Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 30 November 2023

Key Dates

Term 4 Chapel Service, Sunday 3 December, 5.00pm–5.40pm;
End of Year Preparatory School Assembly – Friday 8 December, 11.00am, Centennial Chapel;
Term 4 concludes at 12.35pm on Friday 8 December (please note there is no After-school Care available);
Term 1 Commences on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

It has been another productive and busy week of learning, sporting and cultural activities. The children are holding up well. All the best to those involved in the Ballet Production, Trilogy.

End of Year Assembly | Friday 8 December, 11.00am–12.30pm, Centennial Chapel

If your child is receiving a prize at the End of Year Assembly next week, you will receive an email from me advising this tomorrow, Friday 1 December, along with an invitation to attend the Assembly. All Preparatory School parents/caregivers are welcome to attend regardless of whether a student is a prize winner. If you do not hear from me, please assume your child will not be receiving an award on this occasion.

Kea Crossing

Please ensure you use the Kea Crossing before or after school when it is operating, and please do not attempt a right hand turn onto Normans Road when leaving the drop-off/pick-up zone.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

Student Successes

Year 5 Camp

On Tuesday 7 November, our Year 5 students set off for a two-night camping adventure at Living Springs. It was an incredible experience filled with sunshine, fun activities, and lots of laughter. The children enjoyed their time at the camp, participating in activities such as archery, riflery, and bouldering as well as learning about our land and native animals. One of the highlights of the camp was a visit to the farm park, where the children had the opportunity to learn about different animals and interact with them. We would like to express our gratitude to all the parents who supported us during this camp.

FLICKR >

Year 7 Camp

This week a group of Year 7 students travelled to Living Springs to take part in a team-building camp. First, students tested their courage and dexterity in a tree-climbing task, before speeding down an obstacle course on specially designed ‘Mountainboards.’ Then their teamwork was tested in a high-octane game of archery tag. After dinner, and a short time to relax, teachers and students played Build-up and Sardines before a late snack and bedtime. The following day students took part in a rogaine course, which saw them solving aptitude tests, firing at archery and air rifle targets, scrambling up climbing walls and running from one end of the valley to the other.

The spirit of the trip was outstanding and there was an infinite supply of eager young people willing to step up and complete the less savoury camp tasks like dishes, mopping, cleaning and vacuuming. Teachers were impressed by excellent manners, good humour and energy shown by the student group and the camp was thoroughly enjoyable.

FLICKR >

CPSSA Athletics

On Wednesday 29 November, 13 students from St Andrew’s Preparatory School represented our zone for athletics. Getting through the final round of qualification and through to the Canterbury Championships is an excellent achievement and one for the athletes to be very proud of.

The Girls’ relay team finished the best in Canterbury. A fantastic display of teamwork, smooth transitions and excellent runners. Well done to all of our athletes for their effort and determination regarding their achievements in athletics this year. This year has shown positive growth for all of them.

View the students who placed in the top 20 in Canterbury by clicking here >

View the full Track results by clicking here >

View the full Field results by clicking here >

Cricket

On Monday and Tuesday this week, the Preparatory School 1st XI took part in the annual Canterbury Junior Cricket Association (CJCA) Boys’ Cricket Festival. Over the two days they played four games of 20/20 cricket. There was some excellent cricket on display. In the first game, St Andrew’s College defeated Cobham Intermediate School, successfully chasing down 148 runs in 18 overs. In the second game, Heaton Intermediate 2 were the opposition and St Andrew’s College set an imposing total of 215 runs with Heaton scoring 136 in reply. On day two, the Preparatory 1st XI started the day with a game against St Thomas of Canterbury College. St Thomas scored 143 runs from their 20 overs, but an impressive half century in 26 balls from Hunter Morrow (Year 8) helped the team to chase down the total within 12 overs.

The festival culminated with a game against the very strong Heaton 1, and this was the team’s performance of the festival. Losing the toss and fielding first, St Andrew’s College had Heaton on the back foot, taking five wickets inside the first five overs (four wickets for spin bowler Felix O’Byrne (Year 8). Heaton had previous scored big runs against their opposition, but a polished bowling and fielding performance restricted Heaton to 97 runs. St Andrew’s continued their performance and chased down the total within 8 overs. Great improvement over the festival and a great sense of team spirit and fair play displayed by the players. Congratulations to all involved.

Tennis

Preparatory School Singles and Doubles Tennis Tournament

The annual Preparatory School Singles and Doubles Tennis Tournament was held Thursday 23 November. Frank McHarg (Year 6) and Toby Lang (Year 8) were in the final for the boys’ champion. Frankie won the match and was the boys’ singles champion for 2023. The girls’ final was between Billie Feaver-Banks and Mia McHarg (both Year 8). Mia McHarg emerged as the girls’ singles 2023 champion. Toby Lang (Year 8) and Frankie McHarg (Year 6) successfully won to be the 2023 boys’ doubles champions and Mia McHarg (Year 8) and Sabine Waghorn (Year 7) proved to be an unbeatable combination to be the 2023 girls’ doubles champions.

South Island Primary School Tennis Championships

In the South Island Primary School Tennis Championships Tennis Finals, Open Girls’ Singles, Billie Feaver-Banks (Year 8) came third place, Frank McHarg (Year 6) secured third place, and Mia McHarg (Year 8) came in second place in the doubles.

Speech and Drama

Jessica Whitehead (Year 5) won the following for speech and drama this year:

The Jones Family Scholarship (8 and under 10yrs);
Barbara Sugden Challenge Cup (Girls 8 and under 10) (2 gold, 2 silver and a bronze).

Notices

Cafeteria Orders

Effective from the beginning of Term 1 next year, the College's Kindo lunch service will undergo a cut-off time adjustment, moving from 9.00am to 8.00am.

This change aims to enhance efficiency and accommodate the evolving needs of students.

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 >

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 >

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 5 December, 2.00pm–4.30pm.

Please note: if you need to arrange an alternative, please contact PTA member Rachel Gunn via email by clicking here >

Free Coding Holiday Activity

Coding New Zealand is running its free coding holiday activities this summer. With the increasing amount of digital technology in our world today, Coding NZ believe every student deserves a chance to enjoy discovering more about how coding works. Their free holiday workshops are a great way for students to stretch their existing coding skills, or to get started for the first time.

Sign up at codingnz.com/freeactivity.

Summertime Reading Photo Challenge | Entries Close Friday 9 February 2024

The Library team invite all returning students to take part in the Preparatory School Library Summer Reading Photo Challenge. We would love students to send in a photograph of themselves reading in a summer setting over the holidays. Great prizes for the best photos up for grabs!

Students can borrow books from the Preparatory School Library for their summer holiday reading. There are also some fantastic events with Christchurch City Libraries this summer. Follow this link to their 2023/24 summer reading programme. Summer reading is important for children and teens to help prevent the summer slide in reading levels, and we encourage all students to read for pleasure over the long holiday period.

Competition Instructions:

Students are to email a photo of themselves reading in a summery place to Library Manager, Tracey Hull, at THL@stac.school.nz. Entries due no later than Friday 9 February 2024.

Minecraft Summer Holiday Programme

The Minecraft Summer Holiday Programme will give your child the opportunity to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills in Minecraft Education. They will learn how to build amazing structures, solve local building challenges, and learn to automate parts of their builds with code.

We have two programmes running this summer. One at the start of the holidays and one towards the end, shortly before the children are all due back at school. Doors will open at 8.30am for drop-off, with a 9.00am start in the Green Library and Innovation Centre. This is a two-day programme and each day will finish at 3.30pm.

Programme One:

11–12 December for Year 5 and 6 students;
21–22 December for Year 7 and 8 students (after Mrs McBride’s programme).

Programme Two:

15–16 January for Year 5 and 6 students;
18–19 January for Year 7 and 8 students.

Read all the details, and book with the external provider by clicking here >

Clothing Collection for Charity

‘Project Infinity’ assembles Christmas bags for school children in need. Every year the children who receive a Christmas bag are absolutely delighted with their unexpected gift. If you would like to contribute to this Christmas bag project to provide clothing for children at Bromley Primary School and Opawa Primary School, we would love clean, pre-loved clothing for girls and boys (ages 5–18).

Both schools have many families who are struggling, and we provide a special group of children from each school with a new school bag filled with clean pre-loved clothing, new socks and undies, and a small toy. This year we have also been given an amount of money so that we can buy each family a grocery voucher, to pop into their bag of goodies. Bromley Primary School holds a celebration evening for the children who are chosen, and they enjoy the festivities with their families and then take home their special bags!

If you would like to contribute to this Christmas bag project to provide clothing for children at Bromley Primary School and Opawa Primary School, we would love clean, pre-loved clothing for girls and boys (ages 5–18). Any clothing donation will be gratefully accepted. Clothes can be left at the Preparatory School reception. The last day for collection will be Friday 8 December.

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.

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 >