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Today the children celebrated spotty casual wear day in support of Melanoma NZ. Please remember to donate if your child wore spots or casual wear today. Thank you.
Melanoma Awareness
As a school, we have been putting significant time and emphasis into our Melanoma campaign for the children’s long-term awareness of the dangers of the sun. New Zealand’s statistics of melanoma are irrefutable. Please use the link below to donate to Melanoma New Zealand and to support Spotty Day. We have a proud record of supporting this annual campaign over many years.
Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops in the skin’s pigment cells. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and it can progress quickly. Anyone in New Zealand can get melanoma. It is treatable if diagnosed early, but if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the prospects can be fatal.
Statistics
Risk Factors
Prevention
Slip on a long sleeved, collared shirt
Slop on sunscreen that is at least SPF30, broad spectrum and water resistant
Slap on a broad brimmed hat that protects the face, neck, and ears
Seek shade
Slide on close fitting sunglasses
All Preparatory School children are required to have a St Andrew's College wide-brimmed or bucket hat at school. We hope this protection continues when they are not at school.
Today, the children visited their next year's class teacher. The process was very positive and there were mostly happy faces. However, I appreciate some of the children may not have been placed with their preferred choice. If you have a child who feels this way, please reassure them that once the new term starts they will quickly connect to their new teacher and classmates, and all will be well.
The process of allocating children to 2026 classes has taken significant time. The placement of each child was discussed by relevant staff, irrespective of whether or not information was sent to the College.
2026 Preparatory School Class Teachers
When the crossing is operating before and after school please do not attempt to turn right onto Normans Road. With increased traffic and high numbers of pedestrians and cyclists the risk of an accident is high.
Also, please ensure you use the crossing when it is operating if you are within 80m. This distance is determined by a diamond shaped crossing sign on the relevant lamp posts either side.
Next week, on Thursday 27 November, the MacGibbon House children can celebrate their victory by wearing a little or lot of yellow.
Regards
Jonathan Bierwirth
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
The Future Problem Solving National Final was held in Christchurch on Saturday 8 November. Following success in the September qualifying round on the topic of Agricultural Industries, two Preparatory School teams earned their place at the event. Under the guidance of coach Sonia Lewis, students worked diligently throughout the year and especially during the first four weeks of Term 4, preparing for the national topic of Nanotechnology.
Our Junior B Division Global Issues Booklet Year 7 team of Jessica Whitehead, Annabelle Irwin, Samuel Rijpma and Vitek Mencl, placed second place nationally for their presentation of action plan, where the team were able to include extra FPS students for this section of the contest, Alfred Lash and Mia Zhang. Also competing were our Junior Division Global Issues Booklet Year 8 team of James Zuo, Matthew Zhang, Casey Gamble and Benjamin Hyde, and Alfred Lash (Year 7) in the Individual Competition.
Old Collegian Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson (OC 2013), Principal Dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, recently performed in The Nutcracker at the Isaac Theatre Royal alongside Cynthia Zhang (Year 4 Ballet Academy). Joshua starred as the Prince, while Cynthia enjoyed her role as a child at the party.
Last weekend, Frank McHarg (Year 8) won both the Singles and Doubles titles at the Canterbury Primary Schools Tennis Tournament, making a strong comeback from a year out due to injury.
The Writers’ Enrichment Programme at the Preparatory School, led by our Writer in Residence, Kerrin Davidson, offers lunchtime workshops where students develop their writing skills and learn to express ideas clearly. These sessions focus on structure, language, and creativity, and many students have produced work that has been published, both nationally and internationally. The programme continues to provide valuable opportunities for young writers to grow and share their work.
The following students have had work published during Term 4:
The Cathedral Grammar School’s Summer Exchange was a fantastic day of sport and camaraderie despite a drizzly start. St Andrew’s opened with a Mixed touch fixture, delivering an emphatic 16–2 win, with Thomas Hopping (Year 8) named Player of the Match. On the tennis courts, our players showed great depth, winning 9 of the 12 matches across Singles and Doubles. In cricket, the Preparatory team posted an impressive 200 runs from 30 overs, led by Hopping’s composed 47 n.o., before bowling Cathedral Grammar out well short of the target. A big thank you to all players, coaches, and supporters for making this a memorable occasion.
In the last competition of the year in Greymouth, Georgia Gregg (Year 8), competing in the U14 category, won Most Points, the Sailors Hornpipe, and Sword Dance.
Step into a world of enchantment, where fairies weave spells, a kingdom slumbers under a wicked curse, and true love awakens with a single kiss. Set to Tchaikovsky’s breathtaking score and brought to life through exquisite choreography, The Sleeping Beauty is a timeless ballet that blends grace, grandeur, and a touch of magic. Join Princess Aurora, the Lilac Fairy, and a cast of fairy tale characters in this radiant celebration of beauty, hope, and the triumph of love.
Dates and times:
Where: Gough Family Theatre – Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: Adult $38.00 | Student $20.00 (student ID may be requested on entry)
A recent review of near misses from January to September has highlighted that many incidents have occurred around the Drop-off Zone and Road Patrol area. While no injuries were sustained, these situations could have resulted in harm under slightly different circumstances. We have introduced several safety measures over the past year and continue to work with the Christchurch City Council and New Zealand Police to improve safety. Police will provide occasional visits to enforce safe driving behaviours.
How you can help – Road Patrol
How you can help – Drop-off Zone and Carpark
Your cooperation is essential to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community. Thank you for your support.
Project Infinity is a voluntary initiative that assembles Christmas bags for school children in need, and sometimes their family members as well. The group works closely with Bromley Primary School and Opawa Primary School. Both schools have families who are struggling, and Project Infinity provides them with a new school bag filled with clean pre-loved clothing, new socks and underwear, and a small toy. Each year, the children are absolutely delighted with their unexpected gift. Bromley Primary School holds a celebration evening for the children who are chosen, and they enjoy the festivities with their families and then take home their special bags!
Your donation is needed: Community support makes this project possible. Donations of clean, pre-loved clothing for girls and boys aged 5–18 are warmly welcomed. Designer labels are not required – any contribution will be gratefully accepted. Clothing can be dropped off at the Preparatory School reception, with the final collection day being Friday 5 December. Thank you for helping make a difference this Christmas!
If you made a PTA Christmas Goodies order, orders may be collected from the College's Second-hand Uniform Shop between 3.00pm–4.30pm on:
Please note, the final day for collection of orders will be Thursday 27 November.
Thank you once again and we hope you enjoy your Christmas Goodies.
From the St Andrew’s College PTA
The Preparatory School will run a Sport Holiday Programme during the last week of the January holidays (Monday 19 – Friday 23 January).
Who: Year 1–8 students
Time: 9.00am–1.30pm daily (drop-off from 8.30am in the Preparatory School Library)
Cost: $325 for the week (until 1.30pm) or $400 (until 3.30pm, includes supervision)
Daily rate: $80 (until 1.30pm) or $95 (until 3.30pm)
Sports: Invasion games, frisbee golf, basketball, futsal, pickleball, and more!
Lunch: Subway on Mon/Wed/Fri; pizza on Tue/Thu (extra $15 for foot-long option). Students bring morning tea and a water bottle.
Permission form and Subway orders must be completed by Friday 16 January.
Please ensure medical information is up to date for your child in the Community Portal, by clicking this link: https://stac.nz/Details. Please indicate if there are any specific medical requirements or considerations, we need to be aware of to assist in your child’s participation.
Unlock confidence, creativity, and expressive power through Speech and Drama. This programme nurtures students from Years 1–13, building communication skills, imagination, and self-belief that last a lifetime.
Existing students are invited to pre-enrol for 2026 to secure their place for next year. New students are warmly welcomed, whether stepping onto the stage for the first time or continuing to develop their voice and presence, every child is encouraged to shine. Join a supportive environment where students grow in confidence, connection, and courage – skills that go far beyond performance. Spaces are currently available for all year levels.
For more information, and to register your child for Speech and Drama Tuition, please click here.
The College Shop – Thistles will be open in December with the following summer hours:
Thistles will re-open in 2026 with the following hours:
The final operating day for the Second-Hand Uniform Shop in 2025 will be Friday 19 December. In January 2026, the Second-hand Uniform Shop will be open with the following hours:
All 2025 school 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).
