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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Kia ora koutou.
After the devastating news yesterday, it was good to begin this morning in the Secondary School with the annual Boarders’ Assembly. Heads of Boarding, Alexander Kinney and Gretal Tavendale did a great job, along with the Year 13 boarders, of organising an entertaining programme for ‘Rhythm and Boarders’, full of song, dance, film, humour, and reflection. A special award to Fred McRae (Year 13) acknowledged his selection into the New Zealand bull riding team to compete against Australia in the High School Trans-Tasman Challenge (I suspect a first for StAC!). Two student addresses gave thoughtful and poignant messages for all students. The first from Holly Maraki (Year 13) on Kia māia – (courage in sport and life) and the second from Archibald Thomas (Year 13) on Reputation – (a heartfelt message from experience). Congratulations to Holly and Archie.
Well done to all the boarders for such a clever theme showcasing the different backgrounds, interests, talents, and presentation which our boarders bring to the “boarding party.”
Rector's Assembly Address >
Student Morning Comment >
Boarders' Assembly Flickr >
Last weekend I enjoyed the uplifting performance from ballet students at their Winter Showcase. A great variety of dance genres were on show, and the students enjoyed performing on the spacious stage in the Gough Family Theatre. Congratulations to our Ballet Academy Artistic Director Dr Carolyn Cairns, Ballet Tutor Cariad Parker, and the Ballet Academy. Also, last weekend a Combined Boarders’ Chapel saw Christ's College and Rangi Ruru Girls’ School join with our boarders on Sunday evening in our Centennial Chapel with an address from the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Michael Gielen.
Following on the success of the Olympics, a Chapel address this week from Head Girl of 2021, Tapenisa Havea was inspirational about her experiences as an athletics and academic scholar at Arizona University. Tapenisa spoke of her challenges and how her faith has helped her in times of homesickness, self-doubt, and failure to meet her own expectations. Hearing from Old Collegians who are pursuing their dreams, is a privilege our students enjoy, and I know Tapenisa has her hopes set on making the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Preparatory School students this week have enjoyed a few sports exchanges hosted at StAC and we wish two pipers, Maggie McConnochie (Year 10) and Lucas Paterson (Year 13) from our Pipe Band well, as they travel to Scotland with the support of Pipe Band Director Richard Hawke, to compete in a number of solo piping competitions, up against the most accomplished young pipers in the world.
As I close with wishing you well over the weekend, I think of the Higgs family in their grief and extend our aroha to them and thanks to those supporting them over this time.
Ngā mihi nui
Christine Leighton
Rector
Every year, Boarders’ Assembly is a much-anticipated event within the boarding and wider College community. The Year 13 students put together a ‘Rhythm and Boarders’ themed assembly, hosted by Heads of Boarding, Gretal Tavendale and Alexander Kinney. This was a play on the ‘Rhythm and Vines’ Festival with a key theme of ‘coming to the party,’ acknowledging the diverse backgrounds from which boarders come from to live in the ‘festival’ of boarding. Gretal and Alex promoted Gumboot Friday, explaining the symbolism associated with wearing gumboots and how students could donate. Archibald Thomas (Year 13) delivered the Morning Comment with a message about striving to meet your potential, referring to the highs and lows you experience as you go through your school years. His advice was adopting a mindset of seeing these moments as opportunities to acknowledge personal growth. Hamish Paton (Year 13) presented Boarding Prep Learning Support Tutor Sandy Mathieson with the boarders ‘Good Sort’ Award as a way of showing appreciation for all of the work she does with the boarders. After a rousing singing of Kenny Roger’s The Gambler, the assembly finished with the traditional dance segment, much to the amusement of the audience.
Flickr >
The Ballet Winter Showcase was held last Sunday. The audience enjoyed a collection of classical, jazz, national and contemporary work from the students’ class studies to date, including the premiere of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Visible – taught to the dancers by the RNZB Dance Specialist, Neve Pierce. Joining the Seniors were our Junior and Intermediate Companies, from the Preparatory School Ballet Academy programme; each performed their new dances beautifully. A group of 26 Secondary School dancers also achieved their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Performance Awards – dancing solos, duos, and trios.
Flickr >Last Sunday, St Andrew’s hosted the second Combined Boarders’ Chapel for the year in the Centennial Chapel. Along with 160 St Andrew’s boarders, approximately 400 students from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and Christ’s College were also in attendance. Unfortunately, issues with transport meant St Bede’s College were unable to attend.
Special guest, the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen, spoke about not living your life in ‘fear.’ He gave examples of times in his own life when he felt fear of the pressure to succeed. Bishop Michael encouraged the mindset of saying yes in the face of failures and mistakes and learning and growing from the experiences. Bishop Michael challenged the boarders to apply this message to their own life for the incredible journey that lies ahead.
The Senior Barbershop Quartet performed two items, Where is Love (arranged by Gene Cokeroft) and I’m just Ken (arranged by Freddy Wickham). As always, it was a wonderful occasion for students who board in Christchurch to gather and celebrate as one. The involvement of student speakers from all of the attending schools helps build the connection between the respective boarding communities.
The St Andrew’s College basketball programme hosted the touring University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) Men's Basketball team from last Saturday for three days. After the team enjoyed a sightseeing day at Hamner Springs and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, they competed against some of the top young players in the South Island on Sunday evening. Taylor Britt (Coach), Mac Stodart (OC 2019), Carter Rhodes (Year 13), and Bronson Curtis (Year 12) were all selected to be part of this game. On Monday, UCCS ran skills and scrimmage sessions with our Secondary School and Preparatory School students. Thank you to both UCCS and our school basketball community for embracing this outstanding opportunity to have a top collegiate programme at our kura.
Flickr >
Last Friday’s Course Selection Expo was a successful event and was very well-attended by parents and students, with some excellent conversations taking place. The Course Selection Expo marks the end of the first half of the course selection process. Secondary School students now have until Wednesday 21 August to make their selections for their course of study for next year, as well as for their Sports and Cultural Options.
RUGBY
The 1st XV rugby team played in the Plate semi-final against a very physical St Thomas of Canterbury College team last Saturday. St Andrew’s started extremely well and had an early lead after a fine try from Samuel Mustchin (Year 13) and two penalty goals from team captain, Macklan Robertson (Year 13). Some aggressive early line speed and a dominant scrum were features of the first half, as St Andrew’s managed to push St Thomas off their own ball. The team worked hard to attack the breakdown and showed great intent on defence. At half-time, the score was 12–11 to St Thomas who scored two late tries to stay in the contest. The second half was again a very tight affair, with great phases of play from both sides, however, St Andrew’s was not clinical enough to finish off some promising movements. Pushing the final pass and skill execution errors proved costly. With 10 minutes to go and only trailing by five points, scrums went uncontested due to a St Thomas sin binning. Unfortunately, this meant that St Andrew’s were not able to make use of their obvious strength as there were six scrums during this time, allowing St Thomas’s to secure a 26–21 victory. The effort and commitment of the players was outstanding, and they have a lot to be proud of across the entire season.
FOOTBALL
The Boys’ 1st XI faced a tough quarterfinal match against Rolleston College, ultimately falling short with a 2–5 loss. Although the result was disappointing, the team remains optimistic as they prepare for their semi-final clash against Burnside High School. Thanks to their higher finish in the table, the boys have another opportunity to compete for the cup and are determined to make the most of it.
There was no game for the Girls’ 1st XI this week.
HOCKEY
The Girls’ 1st XI played Villa Maria College on Friday for what was to be a great contest between the two sides for their fifth game of the season. With another unfortunate injury causing disruption to the team, the girls stepped up and played with heart, improving each quarter, and having a standout final quarter. Villa Maria was up 2–0 at halftime, with Annabelle Barker (Year 11) scoring a goal early on in the third quarter to begin the comeback for St Andrew’s. Going into the final quarter, StAC started to make some great connections and kept building as a team. Aine Molony (Year 13) got a fantastic deflection to tie the score, followed by a well-deserved team goal finished by Sophia Voice (Year 12) a few minutes later to take the lead. Within the final five minutes, Villa Maria came back strong to score another goal, with the final score being 3–3.
The Boys’ 1st XI had a well-deserved win against St Bede’s College last Friday evening. The team played controlled, skilful hockey and made the most of their possession to finish the game with a 3–1 win. This provided a great boost to the team’s build up for the Rankin Cup tournament next month.
BASKETBALL
The Senior Girls’ team earned a bye week by virtue of securing the number one-seed. The Senior Boys’ team played Cashmere High School for a quarter-final match-up against a heavily favoured Cashmere team who beat them by 46 points just a few weeks ago. St Andrew’s got off to a superb start and took a double-digit lead into the second quarter. Seniors Carter Rhodes and Hugh Kenny (both Year 13) led the charge on both sides of the court and held off multiple Cashmere runs, winning 96–76 to earn their fourth semi-final in the past five years.
NETBALL
In the Saturday game against Technical B, the beginning was keenly contested. However, during the second quarter, they managed to secure a six-goal lead. Despite St Andrew’s best efforts, they extended their lead to 10 goals. In the end, the final score stood at 51–42 in Technical’s favour.
In the semi-final match on Wednesday against Christchurch Girls’ High School, the girls faced intense pressure as the game remained goal-for-goal throughout the first half. With the stakes high and a spot in the finals on the line, the team rallied together, showcasing determination and effort. Their hard work paid off with a 40–24 victory, securing their place in the finals play-off next week.
BADMINTON
The premier Boys’ and Girls’ badminton teams had tough challenges this week in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, they were up against the favourites to win this competition and were outclassed by the skill level.
Two of our four bands, the Big Band, and the Soul Band, competed at the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in Blenheim last weekend, with both bands winning a Gold Award, and the Big Band also earning runner up in the Big Band category. Tamaroa Connelly (Year 13) won best bassist, and he and William Ruge (Year 13) were selected for the festival All Stars Band. Jack Flanagan (Year 13) won the Spirit of the Festival Award for the way he interacted with children on the primary school performances.
Lily Ellis, Ella Smith, and Charlize Smith (all Year 12), and Georgia Lewis (Year 11) took part in the Canterbury Secondary Schools One Day Horse Event at the National Equestrian Centre last Sunday. Dressage took place in foggy, cold conditions but the skies cleared, and the sun was out for the show jumping and cross country phases. Eighty-eight riders from around the Canterbury region took part on behalf of their schools, jumping at either 80cm or 95cm. Lily Ellis (Year 12) riding Wembleybrook Monarch won her class, and Ella Smith (Year 12) riding SS Midnight placed sixth in her class. The St Andrew’s College team was just outside the placings, finishing seventh out of 23 teams.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Preparatory School took part in a two-day festival of sporting fixtures against other local Independent Schools including, The Cathedral Grammar School, Selwyn House School, St Margaret’s College, Medbury School, and Waihi School. Not restricted to first teams only, a large number of Year 7 and 8 students were able to take part in the fixtures in football, hockey, netball, and rugby. There were many keenly contested games, and a few that were not, however it was great to see so many smiling faces, and exhausted ones as the festival progressed. St Andrew’s College hosted the football and girls’ hockey, St Margaret’s the netball, and Medbury the boys’ hockey and rugby.
FLICKR >Benjamin Yu (Year 8) has been invited to participate in Round 2 of the New Zealand Mathematical Olympiad (NZMO) competition this year. Cong (Zilong) Chen, Xiaofeng (Alina) Deng (both Year 8), Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 10), and Bryan Cooper (Year 13) all completed Round 1.
The University of Otago Junior Mathematics Competition (JMC) is a national mathematics competition, with an emphasis on problem solving for students in Years 9– 11, although younger students may also take part. Cong (Zilong) Chen (Year 8) received one of the top 30 prizes for the Year 9 competition. Luke Manson and Alex Manson (both Year 11) also scored in the top 30 across New Zealand.
Chaio ting (Chiaoting) Huang (Year 10) won the Amazing Animals Photo Competition from hundreds of entries received. The judges were extremely impressed with Chiaoting’s photo of a duck underwater and awarded her first place in the 11–18 Years category. Her second entry, a photo of an albatross, was also highly commended. Chiaoting’s photos, along with the other winners and highly commended entries, will be on display at Canterbury Museum at CoCA until Thursday 19 September.
Samuel Ferguson (Year 13) was one of the top ten individual fundraisers in the South Island for World Vision’s 40 Hour Challenge. World Vision presented him with a certificate to acknowledge his achievement.
Ava Jones (Year 11) and Maniah Taefu (Year 10) have been named in the New Zealand U15 Women's national basketball team. The team has FIBA qualifying in November. Rosie Gaffaney (Year 10) has also been named as reserve.
Fred McRae (Year 13) has been selected to represent New Zealand in the High School Trans-Tasman Challenge for the 2024/2025 season. This event is for the most outstanding competitors in New Zealand Youth Rodeo. Fred will travel to Australia in September to compete in the first of three rounds against the Australian team.
Sienna Stowers-Smith (OC 2023) has been selected as part of the 14-strong netball squad heading to Fiji for the Rising Stars: Fiji U21 Tour. The tournament will take place at Vodafone Arena in Suva from Monday 19 –Friday 23 August, where they’ll compete against teams from Fiji, Singapore, and Australia.
Tom Rance (OC 2018) will be joining the New Zealand National Flag Football Team (Makos) as they head to Finland for the Flag Football World Championships. The championships will be held at the Pajulahti Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre from Sunday 25 – Friday 30 August, featuring the top men’s and women’s teams in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities, including:
The first round of interviews will take place on Monday 19 August, starting at 3.45pm, finishing at 8.00pm. These will take place online. The second session will be held Wednesday 28 August and is in person. These will start at 1.45pm and finish at 6.00pm.
Please note that school will finish for the Secondary School students at 1.00pm on Wednesday 28 August to accommodate the interviews. Students will be able to stay on site until the normal school finishing time.
When: Tuesday 27 August, 6.30pm–8.00pm
Where: Gough Family Theatre
At this time of year at St Andrew’s College, we see an increase in stress levels of students as they head into examinations and finalise their internal assessments. Stressed students can behave in even more peculiar ways than normal; increasing procrastination and avoidance, mood levels fluctuate even more, relationship issues arise, and more…! As a response, we wanted to spend an evening together with Year 7–13 parents, sharing the best tools and tips to encourage supportive positive communications with our teens, so we can better influence and guide them through these times. Hear from the College’s Psychologist, Kate Scott, and Julie Forman, leader of the extremely popular ‘Tuning into Teens’ parent group run here at the College, and other guidance staff, who have been working with teens for 100 years collectively, about their best hacks for listening to and communicating with adolescents.
Q&A: We would also like the content of the evening to be guided by you, so please send us any specific questions around this topic with your ticket registration, and we will address them throughout the evening.
Registrations >
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, and groups. Come celebrate dance!
When: Friday 13 September, 7.00pm–8.30pm | Saturday 14 September, 7.00pm–8.30pm (two shows)
Where: Gough Family Theatre – Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: $15.00
Two scholarships have been generously sponsored by an Old Collegian and are available for Year 11–12 students. The objective of these scholarships is to encourage personal discovery through experiential learning and develop leadership potential in young adults. Both scholarships provide 80% funding, with the remaining 20% and travel funded by the recipient.
Spirit of Adventure Scholarship (Year 11) – One scholarship provides support for one Year 11 student to participate in a 10-day sailing on the Spirit of Adventure (choice of dates). Further information on the sailing can be found on the Spirit of Adventure website by clicking here. Please also see further information on the College website by clicking here.
Outward Bound Scholarship (Year 12) – The Outward Bound scholarship provides support for one Year 12 student to experience an Outward Bound Mind, Body, and Soul course from 6–26 January 2025. Further information on this course can be found on the Outward Bound website by clicking here. Please also see further information on the College website by clicking here.
All Year 11 and 12 students will be emailed a link to the online application forms, which open Monday 5 August and close at 3.30pm, Monday 19 August 2024. Please note only students can access and complete these forms. For further information, please contact Assistant Head of Secondary School (Academic), Helaina Coote, on HCE@stac.school.nz.
Please join us for the annual St Andrew’s College Film Fest on Tuesday 20 August from 6.30pm in the Gough Family Theatre – Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre. This is a fun, family-friendly event where we celebrate our talented St Andrew’s filmmakers, so please support by coming along to celebrate with them. Prizes will include Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Actor/Actress, and many more, including some cool spot prizes.
Tickets are $5.00, with door sales available too. Don’t miss out, grab your tickets now!
PURCHASE TICKETS >
Join us for the StAC Ag Show on Thursday 26 September. Students at all year levels 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. Some incredible grand prizes are up for grabs including an animal care package from Rangiora Vet Centre for the animal categories, a Willowbank Family pass for the plant and food categories, and a Willowbank Family pass for the art and photography categories.
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!
The Year 12 Agribusiness students will be selling their food and animal products at the show, including deer velvet dog treats, rocky road, and lolly packs. Eftpos will be available, and a pre-order form will be sent out a week before the show.
Entries: Cost: $3.00 per category entered (viewing the entries on the day is free). Entries close 4.00pm Friday 20 September. To enter your child/ren into the StAC Agricultural Show, please complete the relevant entry form/s below:
Complete Pre-school Entry Form here >
Complete Preparatory Entry Form here >
Complete Secondary School Entry Form here >
The online sales for the following 2024 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
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).
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 >
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.
