New Strategic Direction launched

This year, the St Andrew’s College Board of Governors has launched its Strategic Direction 2026–2030, a high-level document, with a new mission statement, vision, theme, and four ‘threads’ or strategic priorities, which will shape the College’s operational goals and culture for the next five years.

The new mission statement, ‘Founded on Presbyterian Christian values and Scottish character, we provide an outstanding holistic educational experience in Aotearoa New Zealand helping our people become the best version of themselves’; and theme ‘Weaving the future with the threads of tradition’, both affirm the importance of St Andrew’s traditions, heritage, and values, as the College looks to the future.

The Strategic Direction also has a new vision, ‘Where people belong, grow, and flourish to make a positive difference in our world’, recognising when young people feel accepted, valued, and safe, they are able to grow with confidence, develop their strengths, and flourish as individuals who are ready to make a difference in life beyond school.

Four new strategic priorities or ‘threads’ have also been introduced: Science of Learning and Art of Teaching; Outstanding and Holistic Educational Opportunities; Well-being: Growing and Caring for our People; and People, Partnership, and Place.

These new priorities provide a framework for St Andrew’s, and are also informing College communications, with a new format for newsletters and social media already in place.

Rector, Mark Wilson, says a key aspect of the new People, Partnership, and Place thread is creating new opportunities to strengthen the St Andrew’s community network.

Rector, Mark Wilson, says a key aspect of the new People, Partnership, and Place thread is creating new opportunities to strengthen the St Andrew’s community network.

The new Strategic Direction is driven by the longstanding St Andrew’s values of Truth (Pono), Excellence (Kairangi), Faith (Whakapono), Creativity (Auahatanga), and Inclusivity (Kanorau), which shapes the College’s culture and what it delivers. These values have been reinforced under the simplified focus of the Strategic Direction.

Well-being is a core thread through the heart of this strategy, with PERMA-V the research informed framework which guides the College’s approach to well-being, says Mark.

“Strong well-being is fundamental for learning, through creating environments in which students feel safe, supported, are able to experience positive emotions such as joy, hope, and optimism, and develop strong relationships, which are another predictor for success.”

The new Strategic Direction must happen in partnership with parents and families, he adds.

“This ongoing process is about creating the best environment for our young people to belong, grow, and flourish, in order to make a positive difference in our world.”