Pipe Band in top form at Nationals

It was another incredible weekend of competition for St Andrew’s College at the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships, held in Inglewood, Taranaki, where the A Pipe Band won the Juvenile (U18) national title, which it has dominated for several years,and were runners-up in the Grade 2 adult competition says Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke.

“It was an outstanding achievement, particularly in Grade 2 where the band was competing against some strong adult bands. They finished runners-up to Emmanuel College Highlanders at the University of Queensland, from Brisbane, which made St Andrew’s College the top New Zealand band in the grade.”.

With three bands competing in Grade 1, this result makes St Andrew’s the fourth best pipe band in New Zealand across all grades, which is a significant achievement for a school-aged band, adds Richard.

“We are very proud of this highly talented group. To compete against seven very strong Grade 2 bands, and win the March, Strathspey and Reel event was rewarding for the whole band.”

A total of 45 students, plus three recent leavers, and 11 staff and tutors, represented St Andrew’s at the two-day championships, where the B Band also performed superbly well to finish as runners-up in Grade 4A against 11 other bands.

“We have a great mix of boys and girls in the A Band with our youngest member in Year 8. We also had three Year 13 Leavers from 2025, playing in the A Band at the championships, Cooper Gallagher, James Anthony and Theo Lagias.”

On the Friday night of the competition, these leavers were honoured at the traditional Leavers’ Dinner, which was attended by around 90 St Andrew’s Pipe Band members, tutors, staff, parents, and supporters.

Richard says it was great having Rector, Mark Wilson, and his wife Judi supporting the bands throughout the championships.

“We were delighted to have Mark, Judi, and a large contingent of parents and supporters join us in Taranaki. Their presence created a strong sense of community, ensuring our students felt well-supported.”

Also of note was the Canterbury Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band winning Grade 1, with around two-thirds of the band made up of Old Collegians, including Pipe Major, Piers Dover and Drum Sergeant, Michael Jenkins (both OC 2013).

These outstanding results are a testament to the strength and depth of the Pipe Band programme and tutors at St Andrew’s College.