity of the text, balance between the parts, the blended sound, and the rich tone across the range of the voices were excellent. Heartiest congratulations! The exemplary level of focus during your own item and the massed singing was fantastic – and the harmony work provided was crystal clear.”

We are immensely proud of all the outstanding achievements and their dedication. Performing on stage is an integral part of music, and the North-West Festival provides a unique experience. 

Reporting – you will have noted recent learning posts on Hero and the updated progress indicators for reading, maths and writing. If you have yet to do so, please take the time to read the posts and digest the progress indicators, and should you have any questions, please touch base with your child’s teacher early next term. 

Miss Dirkze or Miss D will be on leave for Term 3. She has been awarded a study grant and will take the time to further her qualifications. Rachael Cooper will step up into the role of Deputy Principal for the duration of Term 3.  

Ilam Road Entranceway – we have been dealing with a significant amount of mud on the walkway from Ilam Road. While we have taken steps to redirect students away from the muddy areas and added bark chips, some still manage to find their way into it!! We understand the fascination with mud, but rest assured; we look forward to giving the walkway time to dry out over the next two weeks. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that a new walkway will be up and running from Ilam Road at the beginning of Term 3. The addition will provide students with a more extended pathway that will help them avoid muddy areas. On day one, term three, we will place teachers on the walkway to guide pedestrians. 

We anticipate that Ilam Road will become even busier next term due to the arrival of Burnside Primary students in their new school. For the following two terms, Burnside Primary students must enter their school through the Ilam Road alleyway. We expect this to increase congestion on Ilam Road before and after school. Thankfully, we start 20 minutes earlier and finish ten minutes before Burnside Primary. However, please be assured that the situation will improve at the beginning of next year. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time of transition.

Water Polo – seeing our water polo teams play on Monday night in their finals was incredible! We have a good number of teams across the Canterbury-wide competitions. A big thank you to those parents who support this sport, and a special thanks to Mr Dalzell for all the time and effort he puts into the sport. We look forward to more success for our teams in the coming two terms. 

Book Fair – we will hold a massive sale of new and second-hand books on Friday, 28th July. 

There are hundreds of brand-new and second-hand books with choices to suit every reader. Save the date; more info to come next term.

We would be highly grateful for some extra hands to help; if you can help at all between 12.00-4.00 pm on that day, please email Rebecca at –  cobhamfundraisers2023@gmail.com 

A note from the team at Christchurch Boys’ High: 

Christchurch Boys’ High School Enrolment is happening NOW:

• All applications (in zone and out of zone) must be received by 4.00pm Friday 28th July 2023.
• Please complete the online application form found on the CBHS website. 
• Due to large numbers moving in zone or as late in zone enrolments at the end of 2022 we are encouraging all IN ZONE to please ensure you have completed your enrolment despite knowing you have entry, before the closing date so that your son is counted in our numbers.
• The ballot for out of zone students will be held on Wednesday 2nd August.  Offers of place to students both in and out of zone will be made after the ballot and you should receive confirmation no later than Friday 4th August.  Please check your spam folder before contacting the school.

 

We expect the holidays to be a circuit breaker for the winter ailments circulating our school and the wider community. Thank you all for your support this term, and we look forward to Term 3. 

Regards, 

Eddie Norgate 

Principal