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Preparatory School Newsletter

Thursday 23 January 2025

Important Dates

  • New Parents (Years 1–8) Morning Tea – Friday 31 January, 11.00am, Preparatory School Library;
  • Years 4–8 Swimming Prelims – Monday 10 February, Jellie Park;
  • Preparatory School Swimming Championships – Monday 24 February, Jellie Park;
  • Term 1 Preparatory School Chapel Service – Sunday 9 March, 5.00pm.

A warm welcome to all as we commence the new school year. I hope you have had a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. I would particularly like to welcome all new children and their parents/caregivers to the College. We look forward to seeing the children at school on Wednesday 29 January (8.30am start).

Please note, all beginning-of-year forms are online; you should have received an email with the relevant details prior to Christmas. Also, just a reminder for Wednesday (and every Wednesday thereafter) we finish school at 2.30pm. All other days of the week conclude at 3.20pm.

Start of Year Information

  • After-school Care starts on Wednesday 29 January;
  • we have a Kea crossing on Normans Road. It operates from 8.00am–8.30am each morning, and for 15 to 20 minutes straight after school. All children (and parents/caregivers) are required to use the crossing when it is operating; 
  • please click here to view a diagram of the Normans Road drop-off zone. For vehicles, the entrance is at the Centennial Chapel end of the main carpark, but the drop-off is at the other end near the Preparatory School driveway. This is a drop/collect and leave area, just like at the airport. Please note, there are three 5-minute parks allocated in the drop-off zone for Pre-school parents/caregivers only;
  • there is no facility before or after school to enter the Preparatory School driveway directly from Normans Road and park outside the Pre-school. There is only one visitor park there, but it is not available when there is high pedestrian movement i.e. when the crossing is operating;
  • all children must have a St Andrew’s College wide-brimmed or bucket hat this term, and given the time of year, it would be best if sunscreen is applied at home before coming to school;
  • the Preparatory School Handbook is available online here: stac.nz/PreparatoryHandbook; 
  • the Preparatory School Meet the Teacher and PTA Wine and Cheese Evening is a combined event on Tuesday 11 February commencing in the Centennial Chapel at 5.45pm. There will be individual Parent/Teacher interviews before the end of Term 1 (Weeks 7–8).
  • at any time should you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher, please contact them directly to make this arrangement. 
  • please refer to the Mobile Phones and Smart Watches Policy in the Handbook. In short, these devices are not permitted at school. In some cases, individual dispensation may be granted for serious or complicated factors before or after school. Please note, Year 7 dispensations from last year do not carry over to 2025; there needs to be a new application for consideration (email to me). Please only apply if there is a real and valid reason for your child to bring a phone to school. In just about all cases, after-school transport arrangements can be sorted using the student phone at Reception or an email to the relevant class teacher.

The staff are excited about the term ahead, and I am looking forward to greeting the children as they arrive on Wednesday.

Regards

 

Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector

JBI

Notices

Sport Options 2025

Please view the sport options for 2025 by clicking here. 

If you did not submit sport options in Term 4, and did not receive a reminder earlier in January (recently enrolled students), please email Head of Preparatory School Sport, Alex Kelley, at AKE@stac.school.nz with your options as per below:

  • Summer Sports – Years 1–8
  • Winter Sports – Years 3–8

If you did complete the online form last year, then you have nothing further to do.

For those submitting options, please do so by 3.00pm on Friday 24 January.

Next week you will receive emails from the sports you have selected for your child. If you do not receive an email, you will need to contact Alex Kelley as it means your child is not on the list for that particular sport. Emails will go out to confirm sports options on:

  • Summer Sports (Monday 27 January)
  • Winter Sports (Tuesday 28 January)

Please note, if your child is in Years 1–3, sport is not compulsory. These families will receive an email towards the end of Term 1 regarding their winter sport options (apart from rugby who should have already registered).

PARENT EVENING | MONDAY 27 JANUARY | REGISTER NOW

St Andrew’s College is delighted to host Dr Tony Fernando, whose wisdom and calm presence have inspired audiences worldwide. An academic psychiatrist, researcher, ordained Buddhist monk, and best-selling author from the University of Auckland, Dr Fernando is a leading expert on strategies for staying calm and resilient in a busy world.

Drawing from his latest book, Life Hacks from the Buddha: How to Keep Calm and Connected in a Chaotic World, Dr Fernando will share practical tools and insights to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. In this special parent presentation, he will explore how managing expectations, practicing mindfulness, and cultivating self-compassion can transform the parenting journey.

When: Monday 27 January, 5.30pm–6.30pm
Where: Centennial Chapel

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to be inspired by Dr Fernando’s practical wisdom. Please register your intention to attend at the link below:

REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE >

We look forward to seeing you there!

241212 Life Hacks
School Bus Info

SCHOOL BUS UPDATES

School bus routes have been updated for 2025. Please note the following route has changed:

  • Route 741 from Sumner/city to Merivale schools.
    • The bus now runs through McCormack Bay in the morning and afternoon to pick up students in this area.   

See metro.co.nz/schoolbus for the updated schedule. Route maps are currently being updated and will be uploaded soon. You can also view the Metro Journey Planner for alternative urban route options. 

For students who are new to taking the bus to school, see the need-to-know section on Metro’s website at metro.co.nz/catchthebus.

You can also email metro@ecan.govt.nz or call 03 366 8855 where the Metro customer service team are happy to assist with planning your journey to school.

Absences

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:

Recording a Student Absence >

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).