Ballet Production – Trilogy

Our Ballet Academy finished the year with a triple bill production called Trilogy – showcasing three different performances presentations in one show: Kaleidoscope, Peter and the Wolf, and an original new ballet choreographed by Ballet Academy Artistic Director, Dr Carolyn Cairns called Winterscape. The dancers were challenged to reach their artistic best and shine in their dance roles. Next year we all look forward to our new theatre with our much awaited production of The Nutcracker.

Tūhono Ngāhau Festival

The Preparatory School Kapa Haka performed at the Tūhono Ngāhau Festival on Saturday 22 November in the Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium. Approximately 90 students from Years 4–8 performed in the festival along with students from nine other kura. The kapa have been ably led throughout the year by Kapa Haka leaders Alyssa Blackman, Ella Aldridge, Zoe Harbrow and Katherine Morris (all Year 8). Alyssa and Toby Lang (also Year 8) introduced our performance, and we began with an assortment of traditional Māori instruments with Theo McNeill (Year 8) on the kōauau, Hunter Morrow (Year 8) on the purerehua and Hunter Donnithorne and James Laurenson (both Year 6) on the conch shells. We were accompanied on the guitar by Matua Steve Leota and Bella Dean (Year 7). 

Our first waiata was Pokarekare Ana and we were accompanied  by Charlie Gregg (Year 8) on the bagpipes. The sound of the bagpipes with the traditional song was spine tingling. A welcome song and haka (Toia Mai) was next, followed by the girls performing their poi item to the waiata Whiti te Marama. To conclude, was a rousing performance of our haka led by Rico Cantwell (Year 7) and Toby Lang. Having a large number of Year 7–8 students participating along with the strength of our Middle Syndicate learners, ensured that our performance had ihi, wehe and wanawana. Many thanks for the support from the whānau of our performers.

Junior Christmas Celebration

On Tuesday afternoon the Junior Department gathered in the Centennial Chapel for their Christmas Concert and Year 3 Leavers’ Celebration. Parents, Grandparents and family friends were treated to some joyous Christmas Carols and an item performed by each class. These included Christmas poems, action songs, dances and instrumental performances.

The Year 3 students shared heartfelt memories of their time in the Junior Department, before being presented with their leaving certificates, and piped out of the Centennial Chapel by Charlie Gregg (Year 8).

This celebration was a wonderful way to finish the year, and to acknowledge our Year 3 leavers as they transition out of the Junior Department.

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.