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Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 22 February 2024

Swimming Sports

On Monday the Preparatory School Swimming Sports were held at Wharenui Sports Complex. The students had a wonderful time in the water and I would like to personally thank PE Specialist, Aimee Phillips, for her outstanding organisation of this much-looked forward to day in our calendar. Below in the newsletter you can view all the results and photos.

Parent Interviews in March | Bookings close Friday 15 March, 4.00pm

Parent Interviews will be spread over four days from Monday 18 – Thursday 21 March and are in-person interviews. If you are unable to meet in person or during interview week, please contact your child’s teacher directly to make an alternate arrangement.

Please note, all Years 4–8 children are required to attend the interviews.

Please enter and leave the Junior Department via the gate behind the Pre-school. Entry to the Years 4–8 building is via the front door and exit via one of the two maglock doors either beside Year 5 (at the end of the building) or beside Year 4 (in the middle of the building).

Please contact Reception if you experience any difficulty making a booking. Bookings will close Friday 16 March at 4.00pm. If there is no suitable time available for you, please contact your child’s class teacher directly (via email) and another day and time will be arranged.

Site link: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
School code: 79p4z

At this interview, your child’s beginning of year assessment results will be discussed along with the draft Goal Setting Report. 

Please note, Mrs Wylie’s class is not included in this interview round, they have a different interview timetable. 

Preparatory School Open Day, Thursday 7 March, 11.00am–12.30pm

As parents currently of the Preparatory School, you are most welcome like to attend our upcoming Open Day. Please register online if you plan to attend. See more information in the notices. 

Regards

 

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

JB


Around the Campus


Swimming Sports

The Preparatory Swimming Sports Day was held on Monday at Wharenui Sports Complex. It was pleasing to see a number of swimmers breaking records held in the College this year!

Thank you to everyone who contributed on the day. A special thank you to Charlie Gregg, Anthony Song, Isla Ratcliffe, Amanda Watkins and Lauren Exon for the exemplary Year 9 Leadership they demonstrated.

View the Individual Swimming Sports results by clicking here >

View the Age Group Champions by clicking here >

View the Preparatory School Swimming Records by clicking here >

Flickr >
PrepSwimming 000 9415


Pancake Race

On Tuesday last week the Preparatory School gathered together for the first Chapel Service of the school year. Preparatory School Chaplain Mrs Jillian Fenton announced that it was also the day of the Annual Pancake Race!  Students cheered on this year’s participants.

Congratulations to Miss Annabelle Kerr for being this year’s winner! Following the race, Mrs Fenton spoke about the importance of kindness to others. She referred to the true events whereby a man called Nicholas Winton had shown great kindness in enabling the safe escape of 669 children from Czechoslovakia in 1939.



TopTeams untitled 37

Year 7 Top Team Challenge

Year 7 students participated in Top Team today, a challenge hosted on the Preparatory School field by Sport Canterbury. Students were split into 16 teams across Year 7 with a mix of students from different classes. They were given time early in the term to create team names, plan costumes and practice team chants. Students then competed against one another to be the Top Team!

Top Team is a series of interactive team building challenges designed to promote problem-solving, communication and teamwork while being active and having fun. Top Team is unique in that it is designed with all abilities in mind. This helps takes away the ‘intimidation’ factor of physical activity and increases confidence amongst non-participating rangatahi to take part in future events. Top Team encourages maximum participation and fun.

The Top Team activity was another part of the transition to Year 7 programme that aims to help students to adjust to their new year level and make connections with a wide variety of students across the year group.

Flickr >


Year 6 Camp

Year 6 students recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Wainui for their annual school camp. The weather was fantastic and the beautiful surroundings of Wainui set the perfect backdrop for an adventure-packed experience. The camp offered an array of exciting activities that pushed students out of their comfort zones while ensuring a safe and encouraging environment. Coasteering, archery, kayaking, abseiling, orienteering, and flying fox were just a few of the fun activities that our students participated in. However, it was the evening games that truly made camp special. Everyone gathered for a game on the first night called 'Diamond Smugglers,' showcasing teamwork and strategic thinking. Then on the second night we had a campfire (without the fire!), where the students were led through a variety of fun games and songs. Aside from the action-packed activities, the camp served as a platform for personal growth. Students discovered newfound confidence as they conquered challenges, and the supportive setting allowed them to build new friendships. The adult helpers and instructors played a crucial role, being fantastic mentors and guides throughout the entire adventure. 



Notices


Year 8 Parent Information Evening | Tuesday 12 March 2024

Our Year 8 Parent Information Evening (for parents with children presently in Year 8) will take place on Tuesday 12 March, in the Strowan House staffroom, 7.00pm–8.30pm. Please note this is a parents/caregivers only event. 

At the information evening Rector, Christine Leighton, will share with you the current initiatives in the Secondary School, and outline the future direction of St Andrew’s College. There will also be the opportunity to meet key Secondary staff and connect with other Year 8 parents considering the Secondary School. 

To register your interest in attending this evening please click here.

Class Parent Programme

The aim of the Class Parent Programme is to get one to two volunteers from each form class who help organise two social events a year. This brings parents together to connect, welcome new families and meet each other outside of the College in an informal setting. 

Class Parents Are Fun, Helpful, and Needed

The Preparatory School values its parents and close communication between teachers, parents and the school.  People tell us that having a child at St Andrew’s College is like joining a family.  To keep that tradition alive, we need Class Parents for each year group.

What does a Class Parent do? It’s easy and it’s fun!

  • you help organise two social events a year (or find other like-minded parents to help you with it): at the beginning of the year to get to know one another and welcome new families and at the end of the year to enjoy each other’s company before heading off for the summer;
  • you stay in touch with the class teacher. They might need your help to find volunteers for a class outing.  You might hear news which would be great to share with the teacher. It’s all about communication.

How does it work? It’s simple and easy.

  • Ideally we have two volunteers for each class.
  • Kelsey Williams in the Preparatory School Reception organises informal meetings every Term to bring you up to date with school happenings, offer assistance or ideas for your class get togethers, brings along a StAC staff member to chat e.g. Christine Leighton, PTA president.

What have other Class Parents done in previous years?

  • drinks and nibbles at the school, parent house or restaurant. Dinner at a local restaurant. Class get together/Barbeque at a family home. Each class has a different idea, but the result is always that people get to know each other and feel welcomed.

If you are interested in being a class parent volunteer or would like some more information, please email your details and child's form class to Kelsey Williams – KWL@stac.school.nz.


Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Representative Groups

This is to advise you that talented singers and musicians from St Andrew's College Preparatory School can now apply for an audition to join a Representative Group – Junior and Senior Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra.

Applications are made online on the Music Festival website. We ask that parents/caregivers make the application so that they are aware of the rehearsal and performance commitments. Please note that applications close on Monday 1 April which is also Easter Monday.

Apply on the Music Festival website by clicking here >


2024 Open Days

Meet our teachers who make the difference at our upcoming Open Days. Please help spread the word for interested families to register online.

Secondary School Open Day | Wednesday 6 March, 9.00am–12.00pm

  • Last Tour Commences: 10.30am
  • Rector's Address: 11.00am
  • Boarding House Open Day: 12.00pm

Preparatory School and Pre-school Open Day | Thursday 7 March, 11.00am–12.30pm

  • Principal of Preparatory School Address: 11.45am
Register Online >
Open Day Vicki

Enrolments for Year 9 2025 | Monday 18 March deadline

We are currently accepting enrolments for the Year 9 intake in 2025. Kindly note that the deadline for applications from siblings of current and past students, children of alumni and children of our current staff is Monday 18 March. The deadline for boarding applications is Friday 22 March.

To register your interest in a place at St Andrew’s College for students new to the College, complete our online application form by clicking here >

For further information please don’t hesitate to contact our Registrar, Lynn Smith, enrol@stac.school.nz.


MotivatioNZ Rugby Training

Motivationz Rugby is running a pre-season training on Monday afternoons on the 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th of March and 8th of April (five sessions in total). This is an excellent complement to club training and will help enhance rugby skills. The sessions will focus on building confidence in young Rugby player skill sets and will cover the pillars of rugby fitness, catch, pass, and tackle, along with being comfortable with defence, learning game sense and vision.

  • Time: 4.00pm–5.00pm;
  • Cost: $85.00 per child;
  • Location: Plynlimon Park, Plynlimon Road;
  • Age group: school Year 5–8; children will be split into age groups.

If you would like to book, please email your child’s full name, date of birth and contact phone number to anthony@motivationz.co.nz. For more more information, view the promotional flyer online by clicking here.