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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Another week has raced by at St Andrew’s. On Tuesday, at the Preparatory School Chapel Service, 17 students were recognised as Year 8 Prefects, and it was lovely to see a number of parents and grandparents present to enjoy the occasion. Many parents have also engaged with teachers over the last week with Parent-Teacher interviews at all levels. We highly value these opportunities for parents to talk directly with their child’s teacher(s) and thank you for your positive interactions.
Wednesday evening was the Secondary School rugby community event, which outlined the rugby programme for 2023 and by all accounts parents appreciated the thought and transparency of the vision and processes to ensure a positive experience for all. Thursday evening was the Year 10 Parent Information Evening which introduced parents to the Te Waka programme, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Year 10 Castle Hill camp experience. It was a great turnout from Year 10 parents, and I am sure ‘The Departure’ Te Waka experience was a special time with their child.
On Thursday morning the Middle School leaders, Head Prefects and the Māori and Pasifika students organised and ran a special and moving Middle School Assembly for Head of Middle School, Mikae Tuu’u who had his last day at St Andrew’s today. Mikae was rather overwhelmed with the event and students showed their gratitude for all he has done for them and the College over the last seven years.
Middle School Assembly Flickr >
Today the Academic Council, with help from the prefects, engaged students at lunchtime with ‘Science Show in the Quad’. It was a great event with lots of enthusiasm and positive promotion of the Science Club which runs three lunchtimes every term for those who are interested. Also, today our youngest students in Years 1–3 enjoyed a Junior Department Athletics Day on the bottom field. Thank you to parents who supported this event on a beautiful morning and enjoyed a shared time afterwards with their children.
Yesterday I, along with the Board Project Control Group, enjoyed a tour through the new Performing Arts Centre and the Gough Family Theatre. It was very exciting to see the development and get a sense of the wonderful spaces – theatre to seat 265; black box Drama room and mini theatre with seating for 50; two Dance studios and backstage storage and support areas.
The project has experienced some delays and after a recent comprehensive review of the construction programme, there is now a forecast completion date of 20 October 2023. Unfortunately, this means that the Middle School and Ballet productions for Term 4 this year, will be using Gym 1 as their performance space. Although this is somewhat disappointing, the knowledge that the wonderful new facility will be ready for the start of 2024 is well worth waiting for.
Best wishes to the 157 students who are representing the College at Summer Tournament week next week, and to those involved with Touch Rugby South Island Championships in Christchurch this weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Christine Leighton
Rector
On Tuesday, the Preparatory School held their Prefects’ Investiture in the Centennial Chapel. It was a special occasion for these children and their families. Preparatory School Chaplain, Jillian Fenton gave a message themed around leadership, highlighting a number of influential leaders, including Pipe Band Leader and former Preparatory School student, Toby Cammock-Elliott (Year 13). It was wonderful to have the whole Preparatory School present for this special occasion and the Secondary School Heads of College team of Torin Ward, Lily Champion-Smith, Poppy Rumble and Lachie Odlin.
Last Saturday afternoon, the Polyfest group performed at the Canterbury Polyfest in Hagley Park. There was a very large audience for the performance and a lot of St Andrew's College staff and students were in the crowd. It is the second time St Andrew’s has participated in this event, with 38 students in the group. They have all worked hard this term practising for many hours each week. It was a great event and the group performed very well. A special mention must also be made to our Polyfest Leaders, Laai Tausa, Lucas Te Rangi, Cylas Tauti, Kavanah Lene, Penelope Taulafo and Lily Champion-Smith (all Year 13).
On Thursday evening the Year 10 Te Waka Departure was held. This event involved parents meeting with their child’s Te Waka teacher and a special moment between parents and their children, sharing letters of thank you and gratitude with each other. It was a fantastic night reminiscing on the students’ childhoods and talking about strategies to aid our rangatahi in moving forward for the future. Thank you to all the students, parents and staff for the time and effort they put into making this wonderful occasion happen.
Today the Pre-school celebrated Little Heart Day. Every week in Aotearoa, 12 tamariki are diagnosed with a heart condition and Little Heart Day is an initiative designed to raise awareness of and support tamariki and whānau impacted in this way. Pre-school tamariki and kaiako very much enjoyed dressing up in red; having a mat time where they learned about the important role our heart plays in keeping our body healthy; making red playdough and other heart-inspired crafts; and visiting the Preparatory School playground where tamariki and kaiako engaged in some physical activities to get their hearts beating super-fast!
During Friday lunchtime the Prefect team and the Academic Captains organised science-themed activities in the Quad. With iodine clocks, elephant toothpaste and 'upside-down' glasses, students enjoyed a taste of the Science department. The lunchtime was a great introduction to the Science Club which will be starting in Term 2. We hope to see a lot of aspiring scientists there!
The children in the Preparatory School Junior Department looked great in their House colours and the field was looking very colourful for Athletics today. Once again, students were well supported by parents, grandparents, and siblings.
The Year 1–2 students enjoyed moving between their events, which were: Fill the Nest, Ladder relay, Bean Bag throw and Hit the Target, while the Year 3 students moved between Vortex throw, shot put and long jump. The crowd enjoyed watching the Year 3 students run a baton relay and then all students were involved in the sprint heats and finals.
House spirit resonated around the field as sportsmanship, participation and the StACUp values were clear to see while the students participated and cheered for others. Thank you to all the teachers, supporters and Year 8 prefects who helped the day run smoothly.
Today in the Senior College Assembly a number of students were presented their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award, many of whom are already working towards the prestigious Gold Award.
Silver Award Winners: Abby Baxter (Year 12); Matthew Browne (Year 13); Hannah Burnett (Year 12); Naomi Dana (Year 13); Henry Forgie (Year 12); Jacob Giles (Year 13); Iona Lawson (Year 12); Addison Pilkington (Year 12); Billie Revis (Year 12); Holly Rossiter (Year 12); Megan Simpson (Year 12).
Max Blockley and Gabriella Kenton-Smith (both Year 13) received confirmation this week that their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award has been approved by the National Office in Wellington. They will be presented with their award at a future assembly and by the Governor-General at one of the National Award ceremonies held later this year.
Sienna Stowers-Smith (Year 13) has been named as one of 24 trialists for the New Zealand Secondary Schools netball team. Sienna will trial for the team in Auckland during the April holidays.
Megan Simpson (Year 12) has been selected to attend the New Zealand U20 football team camp. She will be flying up to Auckland during the April holidays to take part.
The Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships were held last Saturday, with athletes aiming to qualify for the upcoming South Island Championships in Invercargill.
Canterbury Titles:
Shannon Delany (Year 13) – U19 Girls’ 100m, Torin Ward (Year 13) – U19 Boys’ pole vault, Jonah Cropp (Year 13) – Boys’ walk, Holly Rossiter (Year 12) – U16 Girls’ discus, Ollie Jackways (Year 10) – U14 Boys’ 400m, Makenzie Disher (Year 9) – U14 Girls’ javelin, Kupa Rule (Year 10) –U14 Boys’ 800m, and Sophie Lampe (Year 9) – U14 Girls’ 1500m.
A highlight of the meeting for St Andrew’s was the clean sweep of placings in the U14 Boys’ 800m with Samuel Cook (Year 10) and Ollie Jackways following Kupa Rule across the finish line. A total of 22 athletes achieved a qualifying place for the South Island Championships, with 15 able to attend.
Last weekend, the Senior volleyball teams took part in the Canterbury Senior Secondary School Volleyball Championships. The Senior Girls’ A team finished third after losing a close semi-final to St Margaret’s College. The team played well against Christchurch Girls’ High School B, Burnside High School A, and Cashmere High School A winning all three games three sets to nil. Tineke Hinton (Year 13), Molly-Belle Morrow (Year 12) and Mia Montgomery (Year 11) were selected for the tournament team.
The Senior Girls’ B team had another outstanding tournament, winning Division 2 after a close win over Villa Maria College A in the final. The team is excited to continue its successful campaign at nationals which begins next week. The Senior Boys’ A team finished ninth in Division 1.
A team of 33 swimmers competed at the Canterbury Secondary Schools Swimming Championships on Thursday 23 March at Jellie Park. The team comprised 19 juniors and 14 seniors, and it was great to see so many students qualifying for and entering the competition.
The team achieved seven top three placings (3 x 1st place, 2 x 2nd place, 2 x 3rd place) in individual events and three, third top three placings in the relays. Five of the top seven top placings were in the 50m Butterfly across the age groups.
Full results can be found on the Canterbury Sport Website by clicking here.
Riley Crampton (Year 9) competed in the annual Le Race cycling race. The main race takes place from Christchurch to Akaroa; however, Riley competed in the junior ‘Le Race Petite’ that finishes at Little River due to his age. Riley won the U16 male section, as well as winning the overall ‘Le Race Petite’, being the first rider home to Little River by over four minutes on the next competitor in.
Gemma Lewis (Year 13) is currently competing in dressage in the North Island. Last weekend at the Waikato Premier League competition she won Reserve Champion FEI Pony on Pennyweight Effervescent.
The 1st XI is in control of the game against Christ’s College 2nd XI. Batting first, St Andrew’s posted 159 with Jackson Hodgkinson (Year 12) 28 and Timothy Richardson (Year 12) 36. College was bowled out for 81, with Connor Higgs (Year 13) 3/18 and Tom Turner (Year 12) 4/10. In the second innings St Andrew’s are 47/1.
In other games, Joel Buchanan (Year 11) took 4/40 against Christchurch Boys’ High School 2nd XI. Zachary Lang (Year 10) had a great weekend scoring 54 against Sydenham and 56 against St Andrew’s College White team on Sunday. Tom Simpson (Year 10) 58 against St Bede’s College. Ryan Bond (Year 10) 50 against Sydenham. Otis Wheeler (Year 10) 4/10 against St Andrew’s College Blue.
Five students have received awards from Environment Canterbury’s Seaweek Poetry Competition 2023: ‘Poetry for the Sea’.
A number of students have been selected for representative basketball teams this year.
Earlier this week, Dance and Drama Specialist and Performing Arts Co-ordinator, Ginnie Thorner, was invited to conduct a workshop for teachers in Hawkes Bay, along with Professor Peter O'Conor from Auckland University. The workshop focused on Drama techniques and resources that teachers can use to foster hope and resilience among students. Research has shown that engaging in the arts, especially after a natural disaster, can have a positive impact on mental health by promoting a sense of community and personal growth.
Ginnie is part of the Teaspoon of Light Theatre Company, which was established in partnership with Auckland University and UNESCO following the Christchurch earthquakes. The resource that she has contributed to has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times and is available in 140 countries.
More than 70 Old Collegians returned to the College to attend their 60 Years On reunion, held Friday 17 – Saturday 18 March. The attendees belonged to the classes of 1962–1966 and 1963–1967. They participated in the traditional Founders’ Day Assembly and Highland Games and toured the College. A cocktail party was held on Friday night, and a formal dinner was held on Saturday night, where speeches were made, and presentations were given. The weekend concluded with a chapel service on Sunday. A fabulous time was had by all, making this a very successful and special 60 Years On reunion.
Thomas Eves (OC 2006) will perform as a trumpet soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra next Friday and Saturday nights. He will perform Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto as part of the Appalachian Dream concerts at The Piano, Armagh Street.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities over the weekend.
We seem to be in a good space with regards to COVID-19 at the moment, with staff and student absence related to the virus very low. However, it is important that we keep a close eye on the situation and as such we please ask that you continue to report to the College any COVID-19 related student absence using the same process as for non-COVID-19 related absences. Ākonga (students) who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend school.
Parent Guidelines >
Ākonga Absence and Ill-health
A polite reminder that any ākonga who are unwell should not attend school. For any absence, whether ill-health or otherwise, the College’s preferred platform for reporting this is via our online form 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).
Get ready to be transported to another time and place with the thrilling New Zealand premiere of Bright Star, presented by St Andrew's College! Based on a true story, and written by comedian Steve Martin, this epic tale of love, loss, and heartbreak will have you on the edge of your seat. Set against the stunning backdrop of North Carolina, Bright Star takes us on a journey through two eras, 1925 and 1945. The ‘Bluegrass’ musical score will have your toes tapping and the sweeping story will tug at your heartstrings. So come and experience the magic of Bright Star. This is a truly original show that celebrates the enduring power of human connection and relationships, and it's a performance you won't want to miss!
When: Sunday 7 May, 5.00pm | Monday 8 – Saturday 13 May, 7.00pm (no Wednesday show)
Where: St Andrew's College Gym 1
Tickets: Adults $35.00 | Students $17.50
On Thursday 30 March the Secondary School will be having a theme day to conclude the Community Service team’s fundraising initiative supporting charity, 1Human Race. Students and families are encouraged to bring a donation or donate online. Students are to wear green, black, white or red – the colours of the Kenyan flag and in support of enabling young girls to get into education and avoid arranged marriages and genital cutting. Many students have been incorporating the number ‘85’ into their fundraising efforts. This is a wonderful cause and an opportunity to make a difference. Please give generously.
Starting next term, the College Shop – Thistles, will be open from Monday to Friday during term time only. The opening hours will be 7.45am–9.45am and 12.00pm–4.30pm. On Wednesdays, the Shop will close at 3.30pm due to school finishing at 2.30pm.
Starting this term break, the Shop will only be open on the first two days of Week 1 (Monday and Tuesday), 9.00am–3.00pm, and on the last three days of the last week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday), 9.00am–3.00pm. These holidays the Shop will be on 11, 26, 27 and 28 April only.
Please note, due to differing lengths of the school holidays, the Shop will be open during Week 2 of the Term 2 break and Week 3 of the Term 1 and Term 3 breaks.
Exchanges are a great way for young people to have a snapshot of what it is like to experience a different country, culture and education system. The benefits of an exchange are lifelong friends, developing resilience, social cues, time management, organisation, learning about another country and culture, and much more.
All Year 10 exchanges are to Australia for four weeks – two weeks of the July holidays and the first two weeks of Term 3. To participate in an exchange, the cost for flights, insurance and spending money needs to be covered. All other costs are covered between the two schools involved. Applications close on Saturday 1 April. Please click here to apply.
For more information, please contact Director of International Students and Exchanges, Palē Tauti on PTU@stac.school.nz.
There have been some unfortunate incidents of bike thefts recently. We ask parents to remind children who cycle to school to always lock their bikes and not leave them on campus overnight or during the weekends.
A Secondary School Cultural Showcase event is being held on Wednesday 29 March. Join us to be entertained by various cultural performances, all organised by our Cultural Captains, Mia Walker and Marco Leighs (both Year 13). The performance will last about an hour and entry is by donation, with all proceeds going to Christchurch-based charity Full Bellies.
When: Wednesday 29 March
Where: Centennial Chapel
Time: 7.00pm
Registrations are now open for the next session in our free parent evening series, StACTalks: Teens and Tech. The presentation is aimed at parents of children aged 10 and above, however, all current parents are welcome to attend.
During this technology-focused presentation, St Andrew’s College staff and members of the College’s wider community will discuss the topic of technology and adolescent well-being. They will present their ideas about the positive and negative impacts of technology use and will reflect on the approach St Andrew’s has adopted in response to research about technology, pornography, teaching and learning and social media. The evening will conclude with a panel discussion where parents will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and consider strategies they can adopt at home to promote positive technological use and prioritise well-being.
When: Tuesday 28 March
Where: Centennial Chapel
Time: 6.30pm–8.00pm
The very popular Pipe Band Ceilidh fundraiser (pronounced “kay-lee”) is back! Celebrate our Scottish heritage and help support the Pipe Band get to Scotland for the World Championships in August this year.
Make sure you save the date – Saturday 27 May, 7.00pm in Gym 1.
More details to come soon!
Summer sports teams have now been added to the StAC App. Please update your subscriptions to ensure that you are receiving the alerts relevant to the sports team(s) that your child is involved with.
Subscriptions can be found via the settings cog on the StAC App home screen. For more information on updating your subscriptions, please refer to the StAC App instructional video or download the PDF guide below.
PDF guide >Download the StAC App for iOS >Download the StAC App for Android >
The Community Business Directory is on our website under Alumni & Community and represents over 100 parent businesses. Please do take a look at how many businesses you can support locally.
The St Andrew's College Community Business Directory >
If you would still like to register your business, complete the following form.
Community Business Directory Registration >
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.
