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Congratulations to the children who entered the competition and participated in the Ag Show today. Sincere thanks to the many people who were part of organising this much anticipated event.
The registration form is open for our annual Grandparents' Day. All visitors need to register to attend. This will ensure that the children are released from class to meet with them. Please register grandparents for this special day by clicking here.
We plan to place the children in their 2026 classes before the end of this term. Please note staffing for next year is not yet finalised and there will be some changes. The process is same as last year:
This year, the teachers will again use a computer program to assist the process. At each year level, the teachers will work together to enter the information (their own plus other sources i.e. parents, learning support, pastoral support, etc.) and the program will generate the class lists. The College's database does not have the facility to compile future classes, so to have an option that doesn't allow double entries or missed names is helpful and quicker.
On Tuesday we hosted the first of our StACTalk Café mornings – a new initiative designed to provide a welcoming space for parents/caregivers to engage in meaningful conversations, with the topic this time focusing on technology, smartphones, and student well-being. The discussion focused on several key themes:
The group agreed on the importance of continuing these conversations as a community. By sharing experiences and supporting one another, we can better guide our children through what can often feel like a digital minefield.
Below is a comparison of some commonly referenced apps based on our ongoing experience and parent discussions. During Tuesday morning’s talk another additional tool was highlighted Burnout Buddy – A helpful resource for adults seeking to manage screen time and prevent digital fatigue.
Apple Screen Time
Google Family Link
• works on Android, Chromebooks, and limited iOS;
• includes screen time limits, app blocking, Chrome-only web filtering, and location tracking;
• no social media or text/call monitoring; free and user-friendly.
Qustodio
• compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Kindle;
• offers comprehensive controls: screen time, app blocking, web filtering, and limited social media monitoring;
• paid service; includes Android-only text/call monitoring and location tracking.
Disney Circle
• manages all devices via home Wi-Fi using a device + app;
• provides screen time limits, app blocking, and network-wide web filtering;
• no location, social media, or text/call monitoring; higher cost due to device.
Our next StAC Talk Café morning will be held next week and will focus on our Years 7–8 cohort:
Hold the Line numbers – we have one more class that has reached the 10 families needed to activate the pledge – 6S. They join 10 other classes with active pledges. If you would like to sign up, please use the following link: Sign the Pledge.
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
This term the Junior Department children are learning about flight. This week the children tested some 'sure to fly' kites supplied by 'The Kite Lady,' Julie Adam. They were such fun to make and fly (in between rain showers). The Year 0–1 children were supported in making them by some wonderful Year 8, 10 and 11 students.
Flickr>
Eleanor Nortje (Year 3) competed in the Balmoral Highland Restricted Day. She gained first place in the U10 Jig, first place in the U10 Sword dance, first place in the U10 Fling, and Very Highly Commended in the U12 Sailors Hornpipe. Eleanor also received the Most Points U10 Trophy.
Archer Wyeth (Year 4), having only started dance lessons at the beginning of Term 2, has passed his Grade 4 Jazz Dance examination, gaining a Silver Award.
Theme: Book An Adventure
Excitement is starting to build for our annual Book Week during Week 9 of this term. We have five days of activities and fun planned around the theme of Book an Adventure, including visits from two fabulous New Zealand authors, Sarina Dickson and Karah Sutton.
The highlight of the week will be our annual Book Parade. This will take place on Friday 12 September starting at 12.00pm. All students are invited to dress up as their favourite adventurous book characters for the day and join in the fun.
The Preparatory School kapa haka will be performing in the Ōtautahi Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival on Saturday 13 September in the Christchurch Town Hall. The children will be performing at 9.00am in the first of four Festival concerts being held throughout the day involving different age groups.
Parents/caregivers are encouraged to book tickets for the 9.00am Ngahau – All ages (non-competitive) concert at the below link.
As the winter season winds down, we’re now preparing for the summer sports season beginning in Term 4. Please note that all sports will commence at the beginning of the term. If your child wishes to continue with the same sport from Term 1 into Term 4, no action is required. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Head of Preparatory School Sport, Dave Ermerins, at DER@stac.school.nz.
Please indicate by Friday 5 September if your child either: will not be continuing with the sport they selected in Term 1, or, would like to take up a new sport or add an additional sport. Please email the respective Sport Co-ordinator, and copy in DER@stac.school.nz with the details. While we’ll do our best to accommodate changes, we cannot guarantee placement in an alternative sport. The Sport co-ordinators and their email addresses are listed below for your reference.
SPORT CO-ORDINATOR CONTACT DETAILS
We will be running a Sport Holiday Programme for Year 1–8 students in the third week of the October holidays (Monday 6 – Friday 10 October). 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.
The sessions will run between 9.00am–1.30pm each day. Students can be dropped off from 8.30am; we will meet in the Preparatory School Library. An additional service is available for your child to be supervised from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.
COSTS: Payment will be disbursed to your College account. The cost of the programme for the week will be:
MEALS: Lunch will be included. Students have the option of a six-inch or foot-long Subway sandwich for lunch. Gluten-free wraps are also available. Students will have Subway on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They will have pizza on Tuesday and Thursday. There will be an additional $15.00 charged for a foot-long sandwich for the three days. Students will need to bring morning tea and a water bottle.
Click here to download the Subway order form. Please complete three entries (one order for each day). Please return the order form to the Preparatory School office and complete the online permission form below by Friday 19 September, 3.00pm.
COMPLETE THE ONLINE PERMISSION FORM HERE>
If you have any questions, please email Alex Kelley at AKE@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).
