Special Assemblies 2026 (Prefects’ Investiture and Leadership Assembly and Academic Assembly)

Prefects’ Investiture and Leadership Assembly

The traditional Leadership Assembly saw the investiture of 27 prefects, including Heads of College, Charlotte Galvan, Tom Simpson, Lila Waghorn, Jake Farrelly, Katie Taggart and Henry Tayler. Head Prefects, Charlotte and Tom, introduced the prefects’ theme for the year – ‘Growing together, thriving as one’ creating a culture where everyone feels valued and accepted, while supporting each other, celebrating each other’s successes, and leaning on one another through challenging times. Various Year 12 and 13 leadership positions were also recognised at the assembly, which included a performance by rock group, Pretty When It Burns, and a handover of the Heads of College Journal from the 2025 Head Prefects, Jake Elvidge and Kate Simcock, which added to the occasion.

Academic Assembly

The Secondary School Academic Assembly was a wonderful celebration of the outstanding achievement of students in the 2025 NCEA and NZQA Scholarship examinations. Several of St Andrew’s 2025 Leavers returned to the assembly to receive a Board of Governors’ Scholarship in recognition of achieving NCEA Level 3 with Excellence endorsement. Top achievers in the NZQA Scholarship examinations included Joshua Adams

(OC 2025) who achieved six scholarships, and Cohnor Walsh, who was a Year 12 student when he became one of only 55 students nationally to receive a NZQA Top Scholar Award. Other highlights included a Morning Report from the Academic Captains, Katie Chan, Katie Foot and Ken Minh-Ky Pham; an address by Head Prefect 2022, Harry Withers, and up uplifting performance of Casiopea (Midnight Rendezvous) by Issei Noro, by the StAC Funk Band.