Senior School
Kura Tuākana
The Senior School at St Andrew’s College supports Year 12–13 students through the final stage of their school journey, as they take greater ownership of their learning, leadership, and future pathways. Students are treated as emerging adults, with the independence, support, and challenge they need to pursue excellence and prepare for life beyond school.
Why choose St Andrew’s Senior School
The final two years of school are a time of increasing choice, responsibility, and direction. At St Andrew’s, senior students are supported to specialise in their learning, extend themselves academically, contribute to College life, and develop the confidence and maturity needed for what comes next.
The Senior School combines strong academic pathways with leadership, careers education, co-curricular involvement, pastoral care, and a dedicated senior environment. Students are encouraged to aim high, make thoughtful decisions, and grow as young adults who are ready to step beyond the College with purpose.
Our Leadership Team
Our Senior School leadership team works closely with students, families, tutors, and teachers to support academic progress, well-being, pathways, and leadership across Years 12–13. The team helps students make purposeful choices, manage increasing independence, and prepare for their next steps beyond school
John Ruge
Head of Senior College
Riley Gain
Year 12 Dean, Teacher in Charge of Athlete Sport Development and Athlete Sport Performance Programmes
Lucy Curtis
Year 13 Dean
Joining the Senior School
Most Year 12–13 students have already moved through St Andrew’s, but the Senior School also welcomes students joining from other schools. Many are drawn by the Electives programme, strong academic pathways, and the opportunity to be part of a co-educational senior environment with broad opportunities across learning, sport, culture, service, and leadership.
Once students choose St Andrew’s, they are challenged and supported to pursue excellence across academic, sporting, and cultural life. The Senior School provides the structure, encouragement, and resources to help students make the most of their final years at the College
Growing as young adults
The Senior School years are a time of transition from dependence towards independence and interdependence. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, manage themselves well, and develop the motivation, accountability, and judgement that will support them beyond school.
At St Andrew’s, growth is supported across academic, social, spiritual, cultural, sporting, and recreational life. Students are valued as individuals and encouraged to develop healthy relationships, social responsibility, and the confidence to contribute positively within and beyond the College.
Tutor group system
Tutors play a central role in Senior School life. They act as a key point of care for students in their group, overseeing academic progress, co-curricular involvement, and well-being, while maintaining strong communication with parents.
The tutor system is built around regular contact, small group connection, and a sense of belonging. It helps ensure senior students remain known and supported as they take increasing responsibility for their learning and future pathways
Well-being and pastoral care
Pastoral care in the Senior School supports students academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually as they prepare for life beyond the College. It recognises the importance of well-being, self-esteem, career guidance, spiritual development, moral growth, social skills, and academic progress.
The system is designed to connect each student with supportive adults, promote well-being, and help young people participate confidently and positively in the College community.
Te Waka – Year 13 programme
Te Waka is a distinctive Year 13 programme that builds on the foundation laid in Year 10. Integrated into the Senior School curriculum, it supports students’ personal, social, and emotional development as they prepare for life beyond school.
Through dedicated time for reflection and connection, students consider how their experiences, relationships, values, and choices shape future decisions. At this stage of their schooling, Te Waka provides a structured opportunity for senior students to think deeply about who they are becoming and how they will step into life beyond the College
Using a seed journaling method, students reflect on the past, nurture self-awareness, and build resilience and gratitude. The programme also fosters leadership, with Year 13 students having the opportunity to mentor Year 10 Te Waka students and learn the importance of giving back.
Led by experienced staff from the Physical Education and Health Department, Te Waka offers a supportive space for students to grow into confident, responsible individuals ready for life beyond school.
An environment designed for independence
The purpose-built Rentoul Senior School Centre gives Year 12–13 students a distinctive space for their final two years of school. It allows senior students to interact independently of younger students while remaining part of the wider St Andrew’s College community.
The facility includes a large common room, café, lecture theatre, study areas, computer pod, and personal storage lockers. These spaces support study, connection, independence, and the transition towards life after school.
The Senior School curriculum
The Senior School curriculum is comprehensive and supports students as they work towards NCEA and their next steps beyond school. A strong core academic programme is complemented by a wide range of subject options, allowing students to pursue areas of strength, interest, and future direction.
Talented and dedicated teachers, tutors, peer support leaders, and external study advisers are available to help students achieve highly in coursework and external NCEA examinations. Smaller class numbers allow teachers to monitor progress closely, provide timely support, and extend students’ abilities as they grow in confidence and independence.
Assessment and reporting
Assessment and feedback are important parts of learning in the Senior School. The Weekly Feedback system allows teachers to keep parents informed about their child’s engagement, effort, and behaviour in class.
Using a simple 1–5 scale, teachers provide regular feedback that sits alongside formal academic reports and teacher meetings. This supports open communication, early follow-up where needed, and the College’s “no surprises” approach to working with families
Academic Extension and Enrichment (ACEE) programme
The Academic Extension and Enrichment programme, ACEE, is offered in the Secondary School, including opportunities for senior students in Years 12–13. Academically gifted and/or talented students are formally invited to participate, with programme modules shaped around the intellectual and creative abilities of each cohort.
Senior students also have opportunities for extension, enrichment, and acceleration within specific learning areas such as English, Mathematics, and Science. Further challenge is available through New Zealand Scholarship examinations and University of Canterbury STAR programmes in Years 12–13.
Learning support
The Learning Support team helps students facing academic challenges to build confidence, strengthen foundation skills, and develop greater independence in their learning. Support is led by qualified teachers and may include reading, language, study assistance, extension, counselling, and decision-making support, depending on individual needs.
The goal is to provide tailored support in a nurturing environment, helping students build self-esteem, resilience, and the skills needed to experience academic success.
e-Learning and digital citizenship
Digital learning at St Andrew’s places students at the centre of their learning. Senior School students use technology to collaborate, access resources, complete learning tasks, and make informed decisions as responsible digital citizens.
All students are required to bring their own laptop to school, selected from a range of recommended models. This 1:1 Computing environment ensures each student has a device of comparable functionality, supporting reliable access to online learning and College systems. Digital Citizenship comprises four strands that are embedded throughout the curriculum.
Senior School electives programme
The Senior School Electives programme is a distinctive feature of St Andrew’s College. It gives students the opportunity to study subjects that broaden their horizons, introduce new areas of interest, and provide insights into career pathways and essential life skills.
Through Electives, students can explore unfamiliar areas, develop new capabilities, and make more informed decisions about future learning, work, and personal direction. The programme supports both academic progression and personal growth.
Careers education and transition
St Andrew’s prepares senior students for life after school through careers education and transition support. This programme helps students make decisions at key transition points and supports their movement from school to further education, training, or work.
It also helps students develop career management competencies, equipping them to navigate future pathways and opportunities with confidence beyond their time at the College
Student leadership
Leadership is a significant part of Senior School life. Students have opportunities to take on formal roles such as Heads of College, prefects, captains, Student Council leaders, and heads of activities, with some positions selected by peers and staff and others requiring application and selection.
At St Andrew’s, leadership is not limited to titles. Senior students are seen as role models and ambassadors for the College, expected to lead with humility, clarity, courage, and a sense of responsibility beyond the school gates
Sports and Athlete Sports Performance Programme
Sport is an important part of Senior School life, offering opportunities for participation, teamwork, challenge, and achievement. The Secondary School sports programme is led by the Director of Sport and Co-curricular Activities and is designed to reflect current trends, meet student needs, and provide pathways for those aiming to compete at higher levels.
Sport is compulsory in Years 9–12 and strongly encouraged in Year 13. Students also take part in annual athletics, swimming, and cross-country events, with opportunities to compete locally, regionally, and nationally, as well as through the College’s annual sports exchange programme.
The Athlete Sports Performance programme for Years 11–13 is an innovative programme designed to cater for young sports people interested in developing their knowledge in what it takes to become a high-performing student athlete. This programme is an extension of the Years 9–10 Athlete Sports Development programme, where students involved have the opportunity to continue to apply knowledge with greater independence under the guidance of expert mentors.
Co-curricular and cultural activities
Senior School students can take part in a wide range of co-curricular and cultural opportunities, including Speech and Drama, dance, Highland Dance, ballet, music, choirs, jazz and concert bands, barbershop groups, chamber groups, rock bands, and the College’s internationally acclaimed Pipe Band.
Senior School productions involve large numbers of students in performance and behind-the-scenes roles and are highlights of the cultural calendar. Students can also participate in events such as StAC Attack, Dance Revue, and FilmFest.
Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill and beyond the classroom
Outdoor Education remains part of the senior experience at St Andrew’s. In the Senior School, outdoor adventure is incorporated into a life skills programme, where students design their own expeditions twice a year.
The Outdoor Programme also provides leadership training for senior students through a three-day Peer Support camp in January, giving Year 12 students the skills to support the new intake of Year 9 students. Prefects and other student leaders also undertake specialist leadership training at Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill.
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 College Registrar, Lynn Smith.
