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We were delighted to welcome the children back to school on Tuesday. They seemed to be very happy to see their classmates. We also welcome back the Life Education van. The programme will continue with the classes not included last term.
Thirty-five students and seven members of staff departed Christchurch yesterday for Brisbane, Australia. There was great excitement with the start of the 2025 Australian Tour. The travelling teams are: basketball, football and rugby. The teams will play Anglican Church Grammar School, The Southport School (TSS), John Paul College, and Somerset College. We wish the teams every success and happy times.
Just a reminder that St Andrew’s College is participating in the world-renowned ICAS Assessments this year, and we encourage you to consider entering your child. The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results. Learn more about ICAS by clicking here.
Participation Parent Payment System (PPS)
St Andrew's College Preparatory School has signed up for the ICAS Assessments Parent Payment System (PPS). Through this system, parents/caregivers pay directly to ICAS online, with the Assessments administered onsite at St Andrew's College.
ICAS Assessments Registration Information
Please use the following details to register your child no later than Friday 18 July 2025:
If you have any questions about the ICAS Assessments, please contact Head of Learning Enrichment, Kelly McBride, at KMC@stac.school.nz, or speak to your child’s teacher.
The interviews start next week. Please note, all Year 4–8 children are required to attend the interviews.
Please enter and leave the Junior Department via the gate behind the Pre-school.
Entry to the Years 4–8 building is via the front door.
Bookings will close tomorrow at 4.00pm (Friday 18 July).
Site link: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
School code: 9vm6s
At this interview, your child’s mid-year report and results will be discussed.
The number of families signing up to our Hold the Line 'Til Year 9 Parent Pledge continues to increase. There are now seven classes with active pledges: 2S, 4S, 4T, 5A, 5C, 6T, and 7S. Ten pledges per class are needed to activate the pledge. 6S, 7C and 7T are almost there. If you would like to sign up, please use the following link: Sign the Pledge.
The pledge is a way to commit to delaying smartphone ownership for your child until at least Year 9. It aligns with the College’s position of encouraging free, unstructured play, adults modelling healthy tech habits, and introducing social media gradually and thoughtfully – ideally not before age 16. If you missed the recent StACTalk on this topic, you can view the slides here: View the Presentation Slides.
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
The Preparatory School held a Sport Medley Holiday Camp in the first week of the holidays, attended by 30 students from Years 1–8. With 15 sports over five days, it was a great way to encourage fitness activity in the holiday break. Thank you to Alex Kelley, Isaac Leota, Belinda Field-Dodgson and Grace Vincent Parr (OC 2024) for providing this opportunity for the Preparatory School students.
Zongze (Aaron) Li (Year 7) won first place in the VMR category at the 2025 KartSport New Zealand National Schools Championship in the Bay of Plenty, representing St Andrew’s College. This is the largest annual karting competition between schools in New Zealand.
A number of Preparatory and Secondary School students competed in the Christchurch Speech and Drama Competitions in the July school holidays. Competitors had fun and showed a high standard of performance and presentation skills, participating whole heartedly in this public event. It takes courage to face an audience as a solo performer and students, parents and teachers can be very pleased with the results.
View the Speech and Drama Competition results by clicking here.
Earlier in the year, over the Matariki weekend, Aoife Forsyth (Year 8) competed in the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (RSOBHD) New Zealand nationals in Taranaki. Competitors came from around New Zealand and Australia to participate. Aoife achieved third overall, with two first-place finishes, a second and a third place, five fourths, and one fifth place.
A number of St Andrew’s students saw success at the New Zealand Highland Dancing Championships held in Christchurch over the July holiday break at Cashmere High School, gaining national titles and rankings. Around 240 competitors from throughout the country participated. Results:
The StACTalks: Smartphones, Social Media and Well-being video recording is now available for those who missed the event or want to revisit key insights.
Watch the StACTalks: Smartphones, Social Media and Well-Being video >As part of the College’s ongoing commitment to student well-being, we recently recorded another online session in our StACTalks series, focusing on the signs and symptoms of concussion. We were privileged to welcome two expert speakers: Jeremey Caunt, Clinical Psychologist at the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, and Bridget Ford, Director of the Christchurch Headache Clinic. Watch the video for Bridget and Jeremey’s valuable insights into the causes, symptoms, and treatment of concussion injuries, – helping students, staff, and parents/caregivers better understand this important health issue.
Watch the StACTalks: Concussion – Signs and Symptoms video >
In this brief informational video, our School Registered Nurse, Josie Gunning, outlines the St Andrew’s College procedures for parents, coaches, and whānau to follow when a student is suspected of sustaining a concussion, ensuring they receive timely and appropriate care.
Read our policy on Managing Injuries and Illness by clicking here.
Read the Guidelines for Managing Head Injuries by clicking here.
Watch the StACTalks: Concussion Procedures at St Andrew's College video >Experience the thrilling sounds of StAC Attack 2025! A St Andrew’s College Pipe Band event at the prestigious Christchurch Town Hall – James Hay Theatre, this highly anticipated showcase guarantees an unforgettable evening of traditional Scottish entertainment.
Immerse yourself in the rich harmonics of the bagpipes, the infectious beat of the drums, and the flair of the Highland dancers as they take the stage. With talented St Andrew's College students from Years 4–13 showcasing their skills, StAC Attack promises to be an action-packed performance.
Be a part of the magic at StAC Attack 2025!
When: Sunday 27 July, 4.00pm–6.00pm
Venue: Christchurch Town Hall, James Hay Theatre
Tickets: Adults $59.50 | Students $38.80 (student ID may be requested)
PURCHASE TICKETS >
Join us for the 2025 StAC Ag Show! Students at all year levels can enter several fun categories, such as baking, art, flower arrangements, and Lego creations, with ribbons awarded for first to third place in each category. Some incredible grand prizes are available, including an animal care package from Rangiora Vet Centre for the animal categories, as well as prizes in the plant and food, and art and photography categories. There will be several raffles on offer, and anyone who enters may be in to win a spot prize! There is something for everyone at this free, A&P Show-inspired event. Come along to Gym 1 to experience all the art, baking, and pet entries, as well as the petting zoo – get set for a day of agricultural fun!
Entry cost: $3.00 per category (charged to College Account).
Entries close at 4.00pm on Thursday 14 August.
To enter your child(ren) into the StAC Ag Show, please complete the relevant entry form(s) below:
In support of the Boarders’ Assembly on Friday 1 August, the Agriculture Committee will once again hold Gumboot Day to support and raise money for youth mental health charity, ‘I am Hope’. Students and staff can wear (clean) gumboots to school. The gumboots are to be worn with the children’s school uniform. Wristbands will be available this year for $2.00 each, pay by cash or EFTPOS.
Donate online by clicking here >
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).
