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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Kia ora koutou.
This week began for me with the interviews of the shortlisted Year 12 students for our Robert Burns Scholarships. I would like to acknowledge how impressed I was with the high calibre of the Year 12 applicants. Since 2006, this scholarship offers one boy and one girl the opportunity to travel to Scotland for three weeks and be hosted at several prestigious schools, which St Andrew’s College has strong connections with. The students selected for 2025 will be announced during our Founders’ Day Assembly, next Friday.
I’d also like to acknowledge my delight in recently hosting in my office our four-year-olds from the Pre-school, with Head of Pre-school, Mandy Jenkins. I greatly appreciate the artwork they gave me, and the hilarious conversations that we enjoyed. Our Pre-school is such an important part of St Andrew’s College – from early learning through and into our Senior College.
Open Day for the Secondary School on Wednesday, and yesterday for our Preparatory School and Pre-school, were big occasions where we “opened” the school to prospective parents and students, to view and consider future enrolment. We hosted a record number of people, with around 750 attending the Secondary School Open Day, 96 attending the Boarding House Tour, and over 470 for the Preparatory School.
At my Open Day address to these prospective families, I spoke of my observations as the new Rector, including the high standards and expectations evident and alive in classrooms at St Andrew’s. These standards are underpinned by strong and positive relationships, which all contribute to creating a supportive environment for our young people to learn, grow and thrive. Our vision for St Andrew’s College to be a place where you can confidently and safely shine, be the best you can be, and inspire others to do the same.
Today, my wife Judi and I are heading to Invercargill to attend our first Pipe Band Nationals. This includes many performances, a street march, and then the prizegiving function on Saturday evening. There are a number of bands that have come across from Australia to compete, so the competition will be very strong. St Andrew’s College has for many decades been the most consistent performer at these nationals, especially in the U18 (Juvenile, or school age) grade.
We are looking forward to cheering on our young pipers and drummers in person, and support our Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke, and his team of tutors. Across our Preparatory and Secondary schools, we have just over 150 students actively involved in our Pipe Band programme, which has always been an important part of St Andrew’s College character.
Ngā mihi mahana
Mark Wilson
Rector
Confidence plays a crucial role in how young people navigate their lives, shaping their willingness to face challenges, build strong relationships, and develop self-belief. In this blog post Head of Well-being, Kerry Larby, reflects on how we can support young people in building authentic confidence that will help them navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs.
READ THE WELL-BEING BLOG HERE >
This week, the Secondary School students packed up their 2000 re-potted seedlings for transfer to the central nursery. From there, the young trees and shrubs will be transported to the Red Zone in mid-May for the first 2025 Community Planting on Sunday 18 May. The Preparatory School also packed up their re-potted seedlings. In 2024 those schools involved in the EcoAction Project grew 60,000 plants. Of those 60,000, around 24,000 were planted at the Atlantis Street and QEII sites. The remaining 36,000 were gifted to other planting groups around the Canterbury area. This is our flagship sustainable action involving both the Sustainability Council and the Duke of Edinburgh Programme. Primarily an action meeting Sustainable Development Goal #13 – climate action via carbon sequestration – in time, the plants will form a corridor for native birds to return to the Christchurch city centre.
Last weekend, Secondary School students from the Symphony Orchestra had their annual camp in Hanmer Springs. They had plenty of rehearsal time as part of their preparation for Founders’ Day, performing two half-hour concerts for Hanmer Primary School and then our Preparatory School. They also had a lovely time swimming in the pools (even if it was 28 degrees!).
Flickr >On Monday, Year 11 Art students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a visual inquiry of culture, history, and nature. The day began with a visit to the Whakaraupō Carving Centre Trust in Lyttleton, where students delved into the intricate art of whakairo. They learned how Māori creativity and spirituality are deeply intertwined, gaining insights from the studio responsible for Te Hamo, the magnificent pou whenua at Ōtamahua. The students then visited Quail Island, home to the towering pou that narrate the legend of the taniwha that once haunted the region. On Quail Island, they sketched the scenery and reflected on the island’s history, which they had been studying over the past few weeks. This enriching experience not only enhanced their artistic skills but also deepened their appreciation for the cultural heritage and natural beauty of our local region.
flickr >
Last weekend, two boys’ and two girls’ teams competed in the South Island Secondary Schools Mainland Volleyball Championships in Christchurch. The Senior A Girls’ team, competing in Division 1, had a strong showing throughout the tournament. They faced St Margaret’s College and Nayland College in pool play – the eventual first and second place teams – and narrowly lost both matches 3–1, with several sets going to extra points. The girls convincingly won the other three pool games, and in their playoff game they won 3–0 against Burnside High School to finish in fifth place. The Senior A Boys also competed in Division 1, and faced tough competition in their pool, finishing without a win. Several of their games were closely contested, with the team fighting hard in multiple four and five set matches. They ended their tournament with a win over Marlborough Boys’ College, finishing in 11th place. The Senior B Girls, competing in Division 3, had a few tight matches in pool play, including a 14–16 loss in the fifth set to Roncalli College, and a win over Otago Girls’ High School, securing seventh place overall. Our Senior B Boys’ team, competing in Division 4, and despite not securing a win showed great effort and determination. With a team of younger players, the boys gained invaluable experience.
flickr >Sophie Lampe (Year 11) and Cohnor Walsh (Year 12) competed in the South Island Secondary Schools Triathlon and Duathlon Championships last weekend in Oamaru. Sophie won the U16 Girls’ race and Cohnor came in third in the U19 Boys’ race.
The 1st XI had a good tussle with Christ’s College on day two. College batted very well making 313 with Jock Sidey (Year 12) and Liam Hall (Year 13) both taking four wickets. This left a target of 223 to chase. St Andrew’s didn’t establish partnerships and lost wickets in key moments. Spencer Hair (Year 12) 62, and Tom Simpson (Year 12) 52 not out, batted well, but unfortunately the boys fell 12 runs short.
The 1st XI had another good win over Christchurch Boys’ High School 2nd XI in the 20/20 competition this week. Batting first, St Andrew’s scored 154/4 with Austin Earl (Year 13) 47 not out. They then restricted Boys’ High to 89/8 with Tom Simpson (Year 12) taking 3 wickets.
Last Sunday, St Andrew’s hosted John McGlashan College in a 20-over match. Batting first, McGlashan made 98 with the St Andrew’s batsman knocking it off in 12 overs and Ryan Bond (Year 12) making 50. On Monday, a 40-over match was played between the two schools. Winning the toss, St Andrew’s elected to bat and made full use of a very good wicket, amassing 354. Connor Sharp (Year 13) 61, Spencer Hair (Year 12) 102, Austin Earl (Year 13) 91, and Ryan Bond (Year 12) 48. McGlashan got off to a good start, but Harrison Horsley (Year 11) bowled his leggies well, picking up 6/37 and dismissing them for 139.
The Colts also played McGlashan, losing the 20/20 match but redeeming themselves in the 40-over match by bowling McGlashan out for 97, with Maxson Saegars (Year 10) taking five wickets and the boys chased it down, losing two wickets.
The Girls’ cricket team played Burnside High School in a T16 game yesterday. Batting first, the girls made 113 with Imogen Smith (Year 12) making 35; they then bowled very well restricting Burnside to 17.
Other key performances:
Last Friday, the Preparatory School welcomed Hereworth School from Hawke's Bay, to play in a Summer Sports Exchange, competing in tennis and cricket. In the tennis, there were some very close games. After the round of doubles games, the schools were locked at two games each, however Hereworth managed to win some close games in the singles to eventually come out 8–4, to win the match. In the cricket, Hereworth posted a formidable score, capitalising in the second half of their 30-over innings to post a score of 225 for 5. St Andrew’s recovered well from 33 for 4 early on to finish on 175 for 7. With three overs to go, Hereworth knew they were in a game, with Patrick O’Byrne (Year 8) building a wonderful 89, dismissed in the last over of the game. There was some exceptional cricket played by both schools in this first ever game cricket game between St Andrew’s College and Hereworth School.
Flickr >The following students have been named in representative basketball teams:
Billy Forsyth (Year 11) is competing in the World Irish Dance Championships in Ireland next month, in the team’s section as well as performing solo. Billy competed in his first national competition in October last year in Wellington, placing fourth in the Solo section for Boys’ 13–15 years and first in the Mixed team section, qualifying for the World’s this year.
Sophie Lampe (Year 11) has been selected to race for New Zealand at the Triathlon World Championships in Australia this October, competing in the 16–19 Sprint Triathlon.
Noah Cole (Year 13) has been selected to play for New Zealand in the upcoming U19 New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Tour in Australia over the April term break. The team will play four matches during the tour, culminating in an international fixture against Australian Secondary Schools. Noah was also a member of the Canterbury team who won the U17 National Futsal Championship at the end of last year.
Seven students have been selected to participate in the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO) course, which is takes place in Christchurch this April.
Selection for the course is highly competitive, with entry determined through auditions that attract top secondary school orchestral instrumentalists from across New Zealand.
Principal of Preparatory School, Jonathan Bierwirth, competed in the Vantage National Masters Hockey Tournament in Whangārei last month. His Canterbury M65 team had a good tournament, finishing with the Silver medal. Jonathan has now been selected as goalkeeper in the New Zealand team and will play three games in Australia in the Trans-Tasman series held in Cairns.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities including:
The annual Hoop It Up gala fundraising event will take place on Saturday 7 June from 6.00pm at the Commodore Hotel. Organised by the StAC Basketball Fundraising Committee, this is sure to be a fantastic evening. Reserve your seat or get a group together. Ticket includes entrees, dinner, and drinks (Tinpot Hut wines and tap beer provided, cash bar for all other drinks), special guest speaker panel, an auction, a DJ, and dance floor. All proceeds support St Andrew’s College Basketball. This will be a great mid-winter night out.
To reserve a seat/table, please email Teacher in Charge of Basketball, Ben Eves, on BEV@stac.school.nz, while spots last.
Applications for the Year 10 Exchange Program are now open. This year, we have one exchange opportunity available to Barker College in Sydney, Australia (Co-ed). If your child is interested in experiencing a different country, culture, and school environment, this four-week exchange is a perfect opportunity for them.
For more information, please contact Director of International Students and Exchanges, Pale Tauti, PTU@stac.school.nz.
2025 photographs:
Parents/caregivers will receive an email later this term when photos are available, and access codes for new students will then be visible on the photo ordering information page on StACNet.
All 2024 photographs are available to purchase online:
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 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.
