Preparatory School Newsletter

A warm welcome to all as we commence the new school year. I hope you have had a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. I would particularly like to welcome all new children and their parents/caregivers to the College. We look forward to seeing the children at school on Wednesday 31 January (8.30am start).

Please note, all beginning-of-year forms are online; you should have received an email with the relevant details prior to Christmas. Also, just a reminder for Wednesday (and every Wednesday thereafter) we finish school at 2.30pm. All other days of the week conclude at 3.20pm.

• we have a Kea crossing on Normans Road. It operates from 8.00am–8.30am each morning, and for 15 to 20 minutes straight after school. All children (and parents/caregivers) are required to use the crossing when it is operating; 
• please click here to view a diagram of the Normans Road drop-off zone. For vehicles, the entrance is at the Centennial Chapel end of the main carpark, but the drop-off is at the other end near the Preparatory School driveway. This is a drop/collect and leave area, just like at the airport. Please note, there are three 5-minute parks allocated in the drop-off zone for Pre-school parents/caregivers only;
• there is no facility before or after school to enter the Preparatory School driveway directly from Normans Road and park outside the Pre-school. There is only one visitor park there, but it is not available when there is high pedestrian movement i.e. when the crossing is operating;
• all children must have a St Andrew’s College wide-brimmed or bucket hat this term, and given the time of year, it would be best if sunscreen is applied at home before coming to school;
• the Preparatory School Handbook is available online here: stac.nz/PreparatoryHandbook
• the Preparatory School Meet the Teacher and PTA Wine and Cheese Evening is a combined event on Tuesday 13 February commencing in the Centennial Chapel at 5.45pm. There will be individual Parent/Teacher interviews before the end of Term 1 (Weeks 7–8).
• at any time should you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher, please contact them directly to make this arrangement. 
• please refer to the Mobile Phones and Smart Watches Policy in the Handbook. In short, these devices are not permitted at school. In some cases, individual dispensation may be granted for serious or complicated factors before or after school. Please note, Year 7 dispensations from last year do not carry over to 2024, there needs to be a new application for consideration (email to me). Please only apply if there is a real and valid reason for your child to bring a phone to school. In just about all cases, after-school transport arrangements can be sorted using the student phone at Reception or an email to the relevant class teacher.

The staff are excited about the term ahead, and I am looking forward to greeting the children as they arrive on Wednesday.

Regards

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector