A warm welcome to all as we commence the new school year. I hope you have had a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. I would particularly like to welcome all new children and their parents/caregivers to the College. We look forward to seeing the children at school on Wednesday 1 February (8.30am start).
Please note, all beginning-of-year forms are online; you should have received an email with the relevant details prior to Christmas. Also, just a reminder for Wednesday (and every Wednesday thereafter) we finish school at 2.30pm. All other days of the week conclude at 3.20pm.
Start of Year Information
- we have a Kea crossing on Normans Road. It operates from 8.00am–8.30am each morning, and for 15 to 20 minutes straight after school. All children (and parents/caregivers) are required to use the crossing when it is operating;
- please click here to view a diagram of the Normans Road drop-off zone. For vehicles, the entrance is at the Centennial Chapel end of the main carpark, but the drop-off is at the other end near the Preparatory School driveway. This is a drop/collect and leave area, just like at the airport. Please note, there are three 5-minute parks allocated in the drop-off zone for Pre-school parents and caregivers use only;
- there is no facility before or after school to enter the Preparatory School driveway directly from Normans Road and park outside the Pre-school. There is only one visitor park there, but it is not available when there is high pedestrian movement i.e. when the crossing is operating;
- all children must have a St Andrew’s College wide-brimmed or bucket hat this term, and given the time of year, it would be best if sunscreen is applied at home before coming to school;
- the Preparatory School Handbook is available online here: stac.nz/PreparatoryHandbook;
- there is a morning tea for new parents on Friday 3 February in the Preparatory School Library at 11.00am;
- the Preparatory School Meet the Teacher and PTA Wine and Cheese Evening is a combined event on Tuesday 14 February commencing in the Centennial Chapel at 5.45pm. There will be individual Parent–Teacher Interviews before the end of Term 1 (Week 8);
- the Staccato Café, in the Preparatory School, is open for parents from 8.00am–9.15am daily. This is a great way to meet new people;
- at any time should you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher, please make direct contact with them to make this arrangement;
- please refer to the Mobile Phones and Smart Watches Policy in the Handbook. In short, these devices are not permitted at school. In some cases, individual dispensation may be granted for serious or complicated factors before or after school. Please note: Year 7 dispensation from last year does not carry over to 2023 – there needs to be a new application for consideration. Please only apply if there is a real and valid reason for your child to bring a phone or smart watch to school. In just about all cases, after school transport arrangements can be sorted using the student phone at Reception or an email to the relevant class teacher;
- Sport Options: On Monday 30 January you will receive a link to select your child’s sport options for 2023. This online form should be completed by Wednesday 1 February. All Year 4–8 students must select at least one winter sport and one summer sport. Sport is optional for Year 1–3 students. You will receive information about Term 1 sports selected by Friday 3 February. If you have any questions, please email Deputy Principal and Head of Sport, Alex Kelley, on AKE@stac.school.nz.
- Ākonga (student) absence and ill-health: A polite reminder that any students who are unwell should not attend school. For any absence, whether ill-health or otherwise, the College’s preferred platform for reporting this is via our online form: stac.nz/absences. If you are not able to report your child's absence using the form, please report their absence by emailing prepschool@stac.school.nz (Years 1–8) or attendance@stac.school.nz (for Years 9–13). If you cannot get through to us via the online form or email, please call our attendance line on +64 3 940 2031 (term time only).
- COVID-19: Ākonga who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend school. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends. All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place, as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
The staff are excited about the term ahead, and I am looking forward to greeting the children as they arrive on Wednesday.
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
