Cross Country (Years 4–8) | Monday 20 May

The Preparatory School Cross Country will be held on Monday 20 May, 11.00am–12.30pm. The course will be held at St Andrew’s College Grounds.

Each lap is approximately 1km. The event will start with Year 4, through to Year 8.

The Introduction and Opening Ceremony will begin at 11.00am.

Approximate race times are as follows (note: updated timings from previously advertised last week), but times may vary slightly dependent on the day:

• Year 8 – 11.10am (The Year 8 race will now go first due to Academic Exams)
• Year 4 – 11.20am
• Year 5 – 11.30am
• Year 6 – 11.40am
• Year 7 – 11.50am

We will be using the Sportsplits Timing System and a link will be sent to you before the day to access your child’s race time. The Cross Country postponement date will be Tuesday 21 May.

A Bean Buzz Coffee Van will be onsite for the event.

Please note: If the grass is waterlogged, we will be using the gravel path alongside the field to limit damage to the fields.

Preparatory School Clubs

In Terms 2 and 3, the Preparatory School Pastoral Care team is organising a number of lunchtime clubs. These will be overseen by a teacher with support from our Senior students. Club options will change from term to term depending on interest and staff availability. There is no registration required for clubs, with the exception of Digi Club (email AMO@stac.school.nz).

On offer in Term 2 (Week 1 start) are the following clubs:

Minecraft Club – Wednesday (Years 4–5 in Room 1, Years 6–8 in Science Room/Shared Space)
Preparatory School Minecraft club will run each Wednesday lunchtime for Terms 2 and 3. There will be laptops with Minecraft Education Edition installed and ready for students. Students in Years 4–8 all have Minecraft Education accounts that may be used. The focus for the club is to provide a safe and happy environment to create and build.

Lego Club – Friday (Years 3–8)
Lego club will run on Friday lunchtimes and is a chance to come and get creative with Lego with your friends. Open to students in Years 3–8 and operating Upstairs Learning Hallway. Lego club will be run by Mrs Pettit.

Chess Club – Thursday (Years 3–8)
Chess club will run on Thursday lunchtimes. Students will have the opportunity to play against other keen chess players from across the Preparatory School. Open to students in Years 3–8 and operating in the downstairs learning hallway. Chess club will be run by Mrs Gilray.

Art Club – Thursday (Years 4–8)
Art club will run on Thursdays in the Preparatory School Art Room. Students are invited to come and get arty with a variety of different materials on offer each week. Open to students in Years 3–5, Art club will be run by Mrs Meyers. In Term 3 Years 6–8 will have the opportunity to join Art club.

Stitch Club – Friday (Years 4–8)
Stitch club will run Fridays in the upstairs learning hallway. Create beautiful pieces using fabrics and hand sewing. Open to students in Years 4–8, Stitch Club will be run by Mrs Cronan.

Digi Club – Monday (Years 4–8)

Digi club will run on Monday lunchtimes in the Robotics room. Students will explore a range of digital activities including 3D printing, stop motions, coding and robotics. Open to students from Years 4–8 with numbers limited to 12. Any students who missed out on Digi Club in Term 2, will have another opportunity in Term 3. Digi club will be run by Mrs Kamo.

Quilling Club – Monday (Years 5–8)

Quilling club will run on Monday lunchtimes in Ms Lewis’s classroom. Quilling involves turning colourful strips of paper into amazing shapes and designs. Open to students from Years 5–8.

After-school Care Programme

The St Andrew’s College After-school Care programme (ASC) operates daily in the Preparatory School Library. In Term 2 there are some exciting changes happening. Firstly, we have welcomed a new Supervisor, Olivia Meek. Olivia joins current Supervisor, Jade Lawson, in caring for our students in this space.

Our other new change is to the booking system. Currently we use an online programme called AimyPlus to manage bookings, track attendance and organise payments. Previously parents have booked via the Preparatory School Office or online booking sheet. From Term 2 parents will be able to book directly via the AimyPlus website or using the AimyMe App. The new booking system will give you much more autonomy to easily and directly manage your bookings.

TO BOOK USING THE WEBSITE PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

Current Parents who have used After-school Care before
1. Go to this site https://stac.aimyplus.com/ and login using your email address, choosing the "forgot password" link to set up a new password.
2. At this point you may be prompted to update your account with details such as emergency contacts.
3. From this point you can view current bookings and make new bookings.

New Parents to After-school Care
1. Use the "register as a new parent" link at https://stac.aimyplus.com/ to set up your account.
2. Follow the steps to make a booking for your child(ren).

TO BOOK USING THE APP:
To use the app, you will first need to set up your account on the website. Once you have done this, you can download and login to the AimyMe App to make bookings on the go.

We invite you to review the AimyPlus privacy policy https://www.aimyplus.com/privacy-policy and do let us know if you have any concerns. The College has reviewed the policy and has a long-standing relationship with AimyPlus. However, if you would prefer not to have your personal details included on this new service, please do let us know.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AFTER-SCHOOL CARE

• The operating hours are 3.20pm–5.20pm (Wednesday 2.25pm–5.20pm). Flexibility of use is possible – i.e. sessional (1–2 hours), 1–5 days per week, casual or regular.
• The cost is $11.00 per hour or part thereof, and accumulated hours will be disbursed to accounts at the end of each term.
• We provide an afternoon tea snack, and activities include Lego, some computer access, movie watching, crafts, reading and outside play (weather permitting).
• Casual bookings or cancellations on the day can be made via the App or website. If you have a message for your child about a change of arrangements for them regarding After-school Care or pick up, please continue to ring the Preparatory School Office.

Please use the following phone number for emergency-related calls during After-school Care operation: +64 3 940 2072.

If you have any issues with using the new booking system, please contact the Preparatory School Office staff. They are happy to help. In order for us to ensure we safely manage numbers in After-school Care, students must be booked, preferably using the Aimyplus site or via the Preparatory School Office.

This information can also be found in the Preparatory School Handbook.

New System for Listing Second-hand Uniform Items for Sale

If you wish the PTA to sell uniform items you no longer need on your behalf, please list the item on the new online platform ‘Hand Me Round’, then drop off the items (with your name or copy of email confirmation) at the Second-hand Uniform Shop during opening hours, or alternatively outside of these days/hours, you can drop off items at the College Shop – Thistles.

To list a uniform item for sale in the Second-hand Uniform Shop, please visit the St Andrews’ College Hand Me Round site by clicking here >

1. Click 'Submit Stock', top left of your screen. Enter your email address. Follow the instructions to enter your contact details.
2. Submit the stock you would like to sell. Please note if a uniform item is not appearing on the drop-down list, then it is possibly and item we accept only as a donation (PE gear/ties/scarves etc) or it is an item we are not needing (due to having too many of that item already).
3. Once you have finished submitting items, please read and accept the terms and conditions.
4. Once they are delivered to the Second-hand Uniform Shop, PTA volunteers will process them and put them on the shelves for sale. These items will show as “available” on your Hand Me Round login.

Donated items are not required to be registered, but please label as donated when dropping off uniforms. All items must be laundered/dry cleaned.

Please note: The Hand Me Round platform is for selling items only. You do not need to register to purchase items of uniform. To buy items please come to the Second-hand Uniform Shop next to the Normans Road carpark.

If you do have any questions in regards to the new system, please contact the PTA directly at StACPTA@stac.school.nz, or view more information on our website by clicking here.

College Shops now cashless

From the beginning of Term 2, neither of the College shops are accepting cash payments. Our decision to transition to a cashless system has been led by a natural decline in cash payments, as well as to streamline operational administration tasks, and making transactions more efficient – thereby reducing waiting times for customers.

PAYMENTS ACCEPTED AT COLLEGE SHOP – THISTLES: The preferred payment method in Thistles is for items to be charged to student accounts. Credit cards (except Amex) and debit cards are also accepted.

PAYMENTS ACCEPTED AT THE SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SHOP: The Second-hand Uniform Shop accepts credit and debit cards (except Amex), and students are also able to pay by direct deposit to the College's bank account. The preferred payment is by card, due to ease of reconciliation for the PTA volunteers who manage the shop.

July Sport Medley Holiday Camp

There will be a Sport Medley Holiday Camp in the first week of the July holidays for Year 1–8 students. This will be held Monday 8 July – Friday 12 July. More details to come. Any questions please contact Alex Kelley on AKE@stac.school.nz.

Aims Games – Tauranga 2024 | Due Friday 17 May

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.

Preparatory School Quiz Night at The Elmwood | Sunday 9 June

On Sunday 9 June, the Preparatory School is holding a Quiz Night at The Elmwood (end of Normans Road). Arrival at 6.00pm, the Quiz Night starts at 7.00pm. $20.00 entry per team member with teams of six to eight people.

With raffles, games, and a silent auction this is a night not to be missed! Tickets will sell fast so get in quickly and email Keryn Ford at markkerynford@yahoo.co.nz to reserve your team a place. We look forward to seeing you there.