Cultural catch up – August 2026

Ballet – RNZB Residency

During the RNZB@StAC Residency in May, Year 4–8 Ballet dancers were treated to a masterclass with visiting Dance Specialist, Alina Kulikova, formerly from Russia where she was ballerina with the Imperial Ballet Company. The Secondary School dancers also enjoyed a number of choreography classes during the week, working towards a new Degas-inspired Ballet performance piece.

Ballroom Dancing

Holly Hembry (Year 11) competed in Junior Solo events and Junior Pro-Am ballroom dancing events in the Kiwi Classic Dance Championships in Auckland, where she successfully defended her six Junior Pro-Am titles and received two firsts, a second, and a third place in her Solo events. At the New Zealand One Dance Ballroom Championships, Holly achieved 15 national titles and reached the finals across the programme in Adult Open Ballroom and New Vogue events.

Big Sing

Choral ensemble Ngā Manu Tīoriori delivered an outstanding recital at the Big Sing Canterbury and West Coast Regional Competition, receiving the University of Canterbury School of Music Award for Best Performance of a New Zealand Work, for their performance of Andrew Baldwin’s Martha Goose Suite and the Jubilate Singers Award for Outstanding Mixed Voice Choir, the third consecutive year Ngā Manu has claimed this title. The choir has been selected for the 2026 Big Sing Finals in August, the first time since 2004 a St Andrew’s choir has qualified.

Chamber Music

Four groups featuring St Andrew’s College students performed at the Schools’ Chamber Music Contest District Final, where the all-St Andrew’s College group, Super Mature, was awarded Best Performance of a New Zealand work, with a piece commissioned by St Andrew’s College from Isaac Shatford (OC 2014) and first performed by our Quartetto Maduro in 2019, where they reached the National Final. Results were:

• Best Performance of a New Zealand Work – Super Mature: Ary Son (Year 12), Selena Zhang (Year 13), Ethan Zhao (Year 10), Ryan Teng (Year 9);

• Highly Commended – Trio Lumiere: Cheryl Teng (Year 12), Caleb Waines (Year 7), Ethan Waines (Year 10);

• Woolston Brass Trophy (Best Brass Ensemble) and Highly Commended – Isotopes: Yuxin (Alice) Chen (Year 12), Yutian (Tianna) Chen (Year 11);

• Christchurch District Final Winner – Sparks Trio: Ethan Waines (Year 10).

All four groups performed at the Chamber Music Southern Regional Final on Saturday 27 June with Ethan Waines and his group Sparks Trio placing second and being selected for the National Final, held on 1 August at The Piano.

Classical Concert

The annual Classical Concert was held in the Centennial Chapel on Wednesday 27 May, featuring performances from the Preparatory School Orchestra, Symphonic Winds Ensemble, String Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra, and nine chamber ensembles, ranging from the standard piano trio combination to a trumpet quintet, which ended the evening with exceptional energy.

Choir Concert

On Wednesday 20 May, the College held its annual choral concert at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral as part of their ‘Wednesday at One’ series. The concert featured performances from the auditioned choir Ngā Manu Tīoriori, all-comers choir Ngā Oro o te Ngahere, chamber ensembles Brass and Breath, and Double ATM, and concluded with two pieces performed by the combined choirs, Te Kōkī o Hato Ānaru.

Dance

Maggie and Ceci Pugh (both Year 8) competed at the Australian Dance Crew Championships, placing first in their division with their crew UNO, from Ace Dance Studio, which qualified for the World Championships in Sydney later in 2026. Ceci was also named Rising Star and received an invitation to attend the Monsterz of Afro workshop in Sydney, an opportunity awarded to only one dancer each year by ADCC.

Highland Dance

St Andrew’s dancers had outstanding success at the New Zealand Highland Dancing Championships from 9–12 July:

• Sarah McCarthy (Year 11): New Zealand Champion U16 and winner of seven New Zealand championship titles – Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Sean Truibhas, Highland Reel, Reel O’Tulloch, Irish Reel, and Single Time Irish Jig;

• Evelyn Lowe (Year 10): eigth national ranking U16 years and winner of New Zealand Championship Irish Hornpipe U16;

• Samantha Bilton (Year 12): seventh national ranking U18;

• Sofia Sneddon (Year 9): fourth national ranking U14;

• Georgia Gregg (Year 9) winner of New Zealand Championship Sailors Hornpipe U14;

• Iaera Abrahamson (Year 6): fourth national ranking U12;

• Nayana Abrahamson (Year 4): fifth national ranking U10.

A number of students achieved strong results at the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing examinations achieving Merit and Honours. Results from the top two grades were:

Elementary: Practical and Theory

• Honours: Sarah McCarthy (Year 11);

• Honours Theory, Merit Plus Practical: Alice Glover (Year 10);

• Honours Theory: Abbey Marr (Year 11).

Advanced: Practical and Theory

• Honours: Charlotte Kyle (Year 13);

• Honours Theory: Emily Brook (Year 13);

• Honours Practical: Samantha Bilton (Year 12).

Sarah McCarthy (Year 11) secured two South Island titles at the Highland Dancing Otago Championships in Seann Triubhas U16 and Irish Reel U18; two Otago Championship titles in Sailors Hornpipe and Reel O Tulloch; as well as Most Points U16, and the trophy for Most Outstanding Performance U18.

Georgia Gregg (Year 9) won Most Points U14 at both the Ashburton Highland National Dance Championships and the Oxford Competition.

Eleanor Nortje (Year 4) received the trophy for Most Promising Dancer at the Oxford A&P Show and won the trophy for Most Points U10 at the North Canterbury Highland Dancing Competition. She also performed at a Tactix netball match with the Caledonian Highland Dancing group.

Jazz

The Big Band and Jazz Combo performed at the Ōtautahi Jazz Jam at Christchurch Boys’ High School, which provided an early performance opportunity ahead of the Ara JazzQuest.

The Jazz/Funk combo went on to place second at Ara JazzQuest, with two Year 10 students winning Best Instrumentalist awards – Edward Park on drums, and Mason Gauld for guitar. This is the best result in many years for St Andrew’s jazz combos and is especially impressive given the students are all in the Middle School.

Junior Department Cultural Week

During the Junior Department’s Cultural Week, students engaged in a range of learning experiences focused on cultural understanding and diversity, including sessions led by the Secondary School Pasifika Group, Te Reo Māori classes, and the Pipe Band. The week concluded with a Cultural Dress Day and discovery activities that reflected the learning undertaken.

Music

Chenxiao (Leo) Yang (Year 9) was selected for the semi-final of the Lewis Eady National Junior Piano Competition. He also achieved Distinction in Trinity Trumpet Grade 7.

Orchestra

Four St Andrew’s students were selected for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s National Youth Orchestra. Mila Yin (Year 9) on double bass is the third‑youngest selection in the orchestra’s history, and following her selection was awarded a Fame Trust scholarship within the National Youth Orchestra programme. The other students selected were Cheryl Teng (Year 12) on Violin II, Ary Son (Year 12) for the Viola section and Xinyi (Alicia) Chen (Year 12) named as a reserve for the Viola section.

Ryan Teng (Year 9) has been selected to perform as part of the 2026 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Emerging Artists Concert in Wellington on Wednesday 23 September.

The following students were selected for the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival representative Junior and Senior Choirs and Symphony Orchestra:

• Year 5–6 Junior Representative Choir: Melody Ma, Marcel de Wit (both Year 5), Violet Winterbourn, Chloe Shi, Theo Nelson and Iaera Abrahamson (all Year 6);

• Year 7–8 Senior Representative Choir: Eileen Li, Jessica Chan (both Year 7), Jessica Whitehead, Ruby Richards and Anqi (Angie) Qin (all Year 8);

• Year 5–8 Symphony Orchestra: Caleb Waines (Year 8) (trumpet), Fei En (Naomi) Ren (Year 5) (violin), Youzhen (Max) Chen (Year 6) (cello), Dylan Liu (double bass), Raymen Dai (cello) and Claire Chua (all Year 7) (flute).

Pasifika Performance

The Pasifika Group performed at the Super Rugby Round Anzac Day Fan Zone near the Bridge of Remembrance, contributing to the day’s commemorations of the opening of the new One Zealand Te Kaha Stadium through music and cultural expression.

Performing Arts Festival

Students from the St Andrew’s Speech and Drama programme enjoyed outstanding success at the Oamaru Competitions Society Festival. A highlight was sisters, Adelyn (Year 8), Iaera (Year 6) and Nayana Abrahamson (Year 4), being jointly awarded the trophy for Most Successful and Versatile Competitor in All of the Arts. Violet Winterbourn (Year 6) was overall Champion in Speech in both 10 Years and Under, and 12 Years and Under, and was champion of her age group in Voice (singing). Watson Winterbourn (Year 3) was the overall champion in his age group for both Speech and Highland Dancing.

Pipe Band Performance with Six60 at Te Kaha

St Andrew’s College A Band snare drummers, alongside tutors and Old Collegians, were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform live on stage with Six60 during their hit song, Fade Away, performed in front of 37,000 during the first concert held at One New Zealand Stadium Te Kaha. The students representing St Andrew’s College were Andrew Bryce (Year 8), Eddie Park (Year 10), Harry Summers (Year 12), Daniel Liu and Lee Patterson (both Year 13), supported by Drumming Tutor and drum corps organiser, Jamie McEwan, Head of Drumming Scott Birrell, Drumming Tutor Michael Jenkins (OC 2013), and Rebekah Weir (OC 2017). The group featured during Six60’s hit song Fade Away, contributing to an electric atmosphere and enhancing a key moment in the performance.

Pipe Band

Maggie McConnochie (Year 12) competed at the R U Brown Memorial Piobaireachd Gold Medal event in Adelaide, placing second overall. This prestigious piobaireachd event is open to any competitor of any age, excluding previous winners. She also placed third in the A Grade March, Strathspey and Reel, and finished first overall in B Grade events.

In June, Pipe Major, Sam Foote (Year 13) and Pipe Sergeant, Maggie McConnochie (Year 12), competed as part of the Emmanuel College Highlanders from the University of Queensland Pipe Band in the Grade 2 events at the Queensland State Pipe Band Championships in Brisbane, Australia. The band placed first in both the March, Strathspey and Reel, and Medley events. Sam and Maggie were pleased to play alongside Old Collegian, Jim Allan (OC 1996), who is the Pipe Sergeant of the Emmanuel College Highlanders Pipe Band.

RSPBA and RNZPBA Oceania Solo Drumming Championships

The RSPBA and RNZPBA Oceania Solo Drumming Championships were hosted at St Andrew’s College on Saturday 2 May. College drummers recorded results across multiple prize categories. Those to achieve a top three placing were:

• Juvenile Section 5: Harry Summers (Year 12): second;

• Juvenile Section 4: Radha Gamble (Year 12): first;

• Juvenile Section 3: Andrew Bryce (Year 8): second, Edward Park (Year 10): third;

• Juvenile Section 2: Benjamin Edwards (Year 10): first, Aaron Robinson (Year 11): second;

• Juvenile Section 1: Samuel Carline (Year 7): second.

King’s Birthday Solo Piping Competitions

Students achieved some outstanding results at the King’s Birthday Solo Piping Competition in Dunedin, an event on the national solo piping calendar. Sam Foote (Year 13) and Maggie McConnochie (Year 12) were the top performers, competing in the Open, B Grade, and Under 21 categories. Top individual results were:

• Open Dunedin Gold Medal Piobaireachd: Sam Foote third, Maggie McConnochie fourth;

• Open Hornpipe and Jig (South Island Championship): Maggie McConnochie third;

• Open Otago Centre Premier Qualifier Event: Sam Foote third;

• U21: Maggie McConnochie winner of 2/4 March (Otago Championship), Strathspey and Reel (New Zealand Championship) and Most Points U21;

• Most Points B Grade: Maggie McConnochie;

• Most Points C Grade: Charlie Gregg (Year 11).

Hastings and Fairlie Solo Piping Competitions

During the Term 1 break, several College pipers competed at solo piping competitions in Hastings and Fairlie. Both events form part of the New Zealand solo piping calendar and included competitors from across the country. At the Hastings Highland Games, Maggie McConnochie (Year 12), put in a top performance to win the Piobaireachd and Strathspey and Reel events in the U21 New Zealand Championship. Sam Foote (Year 13) won the Silver Medal Piobaireachd in the same section. At the Fairlie A&P show the top performer was Charlie Gregg (Year 11) who was overall C Grade champion, winning four of his events, and finishing second in his fifth.

Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Solo Piping Competition

Maggie McConnochie (Year 12) was the top performer at the Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Solo Piping Competition, winning all three of her B Grade events. Several other Band students achieved top three placings.

Canterbury Drummers Club Autumn Solo Drumming Competition

Standout performers at the Canterbury Drummers Club Autumn Solo Drumming Competition included Andrew Bryce (Year 8) who was second in Snare Drumming A Grade Aggregate and first in B Grade Aggregate; Ewen Li (Year 11) who won the Intermediate Tenor Drumming Aggregate; and Matthew Bluck (Year 13) who won the Intermediate Bass Drumming Aggregate.

Canterbury Drummers Club Winter Solo Drumming Competition

At the Canterbury Drummers Club Winter Solo Competition, Andrew Bryce (Year 8) won both the A Grade and B Grade Aggregate in Snare Drumming In Tenor Drumming, Ewen Li (Year 11) won the Open Tenor Aggregate, and RuoLin (Lauren) Li (Year 12) the Intermediate Tenor Aggregate. Matthew Bluck (Year 13) was the overall Intermediate Bass Drumming Aggregate winner.

Anzac Day Services

On Anzac Day, St Andrew’s College Pipe Band members served at a range of parades and services across the South Island, with Anthony Song

(Year 11), Alice Glover (Year 10) and Maggie McConnochie (Year 12) playing at the St Andrew’s College Anzac service in the Centennial Chapel.

Poetry

Ben McKendry (Year 9) was first in The Great Talk Poetry Recitation Competition.

Preparatory School Music Concert

The Preparatory School Music Concert on Tuesday 23 June featured ensemble and solo performances, two new rock bands, Junior Choir (Year 4–5 students), Cantare Choir (Year 6–8 students), Preparatory School Orchestra, a chamber group trio, and solo items by Music scholars, Claire Chua (Year 7) and Caleb Waines (Year 8).

Smokefree Rockquest

At the Smokefree Rockquest regional final, Pretty When it Burns, featuring Annie Young, Ethan Lam, Oliver Hill (all Year 13), and Hamish Bilton (Year 11) performed an amazing set and earned the right for a ‘second chance pathway’ to the national final, writing a third song and putting together a video for consideration.

Songwriting

Violet McInnes (Year 11) and Evelyn Lowe (Year 10) were named as finalists in the Year 9–11 Play It Strange Junior Songwriting Competition for the respective songs, Favourite Movie, and All the Time. They will each receive $850 worth of recording studio and production time to have their songs professionally produced.

Speech and Drama

In the Speech New Zealand examinations, Teresa Steiner and Sylvia James (both Year 13) gained Pass with Distinction at Associate Diploma level, while RuoLin (Lauren) Li and Logan Scott (both Year 12) achieved Honours Plus in Grade 8 modules.

StAC Rock Night

In preparation for the annual Rockquest competition, the College’s rock bands and musicians shared the new songs they’d been working hard on over the previous couple of months with an appreciative audience in the Gough Family Theatre on Wednesday 20 May.