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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
Thank you to all of our parents and whānau who attended Learning Conferences this week. It has been wonderful to see our school alive with students and families and to witness the valuable conversations taking place between parents, teachers and students. These opportunities to celebrate learning, acknowledge progress and discuss next steps are an important part of the strong partnership we share in supporting every child's growth and success.
I would also like to acknowledge our teaching staff for the dedication and commitment they continue to show our students. Learning Conferences require a significant investment of time beyond the school day, and I am grateful for the care and professionalism our teachers bring to these conversations. Their commitment to placing students at the heart of all they do is something that makes me incredibly proud of our Preparatory School community.
We were delighted to share news this week of the appointment of Tom Elliott as our new Preparatory School Chaplain and Religious Education Teacher. Tom will spend several days with us this term before officially commencing his role at the beginning of Term 4. If you missed the announcement, please see the separate article in this week's newsletter.
Next week, our Pipe Band sets off on its exciting journey to Scotland for the Pipe Band World Championships. We wish all members safe travels and every success as they represent St Andrew's College on the world stage. We look forward to following their adventure and hearing about their performances and experiences.
The sunshine has certainly been a welcome feature of the past week and was particularly appreciated during last Friday's Independent Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Tournament. It was wonderful to see our students competing with enthusiasm, determination and outstanding sportsmanship. Thank you to all the coaches and parents who came along to support.
The weather was no obstacle for our Year 3 students during their visit to the International Antarctic Centre this week. Students returned full of stories about the rescued little blue penguins, the Antarctic storm room and, of course, the husky dogs, which, according to many students, were every bit as memorable as they were a little bit smelly!
Finally, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the six new students and their families who have joined our Preparatory School community this term. We are delighted to have you with us and look forward to sharing in your St Andrew's journey.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to all that the remainder of Term 3 has in store.
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").
Year 7 students have begun a six-week swimming programme at Wharenui Pool as part of their Health and Physical Education learning. Swimming is an important life skill, and this programme provides students with the opportunity to develop their confidence, refine their swimming techniques and strengthen their understanding of water safety. Across the six weeks, students will participate in a range of activities designed to improve stroke development, endurance, and personal survival skills in the water. The programme caters for all ability levels, allowing every student to build on their existing skills while setting personal goals and celebrating progress.
It is wonderful to see students embracing new challenges, supporting one another, and developing confidence in and around the water. We look forward to seeing the growth and achievements of our Year 7 students as they continue this valuable learning experience over the coming weeks.
Year 4 students have been enjoying learning ultimate frisbee, developing their throwing, catching, movement and teamwork skills. This unit supports the New Zealand Curriculum’s Health and Physical Education strand, including movement skills, positive attitudes, interpersonal skills, and fair participation in games and physical activities. Through skill-based challenges, partner activities and modified games, students have practised forehand and backhand throws, improved their catching accuracy, and learned to move into space to support teammates. They have also explored the key principles of ultimate frisbee, including self-officiating, respect for others, and fair play. It has been fantastic to see students grow in confidence, control, accuracy and teamwork, while showing excellent sportsmanship. These skills will support their winter sport and wider learning, and we look forward to seeing their continued progress.
Flickr>On Monday, our Year 3 students enjoyed an exciting visit to the International Antarctic Centre as part of their inquiry unit, Animals and their Habitats: From Aotearoa to Antarctica. The visit brought learning to life through a guided education experience that included braving an Antarctic storm in the Storm Dome, meeting rescued Little Blue Penguins (Kororā) in the Penguin Rescue facility, and exploring interactive displays in the Antarctic Gallery, including Antarctic science exhibits and the Husky Encounter. Students also experienced the thrill of a 4D movie, complete with moving seats and sea spray.
This hands-on learning experience helped students develop a deeper understanding of how animals adapt to their habitats while fostering curiosity and appreciation for the unique environment of Antarctica.
Flickr>
On Friday 24 July, the Preparatory School hosted another successful ISSA Winter Tournament. St Andrew's teams competed with determination as they battled for places at the Primary Sport Canterbury Winter Tournament. Every team gave their all in highly competitive contests across all sports. The Years 7–8 Mixed hockey and Years 7–8 football teams both won their respective tournaments unbeaten; an outstanding achievement and a testament to their hard work, skill, and teamwork throughout the day. The Years 7–8 netball team also performed exceptionally well, finishing equal first on points before narrowly dropping to third place on countback. The Years 5–6 football team finished runners-up, and the Years 5–6 hockey team secured third place. Our two invitational football teams represented the school with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. In particular, the Years 7–8 Invitational football team had a fantastic tournament and would have finished second overall had their results been included in the official standings.
We are incredibly proud of the effort, sportsmanship, and resilience shown by all students involved. A sincere thank you to our coaches, managers, and referees, whose commitment and support helped make the tournament such a success. Their contribution was greatly appreciated by all involved.
Flickr>Tom Elliott has been appointed as the new St Andrew's College Preparatory School Chaplain and will commence his role at the start of Term 4. Tom joins us from St Patrick's Catholic School in Kaiapoi, where he currently teaches Year 7 students and holds several leadership responsibilities. He brings extensive experience working with young people through both education and ministry, along with a strong commitment to nurturing the well-being, character, and faith development of children.
Before entering the teaching profession, Tom worked in youth ministry and pastoral leadership roles with Anglican churches across Canterbury, supporting and mentoring young people and their families. His experience spans teaching, pastoral care, leadership development, community engagement, and youth work, giving him a rich and diverse background that aligns beautifully with the values of our Preparatory School. Tom is an engaging and highly relational educator who is passionate about helping young people feel known, valued, and connected. During the recruitment process, he demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for the role of chaplaincy and a clear understanding of the importance of fostering belonging, faith, and service within a school community.
We are excited about the energy, care and faith leadership Tom will bring to our students and families, and we look forward to welcoming him to the Preparatory School in Term 4.
As the winter season winds down, we’re now preparing for the summer sports season beginning in Term 4.
The coordinators and their email addresses are listed below for your reference. Should you have any questions, please refer to the Preparatory School Handbook in the first instance. Otherwise, please email Dave Ermerins at DER@stac.school.nz.
Summer Sport Coordinators:
We’re excited to invite Preparatory School and Pre-school parents and caregivers to our first Coffee and Catch Ups session for Term 3, on Tuesday 4 August.
Join Principal of Preparatory School, Leigh Fowler, Head of Pre-school, Mandy Jenkins, and PTA President, Tim Gibb, for a cup of coffee and chat about any questions you may currently have.
When: Tuesday 4 August, 8.00am–8.45am
Where: The Coffee Cart, inside Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
Who: Leigh Fowler (Principal of Preparatory School), Mandy Jenkins (Head of Pre-school), Tim Gibb (PTA President)
No RSVP required – just drop in after drop-off!
Bullrush returns this term and will be held Thursday lunchtimes, supervised by Head of Preparatory School Sport, Dave Ermerins, and Head of Physical Education, Isaac Leota.
There will be two sessions, one for Years 3–5, and a second Years 6–8 session.
Important Information:
• Senior students must bring a change of clothes, preferably rugby gear.
• Junior students must also bring a change of clothes suitable for participation (arrive in their PE or rugby gear).
• A mouthguard is compulsory for all participants.
• Students can only take part if the Parent/caregiver Permission Form has been submitted.
If your child would like to participate, please complete the Bullrush Permission Form by clicking here, by 9.00am on Friday 31 July.
Sport Medley: Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October
More details to come later in the term.
St Andrew’s College families are warmly invited to join our next Community Native Tree Planting Day on Sunday 2 August, from 10.00am–12.00pm at the QEII Adventure Nature Trail, 245 Beach Road.
This is a wonderful opportunity to support the work of Eco Action Nursery Trust and help plant more than 2000 native trees and plants that have been carefully grown by our students and other community groups. With hundreds of students, parents and volunteers expected to attend, it promises to be a rewarding morning of environmental action, community spirit and fun. Please bring:
There will be plenty of spades available on site, so everyone can get involved. The more volunteers we have, the greater the impact we can make together.
This planting contributes to the development of a lasting community asset, creating habitat and food sources for native birds and lizards, while also helping to sequester carbon and enhance the local environment for future generations. This event is the third of four large-scale planting days that will see 14,000 locally sourced, student-grown native plants and trees established across QEII, 3 Chimera Crescent and 25 Atlantis Street. We are proud that St Andrew’s College has been involved alongside many other schools, community organisations and volunteer groups from across Canterbury. We encourage all members of our College community to take part in this meaningful initiative and help make a lasting difference to our local environment.
For more information, please visit Eco Action Nursery Trust on Facebook, or their website. We hope to see you there!
The 2026 StAC Ag Show will be held on Thursday 20 August in Gym 1. Students and families are welcome to visit between 9.00am–1.00pm to attend the Ag Show and view the fun entries on display.
AG SHOW ENTRIES | CLOSE WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST
Entries close at 4.00pm on Wednesday 12 August. Entry is $3.00 per category, and viewing the entries on the day is free.
RAFFLE TICKET PRE-ORDER | CLOSES SUNDAY 16 AUGUST
This year’s Ag Show Raffle is now open for pre-orders, with funds raised supporting the Ag Show and the Christchurch City Mission. Purchase a ticket for your chance to win an incredible giant lollie bouquet, which will be on display during the Ag Show. Raffles can also be purchased during the Ag Show.
Raffle Tickets: $2.00 each
Pre-order deadline: 5.00pm, Sunday 16 August
Pre-order Ag Show raffle tickets by clicking here.
Get ready for a wild week of reading and imagination! Book Week is arriving a little earlier this year, running from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September (Term 3 Week 7).
This year’s theme: Critters and Creatures – a joyful celebration of the real and imaginary, furry, feathered, and scaly characters children love in books.
Throughout the week, our library programme will take centre stage, with students enjoying:
The highlight of the week will be our colourful Book Parade which will take place on Thursday 3 September.
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.