Key Dates
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the Fixtures page on StACNet (filter by "Preparatory School").
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Kia ora koutou
Over the past few weeks, we have all felt incredibly proud of our Preparatory School, due to what our ākonga have achieved and in the way they are presenting themselves across so many areas of school life. Whether in learning, sport, performing arts, or service, we continue to see our young people striving to do their best and supporting one another in the process.
This pride was particularly evident yesterday at the ISSA Zone Swimming competition, where 31 ākonga represented our school across 87 events, and 12 swimmers qualified for the Primary Sport Canterbury Swimming Championship. We wish them luck in this next stage of competition.
Our performing arts ākonga have also been busy. On Saturday morning, the Pipe Bands performed at Riccarton House with energy and precision, earning a collection of trophies. Then on Sunday, we gathered for our first Preparatory School full chapel service of the year. The choir sang beautifully, which was especially impressive given the number of new members. It was also heartening to have so many parents join us for this community gathering and to celebrate our 10 new Sacristan ākonga, who are not only giving service to the College, but also growing their leadership skills along the way.
Last Thursday’s Preparatory School Open Day was another moment that reflected the strength of our ākonga and staff. Our student tour guides represented St Andrew’s College with genuine pride. This, combined with the support of Pipe Band members, created such a welcoming and exciting atmosphere. Inside classrooms, ākonga and staff remained fully engaged in learning, despite much activity around the school. Our Kapa Haka and orchestra shared outstanding performances in the Centennial Chapel following the tour. The positive feedback has been overwhelming. My sincere thanks to so many St Andrew’s College staff and PTA members who contributed to making this event so successful.
As we look ahead, I am mindful that Winter Sport team selections can bring a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Our staff and coaches invest significant care into this process, and I want to acknowledge the commitment this requires. We also recognise that for some ākonga, these announcements may bring moments of disappointment. This is an important opportunity for us to draw on our College values, showing kindness, respect, and supporting one another to build resilience through both successes and challenges.
Ngā mihi nui
Leigh Fowler
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy Rector
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the Fixtures page on StACNet (filter by "Preparatory School").
Effective literacy teachers are always seeking opportunities to expand their students’ vocabulary. A wonderful example of this can be seen in Monique O’Sullivan and Greta Henley’s classrooms, where swan plants and monarch butterflies provide a rich, shared learning experience. These living classrooms naturally spark conversation, true dialogue, (not monologue) among our young learners. The high-quality student talk is supported by appreciative and responsive listening, helping children build confidence and oral language skills. Literacy learning is deeply woven into the Science being explored in these rooms, demonstrating how authentic, hands-on experiences can strengthen vocabulary development and scientific understanding simultaneously.
An extension opportunity for our Year 3 students was to invite our Pre-school friends to visit, so they could share their observations and butterfly information with them. The Junior Department welcome opportunities to foster our close relationship with the Pre-school.
This term, Year 7 Connection Time has focused on the PERMA-V pillar of Relationships and our College value of Inclusivity.
Incorporated across most days of the week for the Year 7 cohort, this time provides regular opportunities for students to connect and strengthen their sense of belonging. Through cooperative games, team-building activities, physical movement and fun challenges, students have been building strong relationships while learning the importance of including and supporting one another. Students have also worked together on collaborative tasks, including designing their dream classroom and creating their own unique animal using AI, encouraging creativity, communication and teamwork.
Johanna Borella visited the Junior Department for the first of six Mindfulness lessons. This programme supports the PERMA-V well-being framework being introduced to our young learners. The first lesson with our newest students focused on paying attention. When we pay attention to our bodies, we practice being present in the moment. Noticing sensations helps anchor us and supports self-regulation. Like any skill, paying attention improves with practice. When our minds wander, as they naturally do, and we gently bring our focus back to the task at hand, we strengthen our brain’s ability to stay attentive throughout the day. The Junior Department is looking forward to an exciting year of well-being learning with Johanna, including lessons on sprinkling kindness, the importance of taking a breath, and understanding how our “red” or “green” brain affects both our well-being and our learning.
Thirty students attended the ISSA Zones Swimming Competition on Wednesday at Wharenui Swimming Pool. All students represented the College exceptionally well and demonstrated our StAC-Up values to a very high standard. Qualifying for zones is a fantastic achievement in itself, so congratulations to all of our zone qualifying students. Throughout the day, many swimmers showed impressive persistence and tenacity, with some students racing up to seven times across individual events, finals, and relays.
A special congratulations to the students who have qualified for the Primary School Canterbury Swimming Championships, which will be held on Wednesday 25 March and Thursday 26 March at Parakiore Sports Centre.
We look forward to supporting our swimmers as they compete at the Primary Sports Canterbury Swimming Championships.
Our Year 6 cohort thoroughly enjoyed the recent Cycle Safe programme, which helped them build practical cycling skills and a strong understanding of road safety. After skill building sessions on the turf in the morning, students then had the chance to head out onto the roads to put these skills into practice.
Thank you to the instructors from Christchurch City Council for running such a fun, well-organised, and engaging programme.
Flickr>Our Junior School Athletics Day was a spectacular success, set against a backdrop of bright sunshine and a warm 27°C morning. Families gathered along the sidelines, offering enthusiastic cheers as students gave their all in each event. Throughout the day, our Year 1–3 students sprinted down the track, leapt confidently over hurdles, and raced to fill buckets with balls in our ever-popular team challenges. The combination of determination, House competition, and joyful encouragement from parents created a vibrant atmosphere that truly celebrated our St Andrew’s community spirit. Congratulations to all our young athletes for their wonderful effort, energy, and sportsmanship! And congratulations to our winning house – MacGibbon!
Flickr>
Last Sunday our Preparatory School community gathered together in the Centennial Chapel for our first Sunday service of the year. Ten Year 8 students were inducted to their role of Sacristans and were presented their Service Badges by Principal of Preparatory School, Leigh Fowler. Teacher, Bridget Roth, explored the theme of “God in the driving seat” – a reminder that life works best when we invite God to guide our choices. Teachers Mason Shaw and David Ermerins illustrated this through the hilarious No Arms skit, showing that controlling situations on our own can quickly become messy or difficult, but when we allow others – and ultimately God – to help steer, collaboration becomes possible and life flows more smoothly. PERMA-V reinforces this message, showing how Purpose, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Vitality all flourish when we step back from trying to do everything independently. This theme ties directly into our focus on Community and Partnerships, encouraging us to recognise that faith, teamwork, and shared responsibility strengthen us as individuals and as a whānau. The community gave generously to the Kairos Food Kitchen collection, with a total of $751.50 being received.
Flickr>The Year 7 Parent Social Gathering, held on Thursday 5 March at Hotel Montreal, was a warm and welcoming occasion attended by more than 100 parents.
The evening provided a valuable opportunity for new families to meet one another and begin building strong connections within our school community. It also strengthened our sense of community and partnership, giving parents the chance to connect with our new Principal of Preparatory School, Leigh Fowler, PTA representative Andrea Hopping, and Year 7 Team Leader, Kelly McBride. With a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of conversation, the event was positive, well attended, and an enjoyable way to begin the year together.
We warmly invite you to attend our upcoming Preparatory School Parent-Teacher Conferences, an important opportunity to discuss your child’s learning, progress, and well-being with their classroom teacher. During these conferences, teachers will discuss your child’s Term 1 Report, which includes information about their progress and achievement in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. The final version of the Term 1 Report will be uploaded to the Community Portal on Wednesday 1 April.
We encourage your child (Year 4 and above) to attend, particularly Senior students. All students will be expected to wear school uniform if attending.
These conferences include all classroom teachers from Years 1–8, apart from Anna Wylie's class.
Parent-Teacher Conference Schedule
Each learning conference is 15 minutes.
Conference Booking
We encourage all families to book a time using the School Interviews link below, as these conversations provide valuable insights into your child’s learning journey and next steps. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
Site link: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
School Code: chxk6
The Term 1, 2026 Preparatory School Music Performance Concert will be held on Monday 30 March at 3.30pm in the Preparatory School Music Room.
All students, whether beginner or advanced, are welcome to perform, regardless of whether they learn an instrument at the College or with a private tutor. Music scholar students are expected to take part in this concert. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to gain confidence and experience performing in an informal setting. Please note the following:
If your child would like to perform, please complete the sign-up form below by 3.00pm on Tuesday 17 March.
COMPLETE THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE CONCERT SIGN-UP FORM>
If you have any questions, please contact Music Teacher Ros Emeleus at REM@stac.school.nz.
As part of our commitment to providing continuity and stability for our learners during the curriculum review, we are pleased to explore the continuation of Spanish for our Year 2–4 students through an optional lunchtime Spanish Club. We have a qualified staff member with expertise in teaching Spanish who is available to lead a weekly session during lunchtime. Our aim is to begin this provision in Term 2, depending on the level of interest from families.
To help us plan, we are seeking expressions of interest from whānau who would like their child to take part in the Spanish Club. Please click the Expression of Interest Form link to below to register your interest, by 3.00pm on Wednesday 25 March:
COMPLETE THE LUNCHTIME SPANISH CLUB EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM>
As noted in our recent Prep Newsletter, the original rationale for the 2025 timetable adjustments was to protect core learning time in light of the refreshed English and Mathematics curriculum. Any longer-term decisions about the place of Spanish in the Junior years will be considered as part of the wider review.
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!
To see the StAC Community Fête map, please click here.
REGISTER FOR THE STAC COMMUNITY FÊTE>
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!
For our second catch up, join PTA President, Tim Gibb, for a cup of coffee and learn more about the fantastic work the St Andrew’s College PTA does to support our students.
When: Tuesday 17 March, 8.00am–8.45am
Where: The Coffee Cart, located in Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre. View The Coffee Cart menu by clicking here.
Who: PTA President, Tim Gibb
View all upcoming Coffee and Catch Ups by clicking here.
The Preparatory School will be running a Sport Holiday Programme during the last week of the April holidays (Monday 20 – Friday 24 April).
The programme is open to Year 1–8 students. The sessions will be run by a variety of staff. The sports included are: invasion games, frisbee golf, basketball, co-operative games, futsal, pickleball, and more...!
Subway Order Form and Permission Form: Please complete the online permission slip (link below) and return the Subway order form (please complete one order per day and name each entry – all three entries would need to be completed for a student attending the whole week) to the Preparatory School office by 3.00pm on Thursday 2 April.
COMPLETE THE ONLINE PERMISSION FORM HERE>
If you have any questions, please email Deputy Principal of Preparatory School (Operations), Alex Kelley, at AKE@stac.school.nz.
From 6–11 September 2026, selected Preparatory School teams will compete at the AIMS Games in Tauranga. The AIMS Games is New Zealand’s largest sporting event for Year 7–8 students, with over 12,000 participants from more than 360 schools competing across a wide range of sports.
Representative groups attending include the football 1st team and the Year 7–8 hockey A team.
Individual Entries: There will also be a small number of individual sports available. However, due to the limited group accommodation available in Tauranga, we are unable at this stage to include individuals as part of our official tour. If families are able to travel, supervise, and transport their child independently, entries can be submitted on their behalf by the Preparatory School. In travelling to and competing at the AIMS Games, your child would be included in any activities offered to the tour group and tour apparel will also be available. This option is suitable only for elite performers. Individual sports include (but are not limited to): Badminton, BMX, Canoe Sport, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Hip Hop, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Tennis, and Yachting.
If this applies to your child, please contact Deputy Principal of Preparatory School, Alex Kelley, at AKE@stac.school.nz for further information. More details are also available at www.nzaimsgames.co.nz.
Talented Year 5–Year 8 singers and instrumentalists are invited to apply for an audition to join a Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival Representative Group in 2026. Representative groups include Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Concert Band, and Orchestra.
Students must be active members of either a Preparatory School orchestra, or the Cantare Choir.
Applications are made online via the Music Festival website and close on Wednesday 1 April. Parents are required to complete the application to ensure they are aware of rehearsal and performance commitments.
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.