By Kelly Hamer | Posted: Wednesday August 26, 2026
The latests updates for our community
1. Zingari Softball Club
2. Temuka Colour Canter
3. Ellerslie School
4. Tennis SC
5. Outdoor Expo ChCH
6. Luminaires Charitable Trust
7. Waimate Agricultural Trust
8. Motueka Adventure Race
9. Y Central South Island
10. Fulton Hogan Cadetship Programme
11. Schools Duathlon @ Levels Raceway Oct 14th
12. Street Smart Driving
13. Grown together Parenting Hub
14. Southern Swing Golf Series
15. South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support
The South Canterbury Softball season is due to start in October 2026.
Games are played at Sir Basil Arthur Park, with:
Friday afternoons/evenings for junior and competitive senior grades
Tuesday evenings for Slow Pitch softball (come along and have a go the range of players are newbies to old pro's).
We have teams and opportunities for players of all ages, from 5 years old through to adults, catering for both new and experienced players.
See Attached Poster for details
We’re getting closer to the Temuka Colour Canter, happening on Saturday 17th October.
This is a fun, family-friendly event and we’d love to see families from across the wider community get involved.
This event is being held as part of our fundraising campaign to purchase a school van for St Joseph’s Temuka. The school currently doesn’t have a van of its own, meaning we rely on hiring transport or finding alternative options when students need to travel for sporting events, school activities, trips and other opportunities outside the school grounds.
Tickets are available now, and families can find all the event details and register here: Temuka Colour Canter
See attached Poster
Are you a former student or staff member of Ellerslie School? We welcome you to be a part of our Alumni community!
Please join us in celebrating our history - share your memories with us and connect with past whānau of Ellerslie School.
If you would like to be kept up to date on all the festivities to celebrate our special 150th birthday occasion to be held in 2027, please sign up to our database by completing this form:
https://forms.gle/X1QTFxnRcNGpPyfK9
Please sign up to our Ellerslie School Alumni Facebook page with an Instagram page coming soon: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582768932221
If you have any queries please email: alumni@ellerslie.school.nz.
October 5, 2026 - October 6, 2026
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Download ICS Google Calendar iCalendar Office 365 Outlook Live
South Canterbury’s annual Junior Spring Open is now open for entries, please click here to enter https://tnz.tournamentsoftware.com/tournament/5E077057-AFBE-4D53-B35D-7EABBF88498B
Age groups, U10, U12, U14, 15+, all abilities welcome (must be able to score and serve)
Play commences at 8.30am on Monday 5th October, Singles and Doubles
Please contact Anna at admin@tennissouthcanterbury.co.nz for any more information
Hi families, the school holidays are here, and the Outdoor Expo is the perfect excuse to get the kids off the couch and away from their screens. It's on 2 to 4 October at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch.
Come see what's out there and what adventures you can go on — outdoor activities for every age and interest. Mounted games are on Saturday and Sunday, with heaps of horsemen to watch — great for a picnic. There are two test tracks to try out bikes, one sealed and one grassed, open all three days. Plus a great kids area with bouncy castles, amusement rides, face painting, and a huge food court.
Kids under 13 get in free with a paying adult.
For 20% off your tickets, go to outdoorexpo.co.nz/tickets and enter TIMARUBOYS20 under “Have an access code?”. Offer ends 27 September, so grab them soon.
See you there!
We would love it if you would consider encouraging your students to see our incredible youth cast (age 10-17) performing this October in the nostalgic show "Xanadu Junior."
In addition to the usual shows we also have some **SENSORY RELAXED SHOWS (Sunday 4th October 2pm and Thursday 8th October 6pm)
For these two shows we present a sensory relaxed performance for audiences.
There are less seats available for purchase on this day to allow for more room. We have booked half the seats ourselves to ensure there is extra room - so don't fret if it's looking full!
Some of the actors will be introduced at the beginning of the show, along with any other elements that may cause surprise.
Loud noises and flashing lights will be reduced, house lights will be left on low for ease of movement in and out of the theatre through the show as required. We encourage dancing in the aisles if you choose and vocal interjections are embraced.
A relaxed performance is designed to be more inclusive and accessible for a range of audiences, including those with autism, learning disabilities, or sensory sensitivities.
Please reach out to me via email if you have any queries.
GRANTS AVAILABLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE WAIMATE AGRICULTURAL TRUST | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
is a trust established to provide financial assistance to students of any form of agriculture for the purpose of their education | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Students must have lived within the qualifying area for a minimum of 2 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Boundaries the trust operates within are from | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Waitaki River in the south | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
to the Pareora River in the north | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and the western boundaries extend to Lake Benmore and the Otaio Gorge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you feel you may be eligible for a grant and would like more information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please email | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Or Telephone 03 689 8551 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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APPLICATIONS CLOSE 31ST OCTOBER 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We are excited to bring back to Motueka the 3rd Edition of the Tasman Adventure Race, and we would love to see you there. There are courses for all levels and abilities with either a 4, 8 or 12 hour option. You can enter as a 2, 3 or 4 person team, and there are categories for girls, boys, or mixed teams.
The event is on the 14th of November 2026, and we would love to see you there!
For more information go to: https://tasmanadventurerace.nz/events
Are you aged 15-24 and ready to
take your next step?
Tupu Ora runs over 12 months and provides extra support to help you build the skills, confidence and experience you need for study, training or employment. With a mix of 1:1 and facilitated group work.
Tupu Ora
Grow & Thrive
Hands on learning in:
Wellbeing (Te Whare Tapa Whā)
Life Skills
Employability skills
Digital safety
Financial Literacy
Volunteering
Workplace experiences
Register your interest now!
https://ymcasc.org.nz/tupu-ora-grow-
and-thrive-3/
Applications for 2027-2029 open now
Finished school or about to? Keen to get hands-on experience and build a career in construction?
Our 2-year cadetship programme is designed for school leavers aged 17–20 who want to learn on the job, try different parts of the business, and gain real industry skills.
Join Fulton Hogan from January 2027 to January 2029 in an entry-level cadetship built to help you get started in the construction industry. You’ll rotate through areas such as surfacing, construction, quarries, industries and traffic management, gain machinery training from experienced trainers, and full support to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Infrastructure Skills.
Requirements:
• A full class 1 license (or working towards)
• Commitment to the full 2 year fixed term period
• Reliability and integrity
• Can-do attitude & positive approach to work
• Willingness to learn & get stuck in
How to apply:
• Submit your CV or any questions to
jaymee.burrows@fultonhogan.com
• Apply via the Fulton Hogan Careers Website
A reminder to get entries in for the inaugural Mid/South Canterbury Duathlon at Levels Raceway on Wednesday 14th October.
This new event has been created to give students of all abilities the opportunity to experience the exciting sport of duathlon (run–bike–run). Whether they simply want to have a go at a multisport event for the first time or are keen to test themselves against the region's best young athletes, there is a place for everyone.
Entries and full event information can be found here:
https://www.canterburytriclub.co.nz/mid-south-canterbury-ss-du
Schools can:
Enter students individually (or students/families can enter themselves online), or
Use our bulk entry option for groups of 10 or more students, making the entry process quick and easy.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Below you can find an image to share and some sample text.
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Something exciting is coming to Mid & South Canterbury!
Entries are now OPEN for the inaugural Mid/South Canterbury Schools Duathlon at Levels Raceway, Timaru!
Wednesday 14 October
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or you've never tried a multisport event before, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the fun of Run – Bike – Run in a safe and exciting environment.
Perfect for beginners and competitive athletes alike
Smooth sealed roads with no traffic
Awesome spectator-friendly venue
A fantastic challenge for individuals of all abilities
We'd love to see schools, teachers, parents, and students get behind this inaugural event and help us build something special that becomes a highlight on the school sporting calendar for years to come.
Enter now or find out more:
https://www.canterburytriclub.co.nz/mid-south-canterbury-ss-du
STREET SMARTKia ora, Did you know drivers on a restricted licence are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious crash than other drivers? The first 6–12 months of solo driving can be a particularly high-risk time for young drivers. That’s exactly why Street Smart exists. We are a not-for-profit Charitable Trust and we’ve made it our mission to reduce road deaths by helping young drivers develop essential safety skills beyond the basics of a standard driving test. We have training days running over the upcoming September / October school holidays, with places currently available at Hampton Downs, Taupō, Feilding, Christchurch, Cromwell and Invercargill |
CLICK HERE to visit our website where you will find more information about us and the Street Smart programme. If you have any questions about the programme please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email info@streetsmart.org.nz |
Game On For Dads is a 6-week programme designed to help dads and father figures build stronger connections with their children through simple, practical and fun activities.
It’s a great opportunity for dads to invest in their relationship with their children, meet other dads and gain practical ideas they can use at home.
The programme is being run by Grown Together Parenting Hub here in Timaru.
More information and registration details can be found here:
https://growntogether.nz/course/game-on-for-dads/
This year's event will be at Clearwater on Thursday 22 October.
Secure your place and join us for a fantastic day of golf, networking and fundraising.
Adding to the excitement, the tournament will feature a Hole-in-One Challenge, thanks to the generous support of BMS Risk, NZI, and DUAL New Zealand, giving one lucky golfer the chance to win $30,000 in cash.
https://www.southerncancer.org.nz/southernswinggolf
Family Fun Days around South Canterbury
Multicultural Aoraki are hosting several Family Fun Days around South Canterbury these school holidays. Come along and see us to do some fun rock paintings that you can take home and hide in your neighbourhoods to brighten up someone’s day. To see their posters, please check out their Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/multiculturalaoraki
Neighbours Month Colouring Competitions
We have a new colouring competition for our young ones to do these school holidays! There are some amazing prizes up for grabs for the winners! There are three age categories, ages 3-7, 8-13, and 14-18. Please see attached the files for printing, entries close 23rd October and a completed scan or photo must be sent to scns@xtra.co.nz or dropped into Timaru Police Station to be in the prize draw.
Crime Prevention and Safer Plates Event
In conjunction with Bunnings Crime Prevention Week, we are running a one hour presentation alongside Police, Bunnings, and Easy Security all about Security Cameras, crime prevention advice and personal safety. We will also be doing our Safer Plates drive thru with Community Patrol removing your current vehicles number plate screws and replacing them with anti-theft screws for FREE! Refreshments will be provided and there will be prizes and giveaways on the night! This is happening on Thursday 8th October at 6pm at Bunnings Timaru
The Amazing Neighbourhood Race
This event has been organised to help connect communities and neighbours together in a fun new way that will see teams giving back to their communities, completing unique challenges, learning new skills, all whilst having fun. Based on the hit reality TV show, teams of 6-8 people will receive clues to complete set tasks to earn as many points as possible. The race isn’t all about speed, most of the challenges are about thinking, creativity, learning, and working as a team. This will take place on Saturday 17th of October at Caroline Bay, Timaru. See poster for more details or click here to register your team now.
SPECIAL SCHOOL DISCOUNT - schools can share the code SCHOOL5OFF with their community to receive $5 off, making the whole team entry fee only $15!
