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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Kia ora koutou katoa.
It has been interesting this week to experience happenings at St Andrew’s College from the other side of the world while I am in Scotland supporting the Pipe Band. While Christchurch has been enjoying the chills of winter, and I understand the odd snow flurry, Edinburgh is basking in summer temperatures of up to 23 degrees ... well for one day at least!
I have had the pleasure of catching up with two Old Collegians in the last 24 hours. The first was by complete coincidence while approaching an event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Outside, the usual show promoters were handing out their flyer and to my surprise, I recognised a rather striking young man and, it was an Old Collegian, Andy Manning, leaver of 2010. Andy was a talented saxophone player in the jazz band, singer and lead role in productions during his time at St Andrew’s. Hence it is probably not surprising he landed a show at the popular and highly entertaining annual Fringe Festival here in Edinburgh.
The second catch-up was with one the first girls, Kirsty O'Hara (now McGregor) who completed Years 12 and 13 at the College in 1993 and 1994. She fondly remembers a wonderful classics trip to Greece and Turkey in 1994 and being the only girl in her English, Calculus and Chemistry classes.
The Pipe Band are currently in Stirling, and I am looking forward to meeting them at St Andrews where they will give a performance at the Cathedral ruins on Monday morning.
Ngā mihi nui
Christine Leighton
Rector
This newly established blog series from the Sports Department is intended to share sporting stories about the evidence-based philosophy that supports quality sports experiences for our rangatahi (young people), regardless of ability, needs and motivation. St Andrew’s College has adopted this approach as part of its new sports framework, where we are aligning our sports programme with the College’s mission statement of ‘Together, building better people, for life’.
In this first blog post, Director of Sport Strategy, John Haggart, reflects on a recent article from Sport New Zealand. When coaching team sports, we need to consider how we can still support the development of the individual.
Sports Blog >Off the back of the Combined Boarders’ Chapel hosted at the College last week, and last Friday’s Boarders’ Assembly, this week we celebrated New Zealand Boarding Week. On Wednesday, the Year 9 Boarders had the opportunity to invite a friend from the day school in for a boarders’ lunch. It was great to see the boarders enjoy hosting their friends and sharing a meal. The day school students certainly enjoyed a healthy serving of nachos as well as the opportunity to make a toastie ‘to go’. Today, staff were welcomed into the Thompson Boarding House for morning tea and a tour through the boarding house was enjoyed.
This week, a group of 15 Year 11–13 students took part in the Senior Mathematics Competition. Competing in teams of three, the students had 90 minutes to solve a range of mathematics problems that varied in difficulty from easy to extremely challenging. It was great to see students working collaboratively and combining skills from across the curriculum to take creative approaches to problem solving.
On Tuesday, a group of 40 Year 13 students and three teachers went to Kaikōura to visit their case study business, Whale Watch. The students had an informative time at their headquarters, finding out about why Whale Watch started with Bill Solomon and Wally Stone, the company’s values, and how the company lives those values – practising Manaakitanga in the community. The students boarded the boat at South Bay and braved the one-metre swell. There were six sightings of the local sperm whales, a fantastic memory for all involved.
Today, the Student Well-being Committee hosted our annual Well-being Assembly with Middle School students. Year 13 student, Laai Tausa presented a moving speech where he articulated how his family, culture and St Andrew’s College have shaped the values he puts into action in his life. He inspired students to consider the character strengths that provide a compass for well-being in their lives.
The Mahia te Aroha character awards were presented to students who consistently put values such as kindness and compassion into action. The recipients were voted by their peers and teachers. This year our Middle School award winners were Max Kinney and Chole Evans (both Year 9), Nixen Casey and Olivia Ratcliffe (both Year 10) and Timothy Gooby and Sophie Burnett (both Year 11). The entire student body enjoyed celebrating and honouring these role models who bring our whole school value of inclusivity to life every day.
The student well-being committee is flourishing at St Andrew’s and should feel proud of the work they have dedicated to creating such a relevant, enjoyable and engaging assembly focused on character and holistic well-being.
On Monday 7 August, a group of 51 girls from the Preparatory School were involved in a fun one-off ISSA Football Tournament at English Park. Two Year 5–6 teams and four Year 7–8 teams participated, and, as part of the World Cup spirit, each team was given a country name to represent. Vietnam (Years 5–6 team) placed first equal with Selwyn House School and two of our Year 7–8 teams (Switzerland and Spain) battled it out for third. The students were very excited to have special guest, New Zealand Football Ferns Goalkeeper, Victoria Esson, in attendance.
FLICKR >On Wednesday, the Preparatory School entered a team in both the boys and girls Years 5–6 Canterbury Indoor Basketball Tournament. In a highly competitive competition, this tournament was a great learning experience for our passionate young basketballers. The boys’ team didn’t progress past the pool stage but learnt a lot from some very fast and skilful opposition. The girls played against some very tall opposition, so had to play a fast and aggressive style of basketball. Winning their pool and successfully fending off a tough Kaiapoi North team in the quarters, they, unfortunately, lost by one basket in the semi-finals, with repeated itself in the third/fourth playoff. Thank you to Maddie Morrow (OC 2022) for assisting with the day.
HOCKEY
The Boys 1st XI had a tough encounter with St Bede’s College in the quarter-final of the SSP Championship. St Andrew’s started slowly which gave St Bede’s the major chances of the first quarter. Joel Rogers (Year 13) did a great job during this time to keep them goalless, and against the run of play St Andrew’s earned a penalty corner on the stroke of quarter time. Shifting momentum, Luke Slee (Year 13) converted with a well-taken drag flick to go into quarter time 1–0 up. The team carried this momentum into the second quarter and had a few more early chances, however, St Bede’s kept coming and some soft defending left Joel with too much work to do – 1–1 at half-time. The second half of the game continued to be back and forth, and Finnian Bierwirth (Year 13) had a great second half making some outstanding saves to keep the score level. The score stayed this way, meaning a shootout would dictate the team to progress to the semi-final. Unfortunately, St Andrew’s was unable to secure victory going down 2–3 in the shootout.
RUGBY
Last weekend saw the last home game for the Year 13 1st XV players and the scene was set for a very tight contest against Marlborough Boys’ College. Marlborough had the advantage in the first 20 minutes as St Andrew’s struggled with the execution of their game plan and Marlborough went to an early 10–0 lead. St Andrew’s fought back and scored a converted try and added a penalty to make it 10–10. Marlborough took control again and scored, making it 17–10 to them at half-time. St Andrew’s hit back hard and scored a converted try to level the score, but Marlborough kept the pressure on our defence and went ahead 20–17. Two penalties to St Andrew’s resulted in a 23–20 lead with about seven minutes remaining, and then Marlborough scored a converted try to regain the lead 27–23. The last five minutes of the game was a ‘dog fight’ as both teams’ defence held strong and Marlborough took the win, 27-23.
Samuel Mustchin (Year 12) performed exceptionally as fullback, displaying impeccable goal-kicking with a flawless 100% success rate. Cylas Tauti (Year 13) played No 10 in the first half and 9 in the second, consistently posing a formidable threat with possession and exhibiting remarkably smooth skills. The forwards again worked tirelessly as a unit. Edwin Short (Year 13) was a workhorse in the tight, Laai Tausa (Year 13) was a dominant figure with ball in hand and William Voice (Year 12) had a strong game at No 8. It was an entertaining match to watch and reflected on the quality of the two sides – a great advertisement for 1st XV rugby.
NETBALL
Saturday’s Senior A game against the University of Canterbury B team started well, with St Andrew’s leading in the first two quarters and up 37–22 at half-time. During the remaining two quarters, the team worked together to win 61–52. Both Savannah Caulfield and Libby McNee (both Year 12) scored over 90% of their goal attempts.
Wednesday’s SuperNet game was the semi-final against Cashmere High School. St Andrew’s started well, scoring off the centre passes and gaining some turnover ball. Ella Sharpe (Year 12) ensured the ball moved into the goal circle and defended strongly when needed. Each quarter the team focussed on their game and won 37–27, to progress to the SuperNet final next week.
FOOTBALL
The Boys 1st XI played in the championship semi-final against Papanui High School. At a cold, wet and windy English Park, the team started the game exactly how the coaches asked – with intent both on and off the ball. St Andrew’s had the better of the chances in the first half, with Callum Moores (Year 13) narrowly going wide on a few attempts. After a few words from the coaches and some great communication from the players, the team headed out for the second half. Again, St Andrew’s started strong and within minutes had the lead from some smart play finished off by leading goal scorer Callum Moores. St Andrew’s then doubled their lead with a goal by Tim Hellman (Year 12), followed shortly by a goal to Papanui and a few minutes later another great goal by Callum Moores to give St Andrew’s a 3–1 lead. The 1st XI will now play Middleton Grange High School in the final on Wednesday 23 August.
BASKETBALL
Both Senior A teams had a bye this week and are through to the semi-finals next Tuesday at home.
The fourth round of the Canterbury Secondary Schools Trap Shooting Competition was held on Sunday in Ellesmere. Maggie Hood (Year 13) once again proved unstoppable in skeet, winning outright with a score of 24/25. Maggie and team captain Logan Gardner’s (Year 12) combined score also took out the two-person team title. Josh van Asch (Year 10), competing in skeet for the first time, very narrowly missed out on winning junior skeet.
It was a St Andrew’s top three in the Senior Points Score competition, with Andrew Greig (Year 13), Logan Gardner and Addison Williams (Year 12) all tied on 59/60. After a shoot-off, the final positions were Andrew first, Logan second and Addison third. Kurt Lilly (Year 10) was not far behind with his score of 57. As a result, our top squad won the Open Teams Points Score. The Girls’ team of Maggie Hood, Lucie Hood (Year 11) and Addison Williams also won the Ladies’ Points Score contest. Logan Gardner also came third in senior Single Rise and Gus McLachlan (Year 11) came third in senior Single Barrel. New shooters representing St Andrew's for the first time, Dougal Scotland, Oliver Orchard (both Year 9) and Jonathan Rogers (Year 11), also gave impressive performances. Addison Williams was the Highest Overall Female, while Logan Gardner missed out on winning the Highest Overall by only one point. Lincoln High School and St Andrew’s have each won two rounds so far. The St Andrew’s shooters will need to maintain their form in the final two rounds to retain the Canterbury Champions title in 2023.
Lauren Whittaker (Year 13) was named as one of the five Most Valuable Players at the BLIA Cup University Basketball Tournament in Taiwan this week, where she played for Lincoln University. Lauren averaged 25 points and 17 rebounds per game and was one of the youngest players at the university tournament.
Last weekend, our junior debating teams competed in the Canterbury Junior Regionals tournament. StAC 1, comprised of Joshua Adams, Olivia Bloom, and Cameron Aldridge (all Year 11) finished an impressive third, narrowly losing in the semi-finals. StAC 2 of Reece Glennie, Oliver Wallace, and Arihia Lawton (all Year 10) had two from three wins. Josh Adams was named a top-five speaker at the tournament.
Equestrian team captain, Gemma Lewis (Year 13), placed fifth in her class at the One Day Horse Event on Tuesday. This event tests riders across three disciplines; dressage, cross country and show jumping.
The Canterbury Slopestyle Championships were held at Mt Hutt on Sunday 6 August. This was the second time this event has been held in Canterbury at a secondary school level and attracted a small, but very talented, group of competitors who were more than ready to display their aerobatic skills on jumps and rails in the terrain park. The competitors showcased grabs, spins, switches, forward and backward flips, and much more. This is a sport disciple that is not for the faint-hearted as there are many ‘crash landings’ to achieve the one ‘sweet run’.
In the Years 9–10 competition, Edward Bull placed third overall and in the Years 11–13 competition, Campbell Searle was the most successful St Andrew’s College competitor, followed by Luke Skinner then Rory Forsythe.
Yesterday, the Canterbury Ski and Snow Board Championships were held at Mt Hutt. The previous night a southerly front rolled through that dropped 18cm of new snow onto the mountain, with the day being what is known as a ‘bluebird day’. On arrival, there was a burst of ‘snow’ fever where the skiers and snowboarders went out for a few runs seeking to make their tracks on the virgin snow. Several of the St Andrew’s squad of 23 made some excellent runs and everybody is looking forward to seeing the final results when they are posted by the management team later today. Thank you to Ingrid and Richard Thomas for assisting with managing the team on the mountain and also to those parents who took the opportunity to drive their child up to Mt Hutt.
Results >Last night, our two Year 11 teams placed a respectable second and third in the 2023 Maatangi Whenua Regional Geography Competition, which was held at the University of Canterbury. The teams now wait to see how they placed nationally.
Nineteen students from the Preparatory School have successfully auditioned for representative groups in the 2023 Christchurch School’s Music Festival, which takes place over four evenings in early November in the Christchurch Town Hall.
Overnight, Tineke Hinton (OC 2023) won bronze at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago as a member of the New Zealand Women’s Beach Volleyball team.
Luke Zhu (OC 2022) departs for Harvard University to undertake his first-year tertiary studies at the end of this month. Luke has played a pivotal role in the Mathematics Department after first arriving at St Andrew’s College as a Year 7 student. Luke initiated the student-led Mathematics Club and has provided tutoring for a wide range of students within the College and across other Christchurch schools. At the start of this year, Luke took up a Teaching Assistant position at the College assisting with Vocational classes and the ILP Programme, which can include Psychology, Education for Sustainability and/or a range of unit standards relevant for the workplace. Luke also assisted with Mathematics tutoring, and GATE student mentoring, and has assisted Xavier Dickason (OC 2020) with the Future Problem Solving team. Staff farewelled Luke this week with a special morning tea.
Tanae Lavery (OC 2021) and his Lincoln University Men’s basketball team placed third at the BLIA Cup in Taiwan earlier this week.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities.
You may have noticed there has been a change in how you can view the College's Flickr albums. From now on, you'll be able to see the Flickr albums through links shared in our school newsletters or via StACNet. You can still download the images as usual. This change has been made following the annual policy review.
To view the complete set of 2023 Flickr albums, please visit stac.nz/FlickrAlbums on StACNet. This list will be updated every Monday.
On Monday 21 August, the College will be holding a Teacher-Only Day so that staff can work together on preparing their programmes for the new NCEA Level 1 that will be implemented from the start of next year.
We will, however, be running some advance Prelim examinations for students as part of our Prelim Examinations programme running from Wednesday 6 – Friday 15 September. These compulsory examinations are important, derived-grade examinations for NCEA externals, are set by teachers as a full 3-hour Prelim examination and provide an opportunity for students to prepare for the NCEA examinations in November by receiving teacher feedback on their performance.
The Advance Prelim examinations are as follows:
Applicable students must attend in full school uniform and further information will be provided to them through their tutors early next week. Attendance is compulsory and students are expected to prepare well and do their best. All questions should be directed to the Head of Teaching and Learning, David Bevin, DBV@stac.school.nz
The St Andrew’s College annual Dance Revue is back! Containing an eclectic range of dance styles including Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Musical Theatre and Contemporary, this fast-paced evening of dance will have something for all to enjoy. Performances will come from St Andrew’s College Ballet Academy, StAC Dance, soloists, groups, and guest artists. Come celebrate dance!
When: Saturday 16 September, 7.00pm–8.30pm and Sunday 17 September, 2.00pm–3.30pm
Where: St Andrew's College Gym 1
Tickets: $15.00
The Pipe Band art show is back! Showcasing the work of talented professional artists, the art sale offers you the chance to own remarkable local art while supporting our Pipe Bands. With many wonderful artists from all over New Zealand contributing artwork, this is a fabulous opportunity to snap up a unique piece for your home or office.
Your purchase will directly contribute to our Pipe Band 2023 World Championships and 2024 National Championships fund. You will also have the chance to win $500 towards a piece of your choice with our Art Show raffle – entry forms will be available in the Centennial Chapel throughout the Art Show.
Join us for the StAC Agricultural Show on Wednesday 20 September. Students can enter a number of fun events, such as baking, art, flower arrangements, and Lego creations, with placings from first to third place receiving a ribbon, and all first-place winners will also receive a prize.
There is something for everyone at this A&P Show-inspired event. Come along to Gym 1 to experience all the art, baking and other pet entries as well as the petting zoo – get set for a day of Agricultural fun!
Entries: Cost: $3.00 per category entered (viewing the entries on the day is free). Entries close Friday 15 September 2023. To enter your child/ren into the StAC Agricultural Show, please click to complete the relevant entry form/s below:
The online sales for the following 2023 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.
ORDER PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE >The Community Business Directory is on our website under Alumni & Community and represents over 100 parent businesses. Please 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 >
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).
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.
