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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Kia ora koutou.
For the Love of Sport
Following the Winter Tournament results reported last week, I am delighted to report the success of our Senior A Girls’ basketball team in winning the final in a very close game against Kaiapoi High School to become South Island Champions. The Senior Boys also made the semi-finals finishing an impressive fourth place. Both teams have now qualified to play in the National Secondary Schools’ Tournament in Palmerston North being held in the term break.
Preparatory School teams have competed in the ZESPRI AIMS Games this week in Tauranga, including mixed hockey, rugby sevens, and football teams, as well as four swimmers and a tennis player. There are around 13,000 students competing at this event and the teams came up against some strong competition. However, reports indicate they loved the experience and kept up a positive attitude throughout, with some encouraging successes. The really great news is that out of 397 schools, St Andrew’s College were deemed second in the ZESPRI AIMS Games Gives Back programme (beach clean ups, tree planting and express environmental kaitiakitanga by ‘giving back’ to their host city).
Music Success
Once again there have been busy times for our music students, with Stacchorus performing at a combined schools’ choir festival and several music groups performing at the Aurora Festival, featuring 31 ensembles from schools around Canterbury. We certainly have some wonderful musicians at St Andrew’s – congratulations to all involved.
Celebrating Olivia Brett
A highlight this week was on Tuesday when Old Collegian Olivia Brett (OC 2019) returned to the College to speak about her success as a gold medallist Olympian in the K-4 500 in Paris. Students from Years 5–10 were fortunate to hear Olivia’s reflections on her achievement. Years 5–6 performed a haka and waiata in her honour. I was delighted to have the opportunity to present Olivia with a Rector’s Medal, only the fifth time I have presented this medal since its inception in 2019. Olivia made us all so proud, and she was humble and engaging with all the students she connected with.
Olivia Brett Visit Flickr >
ISNZ Honours Award for Tom Matthews
At the recent ISNZ Conference, our Head of Guidance, Tom Matthews, was presented, along with nine other staff from Independent Schools across Aotearoa, with a prestigious ISNZ Honours’ Award. Congratulations to Tom who leads a dedicated team at St Andrew’s providing proactive and responsive care to our students. Tom’s outstanding leadership and collaborative approach, plus his ability to connect with students, make him a valuable resource in our College, providing advice, guidance and support to students, staff, and families in challenging times.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Awards
Tomorrow, a group of 14 St Andrew’s students and recent Old Collegians will be presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Awards by Sarah Hillary (daughter of Sir Edmund Hillary). Congratulations to the students listed below.
St Andrew’s continues to be the predominant school featured in this programme, and I commend the commitment of Head of Values and Culture, Hamish Bell, Castle Hill staff, and parents who support our rangatahi to complete this challenging and prestigious award.
Sarah Anthony (OC 2022)
Abby Baxter (Year 13)
Grace Burnett (OC 2023)
Mia Fraser (OC 2023)
Harrison Justice (Year 13)
Tom Kerry (OC 2023)
Iona Lawson (Year 13)
Gemma Lewis (OC 2023)
Noah Mellish-Temple (OC 2023)
Jake Patterson (OC 2023)
Xanthe Pearce (Year 13)
Cameron Scott (OC 2023)
Campbell Searle (OC 2023)
Sienna Spark (Year 13)
‘Ask Your Team’ Parent Survey
Over the past three weeks, we have sought feedback about our school culture using the ‘Ask Your Team’ platform. Parents, students, and staff were encouraged to share their voice through online surveys. Thank you to the parents who participated in this survey. We value your perspectives, ideas, and opinions. We will be in a position to share some initial results in coming weeks. Following that we will engage in a robust process to reflect upon this valuable data and consider how we can use it as a part of our process for continuous improvement. We look forward to sharing our insights with you in the coming months.
Dance Revue: Tonight and Tomorrow
Best wishes to all for a good weekend, especially to the students involved with the annual StAC Dance Revue, performing in The Gough Family Theatre tonight and on Saturday night. Heads of Dance, Shaun Cooper and Sienna Spark (both Year 13) and Head of Ballet, Siara Clarke (Year 13) have put in a lot of work in preparing students for this event. I know they will perform to an appreciative audience!
Ngā mihi mahana
Christine Leighton
Rector
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
FINAL RESULTS >EQUESTRIAN EVENT FLICKR >WINTER TOURNAMENT WEEK FLICKR >
At our latest StACTalk: Talking to Teens, we heard from Julie Forman and Nadia Dick from Āwhena Mai, on connecting and communicating with teens. Their expertise is also a central part of our ‘Tuning into Teens’ parenting group run by St Andrew’s College Psychologist, Kate Scott. The talk was very well received, and a recording of the night is available by following the link below. It was a great parenting refresher, covering the latest findings and the best tools for building stronger connections with teens.
Watch the recording of the session by clicking here.
On Wednesday morning, Stacchorus attended Encore, which is a Christchurch Independent School Choir Festival held each year at Christ’s College. In the morning, the choirs attended a workshop rehearsing the combined items and then in the evening, performed their pieces, as well as the three massed items to an appreciative audience.
Over the last week, ten bands have been in the studio in the evenings and over the weekend to records our very first Rock School Album. You can see part of one of the songs by clicking on the image. Do come along to our annual Rock Night on Tuesday 24 September, 7.00pm at A Rolling Stone, Colombo Street, which will double as the album release party.
On Thursday evening, a group of six students competed in the Year 11 ARA Chemistry Competition, in two teams of three. ARA Institute of Canterbury has been organising this competition for the last 35 years, with 17 schools from around Canterbury in attendance last night. Our students had great time and appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in Chemistry.
Our College Prelim examination programme is well under way and will continue running right through next week, concluding on the afternoon of Friday 20 September. The Prelims are a formal, ‘dry run’ for the November NCEA and Scholarship examinations and, along with providing an important practice opportunity for students in each of their examination subjects and for the associated feedback from teachers, the results will provide the all-important derived grades in each subject for those November examinations (derived grades are not available for NZ Scholarship examinations however).
Once again, this year many students (especially at Year 11) are doing some of their examinations online and they must be ‘device-ready’ for those examination/s; forgetting one’s laptop for an online examination is not an option for students.! For the duration of the Prelims, no classes for Years 11–13 students are running, and all classes will recommence on Monday 23 September. If a student wishes to study at school, Year 11 students are able to study in PB08 (Mrs Bigford-Fleming’s classroom) and Year 12–13 students are able to study downstairs in the Senior College. Whenever a student is at school, for an examination or for study, they must be in normal school uniform. Boarders will do supervised study in two Arts Block classrooms for the duration of the examinations. One additional note for parents to be aware of is that, during the Prelims programme, we are running the second session of online NCEA Literacy/Numeracy Common Assessments with a number of Year 10–11 students sitting at least one of the three that are taking place. The results for those assessments will be available online to students through their NZQA Learner Login in mid-January next year. Results for Prelim examinations will be available to students in the last week of this term and will provide important feedback to students that they will discuss in the end-of-term Academic Conferences.
Class 4T have been working on word development as part of their Literacy learning, using the creative language in The BFG, a novel by Roald Dahl. Part of the learning involved students creating their own new word, determining whether it was a noun, adjective or verb, and providing a brief definition of the new word. To see if their new word would be accepted into modern day language, each word was neatly written on a ‘slip’ with the student’s definition and posted to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) based in England. You can imagine the students’ delight when the team at OED not only replied but created a colourful and creative drawing using each of the 21 students’ words alongside an encouraging letter outlining the words that are now on the OED’s ‘watch list’ for future inclusion. It goes to show, an independent school in Christchurch, New Zealand can have an impact on our spoken language.
Flickr >Class 8A had a fantastic educational trip to Rutherford’s Den and The Christchurch Art Gallery. At Rutherford’s Den, students explored the historical significance of Ernest Rutherford’s work and its impact on modern science. They participated in interactive exhibits and demonstrations that deepened their understanding of physics. The visit to the Art Gallery allowed students to appreciate the work of artist Marilynn Webb (NZOM), who dedicated herself to creating art that explores the relationships between land, sky, and water. They engaged in discussions about her art style and applied the technique of lino printing to create their own designs inspired by her work.
On Tuesday morning, a group of the older Pre-school tamariki visited the Preparatory School Art Room, where they buddied up with a Year 6 class to create gyotaku prints. Gyotaku is a Japanese method of printing fish, traditionally used by fishermen to record the size of the fish they caught. The children didn't use real fish but painted textured glass plates and then used these to create their prints. This was a wonderful opportunity to continue to strengthen Pre-school connections and relationships within the wider St Andrew’s College learning community, and a great way to learn about new print-making techniques in the lead up to the Pre-school Art Exhibition.
Sophia Molnar (Year 13) competed in the 17–18 age group at the New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships in Auckland at the beginning of Term 3. Sophia swam in six age group events, as well as Open finals and relays. Over the week of competition, Sophia swam five personal bests and won two bronze medals for 50m and 100m Breaststroke. Her team also came fourth in the overall team championship points.
Last weekend, several music groups were involved in the Aurora Festival at Burnside High School. A total of 31 ensembles from schools around Canterbury (and the Christchurch School of Music) competed and performed. Over 50 students in the St Andrew's College Symphony Orchestra performed music by Bartok, Tchaikovsky, Patrick Shepherd, and the ever-popular Havana. Their performance was followed by a workshop, where the students were taught how to play a cowbell.
The Canterbury Schools Girls' 1st XV final was a showcase of resilience and determination, with our wāhine displaying an inspiring performance. Despite an early setback against Christchurch Girls’ High School in round one, the team's spirit never wavered. Each week, they honed their skills, their unity growing stronger. The final was a testament to their hard work, with the lovely touch of Year 10 student Maggie McConnochie's piping adding to the atmosphere.
The match was a thrilling encounter, characterised by intense physicality and pace. The StAC wāhine's tenacity was on full display as they fought back 22 down, with Orla Motley's (Year 12) exceptional try igniting a spark of belief. The team took control, narrowing the gap and demonstrating strategic prowess in ball possession and territorial gains. With the half time score of 22–10 and the presence of Rector Christine Leighton, this bolstered their morale further, and although Girls’ High ultimately claimed victory, our wāhine's performance was nothing short of remarkable. To hold off Girls’ High, who are number four in New Zealand, to 22–15 at 50-minutes is an enormous feat. Their growth, character, and bond shone brightly, leaving a sense of anticipation for the next season's possibilities.
VEX Robotics students had a busy day last Sunday, with The Green Library and Innovation Centre buzzing with about 100 Years 7–13 rangatahi, as well as plenty of teachers and other supporters. In the morning students were busy building and testing their robots. The VEX VRC students benefitted from a session on creating good engineering notebooks, run by engineering students from the University of Canterbury, including Toby Bourke (OC 2017). In the afternoon, competitions for both VEX IQ and VRC were held. In VEX IQ, Ethan Waines and Alex O’Neill (both Year 8) came fourth overall with “Ron”. In VEX VRC, “Rack Dealers” and “Armageddon” made it into the top 8 but were beaten by stronger teams in the finals matches.
Heidi Smith and Cicy Chen (both Year 10) were finalists in the Given Words poetry competition for Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day 2024. Entrants had to include five words in their poem: feather, whisper, time, eat, phantasmagoria.
On Monday, a group of Preparatory School students competed in the CPSSA Duathlon against 900 students from around the wider Canterbury area at Ruapuna Raceway. The students represented the College with pride and showed great determination and resilience throughout the races. The following students finished in the Top 10:
On Sunday, three students competed in the Christchurch Tap Dancing Teachers Association (CTDTA) Competition.
Lucy Pugh (Year 9), Ceci and Maggie Pugh (both Year 6) attended the South Island Hip Hop Championships in Nelson last weekend. Ceci placed first in an extremely competitive division amongst 18 other dancers from around New Zealand for her Solo dance. Maggie got a highly commended for her Duo, and Lucy placed second in the Senior Duo division.
Charlotte Roche (OC 2022) was awarded the Maia Jackman Trophy for player of the match in the final of the Kate Sheppard Cup, playing for Auckland United against Western Springs. She was the only player to score a goal, which came in at the 90th minute, winning the final 1–0.
Tom Rae (OC 2022) has once again showcased his incredible talent by winning the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year in the Skyscapes category with his stunning photo, Tasman Gems. This year’s competition saw over 3500 entries from 58 countries around the world.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities, including:
Choirs, Barbershops, solo performances, staff items and Kapa Haka performances will all be on show at the upcoming Vocal Concert. This is a free event, taking place on Wednesday 25 September at 7.00pm in the Centennial Chapel.
A Design and Visual Communication exhibition showing the work of Year 11–13 students in product and spatial design will be held in Week 1 of Term 4.
When: Wednesday 23 October, 5.00pm–7.00pm
Where: The Green Library and Innovation Centre
Delicious Christmas goodies, locally made with the highest quality ingredients. The perfect gift for Christmas or to treat your own family! All proceeds will go towards the PTA 2024 fundraising drive.
This year the PTA are introducing a new offering to tempt your tastebuds:
Beautifully presented in a gift box, the full range of products on offer this year includes:
More information about each of the PTA’s Christmas Goodies, including the ingredients list, can be found at the link below.
Closing date for orders: Friday 1 November 2024.
Cake collection: Orders will need to be picked up from the College Second-hand Uniform Shop (there is no delivery option) from 3.00pm to 4.30pm during the following dates: Tuesday 12 November; Thursday 14 November; Tuesday 19 November; Thursday 21 November; Tuesday 26 November; Thursday 28 November.
ORDER CHRISTMAS GOODIES >
The canoe polo team has partnered with Fairlie Bakehouse to bring you a delicious way to support the St Andrew’s College team. By placing an order, you will help them cover essential equipment costs and ensure the team is well-prepared for the upcoming canoe polo season.
Collection Details: Collection of orders must be made on Thursday 26 September between 2.30pm–5.30pm in the Secondary School Cafeteria. Please factor this into your decision on whether to place an order, as there will be no capacity for uncollected orders to be refrigerated.
Please complete the order form by clicking the link below before 3.00pm on Wednesday 18 September. Thank you for your support!
PURCHASE PIES >This year, Grandparents' Day will be held on Friday 25 October. This special occasion will commence with entertainment in the Centennial Chapel at 10.40am. Please note, the PTA’s special Christmas cake will be present to sample before going into the Chapel. Cakes can also be ordered at this time.
Following the entertainment, everyone will leave the Centennial Chapel and meet up with the Preparatory and Secondary School children waiting in anticipation outside. There will be a photographer available to capture this special day for those who would like this option.
Visitors on Grandparents’ Day need to register to attend. This will ensure that the children are released from class to meet with them. Please use the link below to register for this special day.
GRANDPARENTS' DAY REGISTRATION >
Academic Conferences are scheduled for the final two afternoons of Term 3, Thursday 26 September 3.20pm–6.00pm (Year 11–13 day students) and Friday 27 September 1.30pm–3.30pm (Year 11–13 day students and boarders).
These conferences will provide your child with an important opportunity to discuss their Preliminary Examination results and their next steps in preparation for the NCEA examinations in November. Prior to the conferences, students will receive feedback from their teachers and be supported in interpreting this to plan their next steps.
As we move into Preliminary Examinations for Year 11–13 students in Weeks 8 and 9, we would like to encourage you to also read the Effective Learning and Study resources for parents/caregivers now available on StACNet by clicking here. Students also have access to resources specific to them at the same link.
Please note, on these days Secondary School students will finish school as below:
An email with instructions on how to book an Academic Conference with your child’s tutor will be sent out in Week 8.
Step back in time with us for a delightful twist on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. First gracing Broadway in 1959, Once Upon a Mattress has charmed audiences for decades. In a distant kingdom, Queen Aggravain has decreed that no one may marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, finds a suitable bride. Many princesses have tried and failed to pass the Queen’s rigorous tests. But everything changes with the arrival of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone. Will she succeed where others have failed…? Join us for an evening of laughter, music, and enchantment as we bring this beloved story to life!
When: Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 2 November, four shows, all 7.00pm–9.00pm
Where: St Andrew's College, Gough Family Theatre, Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: Adults $35.00 | Students $17.50 | Staff $17.50
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!
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 >
Raffle Draw and Year 12 Agribusiness products: During the Ag Show, a raffle will be run to fundraise the costs of the event. The Year 12 Agribusiness classes will also be selling their products in Gym 1. If you wish to pre-order raffle tickets and/or Agribusiness products, you can do so using the form below. This will be charged to your account and will be available for pick up from Gym 1 between 9.00am–12.00pm on the day.
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.
