Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 9 February 2023

As we come to the end of Week 2, I am pleased to say all learning programmes and activities are fully under way across the school. The days are busy and the children are engaged, happy, and focused on their learning.

Last Friday, many of our new parents attended morning tea in the Preparatory School Library. This was valuable time together to chat with others also new to the school. It was an engaged and happy group, and I am sure many connections were made.

Next week, Tuesday 14 February, is the Preparatory School Meet the Teacher and PTA Wine and Cheese Evening. We start at 5.45pm in the Centennial Chapel, where I will give an overview of the Preparatory School’s learning and focus for 2023. Following this, our Team Leaders will talk to their respective parent groups, and then class teachers will share information in their rooms. This part of the evening will conclude about 7.00pm and the PTA Wine and Cheese will kick off in the downstairs shared area and courtyard. Please note this is a parent only evening.

The Preparatory School Staccato Café is open for parents from 8.00am to 9.15am daily. This is a great way to meet new people.

Morning congestion has increased significantly since last week. Please take care as you approach the College and navigate parking.

please use the 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/carers) are required to use the crossing when it is operating;
the Preparatory School Handbook is available online here: stac.nz/PreparatoryHandbook;

Found

This size 8 shirt was picked up outside the Pre-school a few days ago. It looks like it was unknowingly dropped after being purchased from the College Shop as it is brand new. Please can the owner collect from the Preparatory School Reception.

2023 Loud Shirt Day – Friday 24 February

Read more about Loud Shirt Day 2023 by clicking here.

2024 Enrolment

If you are thinking about another child starting with us next year and you haven’t already submitted an application, I encourage you to do this immediately as places will be tight. Your child will have sibling status (priority), but they will be considered in ‘date of application’ order which means the longer you wait to apply, the further they will be down the list.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

Swimming Prelims (Years 4-8)

Swimming Prelims will be held on Monday 13 February in the pool at Jellie Park Recreation and Sports Centre. The students will be transported to and from the venue by bus.

Only Year 4 parents are permitted to attend this event. This is due to Year 4 Championship Finals being held at Prelims and not at Swimming Sports Day (Monday 20 February) due to venue restrictions.

Students will compete at the below times:
Year 4              9.45am–10.45am
Years 5–6        10.45am–12.00pm
Year 7              12.00pm–1.30pm
Year 8              1.30pm–3.00pm

Students will need to wear their PE gear and tracksuits to school, with their togs underneath. All children will require: towel, snacks, water bottles, and suitable footwear for the pool.

The preference is for blue or black swimming togs for girls, and blue or black speedos or skins (not board shorts) for boys.

The aim of the prelims is to place the students into races that are appropriate to their abilities. It is vital that the children are exposed to opportunities to practice swim safety and confidence in the water.

Preparatory Swimming Sports 2023

The Preparatory Swimming Sports Day will be held on Monday 20 February.

This event is for Years 5–8. Due to venue restrictions and capacity rules of Jellie Park Recreational Pool, it is strongly advised that only one parent / caregiver will spectate per family.

Years 5–6 will complete in the morning from 9.45am–11.15am;
Year 7 from 11.30am–1.15pm;
Year 8 from 1.15pm–3.00pm.

Students will travel to and from the event by bus.

Year 5–6 leaving at 9.30am – returning bus at 11.15am;
Year 7 leaving at 11.00am – returning bus at 1.15pm;
Year 8 leaving at 1.00pm – returning bus at 3.00pm.

Students should be changed prior to leaving on the bus (do not get changed at Jellie Park)

uniform is blue or black swimming togs for girls, blue or black speedos or shorts (not board shorts) for boys;
House colours are permitted to be worn on the day when not swimming;
all timing will be completed by staff members;
all students are to compete in freestyle and backstroke;
Year 5 upwards will do 50m races;
students may opt into the 2-length breaststroke and 2-length butterfly races The butterfly race is an open event which means all age groups compete against each other.

Junior Department Beach Education

The Year 1–3 students enjoyed an action-packed day at South New Brighton Surf Life Saving Club this week. The students learned about IRBs (Inflatable Rescue Boats), safety rules around water and in the sun, and had fun playing beach games and boogie boarding. The Year 3 students also learnt about the 3 R’s if caught in a rip (Raise, Relax and Ride). Thank you to our parent helpers that accompanied us so that the students could put their skills into practice during the afternoon water session. It is great to provide the students with the opportunity to be immersed in a Surf Life Saving environment with practical experiences in beach and surf conditions.

Year 7 Surfing Day at Sumner

On Tuesday 7 February, the Year 7 students spent a day at Sumner Beach learning to surf. The day was part of the transition to Year 7 programme and the weather was stunning. The students learnt the basics of surfing and body surfing with a strong emphasis on surf safety. The day was also an opportunity for students to get to know each other out of the classroom and form new friendships and connections.

FLICKR >

FLICKR >

Year 7 Picnic at Spencer Park and Adrenalin Forest

Today the Year 7 students faced another challenge by testing their skills at Adrenalin Forest Aerial Park. Students participated in over 100 challenges across six different levels. They learnt to work co-operatively with others to assist them and to persist when the challenges became more difficult. Students also spent time at Spencer Park playing co-operative and team building games.

Preparatory School Sport

Shout out for sport shoes, boots, and school shoes

If you have a pair of last year's sport shoes, running shoes, football / rugby boots or school shoes that no longer fit your child and are in good condition, please give them to Deputy Principal of Preparatory School (Operations) and Head of Preparatory School Sport, Alex Kelley, via Reception.

Last year, such shoes were given to children who couldn’t afford these items at various low decile schools – it would be great to do this again. Please ensure the footwear is clean and in good condition before sending it in.

Any questions, please feel free to email Alex Kelley, on AKE@stac.school.nz.

If you wish to donate your child’s old footwear, please could you do so by Monday 10 February.

Summer Sport

Summer sport co-ordinators will be in touch in due course, however, here is a guide to when each sport will begin in Term 1:

Athletics – Week 3
Badminton – Week 3
Basketball (Year 3–4) – Week 4 – Thursday 23 February (first game, practices to start in Week 3)
Cricket – This week (Wednesday/Thursday trials), practices in Week 2
Cricket Centre – Week 3 – Thursday 16 February
Futsal – Week 3 – Wednesday 15 February (Year 5–6), Thursday 16 February (Year 7–8)
Mini Kickers – Week 3 – Wednesday 15 February
Mountain Biking – Week 4 – Wednesday 22 February
Summer Hockey – Week 3 – Monday 13 February
Summer Netball – Week 3 – Wednesday 15 February
Tennis – Week 3, Tuesday 14 or Wednesday 15 or Friday 17 February
Touch Rugby – Week 3 – Friday 17 February
Volleyball – Week 3, Tuesday lunchtimes from Thursday 16 February
Water Polo – TBC

Winter Sport

Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby

Team selections at Years 7–8 for football, hockey, rugby and netball will be made during Years 7–8 Core Skills (Period 5 every Wednesday) this year. This will start on Wednesday 15 February.

Winter Sport seasons (first games) begin on the following dates. All fixtures will begin either on the last Saturday of the holidays or once we have returned to school in Term 2.

Football – Saturday 22 April (This is at the end of the second week of the three-week holidays)
Rugby – Saturday 6 May (The Saturday after we return from school holidays)
Netball – Saturday 29 April (The last Saturday of the holidays) (Future Ferns (Years 3–6) – Thursday 4 May)
Hockey – Saturday 6 May – (The Saturday after we return from school holidays)

Basketball team selections will be conducted later in the term, the basketball season does not start until Term 2. Teacher in Charge of Preparatory Basketball, Mr David Ermerins DER@stac.school.nz will be in contact later in the term.

Music groups in the Preparatory School

Junior Choir: This choir is for children in Years 3–5. This is not an auditioned choir. This is compulsory for Year 3 and Year 4 students. Year 5 children all sing in the choir for the first term and then can choose if they wish to remain in the choir for Terms 2–4. The weekly choir rehearsal is on Thursday afternoon, 2.25pm in the Music Room. Directed by Music Teacher, Ros Emeleus, with accompanist Margot Askin. The Junior Choir started week 1.

Cantare Choir: This is an all-comers (not auditioned) choir for children in Year 6–Year 8. This year the choir will rehearse at 8.20am on a Tuesday morning in the Chapel, and period 6 on Tuesday afternoon in the Preparatory School music room. The choir sings mostly secular music and participates in the annual Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival. Choir Director – Ros Emeleus, Choir Manager – Bid Constanti, accompanist – Margo Askin. Cantare Choir will start Week 3, Tuesday 14 February in the afternoon.

Preparatory School Orchestra: This orchestra is for anyone in Year 4 and up who is learning an instrument and can read basic music notation. This includes guitar and recorder players. Beginners are welcome. Players bring their lunch to the music room and eat before the rehearsal. The rehearsal time is Wednesday lunchtime in the music room starting Week 3, Wednesday 15 February. Orchestra members will need their own clear file for the storage of orchestra music. Directed by Ros Emeleus, assisted by Greta Henley.

Please email Music Teacher, Ros Emeleus, should you have any further enquiries: REM@stac.school.nz

Notices

Preparatory School Co-curricular Sign-ups

If you wish to sign-up your child for one of the below co-curricular activities, please visit the link below.

Speech and Drama Tuition;
Instrumental and Singing Tuition;
Pipe Band and Highland Dancing;
St Andrew's College Ballet Academy.

Sign up form > https://stac.nz/PrepForms

PTA Second-Hand Uniform Shop

The PTA Second-hand Uniform shop is located beside the College Shop – Thistles, next to the Normans Road carpark and is open every Tuesday and Thursday, 3.00pm–4.30pm. If anyone is keen to volunteer in the shop, please click here to complete the volunteer sign-up form.

Café Volunteers Needed

We urgently require parent volunteers to assist in the College cafeteria for the year. We do rely on parents to assist us to help keep costs down, which will ensure our profits will go back into the College. Hours are between 9.00am and 1.30pm (approximately).

Please email Cafeteria Manager, Linda Kohing, on LKO@stac.school.nz for more information.