Preparatory School
Kura Whakataka
At St Andrew’s College Preparatory School, Year 1–8 students learn in an environment where strong teaching, close relationships, and broad opportunities help them grow with confidence. Students are supported to build strong foundations, develop key learning skills, and become increasingly independent as they move towards Secondary School.
Why choose St Andrew’s Preparatory School
Choosing a Preparatory School is about finding a place where your child will be known, challenged, and supported through some of the most important years of their development. At St Andrew’s, students benefit from excellent teachers, a warm and structured learning environment, and a strong sense of belonging within the wider College.
As part of a vibrant co-educational College community, children learn alongside others with different strengths, interests, and perspectives. They are encouraged to think for themselves, contribute positively, and develop the values, skills, and confidence they need for the next stage of their learning journey.
Our approach balances academic foundations with creativity, character, well-being, leadership, sport, culture, service, and spiritual growth. Children are encouraged to discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop the habits that help them become capable, thoughtful learners.
"At the Preparatory School, we nurture independent, emotionally intelligent learners who thrive through diversity, curiosity, and creativity. Learning alongside others with different strengths and perspectives, and being encouraged to think for themselves, strengthens their personal growth and character. Through meaningful challenge, our children build confidence and grow the skills they need to flourish."
Leigh FowlerPrincipal of Preparatory School
Our Leadership Team
Our Preparatory School is led by an experienced team who understand the importance of strong relationships, clear expectations, and a learning environment where children feel seen, supported, and ready to grow.
Leigh Fowler
Principal of Preparatory School
Alex Kelley
Deputy Principal
Vicki Pettit
Deputy Principal, Head of Teaching and Learning
Heather Orman
Assistant Principal, Head of Junior Department (Years 1–3)
Megan Feller
Head of Middle Learning Team (Years 4–6)
Kelly McBride
Year 7 Team Leader, Head of Learning Enrichment
Morgan Sheppard
Year 8 Team Leader
Our vision
We want our students to be active participants in a dynamic community of learners, inspired to become valued citizens and enthusiastic learners for life. Through balanced exposure to academic, cultural, service, social, spiritual, and sporting opportunities, students are encouraged to develop their talents, creativity, confidence, and character.
Student-centred learning
Student-centred learning sits at the heart of the Preparatory School. Our teachers engage motivated learners who understand their learning journey, seek feedback, and develop a mindset centred on critical thinking and growth. The quality of our teaching staff has a significant impact on each child’s experience, with dedicated educators committed to nurturing both student potential and their own professional growth.
One teacher, one class
In the Preparatory School, we prioritise one teacher per class because strong teacher-student connection matters. This approach allows teachers to know each child well, understand their learning needs, and provide the consistency, care, and challenge that help children make strong progress. Our experience and evidence show that this close connection enhances learning potential and supports the best possible outcomes.
Personalised learning
The Preparatory School caters for a range of learning styles, abilities, and interests. Learning is personalised through differentiation, with a focus on each child’s genuine next steps. Students are supported to work at an appropriate level, irrespective of year level, while teachers use thoughtful questioning and a “guide by the side” approach to encourage deeper thinking and understanding.
Student leadership
Preparatory School students have many opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership. Through co-curricular activities, class responsibilities, sport, culture, service, and College life, students learn to motivate, organise, communicate, show resilience, and support others. Leadership roles include prefects, sacristans, librarians, sports captains, house captains, road patrol leaders, science monitors, and other in-class responsibilities.
Our curriculum
At St Andrew’s College Preparatory School, we prioritise the development of learning strategies and skills, as well as strong curriculum knowledge. Students are encouraged to make meaningful connections, apply their learning in different contexts, and grow as confident, creative, and connected learners.
Guided by the New Zealand Curriculum and shaped by the particular character of St Andrew’s, our curriculum is anchored in clear principles, shared values, and five key competencies essential for sustained learning and active participation in society.
Assessment and reporting
Assessment plays an important role in helping children understand their learning and recognise their progress. In the Preparatory School, assessment is closely linked to teaching and learning, with information used by teachers to adjust their teaching strategies and by students to understand their next steps.
Visible Learning assessment practices are a key focus. Students are encouraged to describe where they are in their learning, understand what they are working towards, and use feedback to improve. Quality and timely feedback from teacher to student, student to teacher, and student to student is an important part of this process.
e-Assessment and online testing
The Preparatory School uses a range of assessment tools to support accurate, timely, and useful information about student learning. e-asTTle is the primary assessment tool for evaluating Year 4–8 students’ reading and writing. In addition to whole-school cohort testing, teachers use shorter e-asTTle assessments with small groups to identify targeted next steps.
This tool provides valuable information for teachers, students, and parents about achievement in relation to Curriculum Levels 2–6. Students also use the e-asTTle writing rubric for self-assessment in classwork, helping them become more aware of their own progress.
In Mathematics, teachers use PAT Maths online to assess learning at the beginning and end of the year, and the school is also trialling PAT Adaptive Mathematics with groups of students. Adaptive testing adjusts during the assessment to provide questions suited to each student’s level of achievement, whether they need additional support or greater challenge.
Curriculum level testing in Mathematics is used across Years 6–8. These tests have been developed through collaboration between Preparatory and Secondary School Mathematics staff, supporting moderation across classes and year levels and giving teachers accurate formative feedback about next steps for learning. Together with rich tasks and other assessment tools, they provide staff with a detailed picture of student progress.
Student portfolios
Student portfolios play an important role in helping children document their learning, set goals, celebrate achievement, and share their progress with others. In the Junior and Middle Learning Teams, students use Seesaw to upload current work samples and share learning with parents and family members.
For Senior Learning Team students, portfolios are shared electronically through OneNote. This supports a smooth transition to Secondary School, where OneNote is also used as a teaching and learning tool.
Well-being and pastoral care
Looking after the well-being of students is a vital part of each school day. The Preparatory School’s one teacher to one class approach allows classroom teachers to develop a deep understanding of the students in their care, supporting both learning and well-being.
For students who require more specialised support, the Pastoral Care team provides an important layer of care. This team meets regularly to discuss student needs and allocate support, including in-school counselling and guidance or referral to outside agencies where appropriate. Student needs are tracked through the College’s student management system, helping ensure the right information is available in a timely way to support each child.
Gifted and talented
The Preparatory School’s Gifted and Talented Education programme is designed to be responsive to the individual needs, strengths, and interests of gifted and talented students. High achievers in sport and culture are also supported through a range of programmes and initiatives.
A Priority Learners’ Register helps track the activities and progress of high-achieving students in the Preparatory School. One of the key strategies is the Differentiated Classroom programme, run by each class teacher to cater for the wide range of abilities in each classroom. This approach supports problem-solving, inquiry, and higher-order thinking, while ensuring learning is engaging and suited to each student’s level of ability.
Learning support
Where required, student learning is supported by the school’s Learning Support team. These programmes are important for building self-esteem and addressing delayed learning.
The Preparatory School has a full-time reading specialist and several teacher aides, and offers support in areas such as reading, mathematics, spelling, and writing. Support is based on individual student need and is priority assessed. Counselling facilities are also available to parents with student concerns.
Learning with ICT
Digital learning is part of everyday life in the Preparatory School, with students using technology to support collaboration, creativity, communication, and responsible digital citizenship.
St Andrew’s distinction as one of New Zealand’s most innovative Microsoft 365 schools reflects the College’s commitment to cloud-based collaboration. Through the 1:1 Computing programme, Year 7 and above students bring their own devices and connect to online resources through the College’s wireless network. Real-time information sharing between teachers and students supports the learning journey.
Year 6 students are increasingly choosing to bring personal devices, although this remains optional. Class devices appropriate for Years 1–6 are also available, ensuring technology is used in ways that genuinely enrich learning.
Sports
Preparatory School students enjoy a vibrant sports programme guided by the Head of Preparatory Sport. The programme responds to student needs, current trends, and the pathway into Secondary School sport.
Sport is mandatory for Year 4–8 students and includes annual athletics, swimming, cross-country, and duathlon events. Students can also participate in a wide range of codes, including cricket, touch, football, rugby, netball, basketball, hockey, tennis, and water polo. Inter-school competitions take place at local, regional, and national levels, with sports exchanges and an annual sports tour among the highlights.
Competition sits alongside a strong team culture that values good play, inclusion, resilience, and shared success. Preparatory School sport provides an important pathway into sport in the Secondary School.
Co-curricular, cultural activities and clubs
Preparatory School students have access to a rich range of co-curricular and cultural opportunities. These include Speech and Drama, Dance, Highland Dance, Ballet, kapa haka, chess, art clubs, professional singing instruction, and access to a wide range of instruments.
Students can participate in jazz and concert bands, choirs, chamber groups, barbershop ensembles, rock bands, and the College’s internationally recognised Pipe Band. The annual Preparatory School production, involving all Year 8 students in both performance and behind-the-scenes roles, is a cultural highlight.
Beyond the classroom
For more than 25 years, St Andrew’s Outdoor Education programmes have provided high-quality outdoor experiences for students. In Year 7, students are introduced to a range of skills and concepts that are developed further in future camps, with safety and enjoyment at the centre.
Through outdoor experiences, students explore new activities, take on individual and team challenges, and build understanding of teamwork and decision-making. In Year 8, students continue to develop decision-making and risk management skills through a mix of individual and team-based activities.
You may be interested in ...
Uniform
St Andrew’s College uniform is available exclusively from the College Shop, Thistles, and from the Second-hand Uniform Shop run by the PTA, both located on campus.
ERO Report
The latest ERO Report for the St Andrew's College was published in 2025.
Fees
Fees are reviewed each year, with careful consideration given to the costs required to deliver the high-quality education offered by the College.
Contact Information
Enquiries
For further information please contact the Assistant to Principal of Preparatory School and Preparatory School Enrolments, Charlotte Martins.
