In 2007 we celebrated the 90th anniversary of St Andrew’s College, and the gala concert ‘High Flies the Cross’ was a moving and vibrant testimony to the vision and energy of our founders.

The school began in humble fashion, with a roll of 19 boys and four teachers. The fact that it actually got off the ground at all was due to the determination of the Reverend Thompson, whose driving aim was to educate the ‘sons of the Presbyterian and Scottish community of Canterbury.’

St Andrew’s College has changed considerably over the past 90 years. Now we educate not only ‘sons’, but ‘daughters’ as well! However, the values and traditions on which the school was founded still hold true. Truth, faith and excellence underlie all aspects of College life now, as they have over the past 90 years.

Much of what makes this school different comes from its Scottish-Presbyterian origins. There are 14 Presbyterian-founded Colleges in New Zealand. St Andrew’s has sporting links with several – John McGlashan (Dunedin), St Kentigern (Auckland), Lindisfarne (Hastings) and Scots (Wellington). There have been many and various links with Rangi Ruru Girls’ School and, since the arrival of girl students in the senior College, contacts have begun with Columba College (Dunedin). We share with all these schools a great pride in our Scottish heritage.

The College song was written in 1925 by TA Stuart-Menteath, a member of staff. It tells the legend of the monk Regulus bringing the relics (bones) of the disciple Andrew from Greece to Scotland, and of how the stories of St Andrew and the faith of the Scots who honoured him have inspired Christians down through the ages.

The College tartan is the Fergusson tartan, as the Pipe band got its first kilts in 1924 when General Sir Charles Fergusson was the Governor-General. Prefects dress formally in kilts, cutaway jackets and sporrans at Friday assemblies.

High Flies the Cross, by Gordon Ogilvie, was originally published to mark the College’s 75th Jubilee, and was updated in 2007 to mark our 90th celebrations. The book is a glorious tribute to all who have passed through our doors, whether students or staff. Copies may be purchased by emailing the College Shop at shop@stac.school.nz.

College Museum

From its earliest days St Andrew’s College has sought to preserve its history. However, it was not until The Warwick Sullivan Memorial Museum built by the Old Collegians in 1986 was curated in 1989, with extensions into other areas on the first floor of Strowan House, that a permanent home for the College’s collection was established.

Jan Hampton was appointed Curator in 1989, and her enthusiasm for the College and her tireless attention to detail mean that we now have a veritable treasure trove of documents, photographs and memorabilia of various kinds relating to the College’s history. The Museum is based upstairs in Strowan House, and various display cabinets tell the St Andrew’s College story.

If you have any information or items that you think may be of interest to the St Andrew’s College community, Jan would love to hear from you.