Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 20 July 2023

Start of Term 3

I extend a very warm ‘welcome back to school’ to everyone – it was so nice to see the children’s happy faces walking in on Tuesday. I would particularly like to welcome the new children and their families to the school.

It is a very busy term, so please make a point of reading this weekly Preparatory School Newsletter, as well as the start of Term 3 information email from your child’s class teacher.

Gumboot Day

In support of the Boarders’ Assembly on Friday 4 August, the Agriculture Committee will once again hold Gumboot Day to support and raise money for Youth Mental Health.

Students and staff can wear (clean) gumboots to school. The gumboots are to be worn with the children’s school uniform. To donate $3, please text BOOTS to 469.

Tour to the Gold Coast (12 to 18 July)

The children and staff returned to Christchurch yesterday. They had a wonderful time and enjoyed the warmth of Australia, the competition, camaraderie, and the many exciting things to do and see. Sincere thanks to Head of Preparatory School Sport, Mr Kelley for organising and overseeing all aspects of the trip and thanks also to the travelling personnel. Spending seven days, 24/7, with a group of 32 11–13 year olds is not for everyone, particularly when it is during the school holidays.

All reports have confirmed the games were competitive with many very good results, but the standout comments have been about the exemplary behaviour, helpfulness and good manners of the children throughout their time away. More details about the tour are included in this Newsletter.

Parent Interviews | Monday 24 July – Thursday 27 July (Week 2, Term 3)

This year the interviews will be spread over four days and will be face-to-face in classrooms.

Please note, all Years 4–8 children are required to attend the interviews. Please contact Reception if you experience any difficulty making a booking. Bookings will close tomorrow, Friday 21 July.

If there is no suitable time available for you, please contact your child’s class teacher directly (via email) and another day and time will be arranged.

Site link: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
School code: vjkx7

At this interview, your child’s end of Term 2 Key Competencies Report will be discussed.

Please note, Ms Orman and Mrs Wylie’s class are not included in this interview round. They have a different interview timetable.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

Australian Tour

In the second week of the holidays, 32 students and six staff travelled to Queensland, Australia for a sports tour. The students played basketball, football and rugby against other independent school in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. The schools included Anglican Church Grammar, The Southport School, and John Paul College. In between games they also visited Australia Zoo, theme parks, Surfers Paradise and the Kurrawa Surf Club. The students stayed with the staff at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, a centre designed for high performance sport.

One of the many highlights was watching the students perform the school haka to each of the teams, prepared during the year by Mrs Mary Leota and Matua Steve. The teams were competitive, and demonstrated excellent fair play. The students developed independence and an understanding of being part of a touring team. The number of positive comments regarding the manners and behaviour of the boys from the various schools and places visited was extremely pleasing, they certainly represented the school with distinction!

Student Successes

Highland Dancing

At the recent Highland Dancing New Zealand Championships in Tauranga, Sarah McCarthy (Year 8) was the winner of the South Auckland Championship Highland Reel and the Runner Up Champion 12–14 Years.

Iaera Abrahamson (Year 3) was the Runner Up Champion U8 Years.

Notices

Snow Day Information

It is timely to remind parents of the process if the College is closed because of snow. A decision will be made by 6.30am on the day, and parents contacted via text and email. The update will be on the home page of the College website and parents should check this in the first instance, especially in the case of delays in text/emails from the telecommunication companies. An update will also be put on the College’s Facebook page (which is public so anyone can view it).

Should it snow during the school day, parents will be contacted with a similar process to collect students, as appropriate.

We acknowledge that a number of our families live in areas where snow may be more prevalent than in town and we understand when families choose not to bring their students in to school through dangerous driving conditions. In this case, please complete the online Absence form.

2023 Photography Online Orders

The online sales for the following 2023 photographs are now available:

Ballet Academy photo (NEW – option to order A3 now available);
Preparatory School cricket, tennis, water polo, mini jammers basketball, House and Sports Captains, and Librarians;
Secondary School summer sports groups (except for cricket and volleyball);
Secondary School cultural and music groups;
individual student photographs;
Year 9 and Year 13 whole year group photographs;
Secondary School tutor group photographs;
Preparatory School class photographs.

Details of how to order the photographs can be found on our website using the button below and you will need to log into StACNet using your St Andrew's College login

If you have any questions relating to this service, please email photography@stac.school.nz

ORDER PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE >