close

You are logged in as

Logout

This website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users. This helps us to provide you with a good user experience and also allows us to improve our website. More information

Facebook Old Cols College

Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 31 August 2023

Next week, 20 students and five staff members travel to Tauranga for the annual AIMS Games. Over 11,000 Intermediate students take part in this event, across 25 sports and from over 370 schools. St Andrew’s College will be represented by the Preparatory A netball team who will be competing amongst 144 schools, and the Girls' A hockey team who in their pool alone, face former winners Kamo Intermediate. It promises to be a fantastic week of sport. We wish all those travelling a fantastic time away, and know that both teams will be great representatives for the College. I too will be present to support the teams as they progress through the competition.

Advanced Notice

  • Term 3 will conclude on Friday 22 September at 12.35pm. Please note, there will be no Afterschool Care available.
  • The Preparatory School Term 3 Awards Assembly will be at 11.00am on the last day of term (Friday 22 September).
  • Term 4 will commence on Monday 16 October at the usual time (there is no Teacher-Only Day).

Grandparents’ Day | Friday 20 October

This year, Grandparents' Day will be held on Friday 20 October. This special occasion will commence with entertainment in the Centennial Chapel at 10.45am. Following the entertainment, everyone will leave the Centennial Chapel and meet up with the Preparatory and Secondary School children waiting in anticipation outside. There will be a photographer available to capture this special day for those who would like this option.

Please note, there is no morning tea this year. The number of people attending Grandparents’ Day has risen beyond what can be safely accommodated.

Visitors on Grandparents’ Day need to register to attend. This will ensure that the children are released from class to meet with them. Please use the link below to register for this special day. 

GRANDPARENTS' DAY REGISTRATION >

Te Wiki O Ngā Pukapuka (Book Week) 18–22 September 2023 | Theme: Who’s Your Hero?

Excitement is starting to build for our annual Book Week at the end of this term. We have five days of activities and fun planned around the theme of 'Who’s Your Hero?'

We will be joined by New Zealand author Maria Gill, who is best known for her non-fiction books about our home-grown heroes. We will be celebrating all book heroes during this week, not just those with capes!

The highlight of the week will be our annual Book Parade. This will take place on Thursday 21 September starting at 12.00pm.

All students are invited to dress up as book characters for the day and join in the fun. 

 

Regards

 

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

JB


Class Placements

This year, we plan to place the children in their 2024 classes before the end of this term. Please note staffing for 2024 is not yet finalised and there will be some changes.

The process is similar to previous years:

  1. Your child's current teacher (Years 1–7) is the contact point for any information you would like to be considered. Please submit information via email.
  2. Please only submit information that you consider crucial or new. For the large majority of children, the classroom teachers will be able to make informed and appropriate choices.
  3. Please restrict your information to one consideration. More than one consideration or requesting a specific teacher will not be able to be met. If suggesting friendship considerations, please give three possible connections, and we will endeavour to accommodate one.
  4. The closing date for receipt of information is Friday 8 September 2023.

This year, the teachers will again use a computer program to assist the process. At each year level, the teachers will work together to enter the information (their own plus other sources i.e., parents, learning support, pastoral support, etc.) and the program will generate the class lists. The College's database does not have the facility to compile future classes, so to have an option that doesn't allow double entries or missed names is helpful and quicker. 

Preparatory School Chess Club

This week we had six students representing the Preparatory School at the Canterbury Individual Interschool Chess Competitions 2023. Our students ranged from Year 5–Year 8 and spent the day thrashing it out against many worthy opponents from various schools across the region. The boys enjoyed many wins and Samuel Rijpma (Year 5) was awarded first place in the Year 5 category. Well done Sam!

Sam Rijpma 1st place medal

Theatresports

On Tuesday, a Secondary School Theatresports team visited with the specialist Preparatory School Drama group, D-Squared. The Senior students introduced some exercises to the class, played games with the younger students, and then demonstrated a couple of the more challenging games. There was a lot of laughter in the room. Thank you to the Heads of Theatresports, Tamaroa Connelly (Year 12), Marco Leighs, Portia Bennie and Jeremy Kent (all Year 13).


Skiing

On Sunday, 20 skiers and snowboarders from the Preparatory School participated in the Annual Primary and Intermediate Schools Ski Race hosted at Mount Cheeseman. This event involved 32 schools from the Canterbury region, with St Andrew’s eager to retain the championship title secured in 2022.

The Year 1–6 skiers were once again the fastest primary school team. Among them, the five top-performing racers who contributed to the acquisition of the Primary Cup were: Isabelle Greer, Rhys Seath (both Year 6), Alessandria Greer, Archer Bryant (both Year 4), and Francesca Greer (Year 3).

Similarly, the St Andrew’s Intermediate team upheld their reputation as the fastest Years 7–8 team. The five top-performing racers in this group, who secured the Intermediate Cup, were: Theo Smith, Ryder Townshend, Harry Hitchon, Katie Morris (all Year 8), and Edward Park (Year 7).

Read all the Individual Skiing and Snowboarding Award Results by clicking here


Student Successes


Swimming

Last weekend, at the 2023 Swim Timaru Open Meet, Yunze Li (Year 6) won five medals in the 10 Years and Under age group – Gold: 200m freestyle, Silver: 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly, Bronze: 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Notices


The Little Mermaid 2 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL PRODUCTION: ‘The Little Mermaid’

We are delighted to share this version of Hans Christian Andersen's most well-known classic story of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. Come and join King Triton's daughter, Ariel, along with her colourful friends from under the sea as she meets Prince Eric from the world above. Our incredible cast, crew and creative team will be joined by our fantastic live 18-piece orchestra. Immerse yourself in the magic of this beautiful love story for all ages. Book your tickets today and be part of a truly magical experience!

Where: St Andrew's College Gym 1
When: Wednesday 25 October – Saturday 28 October, 7.00pm–9.30pm (all shows)
Tickets: Adults $35.00 | Students $17.50 (student ID may be requested on entry)

PURCHASE TICKETS > https://www.stac.school.nz/alumni-and-our-community/events/middle-school-production-the-little-mermaid

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 >
Online Photography WIDE 2023