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Rector's Comment

Friday 11 March 2022

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kia ora koutou katoa,

This time of the year we would normally be hosting many school tours and Open Days for both the Preparatory and Secondary Schools.  As with so many other things, we have had to create an alternative way to promote our school and allow prospective families to connect.  We are doing this by way of an online campaign which will engage with families in the coming weeks.  Your support in promoting St Andrew’s is always much appreciated. 

This week has been a challenging one, particularly in the Secondary School with a number of positive COVID-19 cases, mostly in the senior years.  Our teachers are embracing the challenge of continuous learning programmes for all students, regardless of whether they are at school in class or engaging with their learning from home.  It is not easy for the teachers and running both programmes is even more time consuming and demanding than usual.  Fortunately, our students are remaining positive, motivated, and determined to make the most of the situation.  Please do let the appropriate staff member know if your child is feeling stressed or uncertain at any time. 

Teacher Planning Time
Over the next two weeks, the Secondary School will be giving each subject department a day for teachers to work collaboratively on their online learning strategy.  This will require the subject (e.g., English) to have a supervised study for that period.  Teachers are very grateful for this planning day.  More information will be emailed to Secondary School parents early next week and is also in the notices section of the newsletter.  Thank you to the PTA for the supportive comments at this week’s online meeting regarding the extra workload St Andrew’s staff are managing at this time. 

This morning we have filmed our Founders’ Day message with a celebration of 30 years of co-education.  We look forward to bringing you a film of this special event next Friday, when we would normally celebrate Founders’ Day with an assembly, Address to the Haggis ceremony, special awards, and the Highland Games. 

Today students made the most of the hot weather to enjoy the lunchtime activities in the quad.  It certainly brings a smile watching the Prefects and senior students engaging so energetically with younger students.  Everyone seemed to be having great fun! 

I hope you enjoy a good weekend and are coping with the challenges of this time. 

Ngā mihi nui

 

Christine Leighton
Rector

 

Christine Leighton 2021

COVID-19 Parent Information

 

A summary of important COVID-19 resources and information shared to parents and caregivers in 2022 can be found on StACNet by clicking here.

POSITIVE CASE NUMBERS AT THE COLLEGE
We would like to remind you that our positive COVID-19 figures will now be published on our COVID-19 Parent Resource page on StACNet rather than sent out via email. As well as new positive case figures, we will also include overall current and historical information. This information will be updated daily by 4.00pm. Any student who is isolating at home, and is well, will continue to receive remote learning and support from their teachers. If you do need to speak to someone, please refrain from contacting your child's teacher directly, instead please email COVID@stac.school.nz and a member of staff will call you.

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES
We have launched a simple online form to report student absences across the College. This is our preferred reporting method for all student absenteeism as it automatically alerts staff and updates our systems.

All absences should now be reported using the online form, not just COVID-19 related absences. There is no need to email or phone the attendance lines. Click the button below to access the online form.

COVID-19 STUDENT ATTENDANCE FLOWCHART > REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES >

CO-CURRICULAR SPORT
Today the Government passed an amendment to the Health Order allowing unvaccinated students the right to participate in sport for their school. This means that all students, whether vaccinated or not, can play for their school in either a school-based competition or club-based competition. The change means that for sporting venues outside of the school, Vaccine Pass requirements will no longer apply for those participating in school-related activities (curricular or extracurricular). Students will be ‘exempt’ from vaccine pass requirements. With summer sport coming to an end, all students will now be able to trial for winter sports teams and look forward to a winter season of sport.

In summary:

  • Schools can select both vaccinated and unvaccinated students;
  • This change to the Health Order is for official school teams only who play in either a school-based competition or a club competition;
  • all Secondary Sport Canterbury competitions will now allow unvaccinated students to play in their competitions;
  • these changes will apply to all venues, including council venues, that are used for school organised activities and require a Vaccine Pass;
  • the change means that for these venues, Vaccine Pass requirements will no longer apply for those participating in school-related activities (curricular or extracurricular).
  • a reminder that at the CPR Red Traffic Light setting, these activities will still be able to have up to 100 participants in a defined space, so long as the adult participants have a My Vaccine Pass.

Around the Campus

SPORTS UPDATE

It was a busy week for sport at St Andrew’s College, with results below from our first teams who competed this week.

CRICKET

The 1st XI hosted Timaru Boys’ High School on Saturday in the first day of a two-day match. Batting first, Timaru Boys made 178 with Cameron Paul (Year 13) 3/24 and Sebastian May (Year 12) 3/28. St Andrew’s scored the runs in 37 overs, with Jackson Hodgkinson (Year 11) 45, Cameron Paul 41, Will Carrodus (Year 11) 31 not out and Rory Sloan (Year 13) 32 not out off 14 balls. With six overs left in the day, Timaru Boys were 5/1.

TENNIS

GIRLS – The Senior A2 team had a bye this week, but the Senior A1 team convincingly beat Rangi Ruru Girls’ School 6–0, with fantastic serving and volleying.

BOYS – The match this week was a tough one against Christ’s College. Team captain Blake Cullen (Year 13) and his doubles partner, Josh McPhail (Year 12), lost a very close game against their opponents by six sets to seven. Ricky Kotepong (Year 10) and Duncan McCall (Year 12) had a convincing win over their doubles opponents by six sets to four. Duncan was the standout player in his performance as well as his sportsmanship.

SISSVolleyballChampionships 046A2276 FLICKR >

VOLLEYBALL

GIRLS – The Senior A Girls’ team took part in the annual Mainland Championships Competition, which consists of the top teams in the South Island. During pool play of the tournament, the team finished with three draws against Christchurch Girls’ High School A, Riccarton High School A, and Nayland College A, and a victory against Columba College A. On the final day of the tournament, the team had a loss to Waimea College A and a win against Cashmere High School. The tournament was a great success with the team finishing sixth overall.

BOYS – The Senior A Boys’ team played a very skilful Lincoln High School A team on Monday night. Coaches Tom Dunlop and Jack Pope placed a massive emphasis on serve receive at training during the week which led to a more competitive display from the team.

SO THEY CAN THEME DAY

Yesterday, in support of charity So They Can, we had a blue-themed day in the Secondary School, with students and staff coming to school dressed in various shades of blue. The proceeds from this theme day will go to supporting So They Can's important work supporting 45,000 children and their communities in Kenya and Tanzania through 37 schools, a teachers’ college, microfinance, a children’s village, and clinics.

A total of $1669 was raised for our partner school.

SoTheyCanThemeDay 046A3692 FLICKR >
PrepSportsCore 046A3349 FLICKR >

PREPARATORY SCHOOL CORE SKILLS

The Years 5–8 Core Skills programme supports students in developing skills in a chosen sport during school time. In the first three terms, the focus is the sports offered in winter at St Andrew's College. Students select a sport and are given the opportunity to develop their skills further. In Term 1, they will prepare for the upcoming season, without impacting their summer sport choices. During Term 3, the focus switches to summer sport, again allowing student to prepare for the summer sport season.

Another positive aspect of the programme is that it allows students to try another sport. Once the initial pre-season sessions have been completed, students can switch options to give another sport a go. This fits well with the ‘balance is better’ approach to sport currently adopted by the sporting codes. At certain points during the year, there is also the opportunity for information sessions, including well-being in sport, nutrition and being a team player. As well as their classroom teachers, a number of qualified coaches are employed to take part in this programme and support the skill development of the students. Above everything, students enjoy the opportunity to take part in exercising and enjoying sport with the other students from their year groups.

GOODREADS @ STAC

Research shows that regular reading offers significant benefits to students' academic, social, and emotional development. As part of the English Department’s ongoing focus on promoting reading in our community, students and staff are being encouraged to recommend books that they have enjoyed through the Good Reads @ StAC website page. Our research has revealed that our students find it motivating when their peers, teachers and parents talk about books and positive reading experiences with them. We hope that you find something here to read, recommend or discuss.

Good Reads @ StAC >
English Blog
Choir IMG 9752

CHORAL

Choirs are well underway, including Stacchorus – the choir for Years 9–10, Stacorro – a choir for Years 11–13, and a third choir we have started this year, VOX16, an auditioned choir who are working in specialised vocal techniques and soprano, alto, tenor and bass pieces. Vox means the voice and this choir will remain as a small group.

FRENCH CLUB

To celebrate Mardi Gras, ourFrench students were invited to come and have “les crêpes” for lunch. Made by Mrs Estelle Gomard, our French “assistante”, and ably assisted by Skye Atkins (Year 13), the students enjoyed a traditional French crepe with a choice of fillings – “citron et sucre/Nutella/banane/crème Chantilly”.

Student Successes

RACE WALK

Jonah Cropp (Year 12) won two gold medals at the recent New Zealand National Athletics Championships in the U18 grade for the 3000m and 5000m race walk, becoming the number one ranked U18 male in the country and smashing his 5km personal best down to 23.27 to set a new record. As a result of his performance, Jonah has been nominated to represent New Zealand with the U18 athletics team going to the Oceania Athletics Championships in Mackay, Queensland, Australia in June.

AthleticsDay A20 9501

TRIATHLON

The South Island Secondary Schools Triathlon and Duathlon Championships were held in Oamaru last weekend. Max Blockley (Year 12) competed in the Senior Boys’ individual triathlon event, which involved a 750m ocean swim, a 20km cycle, and a 5km run. Max did extremely well and finished second in a time of 56:30 mins.

ADVENTURE RACING

The North Canterbury Sports Trust ran an adventure race from the Rangiora Racecourse on Sunday 6 March. Tom Edwards, Toby Harvie and Corin Simcock (all Year 13) formed a three-man team and competed in the Open category. There were three stages to the race – a mountain bike, a rogain, followed by another mountain bike. They navigated their way around the course to finish first in a time of 4:30:10 hrs. Hugo Ranken and Elliot Graves (both Year 11) also competed in the Open grade but didn’t finish the course as they ran out of time to get to the finish.

Staff Success

POETRY

College Receptionist, Marisa Cappetta, has had a poem accepted for publication in Landfall, the literary journal produced by the Otago University Press. Landfall is New Zealand's foremost and longest-running arts and literary journal. The poem Elegy for My Dad is both homages to her dad and observation on grief in both humans and animals. The poem is under copyright, so we are unable to share it, however, below are the links to her previously published material.

Autumn Issue >
Winter Issue >

Canterbury Representative

Gemma Lewis Equestrian

EQUESTRIAN

Gemma Lewis (Year 12) was selected to represent Canterbury in all three Canterbury Area team competitions for the 2021/22 season held in January. The Canterbury Area dressage team placed first in the South Island and second nationally. Gemma also won the top Secondary School Intermediate rider and the top Intermediate pair with her fellow intermediate rider, placing second in the Intermediate U18 section. The Canterbury Area mounted games team placed first both in the South Island and nationally. The Canterbury Area show jumping team (for which Gemma was reserve), also placed first in both the South Island and nationally.

Further results:

  • Southland Premier League Show, Gore, in December – Reserve Champion Level 3, won the Wings Cadet Trophy for highest percentage for a Young Rider (U21), Champion Pony Rider and the Brenda Ward Trophy for the best music in the Level 3 Musical Freestyle class.
  • World Dressage Challenge, Christchurch, in December – sixth in the Youth class in Zone 8 (which includes New Zealand, South Africa, and Taiwan) on Triple Star Blank Canvas (third in New Zealand) and fourth in New Zealand on Ruanuku R in the Prix St George (twelfth in Zone 8).
  • Canterbury Premier League Show in December – Champion Level 4 Pony on Pennyweight Effervescent, Reserve Champion Level 3 Pony on Triple Star Blank Canvas, third in Level 7 on Ruanuku R and won the award for the highest musical percentage for a pony.
  • South Island Dressage Championships in February – Level 4 Pony Champion and Top Young Rider U17 riding a pony.
  • South Canterbury North Otago Summer Championships, Waimate, in February – Reserve Champion Level 2 Horse and won Level 3 Series for the 2021/22 season.

New Zealand Representative

FENCING

Ryan Stewart (Year 13) has been selected to represent New Zealand in the Fencing Cadet and Junior World Championships in Dubai in April. We look forward to sharing his results.

Fencing Ryan IMG 0607

Old Collegians

Tapenisa AthleticsDay 2S5A3160

TRACK AND FIELD

Tapenisa Havea (OC 2021 and Head Girl), recently competed at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track and Field Championships in Hawke's Bay, winning silver medals for both the Senior Women's shot put and Senior Women's discus.

Tapenisa added 5cm to her personal best for shot put with 15.97m to take the medal just behind Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Maddi Wesche. In the discus, she set her second personal best of the day with a throw of 53.40m. Tapenisa has qualified for both the shot put and discus for the upcoming Oceania and World U20 Championships.

ADVENTURE RACING

Molly Spark (OC 2021) is competing in the 2022 GODZone Adventure Race as part of Team FEAR Youth, with their age range between 16 and 19 years old. They are currently in 21st place with the event finishing tomorrow.

Molly 275505908 2083048795210069 910540411159153256 n

Good Luck

Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the coming weekend in sports and cultural activities.

  • South Island Secondary School Rowing Championships, Twizel
  • Canterbury Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships

Notices and Upcoming Events

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Online alternatives are currently being considered for holding Parent-Teacher interviews for Years 11–13. These will be held towards the end of the term and details will be provided in due course.

SECONDARY SCHOOL INDEPENDENT STUDY PERIODS (WEEKS 7– 9)

Some departments in the Secondary School are taking a day across the next three weeks to review their programmes in the midst of the disruption of COVID-19. This means that your child’s subject teacher will not be present on a particular day. Teachers will not be setting relief work for the class. Instead, your child can use this time to work independently on any of the following: assessment, revision/study, or reading. The class teacher will communicate to their students prior to the affected class and your child needs to self-manage to ensure that they have something to work on that period related to their learning.

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL FROM ISOLATION

Secondary School students who return to school from isolation should report to the Middle School or Senior College office on their first morning back. We have a brief online survey for each student to complete so we can find out how they are feeling about returning to school, and if they have any concerns with schoolwork. Our Deans will use these forms to identify students who might need further help or follow-up. Please contact Head of Middle School, Mikae Tuu’u, or Head of Senior College, John Ruge for more information.

2023 APPLICATIONS FOR SIBLINGS AND CHILDREN OF OLD COLLEGIANS

Our enrolment round for St Andrew’s College for 2023 is now open.

  • Year 9 boarding applications close on Monday 14 March.
  • Years 1–9 applications for siblings of current and past students, and children of Old Collegians close on Monday 21 March.
  • General applications for Years 1–9 close on Friday 8 April.

Due to the large amount of interest we have in places next year, please ensure your applications are submitted by the due dates above.

Apply Online >
Open Day

COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

The Community Business Directory is on our website under Alumni & Community and represents over 100 parent businesses. Please do take a look at how many businesses you can support locally.
The St Andrew's College Community Business Directory >

If you would still like to register your business, complete the following form.
Community Business Directory Registration >

Community Directory 1

KEY DATES

 

Friday 18 March – Founders’ Day Assembly (this will be presented as a pre-recorded video in tutor classes and next week’s Rector’s Comment)

Friday 8 April – Term 1 ends

 

For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.