Winning House
House tokens were counted this week, and Thompson House is the winner.
Next Thursday, 11 June, students in Thompson house can wear a touch of green.
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Kia ora koutou
As we move further into the term, it continues to be a busy and rewarding time across the Preparatory School. It has been wonderful to see ākonga so actively engaged in sport, performing arts, and in their learning.
I am thrilled to congratulate our Year 5–8 ākonga who competed in the ISSA Cross Country event on Tuesday 2 June. Their determination and commitment were evident, and they represented the College with pride. Please see the article below for further details, including a special mention of Frankie Rahman’s outstanding performance. Well done also to the other 10 ākonga who have also qualified for the Canterbury Primary Schools Cross Country Championships, placing in the top six in their age group. This is a fantastic achievement.
Students in Years 4–8 regularly complete Komodo, our digital well-being tool, which provides insight into areas such as emotional well-being, learning, school climate, and social well-being. This data is regularly reviewed by teaching and leadership teams to help build an overall picture of how ākonga are tracking.
One pattern we are seeing across the year is that sleep quality appears to be the lowest scoring area. Currently, 22% of ākonga report average sleep, 7% poor, and 6% very poor. At this time of year in particular, many ākonga are managing full schedules, including winter sport, rehearsals, and other commitments, and we are noticing that some are feeling tired. This is an understandable reflection of how much they are involved in, while also highlighting the important role sleep plays in supporting energy, focus, and overall well-being.
With this in mind, we are very much looking forward to Looped, our 2026 Years 7–8 production. With all ākonga involved and performing across the week of 15–18 June, I am very excited to see these productions. My sincere thanks to Production Director, Ginnie Thorner, and the many parents/caregivers who have supported this work behind the scenes.
Before I close, I would like to wish our four Years 5–8 basketball teams all the very best for the ISSA Indoor Basketball Tournament on Monday 8 June. I am sure they will represent the College with great energy and sportsmanship.
A final reminder to please ensure all uniform items are clearly named, as this helps us return lost property promptly, especially at this time of year when there are extra layers at school.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Ngā mihi nui
Leigh Fowler
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy Rector
House tokens were counted this week, and Thompson House is the winner.
Next Thursday, 11 June, students in Thompson house can wear a touch of green.
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the Fixtures page on StACNet (filter by "Preparatory School").
On Thursday morning, all Year 7–8 students visited the Secondary School Music Department recording studio to pre-record their singing for the Preparatory School production, Looped. This means that during the show, audiences will hear the students singing live on stage, supported and enhanced by the recorded vocals. The production songs have been composed by our talented Secondary School songwriters. Violet McInnes (Year 11) worked with a small group of students to record additional vocal effects.
This term in Mathematics, class 8C has been exploring area, perimeter and volume. The children have been putting their learning into practice beyond the textbook, as budding tiny-home designers and builders. With the Tiny House Challenge, pairs of students took on a “client brief” to design a cosy L-shaped mountain cabin to meet requirements: a total floor area between 30 and 35m², no single room larger than 15m², an outline perimeter under 30m, and two rooms with different ceiling heights. Every measurement had to be a whole number, because the next step was building it for real in Minecraft, where each block represents one metre! The children worked through the maths in stages, first calculating dimensions and volumes for their rooms, then drawing their floor plans to scale on grid paper, before bringing them to life block by block in Minecraft, adding signs in each room to show its name, area and ceiling height.
Building to scale in Minecraft gave them an immediate, visual way to check their calculations, and there were plenty of proud "it fits!" moments along the way. The challenge also stretched our keenest mathematicians with bonus tasks, including comparing room volumes, working out the wall space left after adding a window, and even checking each other's perimeter calculations like real building inspectors. It's been a fantastic way to show that mathematics isn't just about numbers on a page. It's a tool we use to design, build and solve real problems.
Year 8 Future Problem Solving team members Anqi (Angie) Qin, Madeline McDonnell, Benjamin Carline and Alfred Lash have earned certificates from Future Problem Solving New Zealand’s national adjudicators, in recognition of their excellent problem-solving skills during Term 1. The Future of Invasive Species was the Term 1 topic, and challenged students to think critically and creatively about complex global issues. Using the six-step Future Problem Solving process, students analysed a future scene to identify possible challenges, determined the underlying problem, and developed a range of thoughtful and innovative solutions. They were recognised nationally for their futuristic thinking, originality, and depth of reasoning, demonstrating outstanding engagement with the problem-solving process.
As we move into Term 2, our Future Problem Solving students now turn their attention to Topic 2: Space Exploration, a fascinating and forward-thinking area of study. This topic explores the future of space exploration, innovations driving the new space race, and the ethical considerations and reasoning behind why and how humans explore space. We look forward to seeing how our teams continue to develop their ideas, collaborate, and apply their problem-solving skills as they tackle this exciting new challenge in Term 2.
On Wednesday, Year 5 students visited Orana Wildlife Park as part of their Inquiry learning on animal enrichment. Leading up to the trip, students explored how enrichment activities support the well-being of zoo animals by encouraging natural behaviours such as foraging and play. They compared animals living in captivity with those in the wild, discussing differences in space, behaviour, and daily needs. This helped them understand how animals adapt to their environments and the importance of meeting both their physical and emotional needs. The visit to Orana Wildlife Park brought this learning to life, giving students the opportunity to observe animals up close, enrichment in action and deepen their understanding of animal welfare in a real-world context. The experience also allowed them to see how zoo environments are carefully designed to recreate natural habitats, giving students inspiration and ideas as they begin thinking about designing their own animal enrichment.
Robotics lessons have been in full swing in the Preparatory School this term, with Year 2 students developing their foundational coding skills as they learn to programme Bee-Bots. In Year 4, students have been putting their abilities to the test by competing in the exciting Spike Games, applying their robotics knowledge in fun and challenging ways with the Lego Spike robots. Year 7–8 students have been building, programming, and driving VEX robots as part of the VEX Robotics programme. It’s been fantastic to see students across the school engaging with robotics and bringing their learning to life.
Flickr>Our students put in a fantastic effort at the ISSA Zone Cross Country, held at Lake Roto Kōhatu Reserve on Tuesday. Conditions were challenging, with light winds, overcast skies, and occasional rain showers, while the 1KM loop featured plenty of elevation changes to test all competitors. Year 5–6 students ran 2KM and Year 7–8 students ran 3KM. To qualify for this event is a significant achievement, and we congratulate all of our students who represented St Andrew’s College so well.
The following students have qualified for the Canterbury Primary Schools Cross Country Championships (top six finishers in their age group): Zoe Johnstone, Liam Botha, Flynn Cutts, Toby Wilson (all Year 5), Theo Nelson (Year 6), Clara Jones, Arizona Wallace, Franklin Rahman (all Year 7), ChloeAnn Botha, Indi Haydon-Uren, Matteo Gibbons (all Year 8). A special congratulations to our age group winner: Franklin Rahman (Year 7).
Full results can be viewed on SportsSplits by clicking here.
Flickr>
Beginning in Week 3, our Year 8 Sports Leaders have been running lunchtime sports sessions for students in Years 1–3. The initiative has been a great success, with the Year 8 students planning and delivering excellent skill-based sessions for our younger pupils. The Junior students have been highly engaged throughout, showing enthusiasm and a strong willingness to develop their fundamental sporting skills. The sessions have created a positive and energetic environment, encouraging participation and enjoyment of sport. Our Year 8 leaders have done an outstanding job as role models, demonstrating leadership, organisation, and effective coaching in their chosen sports. Their ability to guide and support the younger students has been commendable, and they should be very proud of the impact they have made. Overall, this has been a fantastic programme that benefits both our Junior students and our developing Year 8 leaders.
Last week’s RNZB@StAC Residency saw our Year 4–8 Ballet dancers experiencing a masterclass with visiting Dance Specialist, Alina Kulikova. Alina came to New Zealand from Russia and was a ballerina with the Imperial Ballet Company. It was a treat to have such a beautiful dancer share her knowledge with our students. The Secondary School dancers also enjoyed a number of choreography classes during the week, working towards new Degas-inspired Ballet performance piece to be presented at a later date.
Flickr>
During the weekly Writer’s Club, an optional lunchtime activity run by our Writer-in-Residence, Kerrin P Sharpe, students have the opportunity to develop their writing skills and submit pieces to a range of writing competitions and online platforms. One recent opportunity was the Poetry Box May challenge, which invited students to create poems about their favourite birds. While not a competition, the challenge encouraged students to play creatively with language and explore different poetic forms. From the submitted entries, Xinrui (Sophia) Xu, Isabelle Gibbs (both Year 3), and Jessica Whitehead (Year 8) had their poems chosen for publication on the Poetry Box website.
During Cultural Week last week, the Junior Department engaged in a range of learning experiences focused on cultural understanding and diversity. Students participated in sessions led by the Secondary School Pasifika Group, te reo Māori classes, and the Pipe Band. Classroom programmes explored cultural practices from around the world, and the week concluded with a Cultural Dress Day and discovery activities that reflected the learning undertaken.
Flickr>Preparatory School Chaplain, Jillian Fenton, has resigned from her role, with her final day on Friday 12 June. Jillian will be relocating to Riverton, Southland, to be closer to her family. Jillian is deeply cherished within our community. Through her 21 years of dedicated service to St Andrew’s College, she has built strong and meaningful relationships with students, staff, and whānau. Her care, empathy, and unwavering pastoral support have made a lasting and positive difference in the lives of so many.
We are grateful for all that Jillian has given to our Preparatory School, and we will miss her warmth, compassion, and sense of fun.
Our second Preparatory School Sunday chapel service this year will be held on Sunday 14 June at 4.00pm in the Centennial Chapel. The service is for all Years 1–8 students. Parents/caregivers are warmly invited to attend. The arrival time is 3.45pm and class teachers will be there to meet the children and to do the compulsory attendance check.
Please note, there will be no teachers at the meeting point until 3.45pm, so do not 'drop and go' earlier than this.
Year 1–3 children will meet in the Junior Department and Years 4–8 will meet at the flagpole in front of Strowan House. The expected finish time of the service is 4.40pm. Please arrive a little earlier (from 4.40pm) to ensure you are there to collect your child at the conclusion of the service.
Junior Choir (Years 4–5): The students in the Junior Choir need to arrive ready for a warm-up and run-through of their performance piece at 3.30pm in the Centennial Chapel.
Please note that all students are required to wear their school uniform with blazer.
Given the large number of people involved, it may be wise to arrange a place to meet your child after the service.
We warmly welcome our community to join us for the service – no RSVP is required. The chapel will be open for entry from 3.45pm.
Families are warmly invited to the Preparatory School Music Concert on Tuesday 23 June at 6.00pm in the Centennial Chapel (finishing approx. 7.00pm).
Around 120 students will perform, including the Junior Choir (all Year 4 students), Cantare Choir, Orchestra, Chamber Group, rock bands, and Music Scholars. All Year 4 students are expected to participate.
A gold coin donation will be collected in support of the Preparatory School’s World Vision 40 Challenge.
If you have any questions, please contact Music Teacher, Ros Emeleus, at REM@stac.school.nz.
We’re excited to once again offer sibling portrait sessions for Preparatory School students in Years 1–8.
This is a special opportunity to capture a professional photo of your children together in their school uniform, set against a blue background and presented on an A4 layout with their names included.
Pricing options for ordering online in the normal way:
Please note that we are not offering sibling photos which include Pre-School and Secondary School students.
The photographer will be on site the morning of Tuesday 16 June, and this will be the only opportunity in 2026 to book this service.
To reserve your spot, please complete the Sibling Portraits Years 1–8 Booking Form by Friday 5 June.
Complete the Sibling Portraits Years 1–8 Booking FormWelcome to Looptown, a world where everything runs on points, progress and the promise of more.
The Mayor has a grand vision to build an empire where success is measured, tracked and endlessly chased. But as the citizens of Looptown race to keep up, one voice begins to question it all. Granny Coda senses that something is not quite right, and she might be the only one brave enough to uncover the truth. Join us for an imaginative adventure that moves through unexpected Glitches, encounters a powerful Firewall, and ventures right to the edge of the world itself. As the system begins to falter, what will it take to break the loop?
This vibrant production brings together 220 Year 7 and 8 students across three nights of collaborative theatre. With a story and script devised by our Preparatory School students, and an original score composed by our Secondary School songwriters, Looped is a celebration of creativity, teamwork and student voice.
Step into the loop… if you dare.
When: Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 June
Times: 11.00am–12.15pm and 7.00pm–8.15pm each day (six performances)
Where: Gough Family Theatre – Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Tickets*: Adults $35.00 | Students $17.50 (school-aged children only; ID may be requested on entry)
*A small levy is included in the ticket price, contributing to the build cost of Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre.
Following the success of last year’s digital well-being session, we warmly invite our community to the next StACTalks event for 2026: StACTalks – Digital Well-being, Connection, and Identity
Date: Tuesday 16 June
Time: 6.00pm–7.30pm
Location: Centennial Chapel
Supporting young people to thrive in a digital world is an increasingly important focus for families. This session has been designed to provide practical, research-informed strategies to help parents support their child’s well-being, manage device use, and foster a healthy sense of identity online. The evening will combine expert insight with practical workshops and opportunities to learn alongside other parents in our community.
This is a free event open to all St Andrew’s College parents and caregivers. Spaces are limited, so please secure your spot at the link below. We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a highly relevant and practical evening.
Please note: this session will be recorded to support members of the St Andrew’s College community who are unable to attend in person. Please be aware that any audience participation (including questions) may be included in the recording.
REGISTER FOR STACTALKS>Preparatory School students are invited to take part in this year’s World Vision 40-Hour Challenge, from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 June. Together we can make a difference.
During the challenge, students are encouraged to go offline for 40 hours – stepping away from devices including phones, gaming, and social media. Alternatively, they can set a personal goal that is meaningful and achievable to be sponsored for. This year’s challenge supports the people of the Solomon Islands, who are being greatly affected by rising sea levels.
Participating students can collect a sponsorship booklet from their classroom teacher, to then seek support from family and friends. Students will need to record the names of sponsors and then track pledges and donations.
Register for the Challenge>
This one-night-only event features our Junior and Senior Performance Awards, Secondary School NCEA dances, and a special premiere of a collaborative new work with Alina Kulikova (Royal New Zealand Ballet, Dance Educator). Our Junior and Intermediate Company dancers from the Preparatory School will also showcase their new repertoire.
When: Wednesday 24 June, 6.30pm–7.30pm
Venue: Gough Family Theatre – Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre, St Andrew's College
Tickets*: Adults $25.00 | Students $15.00 (school-aged children only; ID may be requested on entry)
*A small levy is included in the ticket price, contributing to the build cost of Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre.
Important Ticketing Information:
Registrations are now open for our Sport Holiday Programme, running Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July 2026.
Open to students in Years 1–8, the programme offers a fun, active week of sport and games, with sessions from 9.00am–1.30pm daily (drop-off from 8.30am), plus optional supervision until 3.30pm.
Lunch is provided each day.
Registrations and Subway orders close at 9.00am on Friday 26 June.
For full details, costs, and to register, please visit the Sport Medley Holiday Programme Permission Form by clicking here.
Each year, the Secondary School's student Sustainability Council runs two clothing drives to support members of our wider Christchurch community. The Council is currently collecting donations for our Winter Clothing Drive. We invite students, staff, and families to contribute any surplus winter clothing that is in good condition, suitable for all age groups – from infants through to adults.
Collection bins (large plastic boxes) are located in the following areas across the College:
Your generosity will help provide warm clothing to those in need during the colder months. The clothing bins will be collected on Friday 26 June. Thank you in advance for your support.
Experience the thrilling sounds of StAC Attack 2026 – celebrating 20 years!
Date: Friday 17 July
Time: 7.00pm–9.00pm
Venue: Christchurch Town Hall – James Hay Theatre
Tickets: Adult $72.89 | Child $44.13 (via TicketMaster)
A St Andrew’s College Pipe Band event at the prestigious Christchurch Town Hall – James Hay Theatre, this highly anticipated concert promises an unforgettable evening of traditional Scottish entertainment.
Be immersed in the rich harmonics of the bagpipes, the infectious beat of the drums, and the flair of Highland dancers as they take the stage. Talented St Andrew’s College students from Years 4–13 will showcase their skills in this action‑packed performance, along with members of our Old Collegian community. Join us for a special 20th anniversary celebration at StAC Attack 2026.
BUY STAC ATTACK TICKETS>The very popular Pipe Band Ceilidh (pronounced “kay-lee”) returns in 2026, celebrating St Andrew's proud Scottish heritage.
Come along to a good old-fashioned Scottish knees-up and enjoy a friendly, fun and energetic night of haggis, music, spot prizes, drams and dancing in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your dancing shoes and wear a touch of tartan!
This much-loved fundraiser is a wonderful way to celebrate our Scottish heritage while supporting the St Andrew's College Pipe Band as they travel to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships in August this year. The proceeds from this event will go towards supporting this trip.
When: Saturday 18 July, 7.00pm–12.00am
Venue: Gym 1 – St Andrew's College
Tickets: $79.00 (includes a drink on arrival and supper throughout the evening)
The following 2026 photographs are now available to order online:
Details of how to order the photographs can be found on our website by clicking the link 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.
ORDER PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE>In Terms 2 and 3, the Preparatory School Pastoral Care team will be offering a range of lunchtime clubs. All clubs will be supervised by a staff member, with support from our senior students. No registration is required for these clubs, except for Code Club.
For Code Club, parents can enrol online by clicking here. Students enrolled in Code Club in Term 1 will automatically roll over into Term 2; only new students are required to register.
We hope these clubs provide a fun and supportive space for students to connect, explore their interests, and enjoy their lunchtimes. Please feel free to reach out to the teacher in charge if you have any questions.
All children are encouraged to arrive at school from 8.00am onwards and can access learning spaces from this time.
Before-school Care is available from 7.30am–8.00am for families who need to drop their children off early. As this service has limited capacity and is designed for essential use only, we ask that families utilise it only if necessary.
Before-school Care enables us to provide active supervision, ensuring student safety while our staff prepare for the day.
Children arriving before 8.00am will be taken to Before-school Care. The small cost for this supervision will be disbursed to your child’s College account.
After-school Care continues to operate until 5.20pm each school day.
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.