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Rector's Comment

Friday 28 April 2023

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa

It has certainly seemed a long term break and I trust families have enjoyed the break from routine and the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful autumn days. As we come together again as a St Andrew’s College community, I do think of two schools in our immediate vicinity that have lost two staff members in recent days. Elwood Primary School, with the tragic loss of Year 4 teacher Isaac Levings and Waimairi School, with the death of Principal Mike Anderson, have been very much in our thoughts.

As usual, our campus has been busy over the term break. A number of students have participated in various sports competitions. Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award students took the opportunity to complete Adventurous Journeys, the Preparatory School ran the student sports holiday programme, and in the second week, St Andrew’s hosted the 33rd Presbyterian Rugby Quad Tournament with three visiting 1st XV teams from Saint Kentigern College (Auckland), Scots College (Wellington) and Lindisfarne College (Hastings). A number of parents also travelled to support the teams and it was a busy four days with the three visiting teams staying on campus (see details below). It is great that this traditional fixture, first held in 1989 between these same schools, has stood the test of time and the connection between the schools remains strong and valued.

On Tuesday College Chaplain Rev. Paul Morrow hosted the annual ANZAC Chapel Service. Two student highlights were the student address from Deputy Head Prefect Lachlan Odlin who spoke on the relevance of ANZAC commemoration for students of today, drawing upon the WWII experience of his great grandfather (himself a St Andrew’s student 1925–1932). Noah Fanene (Year 11) sang a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria, Naomi Dana (Year 13) sounded an outstanding Last Post and Reveille and Pipe Major Toby Cammock-Elliot (Year 13) played the Piper’s Lament. It was a very special morning, attended by current families, Old Collegians, and those who have connections to our Old Boys who lost their lives in serving their country. The special guest, William McDonald (Old Collegian 1951–1958) had travelled from Rotorua to attend the service having served in the army for 20 years in Borneo, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

Two recent outstanding individual student successes have included Maggie McConnochie (Year 9) winning the Comunn na Piobaireachd Bronze Medal at the Hastings Easter Highland Games. This highly technical competition tracks the best solo pipers from around New Zealand and winning the bronze medal at such a young age is an outstanding achievement for Maggie. A second outstanding success has been the announcement today of Sienna Stowers-Smith (Year 13) in the New Zealand Secondary Schools netball team to play Australia later this year. Sienna is the only student from Christchurch and only one of four students in the South Island to be named in this team.

Many of our support staff have been busy over the term break with the leasing programme, grounds and facility maintenance, ICT projects, and attending to all the work that supports our busy school.

Finally, the third week of this term break is always a critical time for our senior production students, this year preparing for the fantastic musical Bright Star. Once again, our talented team of students will bring to you a moving and emotional performance, it is one not to be missed.

We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday following our Teacher Only Day on Monday.

Ngā mihi nui

 

Christine Leighton
Rector

CLT 2023

BRIGHT STAR SENIOR PRODUCTION

Get a sneak peek at the talent that will be on display at the performances of Bright Star in Term 2.

Bright Star designers have once again turned Gym 1 into a theatre. The cast, musicians and crew have been in from Wednesday to pack into the space and begin rehearsals on set. This is an exciting time, the show is looking fantastic and will be ready for opening night audiences on Sunday 7 May, 5.00pm. Be sure to get your tickets.

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

Purchase Tickets >
Production Video

Holiday Happenings

ANZAC Service 2023 FLICKR >

ANZAC DAY CHAPEL SERVICE

On Tuesday 25 April, the Centennial Chapel proudly hosted our ANZAC Day Chapel Service to commemorate our Old Collegians and staff who lost their lives in service to our country. The Rector, Christine Leighton, made special mention of William McDonald (OC 1959) who boarded at the College between 1951–1958. William served as a Platoon Sergeant between 1963–1965 in Malaysia, Borneo and Vietnam and made a special trip from Rotorua to attend this service. Deputy Head Prefect, Lachlan Odlin, gave a very personal address about the resilience his great grandfather, Winston Smith (OC 1932) displayed during his service in World War II. He had spent time in Prisoner of War camps and sadly was forced to endure “The Long March” with 80,000 POWs in extreme conditions to finally be liberated and returned home to New Zealand. It was a painful reminder of the bravery and courage our servicemen and women showed during the horrific wars of the last century. OCA President, Sam Crosbie (OC 2009) and Ladies’ Circle President Alison Ballantyne laid the traditional wreaths in the Memorial Enclave as The Piper’s Lament filled the Chapel with its melancholy notes and we remembered those who came before us.

PIPE BAND AT ANZAC DAY SERVICES

Members of the Pipe Band performed at many ANZAC Day services in Christchurch, Wellington and beyond.

  • Pipe Major Toby Cammock-Elliott, Samuel Jaspersmith (both Year 13) and Jack Boon (Year 12) at our ANZAC Service in the Centennial Chapel.
  • Georgia Eagle (Year 13), Tayla Eagle (Year 11), Sam Foote (Year 10), Lucas Paterson (Year 12), Rachel Holyoake (OC 2022) at the National ANZAC Service at the Pukeahu War Memorial in Wellington. The students were supported by our Tenor Drumming Tutor Tiffany Gilchrist.
  • Cooper Gallagher (Year 11), James Anthony (Year 11) and Daniel Liu (Year 10) at the Burlington Retirement Village in Christchurch.
  • Sisters Alanna and Emily Brook (Year 10) performed with the Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band in Fairlie.
  • Maggie McConnochie (Year 9) and William Nicholls (Year 8) at the Older Persons Health Wards at Burwood Hospital.
  • Iona Lawson (Year 12) at The Cashmere Retirement Village.
  • Charlie Gregg (Year 8) led the parade for the Banks Peninsula ANZAC Service in Akaroa.
  • Jacob Triplow (Year 8) marched from Holy Trinity Church through to Avon Lifecare Retirement Village, with a performance in the hospital.
  • Cameron Sharpe (Year 9) performed with Ellesmere Pipe Band at the Leeston ANZAC Service.
  • Pipe Band Manager Graeme Bryce performed at the Templeton RSA ANZAC Service.

RUGBY QUAD TOURNAMENT

St Andrew's College hosted the 33rd Presbyterian Quadrangle Rugby Tournament from Thursday 19 to Saturday 22 April. This was great preseason preparation for all teams involved and a great opportunity to connect, celebrate, and compete.

On Thursday, a great day of running rugby was played with Saint Kentigern College beating Lindisfarne College 61–12 and Scots College beating St Andrew’s College 35–29. The final and play-off games were played on the Saturday. St Andrew's College beat Lindisfarne College 38–12 in a high-paced attacking game for the third/fourth play-off. Both sides displayed great intent to move the ball in challenging conditions and produced some fantastic tries. Congratulations to Saint Kentigern College who beat Scots College 42–27 in a very physical final. Both forward packs had a strong set piece that launched two exciting backlines that produced some exciting rugby.

Overall, it was a great four days of rugby, sportsmanship, and connection for all players, coaches and management.

Quad FLICKR >

RUGBY CAMP

An U18 squad travelled to Timaru for a 3-day rugby camp. It was a very productive three days with the highlight being playing Timaru Boys’ High School on the last day and winning 38–7.

HOCKEY

ANZAC Hockey Tournament Girls’ 1st XI
During the first week of the holidays a squad of 17 travelled to Auckland for the three-day ANZAC Festival of Hockey held at St Cuthbert’s College. St Andrew’s won both games on day 1 against hosts St Cuthbert’s College (2–1) and Diocesan School for Girls (6–0). On Day 2 the team lost 1–3 to a strong St Hilda’s Collegiate School team, who were undefeated throughout the tournament. The girls attended the traditional tournament dinner on Thursday night where the guest speaker was Black Ferns Co-captain, Ruahei Demant, who provided a genuine insight into what it takes to be an athlete. On the final day, the girls had a double-header with less than 2 hours between games and beat Whangarei Girls’ High School 3–0 and only just went down 2–3 in the final minutes of an exciting game against Westlake Girls’ High School.

Boys hockey

ANZAC Hockey Tournament Boys’ 1st XI
The 1st XI hockey boys travelled to Timaru on Wednesday 19 April for the annual three-day ANZAC tournament hosted by Timaru Boys’ High School. With a number of new players in the squad this season, the tournament was an opportunity to give the team some experience together and to start building culture as a group. The senior players from last year’s team were fantastic in welcoming the new players and passing on some of the traditions that have made our senior hockey team a very high-performing group both on and off the field. Results from the tournament were mixed, with one win, one draw and two losses, but of more importance was the growth in the team’s confidence, interactions during the game, and overall culture.

ADVENTURE RACING

At the recent South Island Secondary Schools Adventure Racing Championships, the StAC Thistles Team of Ethan Griffin, Adam MacFarlane, Isabella Cody (all Year 11) and Abigail Scott-Douglas (Year 10) entered the 12-hour Senior event and the StAC Tartan Team of Samuel Hall, Toby Wilson, Joshua Morrow (all Year 10) entered the 6-hour Intermediate Boys event. Both teams did exceptionally well, with the Senior Mixed team placing third in a time of 13:59:53 and the Intermediate team placing second in a time of 6:56:33. A fantastic effort by both teams.

DRAMA

International award-winning UK-based drama company, Frantic Assembly, were in Christchurch during the final week of the holidays and St Andrew’s hosted the company for two workshops. The public workshop included artists, actors, directors and performers from across Aotearoa.  On Monday, a group of 24 students worked with the company for a full-day intense actor training and theatre development. We were impressed with the energy and focus of our drama students. Thank you to Dance and Drama teacher Ginnie Thorner for organising this opportunity.

PREPARATORY SCHOOL SPORT MEDLEY HOLIDAY CAMP

During the last week of the holidays, a group of 37 students took part in 9 different sports over the three-day Sport Medley Holiday Camp, which was run by a group of six Preparatory School teachers.

Student Successes

NETBALL

Sienna Stowers-Smith (Year 13) has been selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools netball team and will travel to Australia at the end of June to be involved in the U19 Australian camp to provide some vital international play. Sienna is the only student from Christchurch and only one of four students in the South Island to be named in this team.

Sienna Stowers Smith
Pipe Band

PIPE BAND

Several pipe band members were busy during the term break in various solo piping competitions around New Zealand. A highlight was Maggie McConnochie (Year 9) winning the Comunn na Piobaireachd Bronze Medal  at the Hastings Easter Highland Games, which was held in the first weekend of the holidays. Sam Foote (Year 10) placed third in the same event.

Full results from holiday competitions >

DRESSAGE

Gemma Lewis (Year 13) and Georgia Lewis (Year 10) competed in the Festival of Future Stars South Island dressage competition during the first weekend of the holidays.

  • Gemma Lewis: Champion young rider 21&U (riding Ruanuku R); Reserve champion young rider 21&U (riding Pennyweight Effervescent); Champion 6yo young dressage pony (riding Glenvar Ballard); Champion medium (Level 4) pony (riding Pennyweight Effervescent); Reserve champion preliminary pony (riding Glenvar Ballard); Medal for highest rider quality score 21&U.
  • Georgia Lewis: Reserve Champion Young Rider 14&U.

ROWING

On the back of their performances at the Maadi Cup regatta, seven St Andrew’s students were selected by Rowing New Zealand to trial for representative teams.

Freddy Todhunter (Year 13) was selected to trial for the New Zealand U19 team and Benjamin Ashman, Jack Pitts, Coby Goode, Logan Gardner, and William Tavendale (all Year 12) were selected to trial for the South Island U18 team.

These trials resulted in Benjamin Ashman, Coby Goode, Jack Pitts, William Tavendale and coach Hayden Soper being selected for the South Island Team to race the North Island on Wednesday 19 – Thursday 20 April. After some tough racing, the South Island came out on top and won the points trophy. 

Reps
Swimming

SWIMMING

Two students competed at the New Zealand Swimming National Age Group Championships at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre during the first week of the school holidays.

  • Rylee McBride (Year 11) – 15-year-old Woman category: National title – 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly; Silver – 100m backstroke; Bronze – 50m freestyle. Broke a Canterbury record as part of the Wharenui Swim Club 16 and Over Women’s 4 x 100m medley relay.
  • Sophia Molnar (Year 12) – 16-year-old Woman category: 7th – 100m breaststroke; 4th 50m breaststroke.

BASKETBALL

Marcus Isitt, Ophelia Powell and Rafferty Powell (all Year 12) were invited to participate in the Basketball New Zealand U17 team trials which took place over the Easter weekend.

BALLROOM DANCING

Holly Hembry (Year 8) competed in the 2023 Kiwi Classic Championships in Auckland over the Easter weekend, winning six events against competitors from Auckland and Australia, including Pro/Am events, while being partnered by Enrique Johns from Dancing with the Stars. Holly was also crowned Juvenile Princess for being the most outstanding female juvenile competitor over the weekend.

Holly Samba
Gymnastics

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Kalisa Zhang (Year 8) competed at the 2023 Otago Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Dunedin during the holidays winning all four routines and finished first overall.

Canterbury Representatives

EQUESTRIAN

Lily Ellis (Year 11) and Gemma Lewis (Year 13) were selected to represent Canterbury in the Pony Club Eventing team. Gemma has now represented Canterbury in four out of four of the representative equestrian teams (Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage and Mounted Games). Georgia Lewis (Year 10) was selected as a reserve.

Old Collegians

HONORARY DOCTORATE

The University of Canterbury has bestowed an honorary Doctor of Commerce on illustrious graduate, internal businessman and philanthropist Mark Stewart (OC 1980). Mark is a supportive Old Collegian who has been very generous to St Andrew’s College over the years, and we are delighted of this recognition and honour bestowed upon him by the University of Canterbury.

Mark Stewart

PIPE BAND

Campbell Wilson (OC 2020) was the winner of the U21 New Zealand Piobaireachd at the Hastings Easter Highland Games, which was held in the first weekend of the holidays.

RUGBY

Isaiah Armstrong Ravula (OC 2021) is heading to Fiji to train with the U20 Fijian team who will compete in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South April on 24 June to 14 July.

Good Luck

Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities.

Notices and Upcoming Events

covid19govtnz

COVID-19 UPDATE AND RECORDING A STUDENT ABSENCE

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).

BASKETBALL FUNDRAISER EVENT

The annual Hoop It Up fundraiser will take place on Saturday 10 June. Organised by the StAC Basketball Fundraising Committee, this is sure to be a fantastic evening. Reserve your seat or get a group together. Dinner and drinks included (Wairau River Wines and tap beer), cash bar for all other drinks, auction, DJ, and dance floor.

All proceeds support St Andrew’s College Basketball. In 2021 the event sold out within 72 hours, so get in early, grab your friends and reserve a table. This will be a great mid-winter night out.

When: Saturday 10 June, 7.00pm–11.30pm
Where: Russley Golf Club and Function Centre
Dress Code: Cocktail
Tickets: $150 per person

Email Teacher in Charge of Basketball, Ben Eves, on BEV@stac.school.nz from Monday to reserve a seat/table, whilst spots last!

Hoop It Up 2x1
StAC Talks 2x1 Session 4

STACTALKS: CREATING A CULTURE TO ENHANCE THE SPORTS EXPERIENCE

Join us for an informative evening focused on how we can create an environment that enables our young people to have quality experiences playing sports.

Our guest speakers at this StACTalks session will include an advocate for resilience, Jake Bailey, our Director of High Performance Sport and Rugby, Rod McIntosh, and Sports Leadership and Development expert and Senior Rugby Coach, John Haggart.

We will also hear about personal experiences and lessons learned from participating in sports from the student and parent perspectives. The College has been working on a Sports Framework to provide guidance for our students, which we will share and welcome feedback on. This is an opportunity to learn from experts and contribute your ideas to this important conversation.

When: Monday 15 May
Where: Centennial Chapel
Time: 6.30pm–8.00pm

REGISTER >

COLLEGE SHOP – THISTLES: CHANGE TO OPENING HOURS

Starting next week, 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.

PIPE BAND CEILIDH: TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The very popular Pipe Band Ceilidh fundraiser (pronounced “kay-lee”) has returned for 2023 and celebrates St Andrew's proud Scottish heritage. Come along to a good old-fashioned Scottish knees-up for a friendly, fun and energetic night of haggis, music, drams and dancing in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your dancing shoes and wear a touch of tartan!

It’s a wonderful way to celebrate our Scottish heritage and help support the Pipe Band get to Scotland for the World Championships this August this year.

Date: Saturday 27 May, 7.00pm
Venue: St Andrew's College Gym 1
Tickets: $69.00 (drink on arrival and light supper)

PURCHASE CEILIDH TICKETS >
Ceilidh 2x1 Tile
Online Photography WIDE 2023

2023 PHOTOGRAPHY ONLINE ORDERS

The online sales for the following 2023 photographs are now available:

  • individual student photographs;
  • Secondary School tutor group photographs;
  • Preparatory School class photographs;
  • whole year group photographs for Year 9 and Year 13.

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.

ORDER PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE >

COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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 >

Community Directory 1

KEY DATES

  • Monday 1 May – Staff Professional Development Day
  • Tuesday 2 May – Start of Term 2
  • Sunday 7 May – Saturday 13 May – Bright Star (Senior College Production)
  • Wednesday 10 May – Careers Expo, 5.00pm
  • Thursday 18 May – Secondary School Cross Country
  • Sunday 21 May – Middle School Chapel Service, 5.00pm
  • Saturday 27 May – Pipe Band Ceilidh, 7.00pm, Gym 1
  • Monday 5 June – King’s Birthday – College Closed
  • Tuesday 13 June – Boarders’ Chapel Service, 7.45pm
  • Friday 16 June – Prefects’ Assembly
  • Saturday 17 June – Semi-formal, Riccarton Raceway
  • Friday 30 June – End of Term 2

For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.