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Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 11 April 2024

End of Term 1

Just a reminder, our End of Term Assembly is tomorrow, 12 April, at 2.00pm. Please click here for the Awards Recipient List. 

Term 1 will conclude at 3.20pm. Please note, Afterschool Care will operate as normal, finishing at 5.20pm.

The end of Term 1 Goal Setting Reports will be posted tomorrow afternoon.

Term 2 commences on Monday 6 May, at the normal time.

School Production – The Aurora Stone

This year marks the first Years 7–8 production since 2017. We are very excited to be moving into the College’s brand-new theatre to perform this show.  During weekly Drama classes this term, the students have been working on their singing, dancing and acting, in readiness for opening night on Monday 24 June.

The Aurora Stone is a mystical crystal that many years ago fell from the sky and brought peace to two fighting realms.  After a mishap with the stone, following the arrival by portal of a princess on a mission, three children must find out if they are the chosen ones who will find and return the stone, and bring peace to the realm of Norina.  

This musical is an original. The script and lyrics have been written by Preparatory School students and the music has been written by Year 13 students. Come along and see this delightful show on stage and under the lights. All 200 of the Years 7–8 children are involved in the production. Tickets will go on sale at the start of next term.

Preparatory School Cross Country (Years 4–8)

The Cross Country will be held on Monday 20 May, 11.00am–12.30pm. The course will be on the College grounds. In case your children want to do some training during the holidays, the Year 4 students will run 1km, Years 5–6 2kms, and Years 7–8 2.5 kms. There will be more details soon.

Ongoing issues at the Front Gate when the Crossing is operating

  • people continue to walk on the drive. Only bikes and cars are permitted on the drive at these times;
  • some drivers continue to pursue a right turn onto Normans Road when exiting the drop off zone – please turn left;
  • the crossing must be used when within 80m;
  • cycles are still being ridden in the drop off zone and on onsite footpaths – they must be walked;
  • scooters can be ridden but only at walking speed.

Also, please be careful opening car doors when parked on Normans Road or any nearby streets. We had a cyclist go down this week. Fortunately, they survived the experience without being seriously hurt.

Lost Property

We have placed the unnamed lost property in the foyer of the main entrance. Please check the items if your child has lost something.

Regards

 

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

JB

Around the School

SPORTS EXCHANGE

Last Friday, the Preparatory School welcomed Saint Kentigern College from Auckland to the campus for a cricket and tennis exchange. The rain just about stayed away as 40 students competed across the two sporting codes. Excellent fair play was displayed by all teams and, even though the results were in favour of Saint Kentigern, the competition was appreciated by all those involved. The students shared an afternoon tea after the games before the visiting students headed to the airport to fly back to Auckland. Thank you to those involved in the exchange.

YEAR 8 SCIENCE

Students in Class 8T learnt about the geological history and formation rocks at Halswell Quarry. They had to identify and classify different rock types, and their uses, throughout Canterbury. Students also found out about the history of the quarry and discovered what daily life was like for the quarrymen in the longest-running commercial quarry in Australasia with a hands-on building challenge. Over in the wetland, students discovered how resources were traditionally used in the past and explored how to protect and enjoy our green spaces today.

Pre school Safety

PRE-SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY

On Monday, Health and Safety Manager, Art Preuss, had the opportunity to talk to our Pre-school children about road safety. They talked about the importance of using our eyes and ears when walking on the footpath, and how important it is to hold a parent/guardians’ hand when crossing the road. Photos of other children wearing the right protective gear were shared and the children enjoyed wearing the protective gear themselves, with some scooters helping to re-enforce the positive messaging.

There were plenty of smiles, laughs, and good questions with three children winning their own small hi-visibility vest (pink, orange and yellow) for their positive engagement during the session. 

Student Success

SWIMMING

Last weekend, Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Year 7) travelled to Nelson to compete in the South Island Juniors 2024, a competition where swimmers under 12 years old have the opportunity to compete against other athletes from across the South Island. Kelicia competed in 13 events, placing fourth or higher in every event with four first places, four second and two third.

  • First place: 100M Breaststroke, 400M Individual Medley, 200M Butterfly, 100M Butterfly;
  • Second place: 50M Butterfly, 200M Breaststroke, 100M Individual Medley, 50M Breaststroke;
  • Third place: 200M Freestyle, 200M Individual Medley;
  • Fourth place: 50M Freestyle, 50M Backstroke, 100M Freestyle.

Kelicia set Division II Swimming Competition qualifying times for 400M Individual Medley, 100M Butterfly and 200M Butterfly, with her 100M Butterfly being 0.07 of a NAGs time (National Age Group Swimming Championships). Whilst she isn’t eligible for Division II or NAGS for another two years, these times show the level of performance she is achieving already.

Prep Swimming Kelicia
Prep Maths Zilong

MATHEMATICS

Congratulations to Year 8 student Cong (Zilong) Chen for some outstanding achievements in Mathematics this term:

  • Gold Medal in the Bebras Challenge 2024;
  • Gold Medal in the UKIMC (UK Intermediate Mathematical Challenge) 2024 competing with Year 9 students:
  • Gold Medal in the Singapore Mathematics Global Final 2024;
  • Silver Medal in the AMO (American Maths Olympiad) 2024.

HIGHLAND DANCE

Eleanor (Ella) Nortje (Year 2) won the Novice Highland Fling trophy and the Runner Up Most Points 6 and Under last Saturday at the Christchurch Caledonian Competition.

Highland Dance Eleanor

Notices

Online Photography 2024

2024 PHOTOGRAPHY ONLINE ORDERS

The online sales for the following 2024 photographs are now available:

  • individual student photographs;
  • Secondary School tutor group photographs;
  • Preparatory School class photographs (excluding new entrant and Class 8A);
  • whole year group photographs for Year 9 and Year 13.

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 >

AIMS Games – Tauranga 2024

ENTRIES DUE TO ALEX KELLEY BY FRIDAY 17 MAY

From Sunday 8 – Friday 13 September 2024, the Preparatory Football 1st XI, a Mixed hockey team, and a rugby 7s team will compete at the annual AIMS Games in Tauranga. Over 11,000 Year 7 and 8 students from over 360 schools have competed at these games in a variety of sporting codes in the past.

There will also be a number of individual sports available. However, due to the limited group accommodation available in Tauranga, we are unable to at this stage include individuals as part of our official tour. If you would like your child to compete at the games and you are able to travel, care for, and get them to and from the events then Head of Preparatory School Sport, Alex Kelley, can complete and forward the entry on your behalf.

In travelling to and competing at the AIMS Games, your child would be included in any activities offered to the tour group and tour apparel will also be available.

You should only consider this option if your child is an elite performer in their chosen sport. The individual sports offered are:

  • Badminton; BMX; Canoe Sport; Cross Country; Golf; Gymnastics; Hip Hop; Indoor bowls; Mountain Biking; Orienteering; Rock Climbing; Squash; Surfing; Swimming; Table Tennis; Tennis; Yachting.

If your child is in this category and you would like to consider this option, please email Alex Kelley on AKE@stac.school.nz and he will provide you with further information. You can also access the AIMS Games website which provides further information on each sport offered, visit www.nzaimsgames.co.nz.

Motivationz School Holiday Netball Programme

Motivationz School Holiday Rugby Programme