The 2010 school year is now well and truly under way. It has been encouraging to see our students returning with enthusiasm and so pleased to be reconnecting with teachers and friends after the holiday break.

Equally heartening is the positive way new students at all years levels have been welcomed into the College family.

At our first assembly, new students were welcomed and all students were reminded of the importance of reflection and goal-setting. Both are critical strategies to ensure the most positive scene is set for the coming year.

The investiture of the College prefects for 2010 was a momentous occasion in keeping with the time-honoured traditions associated with St Andrew’s. Prefects were first announced in 1917. My congratulations to all who have been honoured with this role for 2010, and to our six heads of College.

There is much to celebrate as we begin this new year at the beginning of a new decade.

On Wednesday 27 January many students began the new school year wearing our new uniform. Comments from students, staff and parents have been overwhelmingly positive, and students wearing the new uniform are doing so with pride, knowing they are the first of a new era for the College.

It has been particularly satisfying to begin this school year with the new and refurbished Science and Mathematics classrooms in full use. Students who take Science or Mathematics subjects in the Secondary School will be enjoying the benefits of these new learning spaces. Complementing this new building is the spacious, architecturally-pleasing new quad, which really does give the Secondary School a “heart”.

Students already have lots of creative ideas about how they might use this new space. Of course there is also the other major addition of the new Foundation Sports Pavilion, which greatly enhances our sports facilities.

Our official opening of these new buildings will be on the day we celebrate Founders’ Day, Friday 19 March. A ceremony will take place in the new quad and all parents will be very welcome to join us on this occasion.

As the Secondary School enjoys a brief respite from intensive building, the Preparatory School is undergoing a major rebuilding phase. Classes for Years 4 to 8 have been relocated in various spaces as a rebuilding of classrooms for these year levels takes place. 

Kind regards
Chris Leighton, Rector