"We as a College work hard to provide all students with opportunities to explore new experiences through our co-curricular programme, support their learning with appropriate structure and clear expectations while developing creative and critical thought through discussion and debate."

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa

The second half of Term 2 has been packed with various sporting and cultural events, while at the same time senior students have been juggling the demands of assessments and internals. In a school where there is so much choice available to students it can be difficult to manage competing demands and priorities. I hope that all will take advantage of the coming term break to take some well-earned time out from routines, timetables and ‘to do’ lists.

Recently I and other staff have been witness to a number of student speeches in a variety of contexts. The Festival of the Spoken Word speech finals, the Ngā Manu Korero speech competition, and a chapel address from two students on our commitment to community service and the Cambodia trip.

On all of these occasions I was impressed with the maturity and thoughtfulness of our young people. There is no doubt that as they move to life beyond school, our teenagers have a challenging world to navigate. The ‘VUCA’ World – one which is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, requires young people who can make sound judgements based upon knowledge, consideration of different perspectives, and understanding the consequences of decisions and actions.

Schools are a place where students are encouraged to try new things and test their perspectives. Sometimes they will make mistakes and their judgement will let them down. They are, after all, teenagers. It is from these mistakes that they will readjust their perspective, respect alternative viewpoints, and learn the value of collective rules and boundaries which are important for communities to thrive.

We as a College work hard to provide all students with opportunities to explore new experiences through our co-curricular programme, support their learning with appropriate structure and clear expectations while developing creative and critical thought through discussion and debate. We also aim to provide scope for freedom of thought and expression within appropriate boundaries. By encouraging students to discover their true selves in a way that shows respect for others and our school, we can make St Andrew’s College a safe place for all.

Recent weeks have been particularly busy for our music groups with the Big Sing, Chamber Music group competitions, Rockquest, and music concerts. The opportunity for all Year 7–8 students to perform in the Preparatory School production, The Aurora Stone, was also a highlight for many. When I meet with Old Collegians it is often these moments, be they in sports, performance, or outdoor education, that feature prominently in their school memories.

Over Matariki weekend, I had the ‘pleasure’ of celebrating the ‘Golden Girls’ year with 15 friends, many of whom have been in my life since school and university days. In a weekend of laughter, fun, and lots of chats, many stories and memories were shared. We reflected how much these had influenced our choices and opportunities in later life. It is one of the joys of teaching to know we are helping to shape young lives in ways we will never know.

Thank you for the way you support teachers and staff in their collective efforts for St Andrew’s College to be the best we can be.

Best wishes for a good term break.

Kia noho haumaru koutou katoa (may you all stay safe).

Christine Leighton
Rector

The unexpected and tragic passing of Lucca Gibbons showed the strength of St Andew’s College and the wider community in its ability to rally around and support each other in tough times. A big thank you to Head of Guidance, Tom Matthews, and the counselling and pastoral care teams for the work they did supporting the Gibbons family and our students in such a sad and challenging time.

Term 2 has been ‘business as usual’ with students participating in The Big Sing and Chamber Music competitions, the Boys’ and Girls’ Assemblies, the Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition, interschool exchanges, and our extensive co-curricular programme.

Many of our top sports teams are once again tracking well this season with many teams still in contention for their playoffs in Term 3. Unfortunately, we have had a number of concussions this year in a range of sports. Our College Nurse, Josie Gunning, has put together a comprehensive information sheet to be used by coaches, managers, and parents when they know or suspect a concussion may have occurred. Please click here for more information.

I always make a real point of visiting our portfolio Scholarship classes at this time of the year. I am so grateful that the students are so willing to present and share their work with me and engage in a conversation about what is exciting them about their learning. Once again, the large numbers and quality of the portfolios are impressive.

The first set of reports will have been, or are about to be, made available to you. Your child’s teachers have spent a considerable amount of time providing quality feedback on what is going well and what the next steps need to be. Can I please encourage you to have a conversation on how they may learn from the feedback and where appropriate make some changes.

Follow-up meetings to the Parent-Tutor-Student Conferences held at the beginning of the year are scheduled for Tuesday 23 July. You will receive information about these this week, and the meeting times will be booked in the same way as they were at the beginning of the year. Please note that you will have the option of having an online or in person conference. The conferences provide a valuable opportunity to review how the first two terms of the year have gone, to reflect generally on the goals that were set at the first conference, discuss academic progress and well-being, and share any persistent problems or issues. It is expected that the students will take the lead in these discussions, but we also value your input. The key goal is to ensure that your child feels supported. Classes will begin again on Wednesday 24 July.

We have once again been hit hard with student illness, especially with the flu. This has the potential to disrupt the learning of your child and their ability to achieve to their potential in assessments, especially in NCEA. Can you please urge your child to use the College’s NCEA assessment extension process when they are/have been ill, and they believe their performance may have been impaired in some way. Please note that a medical certificate needs to be supplied as part of this process. Can I also ask you to let the school know as soon as possible if your child is going to be away from school and give a specific reason for their absence.

It is with sadness that we farewell three of our teaching staff at the end of this term. Conrad Wing, a much respected and loved member of the Mathematics Department, and his wife, Linda Garden, a fine English and ESOL teacher, are saying goodbye after seven and a half years at St Andrew’s College to take up teaching posts in Japan at a top international school. We also say goodbye to Jo Andrew. Apart from teaching Social Science and Tikanga, Jo has led our very successful netball programme. It would be fair to say that she leaves the programme in an excellent place, both in terms of numbers and quality coaches. Jo will be taking on the leadership of a boarding house at one of Sydney’s top independent schools. We wish all three teachers the best for the next chapter of their lives. The classes will be covered by Shynae Rigter, who will be joining us from the Auckland International College, and three of our current part-time staff, Chris Dickson, Dom Urmson, and Christine Fildes, who will be taking on more hours.

The way the students are wearing their uniform at school has improved this year. Only minor issues persist, such as dirty shoes and unshaven faces for some of the boys, and too many earrings for girls. Please remind your child they must leave the school grounds in school uniform with their blazers on. The only exception to this if they are going to a sports match.

Please encourage your child to balance the work set by their teachers and time for relaxation during the school holidays. I hope you all enjoy having your children at home for the next couple of weeks.

Evert van Florenstein
Head of Secondary School
Deputy for Rector

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorns have roses.”
― Alphonse Karr

Over the last few weeks in chapel, we have been looking at perspective and how perspective influences our outlook on life. In one of the most well-known parables in the gospels, Jesus tells of a son who wishes to leave home early. He asks his dad for his inheritance. In doing this he is wishing his father dead, and he takes off to another land. His lavish lifestyle is short lived and his perspective of home, his father’s love, what the world offers, and his own selfishness are put in the spotlight. Living in another place, experiencing the emptiness of materialism, loneliness, encountering suffering, and challenging experiences opens the son’s world to another perspective. His foolishness is quickly revealed, and he begins to long for the comforts of home, boundaries, teamwork, community, authentic connection, grace, and unconditional love.

Last Thursday two of our Year 13 prefects, Timothy Richardson and Libby McNee, spoke in chapel about their experience on the school’s service trip to Cambodia in the last holidays. Their newfound perspective opened their eyes to a world that didn’t have a lot, and yet experienced joy in the simple things in life. Being grateful for what you have was a strong message that Tim and Libby expressed. Their experience had brought them a fresh perspective, a different lens through which to look at the world and their life.

I have recently returned from three weeks in Australia. As part of my sabbatical, I visited six colleges: St Andrew’s Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast, Cannon Hill Anglican College and Churchie Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane, All Saints in Robina Gold Coast, and Barker College and St Andrew’s Cathedral College in Sydney. Visiting other colleges has given me a fresh perspective into chapels and chaplaincy, pastoral care, service learning, and Religious Education Curriculum. I have new ideas, but I also have a greater understanding and gratitude for what St Andrew’s College offers and the care we provide for our community.

We have a wonderful College and caring community. This has been highlighted through the difficult and most challenging circumstances we have endured as a College community over the past few weeks. The deaths of Nigel and Marjan Joyce, Lucca Gibbons and Old Collegian, Tatiana (Tee) Keogan (OC 2021), has rocked our community to its core, and yet, through adversity and deep grief, we have wrapped our loving arms of care and support around those who have allowed us to meet them at this time of need. We have grown and witnessed a love, I believe, few communities would get to experience. I feel very proud and grateful to our St Andrew’s community; staff, board members, students, parents – past and present, and Old Collegians. Thank you for caring without boundaries, being gracious, kind, and loving unconditionally.

I wish you all the very best as you take time over the next couple of weeks to refresh, enjoy the company of those you love, reach out to those for whom distance may have come between you, and where you gain a renewed perspective for the small, challenging, and good things that make your life.

Grace and peace

Rev. Paul Morrow
College Chaplain

As educators, we believe that the path to success for our students lies in fostering their sense of responsibility and ownership over their own learning. In today’s rapidly changing world, it is crucial that students become active participants in their educational journey. By instilling a sense of ownership, we empower them to develop essential skills and attitudes that will serve them well beyond the classroom walls.

Taking ownership of learning means more than just completing assignments and studying for tests. It involves students actively engaging in their education, setting goals, making decisions, and reflecting on their progress. Here are a few reasons why this approach is vital for your child’s development:

1. Increased Engagement: When students take ownership of their learning, they become more engaged and invested in the process. They become curious seekers of knowledge, asking questions, seeking answers, and exploring topics beyond the prescribed curriculum. This enthusiasm translates into higher levels of motivation and a genuine passion for learning.
2. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: By allowing students to take charge of their learning, we encourage them to think critically and develop problem-solving skills. They learn to analyse information, make connections, and seek solutions independently. These skills are invaluable in an ever-evolving world, where adaptability and creativity are highly sought after.
3. Improved Responsibility and Accountability: When students take ownership of their learning, they develop a sense of responsibility and accountability. They understand that their actions directly impact their academic growth and take pride in their accomplishments. This mindset nurtures a strong work ethic, time management skills, and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
4. Lifelong Learners: By fostering ownership, we instil in our students a love for learning that extends far beyond their time in school. They develop the ability to set goals, seek opportunities for self-improvement, and take initiative in pursuing their interests. These qualities create lifelong learners who are equipped to face challenges and adapt to new situations throughout their lives.

At St Andrew’s College, we are committed to creating an environment that encourages students to take ownership of their learning. We invite you, as parents, to support and reinforce this mindset at home. Encourage your child to ask questions, explore their passions, and take responsibility for their academic journey. Together, we can empower our students to become confident, self-directed learners prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.

We start next term with a wonderful opportunity to reinforce this approach with Parent–Student–Tutor Conferences on Tuesday 23 July. All students have been working on a reflection and goal-setting task in preparation for these interviews. They have been asked to reflect on their mid-year reports and set WOOP goals for the remainder of the year, as well as complete a reflection task that links to our well-being framework, PERMA-V. I strongly encourage you to engage in this process and be involved in these conferences.

Term 2 has been an opportunity for Middle School students to really get involved in the life of the College. It is my hope that students have established positive friendships, are involved in the range of co-curricular opportunities, and are enjoying their learning in the classroom. Term 2 always presents its challenges, whether it be academic loading, illness, or simply dealing with the colder weather. However, I hope that students can keep themselves in a good space by staying positive and getting stuck in. Well done to all for their involvement.

I wish everyone well for the upcoming holidays and I am looking forward to seeing you all in Term 3 when classes start on Wednesday 24 July, following the conferences on Tuesday 23 July.

Matt Parr
Head of Middle School

Kia ora koutou

Last week we celebrated a mid-Winter Christmas organised by the Senior College Council.

Students from the Council stayed late on Friday night the week before to decorate the Common Room and atrium areas with streamers, decorations, window art, and two Christmas trees. They spent several hours the previous evening baking 550 gingerbread biscuits and gave these out with hot chocolate on Monday morning as a kick-off to the week. The aim was to provide a winter boost to students as we move into the last week of term, and to battle the urge to stay in bed every morning! It was a great success, and a wonderful morale boost after some difficult weeks in our school community.

This is Senior College life at its best, with students stepping up to build on our philosophy of interdependence, or living in community. It is such a privilege to have group ‘happenings’ where we can come together and celebrate, and where the role of school as a community builder can be acknowledged. Congratulations to the Council for all of their hard work.

We are looking forward to tomorrow’s annual Prefects’ Assembly. The team have been working hard to write scripts, film segments, practise dance moves, and plan the ‘Formosal’ (where a member of the team asks an unsuspecting student to come to the Senior College Formal with them). We’ll also be giving Developing Positive Relationships (DPR) Awards to one Middle School and one Senior College student to recognise how they have demonstrated these values. The DPR values are faith, respect, hope, compassion, honesty, generosity, and responsibility, and the awards are decided by students nominating their peers. You are most welcome to attend the assembly if you’d like to see the results of all this planning and rehearsing.

I hope you all have a chance to relax and recharge in some way over the school holiday period. It has been another challenging but productive term!

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

John Ruge
Head of Senior College

As we come to the end of a busy Term 2 for the co-curricular programme, it is pleasing to reflect on our high participation rates and some significant achievements. At times the weather has proved to be a challenge for outdoor sport and the students are to be commended for the way they have adapted to the challenges we have faced with this. During this term we have had many sporting and cultural highlights across the co-curricular programme, including two sports exchanges.

In Term 3 we are looking forward to another Winter Tournament Week, where 15 teams from seven sports will compete in a number of tournaments from Whangārei to Dunedin.

Mark Lane
Director of Sport and Cultural Activities