Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 26 October 2023

Grandparents' Day

What an amazing response to last Friday’s Grandparents’ Day. Given the handful of empty seats in the Centennial Chapel, we must have been close to 700 visitors – a new record high! Everyone had a wonderful time.

Photos: Group photos taken at either of the two photo stations outside the Senior College will be emailed to the parents/caregivers of the eldest student in each group over the coming days. If you have not received an email by mid next week, please email photography@stac.school.nz.

GRANDPARENTS' DAY FLICKR >

Athletic Sports Day

On Monday, Year 4–8 students and staff travelled to Ngā Puna Wai for the Preparatory School’s annual Athletic Sports Day. This facility provides the opportunity for the children to experience a quality athletics track.

Congratulations to the children for the way they embraced the day and represented their House with pride. There was obvious enjoyment and full participation. Sincere thanks to Preparatory School Physical Education Specialist, Miss Aimee Phillips, for organising the event so meticulously. Thanks also to the staff for capably and positively running the various stations. There were many wonderful results and personal bests (please see full report in the main newsletter).

Get Spotted Melanoma Awareness Week

This week classes have been talking about how to be sun smart and counter the harmful rays of the sun. Tomorrow is our Spotty Theme Day in order to highlight the week and to provide meaningful support to Melanoma New Zealand. We encourage all children to come to school tomorrow with a little or lot of spots to show their support. Please remember to donate online if your child participates in our Theme Day. Please click here to donate.

Leavers' Parade

On Monday morning, the Preparatory School children and staff will celebrate and acknowledge the Year 12 and 13 leavers as they are piped from the flagpole to the Centennial Chapel for their final assembly. This has become a tradition for the Preparatory School and is a very special occasion for all involved.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

Student Successes

Athletics Sports Day

The Preparatory School Athletics Sports Day was held on Tuesday. Students from Years 4–8 competed at a range of events including: 1000m/1200m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, Discus and Relay.

One record was broken this year, with Samuel Hoshek (Year 7) throwing the Shot Put 8.18m, replacing the former record made by Montgomery Scott-Lysaght in 2020.

Overall it was an excellent day with strong leadership demonstrated by staff and all of our Year 9–10 Student Leaders. The winning house was Thompson House!

Age Group Champions >

Full Results >

FLICKR >

Waihi Exchange

On Wednesday, the Preparatory School welcomed Waihi School to St Andrew’s College for the annual Summer Sports exchange. The weather was glorious and reflected the wonderful spirit in which all games were contested. Waihi defeated the St Andrew’s 1st XI despite a solid bowling performance by the team, restricting Waihi to 145 from 30 overs. Unfortunately, the 1st XI was unable to chase down the runs required. The Preparatory tennis A team had a convincing 9–0 victory. There was an opportunity for all participants to mingle with a shared lunch and afternoon tea in the Boarders’ Dining Room. Sport and comradery were certainly the winners on the day!

FLICKR >

Middle School Production

Congratulations to the six Preparatory School students who are performing with the Year 9 and 10 students in The Little Mermaid this week. These six have worked incredibly hard taking on two roles – young seagulls and Flounder's friends to be in four songs and on stage for scenes. They are certainly keeping up with some challenging choreography. Wishing them well for their season.

Creative Writing

Mabel Hart (Year 8) won a bronze award in The Royal Commonwealth Society’s prestigious Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023.

Notices

Music Performance Concert | Monday 13 November

Any child in the Preparatory School is welcome to perform in the Music Performance Concert on Monday 13 November, 3.45pm in the Preparatory School Music Room.

It is expected that the Music scholar students will take part in this concert. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to gain experience and confidence performing in an informal performance setting. There are only 20 performance slots available on a first come first served basis. Please note that there is an accompanist available to play for this concert. There is a fee of $50.00 should your child require an accompanist. You will be expected to provide the accompaniment music for the accompanist.

Enrolment information needs to be completed online by Thursday 2 November.

COMPLETE THE SIGN UP FORM HERE >

Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival | Saturday 25 November

The Kapa Haka group is performing in the 9.00am Ngahau Performance on Saturday 25 November.

Tickets are now available for family members to buy. Performers do not require a ticket. This is for the students in Years 4–8 who are performing at the Town Hall in the Kapa Haka group.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE >

City Mission Christmas Appeal

The Community Service team is helping organise the College’s contribution to the Christchurch City Mission’s Christmas Appeal. Students and their families are invited to help disadvantaged children by donating gifts for children aged 3–14. The unwrapped purchased gifts can be taken and placed under the Christmas tree in the Centennial Chapel. This is a great opportunity to help our wider Christchurch community during the Christmas period, which can be a tough time for families, so we hope you all get involved.

For more information, please contact communityservice@stac.school.nz. Please bring in your donation by Wednesday 6 December.

The Strowan Gathering | Sunday 3 December

Come along to a gathering in the Scottish Highland tradition. Hosted by St Andrew’s College in partnership with the Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band, join us for this free event as we celebrate all things Scottish, with a hint of Christmas cheer! Featuring piping, drumming, Highland dancing, Scottish country dancing, and a Pipe Band contest. With a bouncy castle, food vendors and a licensed bar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this fun, family day out!

When: Sunday 3 December, 9.00am–5.00pm
Where: St Andrew’s College Field
This is a free, non-ticketed event, no bookings are required

What's Happening When >

StACTalks: Cyber Safety | Thursday 9 November

Our next StACTalk is a must-attend event designed to equip parents with essential knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape alongside their children. This is a hard-hitting, eye-opening and often hilarious in-person event presented by filmmaker, author and speaker, Rob Cope. Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged in your child's digital journey. The following topics will be covered: Cyberbullying, social media, gaming, online predators, pornography, smartphones, filters and boundaries.

Please note: this event is aimed at supporting our parent/caregiver community and is not suitable for students to attend.

REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE >

PROMOTIONAL VIDEO >

2023 Photography Online Orders

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

Preparatory School summer and winter sports groups (except for CPSSA tennis, Ski Team, U6 and U7 rugby);
Secondary School summer and winter sports groups (except for Senior A and Year 9 Silver netball, trap shooting, girls rugby, cricket and junior volleyball);
Secondary School cultural and music groups;
individual student photographs;
Year 9 and Year 13 whole year group photographs;
Ballet Academy photo (NEW – option to order A3 now available);
Secondary School tutor group photographs;
Preparatory School class photographs (except for Year 1).

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 >