Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 7 September 2023

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).

AIMS Games

This week I have been in Tauranga with our girls' hockey and netball teams. The AIMS Games are a massive event. There are over 12,000 children competing in a range of sports. The Preparatory School has attended this event for several years.

Firstly, congratulations to the people of Tauranga. This city is a leader in hosting large national events. It showcases Tauranga as a tourist destination and the events boost the local economy. I was fortunate to attend the National Masters Hockey Tournament in February this year, and the people of Tauranga were welcoming and friendly.

This year’s competition is nearing the end. Our two teams are past pool play and are into the knock-out part of the tournament. Irrespective of the outcome from here, I have been immensely proud of the gutsy and determined play of our girls. We are a mini intermediate of 200 children. Most of the schools participating are intermediates well in excess of 1000 children. We are the minnows in this competition but the play of our hockey and netball teams is well beyond this. Congratulations to the coaches, managers and parents for the way they are caring for and supporting the girls. As always, Mr Kelley has organised every last detail of this trip. His eye for detail is without peer. The support and welfare he has in place for the staff and children is thoughtful, proactive and much appreciated. Wishing our teams every success for the business end of this tournament.

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

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.

Junior Department Pyjama Day

Last Friday, the Junior Department in the Preparatory School celebrated the first day of Spring with a Pyjama Day. The students (and teachers!) enjoyed wearing their pyjamas, oodies, onesies, or comfiest clothing to school, and many brought along a favourite stuffed toy to help welcome in Spring. What a stunning day it was in the Junior Department!

FLICKR >

Student Successes

Duathlon

On Monday, students represented the St Andrew’s Preparatory School at the Canterbury Primary and CAIM Schools Duathlon. This was a much-awaited event due to it being cancelled the last two years.

Top 50 Finish

James Laurenson (Year 6) – 34th Placing
Eva Willcox (Year 7) – 36th Placing
Ivy Fan (Year 5) – 36th Placing
Jackson Morrow (Year 7) – 37th Placing

Top 30 Finish

Toby Lang (Year 8) – 24th Placing
Chloe Wang (Year 5) – 25th Placing
Hayden Brown (Year 7) – 27th Placing

Top 20 Finish

Kobe Ford (Year 6) – 18th Placing

Top 5 Finish

Isabelle Greer (Year 6) placed third in the Year 6 Girls’ Duathlon Event.

Netball

The Year 8 Navy netball team defeated Technical in the Year 8 Division 3 final to win the competition. A great effort by the team with a particularly strong performance in the final.

Ice Skating

Artem Kutovoy (Year 7) participated in the New Zealand Short Track Championship last weekend and was awarded a silver medal in his age group.

Notices

PTA Christmas Goodies | Order Now

Delicious Christmas goodies, locally made with the highest quality ingredients. The perfect gift for Christmas or keep to treat your own family! All proceeds will go towards the PTA 2023 fundraising drive.

This year the PTA are introducing two brand new offerings outside of the cake category:

Christmas Truffles (box of 6) | $17.00
Christmas Shortbread Trees (box of 8) | $14.00

The PTA is also again offering a range of Christmas cake options, all beautifully presented in a gift box:

2kg Traditional Christmas Cake | $77.00
2kg Traditional Christmas Cake – gluten free option | $79.00
450g Cathedral Cake – gluten and dairy free | $31.00

More information about each of the PTA’s Christmas Goodies, including the ingredients list, can be found at the link below.

Closing date for orders: Friday 20 October 2023
Cake collection: November 2023 (date TBC), Second-hand Uniform Shop

ORDER CHRISTMAS GOODIES >

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 >