Co-curricular and Cultural Activities
Mahi Marau-Turuki, Mahi Ahurea
We believe co-curricular activity is integral to a young person’s development. We offer an exceptional range of sporting, recreational, musical, and other performance opportunities to our students, ensuring they can discover their potential, explore their interests, express their talents, and strive for excellence in their activity of choice.
Co-curricular and cultural opportunities
At St Andrew’s, students can participate in everything from speech and drama, to dance, Highland dance, ballet and music. Professional tuition in singing and a wide range of instruments is offered, with the opportunity for students to join our jazz and concert bands, choirs, barbershop groups, chamber groups, rock bands, and our internationally acclaimed Pipe Band.
Productions in the Preparatory School, Middle School and Senior College include large numbers of students in performance and behind the scenes roles and are among the many highlights on the cultural calendar, plus StAC Attack, Dance Revue, and Film Fest.
Music
Music students thrive at St Andrew’s because their individual needs are always prioritised. Our highly talented teaching staff, state of the art music suites and recording studio, and use of exciting technologies and innovative teaching programmes provides a first class environment in which music students can reach their full potential, no matter the instrument your child plays or the style of music they’re into. In addition to our core NCEA Music programme, St Andrew’s music groups are highly regarded with numerous choral and instrumental groups to choose from in both the Preparatory and Secondary Schools, not to mention our extensive itinerant music tuition programme.
Pipe Band
Formed in 1919 the Pipe Band is an integral part of the College’s heritage and Scottish tradition and remains an important part of the fabric of St Andrew’s. The St Andrew’s College Pipe Band is New Zealand’s premier Secondary School Pipe Band, which regularly wins National and Provincial Championships. Individuals in the band are privately tutored in the College’s purpose built Askin Pipe Band Centre, by world-class international tutors who are the very best in their field. They are developed to be the best they can be, and are given opportunities to meet, learn and compete internationally. Membership of our internationally renowned Pipe Band is a special opportunity open to all students at the College.
Ballet Academy
St Andrew’s College is the only school in New Zealand offering a co-educational integrated Ballet programme right on campus. Our comprehensive programme from Pre-school to Year 13 offers classes seamlessly transitioning from academic to sessions in the Ballet studio. Here, students receive specialised instruction in classical technique, artistry, musicality, and the joy of performance. Dancers undergo yearly examinations, partake in annual productions, and explore dance genres like jazz, lyrical, national character, and contemporary. Extension classes, including Pilates and Pointe, are also available. Beyond the physical demands of ballet, our StAC Ballet programme cultivates essential character traits such as self-confidence, perseverance, and self-esteem, leaving a lasting impact on each dancer’s life.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts Department at St Andrew’s College offers students exciting opportunities to shine and enhance their performance skills in acting, singing, and dancing. These disciplines are integrated into rehearsals and performances, fostering confident and flexible artists. What sets our Performing Arts programme apart is the collaboration among passionate educators in our Drama, Music, and Dance Departments. Together, they uphold a high standard of performance, nurturing a culture of excellence among students.
Drama has been an integral part of life at St Andrew’s right throughout the College’s long history. Today this legacy continues through our strong creative team, who lead a cohort of enthusiastic, talented students to produce impressive productions across all year levels. The Senior College Production (Years 11–13) is a major event on the cultural calendar, open to students interested in singing, dancing and acting. The annual Middle School Production (Years 9–10) is another popular event, with Preparatory School Productions taking place biennially. Students also have the opportunity to learn about and get involved with behind-the-scenes roles, such as sound, music and lighting, costumes, make-up, set design, props, stage management, directing and producing.
As part of the community of StAC dancers, students perform at assemblies, school events, and work towards the highly successful Dance Revue, a student-led performance initiative. After school classes are available in the Dance Studio, with additional specialist classes for Junior Jazz, Senior Jazz, Junior Hip Hop, Senior Hip Hop and Musical Theatre.
StAC Productions
Television and Film
St Andrew’s College is fortunate to have the only professional production studio and control room complex in a New Zealand secondary school. Here, students can conceive, plan, rehearse, and execute full-fledged television productions without leaving campus. The studio is well-equipped with cameras, lights, editing gear, and a 32-channel sound desk. It provides an outlet for students passionate about the arts or those interested in the practical and technical aspects of production. Many St Andrew’s students, whose passion for TV performance and production was sparked at the College, have gone on to great things within the industry in New Zealand and overseas.
VEX Robotics
The VEX Robotics programme at St Andrew’s College offers students an exciting, hands-on opportunity to explore the world of STEM. Beginning in Years 7–8 with VEX IQ, students work collaboratively in teams to design, build, and code robots for VEX IQ competitions. From Years 9–13, they progress to VEX V5, applying advanced engineering principles and programming languages such as Python and C++ to construct sophisticated metal robots for VEX V5 competitions. Through these challenges, students develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, equipping them with the tools to become the innovators of tomorrow.
Speech and Drama
Our Speech and Drama lessons cover a wide range of skills, including communication, scripted and impromptu drama, poetry, storytelling, and public speaking. Former students have discovered that these abilities enhance their employability, whether in performing arts or any field requiring effective communication. Students can opt for Speech New Zealand or Trinity Guildhall examinations or simply attend to boost confidence, enjoy themselves, and enhance their drama, speaking, and communication skills alongside their peers.
Pasifika Group
The Pasifika Group at St Andrew’s College welcomes students of all backgrounds to engage in a range of activities that celebrate and explore Pasifika cultures in a New Zealand context. This enthusiastic student community comes together to learn traditional songs and dances from nations across the Pacific, deepen their cultural understanding, and promote Pasifika culture to the wider College community. The group meets regularly for kai, fostering connection and belonging, and performs at special occasions throughout the year, including assemblies, prizegivings, chapel services, and visits to community venues such as retirement villages. A highlight of the year is the Ōtautahi Polyfest in Term 1.
Students across the Secondary School can also take part in SPACPAC events, including Pacific Student Youth Leadership Development programmes, speech competitions, and ‘Dragons’ Den’-style challenges. The year concludes with a Pasifika student camp hosted at the College, featuring a chapel service led by local Pasifika ministers, a shared dinner with whānau, and fun activities such as games and singing.
Watch our Polyfest students performing at the 2025 FiaFia Night >
Kapa Haka Group
The Kapa Haka group at St Andrew's College brings students together to represent te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), their tūrangawaewae (a place where one has rights of belonging through kinship), and the wider community. Through performances at various events, they showcase the richness of Māori culture and contribute to its ongoing strengthening and visibility. The group is inclusive of all ethnicities, celebrating diversity and unity through shared cultural experiences.
They embody the Māori values of manaakitanga (hospitality, kindness) and whanaungatanga (kinship, a sense of family connection), fostering a supportive and respectful environment. Their dedication to kapa haka not only deepens their understanding of te ao Māori but also promotes cultural awareness and appreciation across the College community.
Debating
Debating is an excellent choice for Secondary School students who like to think on their feet and analyse or evaluate issues. This activity helps student to develop their public speaking, impromptu, analytical, and critical skills. They learn to create a complex argument based on underlying values, principles and flow on effects, and engage with the opposition’s argument. Students compete against other Canterbury schools each term.
Theatresports
Theatresports is a form of improvisational theatre where opposing teams create scenes on the spot based on audience suggestions. It’s a high-energy activity that encourages quick wit, drama, and comedy. Students learn to listen, think on their feet, and gain confidence speaking in front of an audience. On stage, they can become anyone—singing, dancing, miming, acting out movies, or even Shakespearean roles. Our competitive Secondary School teams participate in the Court Theatre Secondary Schools’ Competition throughout the year.
Esports
The St Andrew’s College Esports programme is open to students from all year levels in the Secondary School and promotes connection across year groups. The Esport Centre, which opened in Term 3, 2025, is among the most advanced Esports facilities of any secondary school in New Zealand. Students in the programme have the opportunity to compete against one another, as well as against students from other schools around the motu (country). Frequent competitions are held across various ‘codes’ (games), with students meeting most lunchtimes and attending some after-school training sessions to hone their skills under the guidance of experienced Old Collegians.
St Andrew’s has seen success at the South Island level, including winning the South Island Secondary Schools title for Rocket League in 2021. Students can earn blazer awards and recognition within the College for their contributions to the club and for promoting healthy balance, connection, and College values.
Co-curricular Clubs
Co-curricular clubs provide our students an opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom, fostering connections with fellow students across the school. Whether social or competitive, these groups accommodate both novices and experts.
Our Whakataukī
He waka
eke noa
We are all in this together
Life is Co-ed
Academic Excellence
Sports
Our Schools