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This year, we plan to place the children in their 2025 classes before the end of this term. Please note staffing for 2025 is not yet finalised and there will be some changes.
The process is similar to previous years:
This year, the teachers will again use a computer program to assist the process. At each year level, the teachers will work together to enter the information (their own plus other sources i.e., parents, learning support, pastoral support, etc.) and the program will generate the class lists. The College's database does not have the facility to compile future classes, so to have an option that doesn't allow double entries or missed names is helpful and quicker.
The MacGibbon House children celebrated their recent StAC-Up win today. Our learning areas were flooded with an abundance of yellow.
Reading Is Magic
Excitement is starting to build for our annual Book Week at the end of this term. We have five days of activities and fun planned around the theme of 'Reading is Magic', designed to celebrate the wonder and magic in stories and books.
Activities will include a visit from inventor and author Steve Mushin, a Story Walk, our inter-class Battle of Books Quiz, a variety of competitions and lots of fun activities.
The highlight of the week as always will be our annual Book Parade. This will take place on Thursday 26 September starting at 12.00pm. All students are invited to dress up as book characters for the day and join in the fun.
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
Toby Kane (father of Harriet (Year 4), Olive (Year 5) and Margot (Year 1)) came to speak to the students about the Paralympic Games that he competed in as a skier. He was so humble sharing his stories and how it is about being enabled rather than disabled to compete in these games. The students were enthralled and loved his passion, humility and ‘can-do’ attitude.
The Years 7–8 Future Problem Solving students are gearing up for their upcoming qualifying competition next week, where the focus will be on Antarctica. On Monday, they visited the Antarctic Centre to gain insights into the pressing issues facing the continent and the challenges we may encounter in the future. These young problem solvers will soon apply their knowledge to identify and address potential future issues related to Antarctica in the qualifying round. If successful, they will move on to represent the College at the Future Problem Solving nationals in Auckland this November.
The Serenade Trio, comprising Hao Bo (Terence) Yang (Year 9) – flute, Cong (Zilong) Chen (Year 8) – oboe, and Ethan Waines (Year 8) – piano, performed at the Nutpoint Centre on Saturday 10 August as guest performers at the Christchurch School of Music's (CSM) Chamber Groups concert. They performed the complete Trio-sérénade by Anselme Vinée.
Eleven of the Preparatory School’s chess club representatives attended the recent Canterbury Interschool Individual Chess Tournament. The Years 6–8 students played five gruelling matches each against Canterbury’s finest young chess players. Many of our players enjoyed success – Samuel Rijpma (Year 6) was awarded second overall for Year 6, Jack Blyde (also in Year 6) came fifth, and Ethan Waines came seventh in the Year 8 category. Well done to all of our chess players who competed!
Raymen Dai (Year 5) achieved a Distinction in his Cello Grade 5 examination with Trinity College of London.
Please note the annual Ballet photo for all dancers Years 1–13 will take place on Friday 20 September, 8.00am–8.35am in Gym 1.
There will a sport medley holiday programme in the final week of the October holidays, 14-18 October. Information has been sent to families.
Join us for the StAC Ag Show on Thursday 26 September. Students at all year levels can enter a number of fun events, such as baking, art, flower arrangements, and Lego creations, with placings from first to third place receiving a ribbon, and all first-place winners will also receive a prize. Some incredible grand prizes are up for grabs including an animal care package from Rangiora Vet Centre for the animal categories, a Willowbank Family pass for the plant and food categories, and a Willowbank Family pass for the art and photography categories.
There is something for everyone at this A&P Show-inspired event. Come along to Gym 1 to experience all the art, baking and other pet entries as well as the petting zoo – get set for a day of agricultural fun!
The Year 12 Agribusiness students will be selling their food and animal products at the show, including deer velvet dog treats, rocky road, and lolly packs. Eftpos will be available, and a pre-order form will be sent out a week before the show.
Entries: Cost: $3.00 per category entered (viewing the entries on the day is free). Entries close 4.00pm Friday 20 September. To enter your Years 1–8 child/ren into the StAC Ag Show, please complete the Preparatory School entry form below:
The online sales for the following 2024 photographs are now available:
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.
For any illness, students should stay home if unwell. Any student should also feel free to wear a mask if they wish to do so while at school.
For any absence, whether ill-health (including COVID-19) or otherwise, the College’s preferred platform for reporting this is via our online form which can be found at the button below:
If you are not able to report your child's absence using the online form, please report their absence via the relevant email address below. If you cannot get through to us via the form or email, please call our attendance line on +64 3 940 2031 (term time only).
