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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Kia ora koutou.
Term 3 has ended on a high note today with Secondary and Preparatory School assemblies both celebrating an array of student achievements. It was certainly very obvious what an incredibly busy and complex place our school is.
In the Secondary School assembly, the Junior Jazz Orchestra provided a much-appreciated break in the awards ceremony and Deputy Head Boy, Carter Rhodes, presented a thoughtful and inspiring Morning Comment on the significance of Whai Whai (stay engaged in our new Sports Framework). In the Preparatory School assembly, three items were performed by the Symphony Orchestra, the Ballet Academy Year 8 students, and a stunning violin performance from Ethan Waines (Year 8). As a College, while we recognise the importance of striving for and achieving success, we also celebrate the values of being good people, team members, and the importance of balancing competition with enjoyment. This was all very evident in this morning’s assemblies.
Morning Comment >
Assembly Awards >
Assembly Flickr >
I also want to acknowledge the success of Science and Mathematics students this week. It is great to see students challenging themselves in regional and national competition with outstanding results. Some of the extra events this week have been the Boarders’ End of Year Dinner, which included a farewell to our Year 13 boarders. As young people living away from home, the influence of our senior boarders has such an impact on boarding culture. I am so incredibly pleased with their leadership this year and the positive tone they have set.
Tuesday night was the release concert of the College’s Rock School’s first album at A Rolling Stone, Wednesday night, the Vocal Concert in the Centennial Chapel, and Thursday night, the final of the Canterbury Senior School’s Debating competition. Congratulations to the StAC team who took out first place in this strongly contested competition – Katherine Simcock (Year 12), Isobel Forsey and James Hart (both Year 13).
Also on Thursday, students enjoyed the annual StAC Ag Show with creative entries in food art and baking competition, and, as always, the Preparatory School Book Week Parade was a fun and great way to celebrate books and reading.
And it’s not just the Preparatory School students who enjoyed dressing up, this week the Year 13 students enjoyed a ‘Theme Week’, relaxing a little after Prelim examinations and getting creative with their attire.
Matthew Lee (Year 13) AKA Rector
None of this would be possible without the generous support, guidance, and inspiration from teachers and staff at St Andrew’s. Like the students, they too are ready for a break, and I wish all some regenerative rest and relaxation time over the next three weeks.
Ka hiahia au ki te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa mō te hararei.
Ngā mihi mahana
Christine Leighton
Rector
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 very 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 >The Boarders’ Dinner and Awards Evening was held on Monday night, with 159 boarding students gathered to celebrate the year, and pay tribute to Year 13 Leavers and other departing students and staff. Guests were treated to a wonderful three-course meal from Catering Manager, Russell Gray, and his team, which included volunteers from College staff, PTA, and other parent helpers. Hosted by Heads of Boarding, Alexander Kinney and Gretal Tavendale, the evening provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect. A number of Year 13 students delivered excellent speeches of thanks to the many people involved in boarding. Director of Boarding, Matt Parr, likened the personal growth achieved through the boarding experience to the life cycle of a caterpillar, as students transform into confident young people. Rector, Christine Leighton, read out an original acrostic poem, The Rector’s Ode to Boarding, which spoke to a number of different experiences, values, and memories that are unique to being a boarder. Rutherford sports house won the Dianne Needham Trophy for the boarding sports house competition, and the following were also awarded:
This week was New Zealand Chinese Language Week. On Monday, Candice Wang from the Confucius Institute came along to teach tai chi. She demonstrated a movement using fans, and students were encouraged to participate. It was not as easy as it looked, but it was a lot of fun. Candice also demonstrated a sword dance, which was very impressive. On Tuesday lunchtime, some fantastic student talent was showcased in the Centennial Chapel, opening with a performance from Sophie Wang (Year 5), playing a guzheng, an instrument with 21 strings. Sophie played delightfully, making it look a lot easier than it is. Hancheng (Harrison) Tang (Year 9) and Chantelle Xiong (Year 13) both performed a solo song and Muy (Bella) Yang (Year 9) and Tangying (Jolie) Zhu (Year 10) sang a duet, accompanied by Yuxin (Alice) Chen (Year 10) and Kristina Burton (Year 10) on the piano. The final act was performed by University of Canterbury student, Conrad Goddard, who studied Chinese throughout his secondary schooling and has just spent four months in China. On Wednesday lunchtime, food trucks were back in the Quad to celebrate Chinese culture and an international end to Term 3, with Kung Fu Dumplings, Roma, Empire Chicken and Gelatiamo, who kept lots of hungry students fed.
FLICKR >On Wednesday Evening we had annual vocal concert in our Chapel where we were entertained by Staccoro, Stacchorus, three barbershops, Kapa Haka, a rock band, numerous soloists, and a staff quartet. There were around 100 performers who sang with enthusiasm to a much appreciative audience.
On Tuesday night, the College’s Rock School released their first album in the College’s history. While tracks have been published on Spotify previously from past Year 13 songwriters, this is the first album fully written and recorded by St Andrew’s College bands. The release concert on Tuesday was held at A Rolling Stone and had a hugely supportive audience of around 200 friends and family members. This is always one of the most enjoyable events on the Music calendar, so if you didn’t make it this year, please come along next year.
The new album is available on Apple and Spotify via the following links:
Tērā te whetū kamokamo mai rā, ka tangi te whatitiri, ka rapa te uira.
Ngā manaakitanga me ngā kōrero huhua o te wā, nō reira tēnā koutou katoa.
Kapa Haka students spent a lovely afternoon on Wednesday with residents of The Village Palms Retirement Village in Shirley, including one who is 102 years old. The group performed five items, including a classic waiata that got the residents singing, humming, and reminiscing. It was great to see so many smiling faces after the group had finish performing. Thank you to Leanne Corboy from Village Palms who arranged for the group to perform there.
FLICKR >
The annual Ag Show was held on Thursday and was a wonderful success. A highlight for many was the fantastic display of student art and baking entries, from paintings to flower arrangements, to edible art. As always, the petting zoo was a huge hit, drawing crowds of excited children eager to cuddle with the fluffy bunnies, goats, and greyhounds. Thank you to everyone who supported the show this year and to the sponsors, and well done to the Agriculture Committee for all their work.
FLICKR >Year 10 students have been creating online storybooks for Religious Education this term. Each book is a retelling of one of 10 Bible stories they had to choose from. Most Year 10 classes have visited a Preparatory School class this week, ranging from Years 1–4. The students have loved sharing their stories and have also enjoyed interacting with the younger students in the Preparatory school.
Today and tomorrow, a group of Year 9 and 10 students led the Build Ōtautahi event at the 2024 Innovation Expo at Te Pae. Thanks to their dedication, over 8000 attendees are enjoying a flawlessly run event as part of the expo. The Build Ōtautahi programme, which involved 240 students aged 10 to 12, culminated in a Minecraft Education build competition.
Our 13 student leaders are taking on key roles, serving as judges using a rubric aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 for sustainable cities and communities. They are also providing lively commentary as shoutcasters, handling all technical support for PCs, and overseeing the gameplay as game managers.
This leadership opportunity, in collaboration with the Greater Christchurch Schools’ Network, Esports Ōtautahi, Smart Cities Christchurch, and PB Tech Education, is providing invaluable experience for our students.
As St Andrew’s College continues to grow its Esports programme for secondary students, we look forward to more exciting opportunities like this. A special thank you to teachers Wilj Dekkers and James Jenkinson for making this possible.
Year 13 students enjoyed a wonderful Theme Week this week. On Monday, the dress code was 'the first letter of your name', and on Tuesday, there was a battle between 'country' or 'country club'. Wednesday was 'decades', where we saw lots of disco and denim-on-denim. Thursday was '10 years forward or 10 years back', where students reminisced on the past or looked forward to their future careers. To finish off the week, everyone got creative today and brought in 'anything-but-a-backpack'. This was a week full of fun, creativity, and enjoyment; it was an awesome way to end the term. Thank you to the Senior College Council for organising this event.
FLICKR >On Tuesday, 41 students from the Preparatory School Drama group, D-Squared, attended a tour and workshop at the Court Theatre. Hosted by Ben Limmer and Ben Freeth, students got a behind the scenes look into theatre making as well as a great workshop on the importance of voice on stage. Students were very curious and asked many questions. Thanks to Jo Cordner and the two parent helpers for assisting with this trip.
FLICKR >
Staff and students in the Preparatory School have spent a busy week of learning and fun celebrating the best of children's literature. This year the theme was 'Reading Is Magic', focusing on stories that lift imaginations, and spark creativity and dreams. Celebrations began early with a visit from award-winning author, Steve Mushin. Steve’s book Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan for Rewilding Every City on Earth is a mind-bending collection of plausible and often hilarious inventions that could save the world. Students and staff were gripped by his entertaining and stimulating presentation, and our Future Problem-Solving Team had an opportunity to develop some ideas of their own at a workshop later that same day. Meanwhile, younger students were entertained by local author, Jennifer Somervell, who shared her stories of life on the farm, her latest picture book Curly Cat, and advice on how to be a great writer.
The main event was the spectacular Book Parade. Led by piper Alice Glover (Year 8), all of St Andrew’s College Pre-School and Preparatory School students and staff paraded across the campus dressed up as favourite book characters. Throughout the week, library sessions and lunchtimes were filled with literary quizzes, competitions, and creative activities. Book Club hosted a lunch in the library with storytelling and fun games, whilst Year 7–8 students got to grips with Spine Poetry, with some fabulous results.
FLICKR >Today, the Preparatory School celebrated the achievements of the winter terms, Terms 2 and 3. Entertainment was provided by the orchestra, a solo performance from Music Scholar Ethan Waines (Year 8) playing the violin piece Praeludium and Allegro by Fritz Kreisler, Ballet performances from Year 8 ballet dancers performing a Classical Waltz, followed by the Year 3 and 4 Junior Jazz group performing Ghostbusters. The Pipe Band once again set a high standard to begin the assembly. Congratulations to all of the students who were acknowledged at the assembly, it was great to have the Centennial Chapel full of students and whānau.
AWARDS LIST> PREPARATORY SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS FLICKR >
FLICKR >
Five St Andrews’ College students have been awarded a Bronze Award in the 2024/25 New Zealand International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) – Hoi Sang (Kevin) Chen (Year 12), Lucy Binnie, Daniel Liu, Ken Minh-Ky Pham (all Year 11) and Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 10). They will now have the opportunity to complete a Biology Tutorial Programme online and sit another examination for selection for a 10-day NZIBO camp in 2025. From this, a team of five are selected to represent New Zealand at an NZIBO International competition in the Philippines next year.
Alex and Luke Manson, and Joshua Exon (all Year 11) competed in the New Zealand Senior Mathematics Competition, placing in the top 20 out of 297 teams. This team-based competition is for Year 12 and 13 students, so their placings as Year 11 students is impressive and means they will have another two years to move up the ranking.
Keer (Tessa) Meng, Violet McInnes, ZiQi (Maggie) Xu, and Muyi (Bella) Yang (all Year 9) received awards for their outstanding projects at the Canterbury-Westland Science Fair, on Saturday 21 September at the University of Canterbury. Tessa and Violet earned two awards for their research on the effectiveness of nanoparticles in sunscreen: the Best Year 9/10 Science Fair Project, and a special first prize from the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, Canterbury branch. Maggie and Bella secured third place for their investigation into the browning of apples.
On Thursday 12 September, six students participated in the Year 11 Ara Chemistry Competition, in two teams. Ellie Zhou, Ken Minh-Ky Pham, and Katie Chan’s team won first place, outperforming 16 other teams from various schools around Canterbury. The other St Andrew’s team, of Joshua Exon, and Luke and Alex Manson, placed fourth.
St Andrew's College was host to two solo events last Sunday in the Spiro Mathematics and Science Centre. First was the Highland Piping Society of Canterbury solo piping contest, followed by the Canterbury Drummers Club Spring Solos. Both events were well attended and there were a number of fantastic student successes as well as some students playing in their very first competitions.
The final of the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Debating Competition was held on Thursday at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. Our Senior White team made it through a hotly contested semi-final round the previous week against a dominant Burnside High School team to challenge Rangi Ruru, who had sadly knocked out our Senior Red team in the same round. The White team, consisting of Katherine Simcock, Isobel Forsey and James Hart (all Year 13) were drawn to argue the affirmative on the moot, this house believes that humanity should abandon space exploration. It was a masterful team effort, with the adjudicating panel unanimously awarding the win to the White team.
Corbin Revis (Year 11) has been training in the style and disciplines of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate under the guidance of Sensei Hayden Wilmott at Okinawan Go Ju Ryu Karate Club for the past 10 years. Last month he earnt his Junior Black Belt at the Canterbury-Buller Okinawan Go Ju-Ryu Karate Club. His sister, Billie Revis (Year 13), completed the same Black Belt achievement in May 2023.
Two Year 13 students, who have been in many St Andrew’s College productions, are set to open in the Showbiz season of Mamma Mia. Tamaroa Connelly and Xanthe Pearce (both Year 13) were successful in auditioning for the ensemble of this popular show. They played Professor Callahan and Elle Woods in this year’s Senior College production of Legally Blonde.
During the holidays, the season of A Doll's House will open at the Court Theatre. This is a famous Henrik Ibsen play and very moving. Annabelle Laurenson (Year 6) successfully auditioned for a role as one of the children in this show.
Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Year 7) competed in swimming at the AIMS Games in Tauranga. She was in a highly competitive 12-year-old age division, which contained 30% of the 484 swimmers at the meet. Kelicia qualified and raced in 13 events, achieving many personal bests. She was the fastest Christchurch 12-year-old Girl in 200m breaststroke and 100m butterfly, with New Zealand placings of seventh and 11th respectively. She also received a Mercury Wonderful Energy Award for outstanding commitment to having a great attitude and positive energy. This was earned through her help setting up seating, cheering her teammates and other Christchurch swimmers, through to staying late to pack the chairs away.
Campbell Wilson (OC 2020) studied Classical Ballet at the New Zealand School of Dance for three years (2021–2023) and recently moved to Plzeň, Czech Republic, where he is dancing as an apprentice with Divadlo Josef Kajetán Tyl Balet.
Hugh Nixon and Scarlett Kirby (both OC 2022) received the prestigious University of Otago Blue Awards in Hockey and Korfball, respectively. These awards, established in 1908 and coordinated by the Students’ Association (OUSA) in partnership with the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, honour the highest levels of achievement in sports, culture, community, and the arts among students.
Fred McRae (OC 2024) came in second place in The Trans-Tasman Challenge for U18 Bull ride in Australia.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the holidays in sports and cultural activities, including:
The winter sports season has concluded, culminating in an exciting and highly successful Tournament Week for Secondary School and the popular AIMS games for the Preparatory School. We know from the results and feedback we received from the students they had a highly enjoyable season in their chosen sport(s).
As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our sports programme, we launched a sports survey last year. This initiative falls under the umbrella of our new Sports Framework, Balance is Better. The primary goal was to gather insights from parents about their child’s experience in their respective sports during the current season and then measure this against their experience from the previous year(s). We are now interested in the thoughts and feedback from our parent community around winter sports for 2024. This information is critical as we continue to improve the St Andrew’s College sports programme under our Balance is Better approach. The College is committed to improving participation, enjoyment, and performance of all those who play sport at St Andrew’s.
If you have more than one child at the College playing sport or wish to complete this survey for multiple sports/teams in which you child participates, you can complete this survey multiple times. Please discuss these questions with your child to assist you in providing a wider and informed perspective on this.
The Survey deadline has been extended and it will now close on Monday 7 October at 5.00pm.
Event Information: Tuesday 22 October, 6.30pm–8.00pm, Gough Family Theatre
Are you curious about how to support your child’s interest and engagement in sport? Interested in finding out about athlete well-being and the latest research on concussion? Join our upcoming StACTalk, where we’ll explore practical strategies and insights to support the ongoing development of our students. This event is for parents in the Secondary School who want to understand how to help their young people flourish in sports. Students are also encouraged to attend. The session will include:
Speakers:
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
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
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 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.
