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I draw your attention to our Get Spotted Melanoma Awareness campaign starting next week.
This is an opportunity to raise awareness of melanoma with our school community. During this time, class teachers will discuss with the children how to be sun smart during the Summer months. We will also display posters around the school.
There will be a Preparatory School ‘Spotty’ Theme Day on Thursday 7 November (funds raised will go towards Melanoma Support New Zealand). Please click here to donate. Please remember to donate online if your child participates in our school’s Spotty Theme Day.
Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops in the skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes).
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and it can progress quickly. Anyone in New Zealand can get melanoma. It is treatable if diagnosed early, but if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body the prospects can be fatal.
Statistics
• over 4000 people are diagnosed with melanoma every year in New Zealand – that’s around 13 every day;
• New Zealand’s melanoma incidence rate is the world's highest;
• over 350 New Zealanders die of melanoma every year.
Risk Factors
• sunburn at any age increases the risk of melanoma in later life;
• there is a greater risk of melanoma with high doses of sun exposure e.g. during a holiday or recreational activities with continuous sun exposure.
Prevention
• avoid sunburn through the use of sunscreen;
• protect your skin during the time of the day when UV radiation is highest – between 10.00am–4.00pm (October to March).
Slip on a long sleeved, collared shirt
Slop on sunscreen that is at least SPF30, broad spectrum and water resistant
Slap on a broad brimmed hat that protects the face, neck, and ears
Seek shade
Slide on close fitting sunglasses
All Preparatory School children are required to have a St Andrew's College wide-brimmed or bucket hat at school. We hope this protection continues when they are not at school.
What a fabulous time we had last Friday. As always, the grandparents were on time (in fact most were an hour early), they were in very good spirits, and incredibly happy to spend time with their grandchildren. Thanks to everyone who assisted with the day. There was much joy in the Food Technology room where 500 light and fluffy jam and cream scones were consumed. Happy days!
The family photos taken outside the Senior College will be emailed to parents/caregivers from late next week.
View the Grandparents' Day Flickr album by clicking here >
Emily Templeton is the Public Health Nurse allocated to our school. Please contact her if you have any health concerns for your child.
Phone: 027 2211 236
Email: emily.templeton@cdhb.health.nz
View the Public Health Nursing Referral Form by clicking here.
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
On Tuesday, 26 students from the Preparatory School travelled to Waihi, Winchester to play Waihi School in the annual Summer Sport Exchange. History was made as the first girls’ cricket game between the two schools took place. Waihi won both cricket games. The 1st XI restricted Waihi to 99 for 9, however the Waihi off spinner took eight wickets, bowling a spell of unplayable deliveries. The Preparatory A tennis team won all eight singles and all four doubles games, a wonderful achievement! A great day at Waihi School. Thank you to all those who took part and those able to travel down and support.
Iselle Bromhead (Year 3), with her Mini Level 1 cheer team, competed at the Australasian Majors in Brisbane winning first place in their division against four Australian teams.
This was Iselle's first international competition, and her team had a lot of fun travelling and spending time together.
In addition to Alice Glover (Year 8) reported last week, Lachlan Moreton and George Turnbull (both Year 7) represented St Andrew’s College at the Mountain Biking Huxster Event. Alice finished second out of 12 solo riders in the Solo Girls’ Division (Years 7–8), and 10th overall out of all riders. Lachlan and George competed in the team event, finishing 53rd.
Over the holidays, several Preparatory School students represented their regions at the South Island U14 representative tournament.
Year 8 – Isabelle Broome, William Patterson;
Year 7 – Thomas Hopping, Liam Gravley.
This year the St Andrew’s College Ballet Academy proudly presents The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic and one of the most beloved ballets around the world, enchanting audiences with its magical storytelling and unforgettable music. Set on Christmas Eve, the story begins at a festive holiday party where young Clara receives a special gift—a nutcracker doll. That night, as the clock strikes midnight, Clara is swept into an enchanting adventure where the Nutcracker comes to life, leading her on a journey through a battle with the Rat King and into the dazzling Land of Sweets. With its blend of joy, wonder, and fantasy, The Nutcracker captures the magic of the holiday season, making it a cherished tradition for audiences young and old. We hope you enjoy the beauty, grace, and excitement of this ballet, which continues to inspire and delight with its timeless charm.
When: Friday 29 – Saturday 30 November 2024 (four performances)
Times: 2.00pm–3.30pm and 6.30pm–8.10pm (Friday), 1.30pm–3.10pm and 4.00pm–5.40pm (Saturday)
Where: Gough Family Theatre – Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: Adult $35.00 | Student $20.00 (student ID may be requested on entry)
This year, sport options for 2025 will be selected in Term 4 2024.
All parents will receive an email this Tuesday 29 October to select their child’s/children’s sport selections for 2025.
This must be completed by Friday 1 November.
Please only select the sport options you want your child to do in 2025. You DO NOT need to select additional sports in case your first choice is not available – ONLY select the sports you wish your child to do in 2025.
If you are intending your child to play for an outside club in 2025 (not school), please do not select the sport on the option sheet, you need to email Alex Kelley directly on AKE@stac.school.nz.
View further information by clicking here.
We have two programmes running this summer. One at the start of the holidays and one towards the end, shortly before the children are all due back at school. This two-day programme provides an opportunity for students to boost their creativity and problem-solving skills via Minecraft Education.
Working in small groups, students will take on the task of constructing remarkable structures, overcoming building challenges, and utilising specialised design software to modify and perfect their creations.
Each programme will have a unique set of challenges ensuring that the engagement level remains high for children participating in both programmes.
Programme One: Monday 9 – Tuesday 10 December 2024
Programme Two: Thursday 16 – Friday 17 January 2025
Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm (drop off from 8.30am)
Location: The Green Library and Innovation Centre, St Andrew's College (in the Secondary School Quad)
Activities:
What to bring:
Cost: $150 inclusive of GST for each programme (parents/caregivers will be sent an invoice).
REGISTRATION: Register for the Years 5–8 Minecraft Holiday programme by completing the registration form before Monday 9 December at 5.00pm. Please register by clicking here.
The programmes will be run by Nathan Campbell with support from Wilj Dekkers. Nathan has experience running Minecraft education programmes for the Christchurch Libraries and Wilj Dekkers is an experienced educator who has worked in a contract capacity for Microsoft Mojang, the developers of Minecraft Education.
Should you have any questions, please email wilj@wdekkers.nz.
From Monday 4 November we will be holding our annual Scholastic Book Fair in the Preparatory School Library. There will be a fantastic variety of children's books available for purchase and, with Christmas approaching fast, it's a great way to give the gift of reading!
The Book Fair will be open from Monday 4 November to Thursday 7 November, 8.00am–4.00pm. Purchases can be made by credit or debit card only. Please, no cash or cheques. If you are unable to visit the Book Fair, your child can bring home a 'Wishlist' for your approval. You may then complete your credit/debit cards details on the back of the form and return it to the Book Fair with your child to purchase their chosen book(s).
The Scholastic Book Fair is an important event in the Preparatory School calendar, with a generous percentage of sales from this event used to support our very successful Wide Reading programme.
Recipients of the Gold Wide Reading Award for 2024 will receive their book reward at this event. Please note that the last day for submitting a completed Gold Wide Reading Booklet will be Friday 1 November.
Thank you for your support.
Step back in time with us for a delightful twist on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. First gracing Broadway in 1959, Once Upon a Mattress has charmed audiences for decades. In a distant kingdom, Queen Aggravain has decreed that no one may marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, finds a suitable bride. Many princesses have tried and failed to pass the Queen’s rigorous tests. But everything changes with the arrival of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone. Will she succeed where others have failed…? Join us for an evening of laughter, music, and enchantment as we bring this beloved story to life!
When: Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 2 November, four shows, all 7.00pm–9.00pm
Where: St Andrew's College, Gough Family Theatre, Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: Adults $35.00 | Students $17.50
Delicious Christmas goodies, locally made with the highest quality ingredients. The perfect gift for Christmas or to treat your own family! All proceeds will go towards the PTA 2024 fundraising drive.
This year the PTA are introducing a new offering to tempt your tastebuds:
Beautifully presented in a gift box, the full range of products on offer this year includes:
More information about each of the PTA’s Christmas Goodies, including the ingredients list, can be found at the link below.
Closing date for orders: Friday 1 November 2024.
Cake collection
Orders will need to be picked up from the College Second-hand Uniform Shop (there is no delivery option) from 3.00pm to 4.30pm during the following dates:
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).
