"Our guest speaker for the assembly was Mr Mikae Tuu’u, Old Collegian (2003) and departing Head of Middle School, who gave an exceptional leaving address on ‘How do you want to be remembered’. The standing ovation after his address clearly conveyed how grateful everyone was for his contribution to the College and wider community, and the respect he has earned."

Dear Parents and Caregivers

The second half of Term 1 has been busy with co-curricular activities and a number of significant national competitions including Pipe Band nationals and Secondary School sports tournaments. As usual, St Andrew’s students represented our school with pride and commitment.

A special feature for Term 1 is always our Founders’ Day celebration, which this year fell on the actual date 106 years after the College opened with 19 boys on 17 March 1917. This year’s Founders’ Day was celebrated with the most welcome announcement of the Robert Burns Scholars, who will travel for three weeks to visit a number of Scottish schools in the September–October term break. Megan Simpson and Jack Flanagan (both Year 12) were selected from a strong group of applicants for this prestigious award. To set the scene, Year 13 Drama students, Marco Leighs and Georgia Eagle, gave an impressive Address to a Haggis, and Chantelle Xiong (Year 12), accompanied by the string orchestra, sang a beautiful rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme. Our guest speaker for the assembly was Mr Mikae Tuu’u, Old Collegian (2003) and departing Head of Middle School, who gave an exceptional leaving address on ‘How do you want to be remembered’. The standing ovation after his address clearly conveyed how grateful everyone was for his contribution to the College and wider community, and the respect he has earned. The assembly and following Highland Games were enjoyed by our guests who were at the College for their 60 Years On reunion (they were Year 9 students in 1962 and 1963).

It has been reported in previous communications that Mikae Tuu’u would be departing as Head of Middle School at St Andrew’s at the end of March. I am delighted to report that our current Director of Boarding, Matt Parr will be taking on the Senior Management responsibility as Head of Middle School from the beginning of Term 2. Matt will retain his responsibility as Director of Boarding at St Andrew’s, and two new Assistant Heads will be appointed for Boarding and the Middle School in the coming weeks. Matt has extensive experience in leadership, pastoral care, student management, and building culture, and has an excellent rapport with young people. He is looking forward to continuing to support and lead our St Andrew’s boarding community while broadening his sphere of influence to Middle School students and families.

We look forward to celebrating the many successes of Summer Tournament Week at the beginning of next term; rowing, Girls’ Senior A volleyball, Senior Girls’ and Junior Boys’ 3×3 basketball, Boys’ Year 10 cricket, individual mountain biking, and Mixed tennis all enjoyed Top 4 placings in New Zealand. The standout teams were the rowers gaining three gold and one silver at the Maadi Cup Regatta. In the South Island Secondary Schools competitions, Mixed touch rugby placed first, in athletics there were three gold, three silver, one bronze, and five fourth placings, and in the Senior Boys’ water polo a third place. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our staff, the coaches, and the managers of the various teams. Thank you also to parents who provide all the critical support to our rangatahi, both on and off the field/court/water.

At the end of a very busy term, we are all ready for a break and I wish all families well for the next three weeks.

Kia noho haumaru koutou katoa

Christine Leighton
Rector

The signs of autumn have arrived; the shorter and cooler days, lots of rain, and the changing colour of the leaves. The students have certainly made the most of their opportunities this term, there has been such a positive vibe around the College.

I was so proud of the students in the way they stepped up to host our prospective families on Open Day and how they presented in such an authentic way for the Year 9 Information Evening this week. Our students are our best advertisement and there is no doubt that they are contributing enormously to the unprecedented interest we are experiencing with regards to the number of applications of families who wish their children to be part of St Andrew’s College.

I had the privilege of attending three different venues in the North Island for Summer Tournament Week. In Palmerston North I saw the Girls’ volleyball teams compete – congratulations to the Girls’ Senior A team who placed fourth in the country and our B team who won Division 5. Also in Palmerston North, our Year 10 cricket team placed joint second in New Zealand, an outstanding achievement. In Wellington I was able to support the Girls’ futsal team. Then it was on to the rowing at Lake Karāpiro. Maadi Cup is a very special event with over 2,500 rowers competing, it is in fact the largest secondary school sports event in the Southern Hemisphere. Our rowers enjoyed significant success with three gold and one silver medal, a just reward for the enormous amount of time and effort both the rowers and coaches put in over the season.

Unfortunately, you don’t have to look very far to see there are many divisions in the world today. It seems that we struggle more and more to get around the table with people who have differing views from ourselves, and this separation seems to be creating a wider divide in our society.

The Apostle Paul deeply understood that a harmonious community founded in the aftermath of Christ, does not stand, or fall on the teachings or miracles ascribed to Jesus. One theologian put it like this, “For Paul, adherence to a set of teachings or belief in certain supernatural events in and of themselves meant nothing – conversion was central to Christianity, and this meant participating in Crucifixion and Resurrection.”

As followers of Jesus, as a school founded on the foundations of Christ, to participate in Crucifixion and Resurrection means dying to self in order for something greater, far more life-giving and harmonious, to rise up. In the same way that Christ was stripped of his grounding identities, so Paul informs us in Galatians 3:26–28, that we must undergo the same process.

Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female represent fundamental divisions that existed in first century Palestine. One’s location in each of these categories described one’s place, role, and value in society. These divisions were seen to be divinely given and a part of the natural order. But Paul’s radical message was that, in Christ, these identities are robbed of their defining power. Paul is describing how Christianity cuts across all political, cultural, and biological divisions, rendering them null and void. In other words, Paul was saying that these earthly distinctions were no longer to define or constrain those who were claiming to follow Christ.

Peter Rollins – theologian and philosopher describes what this must look like today – in our time and context.

It would be a mistake to think that Paul is referring only to these concrete expressions of religious, political, and biological divisions. We remain true to Paul’s message only by including the various identities that define our place, role, and value in society today. This means saying that our community founded on Christ.

“…there is neither black nor white, neither rich nor poor, neither powerful nor powerless. More than this we can add that there is neither Republican nor Democrat, liberal nor conservative, orthodox nor heretic. Indeed, in the spirit of the text, we must push further:

You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither high church nor low church, Catholic nor Protestant, citizen nor alien, capitalist nor communist, gay nor straight, beautiful nor ugly, East nor West, theist nor atheist, Israel nor Palestine, American nor Iraqi, married nor divorced, uptown nor downtown, terrorist nor freedom fighter, for all are made one in Christ Jesus.”

Living the way of Christ, therefore represents a different way to live, something radical and counter cultural – it is living the way of grace and forgiveness for one another, it is living in a way that believes being kind and generous to outsiders, the lonely and strangers – is a better way to live. It is living with a belief that says showing empathy and compassion is a better way to live. It is a way of living that calls us to love our enemies and bless those that persecute us. It is a way of living that allows ‘love to overcome evil’. It is a way that leads me to believe that God is inclusive not exclusive.

The Apostle Paul reminds us of our need to be united, and to live out a radical life of love and acceptance. Our young people, more than ever before need our listening ear, our understanding, our acceptance and our unconditional love – this is the way of Christ.

Leaving behind his family, Christ comes to humanity, engages with it, and actively listens to it, making himself the most vulnerable to it, even unto his death on the cross. In doing this Christ provides an example, a light, and a hope that invites us to be part of the solution for a harmonious world.

As the St Andrew’s College community, built upon the foundation of Christ, may we have the courage and empathy to move out of what we know, to take a walk in the suit of the outsider – someone different from our family, tribe, beliefs, or culture. May each one of us believe that we can be an agent for change in creating a more harmonious world.

Blessings this Easter.

Rev. Paul Morrow
College Chaplain

It is hard to believe that we are in Week 10 of Term 1. To say this term has been a busy one would be an understatement. The students have made the most of everything that has been on offer; be it the House competitions, sport, cultural activities, or their learning. There is a real sense of excitement and relief that life in the Middle School has pretty much returned to normal. I was so impressed with the way the students farewelled Head of Middle School, Mikae Tuu’u, a deserved tribute to the significant contribution he has made to the Middle School and the wider life of the College. It was evident that he was both loved and respected by the students, he will be a hard act to follow.

Our online Parent-Teacher interviews provided a great opportunity to connect with the teachers to help support your child’s learning. I hope the information has allowed you to discuss what is going well and what changes might need to be made next term. Reports will be coming out next term, which will be a good way to get an insight into the progress your child is making.

Earlier this term, I had the privilege of joining one of the Year 9 classes on camp. The new programme created by our Castle Hill Outdoor Education Centre Operations Manager, Jo Parsons, is proving to be a real hit with the students. The students were having a brilliant time white water rafting, bouldering, visiting Cave Stream, and a whole lot of other activities. I was so impressed with how the students embraced this opportunity and with the way they engaged with each other in such a positive, inclusive, and helpful manner. I can see why going on camp continues to be a highlight for our students.

The Year 10 students and their parents/caregivers participated in the Te Waka Departure Ceremony. I have heard many wonderful stories of letters shared, tears shed, and a great sense of connection at home. My sincere thanks to everyone who played their part to make this ceremony such a success.

I hope the students can switch off from school and spend time doing things they enjoy and connect with people they love and care for. I look forward to seeing them all next term.

Evert van Florenstein
Head of Secondary School

Tēnā koutou katoa

This week is the final one in what has felt like a very long Term 1 for our Senior College. I have commented to students on several occasions that I have particularly appreciated the way they have supported each other and worked together as a community over the last 10 weeks. We have also appreciated the day-to-day encouragement and support that comes from parents and caregivers as we have navigated the ups and downs of our busy lives.

I hope the holidays will provide you and your family with an opportunity for some rest and reflection after a long and busy term. Safe travels for those of you who are travelling around New Zealand (or possibly beyond), and I look forward to seeing all our amazing young people back at school on Tuesday 2 May. Please note that classes start at 8.30am with tutor meetings on the first day back.

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou.

John Ruge
Head of Senior College

It has been a vibrant term in the co-curricular area. Students have embraced the many sporting and cultural opportunities on offer, and this is enriching their learning experience at St Andrew’s. I had the pleasure of watching our athletics at the Canterbury championships held recently and it was pleasing to see the students take on new challenges, demonstrate character strengths, and in many cases achieve personal best performances. Across our summer sports and cultural activities our students are demonstrating faith, truth, excellence, inclusivity, and creativity in their preparation for performance.

During Summer Tournament Week there has been a great sense of pride and school spirit resulting from witnessing our teams achieve their goals. Over 150 students achieved significant results in athletics, touch, futsal, rowing, cricket, mountain biking, basketball, water polo, tennis, and volleyball in tournament competition.

Congratulations to all students who have participated so enthusiastically in their sport and cultural activities this term and to staff who have given freely of their time to make these opportunities possible.

After all of the highs of Summer Tournament Week and regional sporting competition we now set our sights on a successful winter sports season full of participation and achievement.