http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.camhigh.school.nz en-us Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:53:58 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/167131/mrsmckinnon-retires-after-35-years-at-cambridge-high/ After a more than 40-year teaching career, including 35 at Cambridge High School, Sandra McKinnon is retiring. Mrs McKinnon has worked at Cambridge High School since 1991 in roles across the senior leadership team. But 40 years ago, there was “never any doubt” she wanted to teach. Originally from Auckland, after leaving high school   She took a gap year and completed an Executive Business course before beginning a Bachelor... Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:13:18 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post167131 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/166970/an-unexpected-journey/ Kia ora koutou,An 11-week term isn't normal.   You see it in the calendar and then it never ends, and so for some it has felt a little like an unexpected journey.  Hopefully not wandering aimlessly through Middle Earth, rather a long  and well-guided expedition with the occasional detour (and perhaps the odd missing sock).Across the school, it has been a busy and purposeful time. Classrooms have been focused, assessments have been tackled with determination, and students have... Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:11:19 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post166970 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/166670/reimagined-cutting-edge-classroom-block-nears-completion/ Almost 30 years after its initial construction, Cambridge High School’s newly refurbished Marshall Block is getting ready to reopen featuring new technology and teaching spaces. The building has been closed for refurbishments all year and Acting Principal Paul McAvoy expects it to reopen in the first half of Term 3. Marshall (M) Block first opened in August 1998, replacing C Block which had been destroyed in a fire on A... Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:54:52 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post166670 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/166190/using-the-force-on-friday/ Fieldays Friday has traditionally been a Teacher-Only Day in our town and so it is again for us this year.  Every time there is a day like this, almost irrespective of whichever school you're with, parents are told it's important for curriculum preparation...or professional development...or some other education-ish reason that no one outside of school really knows anything about.   You might read what follows and still have that impression, but here goes:On a random evening a coup... Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:06:28 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post166190 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/165331/careerwise-the-new-online-careers-platform/ The Careers Faculty is excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Cambridge High School CareerWise website!CareerWise is an online hub for Careers. Students, teachers and whaanau can find all our school's valuable careers resources on a single site. This new online platform has been designed to make career planning, tertiary pathways, and future opportunities easier to explore and understand.Through the new website, you can now:Explore career pathways and industriesDiscover how the Careers ... Mon, 25 May 2026 09:46:27 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post165331 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/165301/sadd-not-sad/ Kia ora CHS whaanau,Well, the weeks start comin' and they don't stop comin'. Fed to the rules and I hit the ground runnin'.How many of you sang that as the song from Shrek when you read it?  It's how we all feel at the moment.  The middle of the longest term of the year and the academic grind is on.  That's why it's a key time to provide reassurance to our young people that they have support - at home and at school - if they need it, and to help them believe in themselves.  D... Fri, 22 May 2026 15:08:23 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post165301 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/164488/game-of-thrones-mythbusters-and-together-we-can/ Kia ora koutou,This last week in particular, it struck me just how much stronger we are together, and how a shared purpose can help us help those who you entrust to us each day.Since taking on this role, I have had the privilege of speaking to a significant number of parents on the phone, through email, or just by chatting next to a field.  The common theme is that we all just want the best for our children.  Sometimes that presents in different ways, and views don't always align, but ... Tue, 12 May 2026 16:56:22 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post164488 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/163725/open-day-and-uniform-update/ Dear CHS Whaanau,The thing that has always struck me about Cambridge is how intertwined every part of this community is. People work together, help each other, and really appreciate just how fortunate we are to have the town we do. Cambridge High School relies on the town for its students, and the town relies on us for the next generation that will help maintain standards in all areas of life here.Linked to this, our Open Day, taking place on Thursday 30 April, is an opportunity for us to displa... Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:18:54 +1200 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post163725 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/163119/thanks-everyone/ Kia ora e te whaanau o te kura tuarua o Te Oko Horoi,Dear parents / caregivers of Cambridge High School,This is my last week as Principal at Cambridge High School and I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to our staff and the community. It has been a privilege to work with people who are passionate about the high-quality learning environment that CHS offers our community. In the farewells this week we re-visited experiences from my seven years in the role, and it was incredible to re... Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:38:44 +1300 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post163119 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/post/161548/attendance-everyday-matters/ Kia ora e te whānau o Te Kura Tuarua o Te Oko Horoi,Good afternoon Parents/Caregivers and studentsAs we settle into the year, I want to take a moment to update you on an important area of focus for all schools across New Zealand — student attendance rates. Ensuring that every student is present, engaged, and supported is essential to their learning, progress, and overall wellbeing. Regular attendance helps students build strong relationships, stay connected to their learning, and experience s... Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:50:52 +1300 http://www.camhigh.school.nz/blog/#post161548