Academic successes – May 2025

Late 2024*

*Please note the use of 2024 year groups.

French

In the DELF Examinations, an internationally recognised French Language Proficiency Certificate awarded by France’s national Ministry of Education, Brooke Hughes and Joseph Ryan (both Year 13) achieved a B2 certificate, which is a prestigious qualification.

Science Badges

Louis Hyland (Year 8) was awarded a Platinum Award, for completing 30 Science Badges. He also had his photo displayed on the Science Award Trust Honours Board. Only seven other students in all of New Zealand attained this award in 2024. Keer (Tessa) Meng (Year 9) and Elina Wang (Year 7) were also presented with their Bronze Star Badge for completing five Science Badges.

2025

Creative Writing

Anthony Song (Year 10) was awarded first place in the Young Writers category of the Scottish Book Trust’s 50 Word Fiction Competition, an international competition. Anthony wrote his short prose on the given theme of ‘frost’, in the Junior Creative Writing Workshop.

Debating

St Andrew’s College students showcased their debating skills at the Canterbury Debating Senior Regionals, held at the University of Canterbury. Among the standout performances were StAC Blue – Lachlan Hackston, Hanxi (Cicy) Chen and Gracie-Starr Guest (all Year 11) winning the Most Promising Team award as the only full Year 11 team competing against senior opponents, and StAC Red – Oliver Wallace, Teresa Steiner and Arihia Lawton (all Year 12), who advanced to the semi-finals after consistent success in the preliminary rounds.

The team delivered a compelling case, but were ultimately defeated by Cashmere Gold, who went on to win the competition. Kate Simcock (Year 13) was named the Best Reply Speaker for her impactful leader’s replies and was also selected as a Canterbury representative for the New Zealand Schools’ Debating Nationals in May.

Speech

Jinyang (Yang) Zhang (Year 12) was second in the regional heat of the Race Unity Speech Awards, held at the Christchurch Baha’i Centre. Speakers had to address the issue of race relations in Aotearoa, incorporating this year’s theme: Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau, The Great Ocean of Diversity.

Young Farmers

Danica Minson (Year 10) was third in the 2025 Tasman FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final. Danica and her teammate from Christchurch Girls’ High School competed against 25 teams from the upper half of the South Island, completing a range of tasks, from genetic calculations to driving machinery, fencing, to breed identification, and marketing to risk mitigation.