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I am pleased to confirm all learning programmes and activities are fully under way across the Preparatory School. The days are busy, and the children are engaged, happy, and focused on their learning.
Last Friday, many of our new parents attended morning tea in the Preparatory School Library. This was valuable time together to chat with others also new to the school. It was an engaged and happy group, and I am sure many connections were made.
This week we have hosted six children in Year 7 from the JF Growth Centre in Shanghai. The children have had a fun time with excursions off-site along with onsite class time. This school’s involvement was organised by parent, Cindy Sun. The children’s parents are also in Christchurch, and they are enjoying the opportunity to explore the sights and play some golf during the school day.
Next week, Tuesday 11 February, is the Preparatory School Meet the Teacher and PTA Wine and Cheese Evening. We start at 5.45pm in the Centennial Chapel, where I will give an overview of the Preparatory School’s learning and focus for 2025. Following this, you will meet with your child’s class teacher in their rooms. This part of the evening will conclude about 7.00pm and the PTA Wine and Cheese will kick off in the downstairs shared area and courtyard. Please note this is a parent-only evening.
Staccato Café
The Preparatory School Staccato Café is open for parents from 8.00am to 9.30am daily. This is a great way to meet new people. For the next couple of weeks, the Café will be open every school day except Wednesday. Once our second barista returns from holiday the Café will operate every day.
Driving in the Vicinity of the College
Morning congestion has increased significantly since last week. Please take care as you approach the College and navigate parking, and:
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
On Monday, the Year 7 cohort spent a day at Sumner Beach learning to surf. The day was part of the Transition to Year 7 programme and the weather was stunning. The students learnt the basics of surfing and body surfing with a strong emphasis on surf safety. The day was also an opportunity for students to get to know each other out of the classroom and form new friendships and connections.
Flickr >On Tuesday last week, 10 St Andrew’s College students departed for Orlando, USA, for the annual World Flag Football Championships. In addition to playing flag football, the group had the opportunity to visit Universal Studios, attend the Pro Bowl, meet and interact with a range of students from other countries, and perform the St Andrew’s College haka to NFL tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, George Kittle. The six Preparatory and four Secondary School students represented the school with distinction: Jack Ellwood, Austen Fraser, Liam Gravley, Frank McHarg, Patrick O’Byrne, Mila Rule (all Year 8), and Levi Currie, Edward Park, Olivia Quane, Joshua Stewart (all Year 9). Levi and Olivia even took part in their first press conference. For many teams, students had been playing the sport together for a number of years, so it was always going to be a great challenge for our students who started in Year 7 and Year 8 in 2024. Nevertheless, despite the lack of experience, the team performed well making it through to the quarter finals before bowing out with their heads held high. A highlight was defeating local rivals, Australia, in the first round of knock-out games. Canada ended up winning the title, defeating Japan in the final.
Results:
Years 5–8 students have already been asked to sign up for the Canterbury Triathlon by their classroom teachers. If we have a large number of applicants, we will hold a time trial to determine our student representatives.
Date: Tuesday 25 February
Venue: South Eyre Road, on a private property
Race details:
If the student hasn't signed up via their classroom teacher, please email Head of Physical Education, Isaac Leota, on ILE@stac.school.nz to register them.
If you wish to sign-up your child for one of the below Preparatory School co-curricular activities, please visit the link below.
View all Sign Up Forms Link > https://stac.nz/PrepForms
There is still time to enter the Summer Reading Photo Challenge. Students have until Friday 7 February to submit a photo of themselves reading either at home or on holiday. Great prizes for the best photos.
Send photos to the Preparatory School Library at THL@stac.school.nz.
Meet our teachers who make the difference at our upcoming Open Days. Please help spread the word for interested families to register online.
Secondary School Open Day: Wednesday 5 March, 9.00am–12.00pm
Preparatory School and Pre-school Open Day: Thursday 6 March, 11.00am–12.30pm
The College’s annual Boarding Roadshows in February and March provide families living outside of Christchurch a chance to learn more about the St Andrew’s College boarding offering. The Roadshows will see interested families meeting current boarding students, as well as boarding staff, in a relaxed and informal get together over drinks and nibbles.
If you or someone you know is interested, please see the locations and dates below, as well as the link to find more information and to register.
2025 photographs:
Parents/caregivers will receive and email when photos are available, and access codes will then be visible on the photo ordering information page on StACNet.
2024 photographs are available to purchase online as follows:
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).
