Here they are: Our future

They’ve come through a pandemic, lived through their first global recession and a cost-of-living crisis might limit how much money their whānau can spend on them.

But the 353 Year Nine students who started at Cambridge High School last week – along with 11 new teachers and two support staff – were still full of hope and excitement.

Principal Greg Thornton, teachers, staff, and supporters moved from the crammed old gymnasium into the spacious new one for the pōwhiri and they welcomed in the new staff followed by the students.

Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri. From left: Karyn Porton,  Erin Twyman, Bronwyn Laundry, Whaea Katie Wynyard. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

About 80-85 per cent of the 12 and 13-year-olds had come from Cambridge Middle School, the rest from small schools like Te Miro and Horahora, with larger numbers from Hautapu, Kaipaki, Ōhaupō and St Peter’s Catholic.

Among them are future politicians, sports stars and business leaders

What lies ahead for them? Over the next five years The News will follow their progress.

Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri including Angela Wood with her mobility dog Harry. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri. From left: Whaea Katie Wynyard, Erin Twyman, Karyn Porton, Whaea Vy Conrad, Carol Webb (Deputy Principal); front: Matua Daniel Peters, Greg Thornton (Principal). Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Whaea Katie Wynyard at the Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

The new Year Nines wait in the old gymnasium at the Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Cambridge High School Year 9 and new staff powhiri. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

More Recent News

It’s down to specials

8.15pm There have been no changes to the council and community boards following the special vote count. The voter return was 41.99%, being 17,411 votes, including special votes. Waipa voted to remove the Maori ward…

St Pierre third but happy

Clare St Pierre finished third out of three in the Waipā mayoralty race, but says it was an “amazing experience” She retained her Pirongia-Kakepuku ward seat on council and is seen as a potential deputy…

Jumble record set

Cambridge’s Jumble Around op-shop has done it again. It has broken all previous records with its 2025 distribution, having just handed out $220,000 to 97 not-for-profit organisations and groups in the Cambridge area.  Last year,…

Smooth roads ahead

From now until March, road workers are undertaking a significant rebuild programme on state highways including the Waikato Expressway, south of Cambridge, and SH3 near Te Awamutu. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) project is…