Operational Information (Parent-orientated)

Term Fixtures is a ’live’ calendar on the intranet. It will be added to / updated as information is received. This can also be viewed on the St Andrew's College App (download via Apple App Store or Google Play. For more details, view the instructional video or download the PDF guide).

Important upcoming events are also listed in the Secondary School newsletter, On Strowan, which is emailed home twice per term.

Click here to view St Andrew's College 2025 Term Dates.

Attendance at all classes is compulsory. If a student is sick or unable to attend school, their parent/caregiver should complete the online form on the StAC App or website stac.nz/Absences before 8.30am.

Alternatively, they can phone the Absentee Line +64 3 940 2031 or email attendance@stac.school.nz, before 8.30am, leaving a recorded message with the following information, in this order:

• student’s name;
• tutor group;
• periods the student will be absent;
• reason for absence;
• who is leaving the message;
• daytime contact number of parents or caregiver.

If this procedure is followed correctly, no written note will be required.

This College voicemail system is for parents/caregivers only and is not to be used by students. 

Parents will be notified of accumulated unjustified absences, or if absences are a cause for concern. 

A list of unexplained absences will be circulated at Monday tutor meetings. It is each student’s responsibility to check and take whatever action is necessary. Explaining unexplained absences and late arrivals can be done with the Attendance Officer, Senior College reception, Dean and in some cases with tutors.

Lateness 

Any student who arrives late to school must report to the Senior College Office. Their arrival is documented, and a lateness note issued. All lateness notes should be given to the teacher of the class arrived at first. Students who are late to any class during the day must obtain a lateness note from the Senior College Office prior to arriving at class.

Leave

Students are encouraged to make all appointments outside school time. If this is not possible, it is a courtesy to inform teachers whose classes will be missed during the appointment time. Students must leave and return via the Leave Book located in the Senior College Office.

Year 12

During the College day, Year 12 students must obtain permission from their Dean, the Senior College Office or the Head of Senior College to leave the grounds. Permission will require a note from a parent or caregiver, a consultation appointment card, the parent or caregiver making prior contact with the school, or at the discretion of the appropriate Dean or the Head of Senior College. Departure and return must be via the Leave Book located in the Senior College Office.

Year 13 

One of the privileges of Year 13 is the ability to sign out at lunchtimes only, using the Leave Book in the Senior College Office. The book is self-sign on departure and return. Full and correct uniform must be worn while on lunch leave. Students cannot leave the grounds at other times of the day, unless they have a note from a parent or caregiver, a consultation appointment card, or if the parent or caregiver has made prior contact. Students are not permitted to leave the College during study periods.

Year 13 Home Study

In Term 3, Year 13 students are able to apply for home study. This means that they are able to study at home in their scheduled study periods if practicable. Such applications are considered on their individual merit, and the student’s academic achievement in Year 13 is taken into account. Parents are also required to accept responsibility for their son or daughter during these times. Application forms are available from the Senior College Office. Parents or caregivers will be advised of the outcome of such applications.

Special Leave

Special leave is generally granted for compassionate reasons affecting immediate family, and for participation in a recognised event (sports, cultural, seminar, conference).

Application forms for special leave can be completed online by visiting stac.nz/SeniorCollegeForms, and where possible these should be submitted no less than 10 days in advance. Parents or caregivers will be advised of the outcome of such applications.

As College holiday dates are well advertised, requests for family holidays during term time, early departures or late returns from holidays are not encouraged, due to the additional pressure placed on both students and teachers, especially in a student’s NCEA years. 

The monogram should be sewn onto the left-hand side of the blazer, under the pocket.

White Blazer Awards always appear first, followed by the blue Colour Awards. The awards should always be sewn on in date order.

If you prefer the monogram to be sewn by a tailor, please see the College Shop staff as there are local tailors who offer St Andrew's College a discount. They can also organise the sewing on your behalf.

Click here to access all College Policies.

To optimise navigation in digital and technological spaces, students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with our Cyber Safety information to gain awareness of potential risks and corresponding risk mitigation strategies.

Please see the links below for these resources:

• Cybersafety – Online Safety Tips
• Safe on Social
• StAC Unplugged
• Cybersafety Use Agreement: Secondary School

Each year the Board of Governors reviews the level of fees and adjusts these as necessary. The Board is responsible for establishing the resources needed to maintain the high standards of the College and to provide those resources necessary for the continued development of the facilities and property.

An invoice will be posted to you at the beginning of each month, and the due date for payment is shown at the foot of the statement. Tuition fees will be charged in ten equal instalments, on the invoices dated 31 January to 31 October.

Please note that if you wish to withdraw your child from the College, one full term’s notice, in writing, is required. Failure to do this will result in fees for half a term being charged.

The Fortnightly Feedback provides the opportunity for teachers to regularly report to parents on the contribution that their child is making to their own learning through their attitude and effort.

The student is scored on a simple 1–5 scale. The scores are explained below:

Parents are able to, using their St Andrew’s College login, access the Notes through the Community Portal: stac.nz/StACPortal

The Feedback complement our current bi-annual formal academic report and teacher meetings. They supplement the existing expectation and practice (in accordance with our ‘no surprises policy’) of a teacher contacting a parent to share particular concern/s about a student’s attitude, behaviour or progress in class.

The membership fee for the Old Collegians Association is included in the acceptance fee for the College, making all students life members after graduation. The Association’s purpose is to foster and maintain an interest by Old Collegians in St Andrew’s College and provide the opportunity for its members to engage with fellow members, the College, and its community.

The Association undertakes a number of social activities each year and provides financial assistance to students experiencing hardship.

Alumni and Community Relations Co-ordinator:
Lisa Clark
P +64 3 940 2085
E oldcols@stac.school.nz.

Below is a summarised version of our Student Social Media Guidelines. Please click here to read the guidelines in full.

Student Social Media Guidelines Summary

St Andrew's College recognises the significance of social media in modern society, offering opportunities for students to learn, engage, and communicate. The College aims to implement guidelines to safeguard students' and the College's reputation. The guidelines cover three main sections:

Approach to Social Media as a St Andrew's College Student:

• students should exercise vigilance and common sense as social media posts can reach unintended audiences and may have lasting consequences;
• only post content suitable for future employers or teachers, even in private accounts or groups;
• always assume that comments made on social media can be traced back to the author and remain respectful, positive, and considerate;
• avoid sharing private and personal information, being indecent or obscene, and making false allegations;
• comply with the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, avoiding harmful digital communication.

St Andrew's College Social Media Rules:

• prohibits students from posting in school uniform or on the College campus on publicly viewable accounts or groups;
• prohibits inappropriate content on any College-related accounts, public or private;
• students are not allowed to create or manage accounts/groups using St Andrew's College Intellectual Property without explicit permission.

College-related Social Media Accounts/Groups Rules:

• outlines the process for creating College-related accounts/groups, with different requirements for different group types;
• accounts/groups must be private and only include family, friends, and supporters who personally know at least one group member.
• to create a College-related social media account/group, students must seek permission from the Communications Department by submitting a proposal, specifying the purpose and content of the account/group;
• each account/group must have one or more dedicated staff member(s) who agree to be responsible for its setup, management, and oversight;
• specifies the different rules around student access, account/group privacy and posting based on whether the group/account is categorised as level 1 or level 2;
• all account login details for all College-related accounts must be provided to the Communications Department to ensure constant access for monitoring and compliance with guidelines;
• The Communications Department must have a current list of all users with access to the account to hold them accountable for their actions, if required.

Breaching Social Media Guidelines:

• disciplinary actions, such as detention, suspension, expulsion, or removal of leadership position, may be taken for guideline breaches.

Students are expected to adhere to these guidelines, with disciplinary action for any breaches.

This photo showcases some of the more commonly worn uniform combinations.

All senior students are to have red braid on their blazer and wear the Senior College tie or other approved tie. This identifies them as a member of the Senior College and marks their seniority within the College community. 

College uniform is worn at school and when travelling to and from College. Students are required to:

• wear a blazer in the street – this includes moving to and from cars;
• wear shirts tucked in with the top button and tie done up;
• wear blouses with the top button and tie done up;
• wear shorts / trousers / skirts / culottes which fit appropriately and are not too long or too short;
• wear approved clothing at Physical Education and sports practices;
• wear clean and polished black leather lace-up shoes in a conservative style with the laces tied;
• scarves may be worn to and from school but not during the school day.

Patterned or coloured T-shirts under school shirts are not permitted. Coloured socks may not be worn. 

When travelling with College teams or groups casual clothes may sometimes be approved, but only in special cases such as field trips or Outdoor Education trips.

A final decision on what constitutes good grooming will be made by the Head of Senior College in consultation with the Head of Secondary School and the Years 12 and 13 Deans. 

Female Fit

• collarless blazer;
• white shirt – short or long-sleeved;
• skirt – checked, hem on the knee; or
• culottes – black; or
• pinafore – checked; or
• tailored charcoal trousers (worn with black socks);
• black tights in winter, plain white turnover ankle socks in summer.

Male Fit

• collared blazer;
• white shirt – short or long-sleeved;
• charcoal shorts;
• black walk socks with blue and white bands.

Non-gendered Items and Accessories

• tie – dark blue stripe;
• vest or jersey (optional year round);
• cardigan;
• scarf (optional in winter; not to be worn in class);
• black leather shoes – laced or buckled;
• belt – must be black.

Guidelines for Good Grooming

Hair and Grooming

Hair must not be longer than the length of the collar at the back, must fall above the eyebrow line, and should be of even length overall. It should be cut in a conservative style and not shorter than a number three comb. Sideboards must not be lower than the earlobe or wider than 2.5cm. Hairstyles that are deemed to be 'mullets' will not be allowed.

Faces must be clean-shaven.

Long hair must be tied back. Hair jewellery is not acceptable. Ribbons and ties must be blue or white. Scrunchies must be black, navy blue or white.

Hair must be clean and well-groomed, in the range of natural hair colour only and kept clear off the face and above their eyebrows. Unusual hairstyles, including streaking of hair, dreadlocks and braided hair, will not be permitted.

Jewellery

Only young women are able to wear one pair of studs or sleepers in the lobe of the ears. No other rings or studs of any type may be worn by any student. Wristbands, bracelets, finger jewellery, piercings and body art which are visible while wearing the College uniform are not permitted. Christening bracelets require special exemption from the College Chaplain. Cultural tattoos or other culturally significant items of jewellery may be approved by the Head of Secondary School on application by students.

Make-up and Nails Guidelines

Make-up and nail varnish is not part of the College uniform, and it is not to be worn at any time with school uniform or sports uniform. 

Uniform Report

If a student wears their uniform incorrectly, or their standard of appearance is below what is expected in the Senior College, they will be placed on uniform report. This means that for a period of five College days, the student must report to the Senior College Office between 8.15am and 8.30am for their uniform and appearance to be checked. If uniform report is not completed in the stipulated time, then there will be an escalation of discipline. Persistent uniform breaches will result in a student being placed on Senior College (Friday) consequence or Saturday detention.

Bringing a vehicle to College carries responsibilities which are non-negotiable.

Any student who wishes to bring a vehicle to College must complete the online Vehicle Use Identification Form by visiting stac.nz/SeniorCollegeForms.

Student Vehicle Rules are detailed below. The rules ensure that the College receives information in the interests of safety of student drivers and their passengers. Students who do not complete the Vehicle Use Identification Form or observe the Student Vehicle Rules must be prepared to accept responsibility for their choices. Consequences range from loss of privilege to Saturday detention.

Student Vehicle Rules

These rules apply to all students who drive a vehicle to College. Their aim is to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users, and to promote courtesy and respect towards College neighbours. They apply to all students, including boarders, who have their own vehicles at school.

1. The ability to bring a vehicle to College is regarded as a privilege. This privilege may be withdrawn by the College if a student infringes any of these Student Vehicle Guidelines or any relevant statutory requirements, while driving to or from College or a College activity.
2. All students who drive a vehicle to College must provide identification information to the College. An online Vehicle Use Identification Form must be completed annually and signed by a parent or caregiver – visit: stac.nz/SeniorCollegeForms
3. Students who have obtained a full licence will also require parental approval to carry other students as passengers on College related trips. This approval must be given on the Vehicle Use Identification Form.
4. Students with a restricted licence may not carry St Andrew’s College students, other than siblings, as passengers, even if the passenger has a current full licence. For siblings this permission must be specifically included by parents on the Vehicle Use Identification Form.
5. Students must comply with any additional conditions indicated by parents / caregivers on the Vehicle Use Identification Form.
6. Student parking is to be in the following areas only: Brenchley Avenue, Chapter Street, College Avenue, Hartley Avenue, Halton Street, Normans Road, St Andrews Square, Urunga Avenue, and Watford Street.
7. During the school day (8.00am–5.00pm) students are not permitted to park at any time in limited time zones in neighbouring streets or in staff car parks on the College grounds.
8. Years 11–12 students may not access or use their vehicles during the College day, unless permission has been given by a staff member.
9. Any changes in licence conditions or vehicles being brought to the College must be immediately communicated to the Head of Senior College, so records can be updated.
10. Students must abide by the road rules in all respects, particularly in relation to carrying passengers.
11. Members of the public who complain about student driving or parking will be encouraged to lodge a complaint with the Police either directly or via the *555 system.