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Kia ora koutou
Our ākonga have had an exciting week of engaging in a wide range of learning experiences and are settling incredibly well into school routines. It has been energising to see them so positively involved in learning facilitated by our highly skilled classroom, itinerant, and specialist teachers.
I also loved seeing our Year 3 ākonga heading off to Beach Education and Year 7 experience surfing this week. They returned full of enthusiasm, sharing stories of riding waves and enjoying beach games. I want to take this opportunity to thank our parent helpers for their support with these Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) experiences. I know some of you assisted on more than one occasion, and I’d like you to know that your support is truly appreciated.
Throughout the week I’ve enjoyed talking to ākonga about how they are setting goals for the year, particularly by focusing on being ready, being respectful, and being safe. It has been wonderful to see how confidently they are embracing these StAC-Up expectations and living our St Andrew’s College values, both inside and outside of the school environment.
I’ve also appreciated the conversations I’ve had with a number of parents and whānau. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reach out and share your perspectives about some of the timetable changes identified at the end of 2025. I want to emphasise the importance I place on meaningful consultation that supports a strong and genuine partnership with you.
As indicated in earlier communication this week, we will be engaging in a review of timetable changes throughout Terms 1 and 2. While some aspects may be reviewed sooner, I want to assure you that we are committed to engaging constructively with our parent community, reviewing these changes carefully, and making well-considered decisions that continue to provide quality curriculum learning programmes. We appreciate the importance of continuity in learning for our ākonga, and will keep this firmly in mind as we move forward.
We are still in the early stages of gathering information, so we are not yet in a position to engage with you over specific details or timelines for consultation, engagement or potential learning accommodations. Please feel assured that we are approaching this with care, openness, and a strong priority to find the best path forward for our ākonga and community.
Thank you again for your support, patience, and passion for your child’s learning. I look forward to connecting with you at the Meet the Teacher evening next week.
Ngā mihi nui
Leigh Fowler
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy for Rector
Last year, we proudly launched Hold the Line til Year 9. This is a community initiative designed to help parents delay smartphone ownership for children. The purpose is simple but powerful: to protect tamariki from the challenges that come with early access to smartphones – such as social media pressures, reduced face-to-face interaction, and potential impacts on mental well-being.
By working together as a school community, we aim to create a consistent approach that reduces the sense of “missing out” and supports children in developing healthy habits before introducing personal devices. When families unite on this, it becomes easier for everyone to hold the line.
How it works: use the link below to 'sign the pledge', this is a commitment to delay smartphone ownership until at least the start of Year 9. Once 10 families from your child's class have signed the pledge, it becomes active. Next week, you'll receive an email confirming pledge activation for classes with 10 families, along with a list of participating families and their contact emails (if consent is given). The network of like-minded parents helps you support each other.
If you are one of the many families that signed up last year, there is no need to re-sign. Your pledge from 2025 rolls over and you will be included in all communications to new class groups regarding Hold the Line for 2026.
Mobile Phone Family Agreement: As part of our Hold the Line initiative, we have developed a Mobile Phone Family Agreement. This resource is designed to support Year 7 and 8 parents who may be considering a text‑and‑call-only phone for their child. The agreement outlines suggested expectations and provides helpful discussion points for families to work through together.
At next week’s Preparatory School Meet the Teacher evening, all Year 7 and 8 families will receive a copy. You can also access the agreement by clicking here.
Our Year 7 students enjoyed a fantastic day at Sumner Beach on Monday as part of our Transition to Year 7 Programme. The group enjoyed stunning weather, which provided the perfect conditions for a memorable day in the water. The main focus was building connections – helping students get to know one another, strengthen friendships, and feel a strong sense of belonging as they begin their Year 7 journey. Through shared challenges, lots of laughter and teamwork, students supported each other both on and off the beach. With the help of instructors, students caught plenty of waves and showed great enthusiasm, resilience, and encouragement for one another. The day also had a strong well-being focus, highlighting the benefits of being active, spending time outdoors, and trying something new. It was wonderful to see so much fun, confidence, and connection, and the day was a positive start to what we know will be a great year for our Year 7 cohort.
Flickr>
This week, our Year 1–3 classes attended a Beach Education Day at South Brighton Surf Club. The students enjoyed learning about the equipment that the lifeguards use, including their first aid kits, the inflatable rescue boat, and the variety of surf boards and rescue gear. The lifeguards reinforced the importance of being SunSmart, and groups had the opportunity to perform a play, song, or dance conveying one of the sun safe rules. Classes were also taught how to spot a rip and what to do if they were caught in one. Then, after some fun beach games, the students headed into the ocean to put their water safety skills into practice. A huge thank you to our class parents who assisted on the day and helped make the trip possible.
Flickr>For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the Fixtures page on StACNet (filter by "Preparatory School").
Swimming Prelims will be held on Monday 9 February at Jellie Park Pool. The students will be transported to and from the venue by bus. Students will compete at the below times:
Students will need to wear their PE gear and tracksuits to school, with their togs underneath. All children will require a towel, water bottles, and suitable footwear for the pool.
The preference is for blue or black swimming togs for girls, and blue or black speedos or skins (not board shorts) for boys.
The aim of the prelims is to place the students into races that are appropriate to their abilities. It is vital that the children are exposed to opportunities to practice swim safety and confidence in the water.
If your child cannot swim one length independently (Year 4) or cannot swim two lengths independently (Years 5–8) please let your classroom teacher know and they will swim a shorter distance on the day, swim with a kickboard, or be assisted by a Year 8 competitive swimmer.
Year 4 parents and whānau are invited to the Swimming Prelims.
If you are a Years 5–8 parent or whānau, please wait until the Swimming Championships Day on Monday 23 February to support your child. More information will follow for the Swimming Sports Championships.
Junior Choir: This choir is for children in Years 3–5. This is not an auditioned choir. It is compulsory for Year 3 and Year 4 children to sing in the choir. Year 5 children all sing in the choir for the first term and then can choose if they wish to remain in the choir for terms 2–4, where they will join the Cantare Choir. Cantare Choir rehearses period 6 on a Thursday in the Preparatory School Music Room. The weekly choir rehearsal for the Junior Choir is on Thursday afternoon, 2.25pm in the Music Room. Directed by Ros Emeleus, accompanist Margot Askin. The Junior Choir starts Week 1.
Cantare Choir: This is an all-comers (not auditioned) choir for children in Years 6–8. This year the choir will rehearse at 11.40am–12.00pm on a Tuesday morning in the Centennial Chapel, and period 5 (1.35pm) on Monday afternoon in the Preparatory School Music Room. The choir sings mostly secular music and participates in the annual Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival in Term 4. Choir director: Ros Emeleus, Choir Manager: Greta Henley, accompanist Margo Askin. Cantare Choir will start Week 2, Monday 2 February in the afternoon.
Preparatory School Orchestra: This orchestra is for anyone Year 4 and up who is learning an instrument and can read basic music notation. This includes guitar and recorder players. Beginners are welcome. Players bring their lunch to the Music Room and eat before the rehearsal. The rehearsal time is Wednesday lunchtime in the Music Room starting Week 2, Wednesday 4 February. Orchestra members will need their own clearfile for the storage of orchestra music. Directed by Ros Emeleus, assisted by Greta Henley.
If you have any questions, please email Music Teacher, Ros Emeleus, at REM@stac.school.nz.
We’re excited to introduce a new initiative: Coffees and Catch-Ups. Held at The Coffee Cart, located in Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre, these informal sessions provide a relaxed opportunity for you to meet and chat with key staff throughout the year over a cup of coffee. No RSVP required – just drop in after drop-off!
We’re thrilled to announce that our first session will be attended by Rector, Mark Wilson, and Principal of Preparatory School, Leigh Fowler.
View all upcoming Coffee and Catch Ups by clicking here.
We’re excited to invite you to our first ever StAC Community Fête! This special event will bring students and families together on the Front Field for an evening of fun, food, and connection.
Date: Friday 13 March (Founders’ Day)
Time: 5.00pm–7.00pm
Venue: Front field
Parking: Available on school grounds via Circuit Street
This event is all about bringing our community together – Pre-school, Preparatory, and Secondary Schools, and celebrating the start of the year in a relaxed, family-friendly way. With bouncy castles, activities, music, and food trucks, there’s something for everyone. Please note this is an alcohol-free event.
Entry is free, but please register your attendance at the link below. We hope you’ll join us and make this inaugural event a memorable one!
REGISTER FOR THE STAC COMMUNITY FÊTE>Meet our teachers who make the difference at our upcoming Open Days. Please help spread the word for interested families to register online.
Secondary School Open Day: Wednesday 4 March, 9.00am–12.00pm
Preparatory School and Pre-school Open Day: Thursday 5 March, 11.00am–12.30pm
We are excited to continue offering our Coding Club in partnership with CodingNZ, giving students a fun and supportive space to explore the world of digital creativity and problem‑solving.
When: Wednesdays at 12.50pm
Who: Students in Years 5–8
Where: Food Room
Supervised by: Mrs Vicki Pettit
During these online, interactive sessions, students learn real coding skills through engaging projects – perfect for beginners and budding programmers alike. Coding NZ’s qualified instructors lead the lessons, while Mrs Pettit provides onsite support.
Parents can register their child at: www.codingnz.com/enrol
If you have any questions, please email Vicki Pettit at VPE@stac.school.nz.
If your child is unwell, please keep them at home. To report any absence (due to illness or other reason) please complete the Student Absence Form:
If you are unable to use the online form, you may report an absence by emailing the appropriate address:
If you cannot reach us via the form or email, please phone our attendance line (term time only) on +64 3 940 2031.
