"Over my time, my gratitude for the opportunities I have had, and the lessons I have learnt, the students, families, and Old Collegians I have met, and colleagues I have worked alongside, have inspired me to give of my best every day. It is my hope that every student will experience this same sense of fulfilment and gratitude when they come to leave this special place."

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa.

These first few weeks of Term 4 have been busy with leaving events and ensuring our Year 11–13 students are prepared for their external examinations. There are many demands on our time and priorities in schools, however, the responsibility to help students realise the importance of academic preparation and robust qualifications remains paramount.

It is always special and satisfying to farewell our Leavers and see them enjoy their leaving celebrations in a dignified manner, showing their gratitude for the commitment and support they have enjoyed from their teachers and parents. It has been special for me to share the experience of being a Leaver of 2024 with this impressive group of young people.

Throughout my leaving process I have had many opportunities to share my thoughts and reflections on the last 17 years. One of these times was to present a chapel address to the Middle School and Senior College students. My focus was on the importance and relevance of our five St Andrew’s College values which underpin all that we do, and how we act and respond as a community.

I believe we are privileged to belong at St Andrew’s and for a long time have believed in the Bible verse, “To whom much is given, much will be expected.” Over my time, my gratitude for the opportunities I have had, and the lessons I have learnt, the students, families, and Old Collegians I have met, and colleagues I have worked alongside, have inspired me to give of my best every day. It is my hope that every student will experience this same sense of fulfilment and gratitude when they come to leave this special place.

Truth, Excellence, Faith, Creativity and Inclusivity remain relevant values upon which our collective decisions have been and continue to be determined. When I think of defining moments in the 107 years of St Andrew’s College, I see these values taking on significance at different times.

1917–1952:         Our Foundation Story – Faith, Truth
1952–1980:         The Memorial Chapel – Faith, Truth
1980–2010:         Becoming Co-ed – Creativity, Inclusivity
2010–2016:         Earthquakes; shaken, broken but not destroyed – Faith, Creativity
2016–2018:         Celebrating our Centenary – Truth, Excellence
2018–2024:         ‘Framing our Future’ – Excellence, Creativity, Inclusivity

Our StAC story is made up of different chapters, each experienced by different people at a given time in our history. Of course, these are not separate stories but interconnected, each influencing the following chapter. I believe that in living our values in an authentic way our students will find they can belong. However, belonging comes with responsibility and I define these as the following.

1. To belong we must be a guardian of our stories and of those who made this College before us. In this we must respect the traditions, values, and people of this place.
2. Although we cannot choose the context or circumstances of our time at St Andrew’s, we can choose how we respond to the opportunities or challenges that are put before us.
3. We should make decisions on how we behave or the way we treat people that have a positive impact on those around us, and those who come after us.

If we value our school, all it has to offer, remember our stories, and live our collective values I hope we will look back on our time at St Andrew's College and say “we, and everyone else, belonged”.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With my food basket and your food basket the people will flourish.

Kia ora koutou katoa

Christine Leighton
Rector

I am incredibly impressed with how our Year 13 students have concluded the school year. They have set a wonderful example for the other year groups for which we are very grateful. The Leavers’ Chapel and Assembly provided a chance for our Year 13 students to reflect on and appreciate their time at St Andrew’s College. It was a very special celebration and a fitting way to say farewell to our Leavers.

I have received a lot of positive feedback regarding the Parent-Student-Tutor Conferences held at the end of last term. However, families have asked that we go later in the day with the conferences and a request to also have the option of having them online, which we will strive to implement in 2025. The review we conducted recommended that every NCEA student should be required to attend an academic conference, and hopefully their parents/guardians also being able to join them. It is incredibly important that the students learn to be able to take responsibility for their learning.

I encourage you to support your child in continuing to work hard, seek help from their teachers when needed, and utilise old examination papers (available on the NCEA website) and revision booklets to refine their preparation. Please note that there are several designated quiet study areas available if you prefer your child to study at school rather than at home: the Senior College for all Year 12–13 students, and the Library for Year 11 students are available all day during the school week.

Can I please draw your attention to our Course Change Days being held as below. This is an opportunity for your child to come in to school and make a change to their subject choices for next year. More details will be sent out nearer the time.

Unfortunately, Brent Cummack has decided to step down as the Head of the Sciences Department, a position he has held for 24 years. Over the past 24 years, Mr Cummack has not only been an exemplary leader, but also a great support for other Heads of Department. Mr Cummack’s dedication and hard work has been the cornerstone of the Science Department’s success. Under his leadership, he has created a strong, and dedicated team of teachers. His vision has paved the way for multiple academic science pathways, fostering an environment where outstanding student achievement, particularly in NCEA Scholarship, has become the norm. Mr Cummack’s influence has extended beyond the walls of his department. His willingness to help and support his colleagues has made him a respected figure throughout our school. His legacy is one of excellence, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to education. Although Mr Cummack is stepping down as Head of Department, we are fortunate that he will continue to be the Teacher in Charge of Physics and teach part-time. His presence will undoubtedly continue to inspire both students and staff alike.

Sadly, there are a number of staff who are leaving the College at the end of this year.

Fabric Technology teacher Cheryl Thomson has decided to take a year of refreshment leave and therefore will not be with us next year. We wish her all the best and look forward to her return in 2026. Our best wishes go to Mathematics teacher Kirby Streeter who is going on maternity leave at the end of the year, we look forward to hearing about her good news and her return at the end of 2025. A massive thank you to Stacey Williams who has done such a great job in the Social Sciences Department, and especially with the Te Ao Māori classes and supporting our Kapa Haka. It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Guidance Counsellor Liga David, who has decided not to return to St Andrew’s after her maternity leave. She is taking on an exciting new opportunity in her community as a counsellor. Health and Physical Education teacher Heidi Koning (OC 2010) has also decided not to return from maternity leave. She has decided that having three children under four requires her undivided attention. I know that both her former students and the Health and PE Department are really going to miss her professionalism, enthusiasm, and warmth. I sincerely hope that she returns to us in the future. A big thank you to Crista Jellyman who has worked in the Health and PE Department this year. She has also decided to put her young family first.

Unfortunately, we are also saying goodbye to English teacher Nicole Kilbride. On her arrival from Linwood High School in 2020, Ms Kilbride quickly made a name for herself as a high-quality teacher who got the best out of her students. She has contributed significantly to the English Department through her leadership of the Year 9 English course and leading the school’s Debating programme with which she has enjoyed significant success both in terms of numbers and regional titles. On behalf of the College, thank you and good luck with your next adventure in New Plymouth. Let us know how you are getting on.

Sadly, Teacher in Charge of Travel and Tourism Ian ‘Morrie’ Morrison will also be leaving us at the end of the year. Morrie joined us from Linwood College in 2012 as the long-term relieving Head of Social Sciences and teacher of Geography, History, and Social Studies. Towards the end of that year, Rector Christine Leighton recognised his skills and expertise and asked him to take up a permanent position and establish the Travel and Tourism course. Morrie not only set up this course but also initiated the highly successful three-week inbound tours from Taiwan, China, and India. His passion for travel and education led to the introduction of his popular overseas trips to places like Sicily, Northern Italy, France, and the UK. The most memorable of these was the Centenary Tour in 2017, where every student, teacher, and Mrs Leighton followed in the footsteps of an Old Collegian who did not return. Morrie has also organised sister city trips, with next year’s trip marking the 50-year relationship with Christchurch, a town in the UK. His countless trips to Queenstown, the West Coast, and Akaroa have been extremely popular and have greatly supported the Travel and Tourism course he created. In addition to his contribution to the Travel and Tourism programme, Morrie has successfully coached the 2nd XI cricket team for the past 10 years. His involvement in the Electives programme, running the very popular World of Food and Multicultural Lunch Club, has enriched the lives of many students.

Morrie shared with me that he will deeply miss the students and the opportunity to create student-centred courses. His parting advice to you, the students, “You only get one chance, make the most of it, especially at StAC where there are so many opportunities.” As Morrie embarks on his next chapter, using his knowledge and expertise to run adult tours to Europe, we are grateful that he plans to continue coaching cricket at St Andrew’s. On behalf of the entire school community, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for his years of service, and dedication. Thank you and good luck.

Music teacher Bryan Botting has decided to retire after 28 years of teaching at St Andrew’s College. Mr Botting joined us from Riccarton High School in 1996, appointed by the then Rector of St Andrew’s College, Mr Barry Maister, to teach Music, Economics, and Social Studies. Over the years, Mr Botting has mainly taught the core Music programme from Years 7 to 10, and NCEA Music at all levels. Mr Botting has been deeply involved in, led, or supported numerous performing arts opportunities at the College. He started the Middle School choir, which evolved into Stacchorus, and created barbershop groups for both boys and girls, as well as staff. He has contributed significantly to school productions, initially as a singing coach and later helping to direct them. He has very fond memories of two cultural tours to South Africa. Mr Botting has also played the organ, organised the annual vocal concerts, and who can forget the Christmas Opera, Amahl, he directed in 2018.

He has many fond memories of his own children, Sam (OC 2007) and Lucy (OC 2009), attending the College. Sam, who loved the drums, had his dad as a teacher for four years with a special agreement between them, and Lucy, who loved singing and the viola, had her dad as a teacher for six years. Bryan is very proud of Sam, who is now in IT, and Lucy, who is in early childhood teaching and also runs a stall at the Lyttelton Market.

In 2006, Bryan was awarded study leave to visit schools in London, where he observed a strong culture of school pride and how school singing promoted this. He brought this culture back to St Andrew’s, and I know many have secretly enjoyed whole school singing, perhaps not as Year 9 students but certainly by the senior years.

Mr Botting told me how much he has cherished the many positive interactions with students, both in the classroom and during whole school singing. I asked a number of students to sum up Mr Botting in one word, and this is what they came up with – funny, full of zest, honest, dedicated, a character, vibrant, dedicated, and encouraging. Interesting how close these descriptors are to his character strengths of humour, love, honesty, authenticity, and appreciation of beauty.

We will miss Mr Botting’s musical talents, and his special sense of humour. On behalf of the College, a massive thank you for everything you have done on behalf of the students, and all the best for your retirement.

This year’s Year 13 have experienced some challenging times during their high school high, three years of COVID and losing a fellow student this year being the most obvious challenges. Despite this, your teachers have always ensured you were provided with the extra care and support, both academic and pastoral, when it was really needed. Their professionalism and dedication have ensured that you are in a good place going into your final NCEA examinations and life beyond school.

On behalf of the students, I would like to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication, and the respective contributions they have made to all your lives, especially while you have attended St Andrew’s College.

I would also like to thank the parents and caregivers for your ongoing support of the College.

Kia kaha, Kia māia, Kia manawanui
Be strong, be brave, be steadfast

Evert van Florentein
Head of Secondary School

On Tuesday 29 October at 7.00pm the Leavers of 2024 had their final chapel in the Centennial Chapel. There were four beautiful musical items from Staccoro performing True Colours, Senior Barbershop – Where is Love, Soloist, Jenna Howell, singing The King, and Jack Flanagan and Chantelle Xiong singing the final item, Easy on Me.

I was honoured to acknowledge Mrs Leighton’s incredible commitment to chapels, her support of chaplaincy, and her leadership that guided the conversations and discussions around the design and building of our Centennial Chapel.

It was wonderful to acknowledge and honour Music teacher Bryan Botting too, for his wonderful service to the chapel, with his work in organising the music and playing at most chapel services in my 15 years as Chaplain.

The Year 13 Leavers sang with great voice and contributed wonderful gifts for families each tutor group was given a profile for. This is a new initiative this year for Leavers and their tutor groups. Presbyterian Support Donor Relations Co-ordinator, Rae Thomas, was incredibly grateful when she came to pick up all the boxes of goodies on Wednesday. She sent me the following message to pass on.

‘We are profoundly grateful for your generous Christmas gifts, which will make a significant impact on those in need. This Christmas the recipients, will feel the warmth and compassion of their openhearted community. Your kindness and commitment to fairness and inclusivity, not only brings joy at Christmas but living out your principles in such a meaningful way also strengthens our community throughout the year.

With heartfelt thanks, we wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with blessings and delight.’

Rae Thomas   
Donor and Community Relations Co-ordinator, Presbyterian Support

My message to the Leavers of 2024 was titled ‘The Bridge to Cross Life’s Liminal Spaces’. A Liminal space is a term coined by French ethnographer, Arnold van Gennep, as ‘a space that is the disorientating experience of transition between two meaningful events’. For Leavers, this is leaving St Andrew’s College and entering into something new and different.

The encouraging aspect about the liminal space is that more learning occurs, and while discomfort will be felt new discovery is on the horizon, and while there will be the trauma of separation and disorientation, this is the necessary precondition for reorientation and transformation.

I used the analogy of bridge crossing – as Leavers they are on the school boundary – a side that represents the familiar, the comfortable, the secure. The other side of the bank might not even be visible and the bridge they need to cross, while secured to the banks, could be over a raging torrent and susceptible to high winds. Whatever their situation it is going to take some courage to make their move across it.

Their greatest adversary in entering the liminal space will be fear. Fear can rob you of your dreams but so can dreams and your courage kill your fear.

In the US I visited the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington DC. I came across this quote, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.’

What might help Leavers stand in the challenges and controversy? What will help them navigate life’s liminal spaces? I suggested the following:

• Resilience and Adaptability
• Innovation and Creativity
• Awareness and Activism
• Faith and Authentic Connections

I reminded Leavers that the bridge is not just a means to an end but a significant part of a Leaver’s journey. There will be times in their life where resting on the boundaries is the right place to be, but don’t get too comfortable. I encouraged them to embrace the experiences, challenges, and growth that come with crossing new bridges in life.

While Leavers might have some hesitation about the liminal space they are about to enter, they need to remember it is a time of transformation, where they will discover their strengths, passions, and potential.

May your liminal space, your bridge crossing open up a new world of possibilities for you, and grow you into something you look back on in awe.

I wish you all an incredibly blessed Christmas.

Grace and peace to you all,

Rev. Paul Morrow
College Chaplain

As the year comes to close, I am so grateful for our community at St Andrew’s College after what has been a huge year for the College. I am thankful for my team of Deans – Lucy Curtis, Liz Gormack, and James Jenkinson. They, and the rest of the Middle School team, have kept the wheels of the Middle School in motion every day. To the students and families in the Middle School, thank you for all your hard work and support this year and I hope the year finishes well for you all.

Year 9 and 10 students have recently completed their examinations and are receiving their results. Although only in-class tests for most, I hope students have valued the experience of going through the process of preparing for and completing assessments under examination conditions, critical learnings in preparation for future NCEA years. For some, it may have been a chance to realise that more work needs to be done next year and they may need to make better use of some of our study resources to master the art of preparing and sitting examinations. Concepts including the likes of the Pomodoro Technique and other effective learning strategies are all resources that our students can access and will have hopefully been learning about. I hope that students have used this opportunity not only to demonstrate their knowledge and learning, but to develop good habits as they head into their NCEA years.

It was great to have our Year 9 students out to Ōnuku Marae near Akaroa this week, to experience a noho marae (marae stayover). Here, students have had an opportunity to experience a valuable cultural excursion to support them to develop an understanding of what it means to live in a bicultural society. Activities have included taking an active part in pōwhiri, learning karakia (prayer), himene (hymn), and waiata (song). They have learnt about marae etiquette and about the cultural significance of the area. They have played Māori games and activities, participated in traditional kapa haka, and celebrated hākari (feast). For many of our students, this will be their first time experiencing much of this and I trust they have found it a positive experience.

Students remain busy with summer sport and our co-curricular activities. The Years 9–10 production, Once Upon a Mattress, has recently completed its shows. Yet again, I was absolutely blown away by the talent that was on show. The various songs and dances were a joy to watch and the story was very funny. Thank you to Ginnie Thorner and Duncan Ferguson for their efforts and commitment to making it happen. And the team of parents and volunteers working hard backstage, a huge thank you to you all.

On Friday November 1, it was wonderful to sign off our Year 11 students in our annual Convocation Assembly in what is effectively a hand over to the Senior College and its Head, John Ruge. We celebrated the three years this cohort have spent in Middle School with a diverse range of photos and quick reflections by six of the students. Some students received the Whakatipu (Growth) Award and Whakapau Kaha (Effort/Endeavour) Award to acknowledge their effort in class, while 30 students were recognised for making the greatest academic gains since the beginning of Year 9 to complete the small ceremony. We will miss this group next year but know that they will embrace the step into their Senior College years.

With Year 9 and 10 examinations complete, students can fall into the trap where they feel like it is time to wind down in the classroom. However, teachers have been informed that for our Year 9 students especially, there is now an uninterrupted run of classroom time where they can plan and deliver meaningful content. For us, it is business as usual in the classroom. The same classroom focus applies for Year 10, except they will have a few more interruptions with the Te Waka programme wrapping up and overnight adventures as part of the Duke of Edinburgh programme coming up for them all.

Over the last few weeks, I have run a core class whānau hui for incoming Year 9 students. Students and their families have had the opportunity to hear about what next year will look like, as well as meet some key staff at the College. For those involved, I hope that it has been informative as well as an opportunity to meet other families coming into the Secondary School.

Matt Parr
Head of Middle School

Tēnā koutou katoa

Over the last week we have held a large number of events for our 2024 Leavers, including a function for Year 12 Leavers, the Leavers’ Chapel, 13 Years On function, Leavers’ Assembly, and the Prefect barbeque. Our final event, the Leavers’ Dinner for Year 13 students, will be held on Tuesday 3 December. I’m sure the write-ups and photos in other publications will give you the flavour of these very successful occasions, where we honoured our graduating students. It was a pleasure to see the way these young men and women have finished their time at school and to reflect on the wonderful legacy they are leaving behind. We have often talked about their role as senior students in holding the culture of the school to pass on to the next Year 13 group. This year’s Leavers are passing on a strong and vibrant culture in the Senior College for the next generation to pick up and nurture.

At the Leavers’ Assembly I acknowledged the work that Year 13 Dean, Riley Gain, and his team of tutors have done with our Leavers. Their pastoral care and academic oversight has been a key part of each student’s growth and development, and we are so grateful for their dedication and expertise. We will honour Riley and his team again at the Leavers’ Dinner later this month.

At the same time as we farewell our Leavers, we are also preparing for next year, and in particular a new initiative for Year 13 students. Over this year the wider Senior College team, working with the Well-being Committee, has been looking at what we offer our final year students, and particularly whether we might be able to find space in our busy curriculum to revisit some of the key topics that students first explored in Year 10 in our Te Waka course. The aim is to give them an opportunity to discuss issues relating to self-awareness, strengths, and connections with others. They will have first encountered many of these topics in Year 10, but this will be a chance to revisit them with the benefit of two years more experience and maturity. The new course will run for half a year, and be combined with our highly successful and long running Monday Electives programme, which will continue to offer a wide variety of choices, headed by Careers Advisor Richard Webster. Richard oversees electives, and does an amazing job of finding interesting and diverse offerings for students. We will have more details about this exciting new course in the new year.

If you have a child leaving school this year, thank you for all your support during their time here. A school is never any more or less than the sum of its parts, and you have been an integral part of what we do. Thank you for the taxi services, the lunches, for engaging and connecting with teaching and administration staff, and for partnering with us to be a part of the education of these young people. I hope you will feel, as we do, that this has been a more than worthwhile journey.

If you have a child returning to school next year, I look forward to another exciting and challenging year as we work to prepare young people who have a strong sense of self-efficacy combined with a deep sense of connection with others.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Ngā mihi mahana/Warm greetings to you all.

John Ruge
Head of Senior College

In the first few weeks of Term 4 we have had a return to summer sport action for many students. Term 4 is a short term of sport for most, and the seniors especially, so there is a real determination from staff to ensure that the students get the most out of the term. It is helpful for outdoor sport if the weather plays its part also!

Across our sports and cultural options, the students continue to learn, develop, and gain enriching experiences. There is a strong staff enthusiasm for helping students receive the multitude of physical, mental, social, and emotional benefits that involvement in enriching co-curricular activities provide for young people. There is a collective desire to keep winning in perspective and offer the best development opportunities. There is a perception sometimes that the winning is driving our programme when the reality is it is the process of working towards ‘becoming the best we can be’.

From our perspective it is not necessarily about what sport students play, but ensuring they are involved so that they can benefit from enriching opportunities, improved well-being, and important life lessons.

Mark Lane
Director of Sport and Co‑curricular Activities