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Sincere thanks to everyone who attended this week’s StACTalk. The Gough Family Theatre was not quite at capacity, but certainly the response was one of the best we have ever had for a parent evening about technology and smartphones. There was a definite buzz of interest and anticipation in the air. The College’s Head of Guidance, Tom Matthews, was engaging and hard-hitting about the impact and damage smartphones have on our young people. He was well supported by the other speakers who added to his message – Vicki Pettit from a personal family context, Matt Parr about the social media behaviours and concerns in Boarding, and Wilj Dekkers regarding what smartphones really do that most people do not appreciate or understand.
Parents and caregivers who attended expressed a strong desire for both the school and the wider community to take a united and proactive stance in this space.
The key strategies discussed during the evening – many of which align with the ideas presented in The Anxious Generation written by Jonathan Haidt – include:
1. Encouraging free, unstructured play.
2. Adults’ role-modelling healthy technology use.
3. Introducing social media in a staggered and informed way, ideally not before age 16.
4. Delaying smartphone ownership until at least Year 9.
To support a collective community response, we have launched a parent pledge called: Hold the Line ‘til Year 9. By signing the pledge, parents commit to delaying giving their child a smartphone until at least Year 9. Once 10 families in a class have signed, the pledge becomes active. Participating families will be notified by email and provided with a list of others who have joined, encouraging connection and mutual support.
If you would like to learn more or sign up, you can do so by clicking here.
A strong message from the evening was the importance of holding firm to family values. A Mobile Phone Family Agreement was shared as a helpful tool to guide conversations around smartphone use, and how it aligns with your family’s principles. Printed copies of this handout are available at the Preparatory School reception, or online at the Pledge link above.
Lastly, we understand that many parents were keen to attend but were unable to make it. The event was filmed, and once editing is complete, the video will be made available for viewing.
Platters will be provided by Thomas and Jo Patterson (owners of Hotel Montreal and current Year 7 parents.)
Drinks and other food available for purchase at the bar.
This is a great opportunity to meet other parents with children in Year 7. Please complete the form to RSVP by Monday 16 June, by clicking here.
This week our school community has come together to promote kindness, inclusion, and respect for all.
To mark the end of Schools' Pride Week, an initiative by InsideOUT, tomorrow Friday 6 June, Year 7–8 students are invited to wear brightly coloured accessories (such as socks, ribbons, hats, or badges) alongside their school uniform, as a fun and visible way to show support and celebrate the diversity within our community.
Participation is optional, and we encourage students to take part in a way that feels comfortable for them.
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
On Tuesday, 57 Preparatory School students participated in the Independent Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Cross Country Zones event, held at the Roto Kōhatu Reserve in Harewood. The conditions for racing were sublime, with a ride-on lawnmower adding the finishing touches to the track in the morning. A number of students qualified for the Canterbury Primary Schools Sports Association (CPSSA) Cross Country, including Kobe Ford and Kelicia Rui En Purcell (both Year 8) who won their races. All competitors should be proud of their hard work and determination during their 2km or 3km race.
The students who qualified for the CPSSA Cross Country event on Wednesday 18 June are:
View all results by clicking here.
Flickr >After two points races in Blenheim and Nelson, Zongze (Aaron) Li (Year 7) took second place in the 2025 The 40th Central New Zealand Sunbelt Sprint Championships.
At the Otago Centre King’s Birthday Highland Dance Competition in Dunedin, Nayana Abrahamson (Year 3) won Most points U8, Most points Highland Dances U8, and also won the the Otago Championship Sword Dance U8. Iaera Abrahamson (Year 5) won Most points U10, won of the Irish Jig Trophy U10, and also won the Otago Championship Highland Fling U10.
During the last holiday break, young footballer Indi Haydon-Uren (Year 7) had an unforgettable experience at a training camp hosted by West Ham United. Demonstrating skill, dedication, and enthusiasm, Indi was recognised for her outstanding performance by the U14 West Ham United women’s coach, earning the prestigious Coach’s Choice Award. As a result of her impressive showing, Indi has been selected to attend the West Ham United Australia National Camp this September on the Gold Coast. The intensive four-day camp will provide an incredible opportunity to further develop her football talents alongside some of the best young players in the region.
Please note, the annual Ballet photo for all dancers Years 1–13 will take place tomorrow, Friday 6 June, 8.00am–8.35am in Gym 1.
Join us for an enchanting evening at the Ballet Winter Showcase. Our Secondary School Ballet Academy dancers will perform a captivating collection of their current pieces. This event includes Performance Awards, NCEA dances, and a special premiere of a collaborative new work with Neve Pierce (Royal New Zealand Ballet, Dance Educator). Our Junior and Intermediate Company dancers from the Preparatory School will also showcase their new repertoire.
When: Friday 13 June, 7.00pm–8.00pm
Where: Gough Family Theatre, Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: Adults $25.00 | Students and Staff $20.00
Get ready to jump into June! We are excited to announce that our school will be participating in Jumping June, starting next week. This fun-filled event, organised by the Heart Foundation, encourages students to stay active through skipping, while raising awareness and funds for heart health. Participation is optional, and, to make it even easier to participate, jump ropes will be available at lunchtimes, encouraging students to move and be active. Students will take home a brochure with further information, and we will share more with the students during Preparatory School Assembly on Monday.
How to Register:
1. Watch the Jumping June Student Sign Up Tutorial video on YouTube by clicking here.
2. Complete the registration as a parent/guardian and create your child’s profile by clicking here (select St Andrew’s College as your child’s school).
If you have any questions, please email info@jumpingjune.co.nz or call 0800 377 170.
The Christian Church throughout the World celebrates Pentecost this Sunday, and many churches around New Zealand are having a week of prayer. As a Christian College with Presbyterian heritage, we would like to facilitate prayer stations for people to come to the College and participate in. Next week, parents/caregivers, staff and students are welcome to prayer stations set up in the Centennial Chapel’s reflection room each lunchtime (except for Tuesday), from 12.40pm–1.20pm.
A personal prayer request station will be one option. If you have a prayer need, or have someone in your life who is going through a tough time, please feel free to come and write down that need. Someone will pray for those needs we collect. Other stations will include: prayer for staff and leadership of St Andrew’s College, prayer for students, prayer for family and friends in need (light a candle), a Communion station, and prayer of forgiveness and reconciliation (take a pebble and place in water).
You can come and engage with one or all the prayer stations. The Chaplaincy team would love to see you.
We will be running a Sport Holiday Programme for Year 1–8 students during the first week of the Term 2 holidays (Monday 30 June – Friday 4 July).
The sessions will be run by a variety of staff. The sports included are invasion games, frisbee golf, basketball, cooperative games, futsal, pickleball, and more. Lunch will be provided and must be pre-ordered.
Please complete the online permission form below, and complete the lunch order form, by Friday 27 June at 3.00pm.
COMPLETE THE ONLINE PERMISSION FORM HERE >
A Year 7 Parent/Caregiver Gathering will be held on Wednesday 25 June, 6.00pm–8.00pm at Hotel Montreal, 363 Montreal Street.
Platters will be provided by Thomas and Jo Patterson (owners of Hotel Montreal and current Year 7 parents.)
Drinks and other food available for purchase at the bar.
This is a great opportunity to meet other parents in your child's year.
Please register for this event by Monday 16 June.
To support the running of the StAC Ag Show this year, which will take place on Thursday 21 August, we encourage you to pre-order for a delicious Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser.
If you'd like to pre-order ahead of our Ag Show (for Pre-school and Preparatory School students only), please complete the form by 5.00pm on Thursday 12 June. The show cannot run without fundraising such as this. Thank you for your support.
The sausage sizzle will be held during lunchtime on Friday 13 June and arrangements will be made for these to be served to the Pre-school, Junior Department, and Preparatory School students during lunchtime.
Complete the pre-order form >
We’re encouraging students to take part in the World Vision Challenge this month. This initiative asks them to disconnect from a chosen aspect of their daily lives for 20 hours (Preparatory School). This could be social media, gaming, the internet, or even electricity. All funds raised will support communities in the Solomon Islands, where access to food is becoming increasingly difficult.
This is a great opportunity for young people to reflect on their daily habits, bond with friends and family, and contribute to an important cause. We would love your support in encouraging them to take part.
Students can sign up on World Vision's website with St Andrew’s College Preparatory School by clicking here.
After signing up, students can collect an information booklet from Preparatory School Chaplain, Mrs Jillian Fenton.
A reminder that in Terms 2 and 3, the Preparatory School Pastoral Care team run several lunchtime clubs. These are overseen by a teacher with support from our Senior students. There is no registration required for clubs, with the exception of Code Club. More information can be found below.
Monday 12.50pm – Vex Robotics (Mrs Kamo) Years 7–8
This is for current VEX teams in Years 7–8 and will be when Mrs Kamo is on hand to support with builds.
Venue: Green Centre, email AMO@stac.school.nz.
Tuesday 12.50pm – Dance Club (Mrs Fenton)
A hip-hop dance class – run by two Secondary School students and supervised by Mrs Fenton.
Venue: Prep Drama Room, email JFE@stac.school.nz.
Wednesday 12.50pm – Coding Club (Mrs Pettit) Years 5-8
Come and learn how to code with CodingNZ. Parents can sign up at www.codingnz.com/enrol.
Venue: Food Room, email VPE@stac.school.nz.
Wednesday 12.50pm – Minecraft Club (Mrs Feller) Years 4–5
Dive into a Minecraft world and create new and exciting builds.
Venue: Downstairs learning hallway, email MFE@stac.school.nz.
Thursday 12.50pm – Chess Club (Mrs Gilray) Years 4–8
Preparatory School students verse each other in a game of chess.
Venue: Learning Hallway downstairs, email LGI@stac.school.nz.
Thursday 12.50pm – Drawing Club (Mrs Meyers) Years 4–8
A mindful and quiet space and time to work on self-directed drawing projects. Students can bring along props to sketch, or online tutorials to follow on their laptop. Headphones for music are also welcome.
Venue: Art Room, email KMY@stac.school.nz.
Friday 12.50pm – Stitch Club (Mrs Cronan) Years 4–8
A club to grow skills in needle felting – follow a pattern or go free style with an original creation. Students will also have the option to hand stitch their own sock monkeys.
Venue: Spanish/Future Problem Solving room, email ICR@stac.school.nz.
The following 2025 photographs are now available to purchase online:
Details of how to order the photographs can be found on our website using the button below and you will need to log into StACNet using your St Andrew's College login.
If you have any questions relating to this service, please email photography@stac.school.nz.
For any illness, students should stay home if unwell. Any student should also feel free to wear a mask if they wish to do so while at school.
For any absence, whether ill-health (including COVID-19) or otherwise, the College’s preferred platform for reporting this is via our online form which can be found at the button below:
If you are not able to report your child's absence using the online form, please report their absence via the relevant email address below. If you cannot get through to us via the form or email, please call our attendance line on +64 3 940 2031 (term time only).
