Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 9 November 2023

IT’S NOT TOO LATE – StACTalks: Cyber Safety is on TONIGHT

StACTalks: Cyber Safety | Thursday 9 November | 6.30pm–8.30pm, Centennial Chapel

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.

Please endeavour to send one parent/caregiver from your family.

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 >

StAC-Up Winning House Term 4

Congratulations to Thompson House. These children will be able to come to school next Thursday in casual wear with a little or a lot of green.

Kea Crossing

Please ensure you use the Kea Crossing before or after school when it is operating.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

Student Successes

Cricket

Last Thursday and Friday, a group of 10 enthusiastic Year 7–8 cricketers took part in the annual Canterbury Junior Cricket Association (CJCA) Girls’ Cricket Festival at Hagley Park. Playing three 20/20 games over the two days, the girls were eager to put their bowling and batting skills to the test against some of the other schools in Canterbury. There were some great individual performances and the St Andrew’s team scored well over 100 runs in each of their games as they defeated Cobham Intermediate School and Cathedral Grammar School, and narrowly lost to Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School. Games were played in a great spirit and despite poor drizzly conditions on day two, the girls were committed to putting in their best performance.

Next up for the team – St Margaret’s College next Wednesday! Congratulations to those involved.

CPSSA Tennis

On Wednesday 8 November, two Preparatory School tennis teams represented St Andrew’s College at the annual Canterbury Primary Schools Tennis Championships. This year both teams took part in the ‘Open’ section comprising 14 school teams. StAC 1 - Alexander Allan, Oliver Gilbert, Toby Lang, and Theo Smith (all Year 8) finished the tournament in second place. StAC 2 – Billie Feaver-Banks (Year 8), Frank McHarg (Year 6), Mia McHarg (Year 8) and Sabine Waghorn (Year 7) finished the tournament in third place. There was some fantastic tennis on the day, great sportsmanship, great rallies, and some great results – the only thing missing – the strawberries and champagne!! Congratulations to all involved!

Ballet

Cameron Lyons (Year 8) was successful with her recent audition to gain a spot with the New Zealand School of Dance, in their elite ‘Classical Major – Associates’ program. With many competitive dancers competing throughout New Zealand for just a handful of places – this is a wonderful achievement for Cameron. This part-time program gives dancers the opportunity to travel to Wellington for intensive weekend trainings to study with New Zealand’s best practitioners, as a pre-selection for a possible future career in the artform.

Highland Dance

Georgia Gregg (Year 6) competed at the Pleasant Point competition for Highland dance and won Most Points Under 12 last weekend.

Notices

Advent Chapel | Sunday 3 December

Family Advent Service (Years 1–8) – Sunday 3 December, 5.00pm, in the Centennial Chapel

This is the Preparatory School’s final compulsory service of the year. Giving this year is for the Christchurch City Mission. Guidelines: a suitable (unwrapped) gift for age range 3–14 years.

Junior Choir (Years 3–5) and Cantare Choir

These two choirs will be singing at the Advent Chapel Service. Please note that this is all of the Year 3–4 students.

The students in these choirs need to arrive ready for a warm-up and run-through of their performance piece at 4.20pm in the Centennial Chapel. Full College uniform is worn with a blazer for this occasion.

There will be no entry to the chapel, other than the students in the choir, before 4.45pm.

PTA Christmas Goodies | Collection Information

For those who placed a PTA Christmas Goodies order, there will be several opportunities to collect your order from the Second-hand Uniform Shop, on the following dates and times:

COLLECTION DATES/TIMES

Tuesday 14 November, 2.00pm–4.30pm;
Tuesday 21 November, 2.00pm–4.30pm;
Tuesday 28 November, 2.00pm–4.30pm;
Tuesday 5 December, 2.00pm–4.30pm.

Please note: unless arranged directly with the PTA, these are the only collection times available.

If you need to arrange an alternative, please contact PTA member Rachel Gunn via email by clicking here >

Canterbury A&P Show | 15–17 November

We are looking forward to welcoming our current, past and potential future members of the StAC community at the Canterbury A&P Show. Please look out for us on our new site M58 and M59, in the Schools and Education Zone on MacKenzie Drive.

Science Theatre Show

Upcoming live science theatre show, Nanogirl Live! is a dynamic and interactive STEM experience hosted by Nanogirl Labs, designed to ignite the spark of curiosity and excitement for science in young minds. Presented by Dr Michelle Dickinson MNZM, the show combines entertainment and education in a way that captivates students while fostering a deeper understanding of science and engineering concepts.

For more information and to book, go to https://www.nanogirl.co/tickets.

Ballet Production: Trilogy

This year we present Trilogy, a triple bill showcasing three different performance presentations in one show! Kaleidoscope – a colourful fusion of dances developed over this year, creating a kaleidoscope of artistic endeavours. Peter and the Wolf – a delightful ballet that tells the story of Peter, his animal friends and a menacing wolf, with a score composed by Sergei Prokofiev in which each character is represented by a distinct musical theme. Winterscape – an original ballet, capturing the spirit and beauty of winter, journeying from a misty landscape to an enchanting skating party.

When: Friday 1 December – Saturday 2 December 2023

Friday 1 December, 1.30pm–3.15pm;
Friday 1 December, 6.30pm–8.15pm;
Saturday 2 December, 1.30pm–3.15pm;
Saturday 2 December, 4.00pm–5.45pm.

Where: Gym 1
Adult ticket: $35.00
Student ticket: $20.00

Please note: Seating allocation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

PURCHASE TRILOGY TICKETS HERE >

Scholastic Book Fair | Monday 13 November – Thursday 16 November

From Monday 13 November we will be holding our annual Scholastic Book Fair in the Preparatory School Library. There will be a fantastic variety of children's books available for purchase, and with Christmas approaching fast, it's a great way to give the gift of reading!

The Scholastic Book Fair will be open from 9.30am on Monday 13 November to 4.00pm Thursday 16 November. Parents and caregivers are welcome before and after school, from Monday afternoon.

Purchases can be made at the fair by credit or debit card only. Please, no cash or cheques.

If you are unable to visit the Book Fair, your child can bring home a Wishlist for your approval. You may then complete your credit/debit cards details on the back of the form and return it to the Book Fair with your child to purchase their chosen book(s).

The Scholastic Book Fair is an important event in the Preparatory School calendar, with a generous percentage of sales from this event is used to support our very successful Wide Reading Programme.

Thank you for your support.

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 >

2023 Photography Online Orders

All 2023 photographs are now available to purchase online:

individual student photographs;
sports, cultural, music and leadership groups;
Year 9 and Year 13 whole year group photographs;
Ballet Academy photo (NEW – option to order A3);
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 >