Year 8 Strowan Stream Investigation

For the past few weeks, many of our Year 8 students took part in a field-based ecology investigation at Strowan Stream, comparing two different stream environments near the Turley Bridge and Papanui Road. Acting as environmental scientists, students collected water and soil samples to measure a range of abiotic factors, including water temperature, soil temperature, pH, and salinity.

Students used scientific equipment to analyse their samples and compared the conditions at each site. They processed and evaluated their data, identified similarities and differences between the two environments, and considered how these factors might affect living organisms within the stream. 

This investigation built on learning from the Year 7 Castle Hill Camp, where the same students collected similar environmental data from an alpine stream ecosystem. Next term, students will compare the Castle Hill data with their Strowan Stream results, drawing conclusions about the similarities and differences between a natural alpine environment and a suburban stream. This comparison will help students develop a deeper understanding of how location, land use, and human activity can affect ecosystem health.

It was wonderful to see students engaging thoughtfully with a local ecosystem while developing key scientific inquiry skills, including conducting investigations, analysing data, evaluating evidence, and communicating conclusions.

Year 6 Statistics Olympics

To round off their Statistics unit, Year 6 students took part in their very own Statistics Olympics! Students worked in teams and rotated through a range of challenges including throwing events, hopping races, bean bag tosses, and a fast-paced space race. As well as having plenty of fun, each activity created real data for students to collect, analyse, and graph. Back in the classroom, students used their results to calculate the mean, median, mode, and range, bringing their statistical learning to life. It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement, teamwork, and discussion as students compared results and looked for patterns in their data.

The Statistics Olympics was a great way to combine hands-on learning with some healthy competition and was the perfect way to finish our unit and end the term on a high.

PERMA-V Junior Department Assembly

The PERMA-V Junior Department Assembly last Friday was a wonderful celebration of a year of learning about the six PERMA-V pillars. Each class prepared a short presentation, sharing their understanding and experiences with one of the pillars and showcasing their learning to their peers. The children enjoyed joining together in song as they explored the importance of Relationships and connections with the world around us through Meaning. Children reflected on times when they had experienced the joy of Achievement through perseverance and determination, sharing stories of digging deep to accomplish challenging goals, such as learning to ride a bike. Our Year 3 students shared important messages about Vitality, creating thoughtful posters to help reinforce and revisit their learning. Meanwhile, our youngest students shone brightly as they enthusiastically shared ideas about Engagement and Positive Emotions, reminding us of the importance of “name it to tame it” when understanding our feelings.

It was a special occasion that brought our Junior Department together to celebrate, reflect on, and take pride in all that the children have learned throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of the confidence, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm our students demonstrated as they shared their learning with one another.

Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival

Ninety-five Preparatory School ākonga represented St Andrew’s College at the Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival at the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday, in a performance that beautifully brought together te ao Māori and the College’s Scottish heritage. The performance began with a new waiata created by teacher, Mary Leota, to the tune of The Skye Boat Song. Alexander Petelo (Year 5) called the kapa together with his conch shell before William Keir (Year 8) accompanied the group on the bagpipes, creating a memorable blend of Māori and Scottish traditions. The group performed the waiata-ā-ringa, Waitaha E, a welcoming waiata led by Lila Scott and Josie Velluppillai (both Year 8). The girls then showcased their intricate poi skills in Tihore Mai te Rangi, a waiata telling of the birds in our forests, before the boys joined them with short rākau.

A highlight was the beautiful singing from the entire kapa, including a verse sung by some of our youngest ākonga. Their voices were sweet and tuneful, the waiata-ā-ringa actions were precise, the boys demonstrated excellent skill with their short rākau, and the transitions between items were flawless. Not a single poi or rākau was dropped! The performance finished with a rousing rendition of the St Andrew’s College haka led by Louis Mauger, with Harrison Julius and Liam Stronach (all Year 8). The students brought wonderful energy to the stage and finished with some impressively fierce pūkana.

The St Andrew’s kapa haka group received many compliments on their beautiful singing and the energy they brought to their performance. Our ākonga also took on leadership roles in the wider festival. Harrison helped lead the audience in the local haka, Tahu Potiki, and Josie joined other rangatahi to lead Te Taukaea, with the whole Town Hall auditorium joining together.

1st XV Q&A

There was plenty of excitement in the Preparatory School this week as members of the St Andrew’s College Secondary School 1st XV rugby team visited our young rugby players following their successful season. Hosted in the lower hallway, the session brought together rugby players from Years 1–8 for a memorable opportunity to meet some of the College’s senior rugby stars and see the team's trophies up close.

Head Rugby Coach, Willi Heinz, and several Year 13 players, including Charlie Tanner, Seymour Stowers-Smith, Henry Tayler, Oliver Jackways, and Jiutaisa Manumanuniliwa, spent time answering questions from the students and sharing insights into their rugby journeys. The Q&A session gave the younger players the chance to learn more about representing St Andrew’s, balancing school and sport, and what it takes to succeed at the highest level of school rugby.

Students were highly engaged throughout the visit, asking thoughtful questions and enjoying the opportunity to interact with players they look up to. The visit concluded with photos alongside the players and the trophies, creating lasting memories and inspiring the next generation of St Andrew’s rugby players. A special thank you to Willi Heinz, the 1st XV players, and everyone involved in organising this fantastic opportunity for our Preparatory School rugby community.

Grandparents' Day | Friday 23 October

Grandparents' Day is a cherished St Andrew's College tradition, celebrating the special role grandparents play in the lives of our students. This year, we are delighted to welcome grandparents from both the Preparatory and Secondary Schools to join us for a morning of entertainment, connection and lasting memories.

• The morning will begin with entertainment in the Centennial Chapel at 10.40am, followed by an opportunity for grandparents to meet with their grandchildren.
• Parking will be available on the College fields via the Circuit Street entrance, with volunteers available to assist visitors on arrival.
• A free family photography drop-in will also be available outside the Senior School, providing grandparents and grandchildren with the opportunity to capture a special memory of the day. No booking is required.

Registration is essential and all grandparents attending must be registered by parents/caregivers to ensure students can be released from class to meet them. Registrations close at 3.00pm on Tuesday 20 October.

Online Photography Ordering

The following 2026 photographs are now available to order online:

• New: Ballet Academy photo;
• Individual student photographs; 
• Secondary School tutor group photographs; 
• Preparatory School class photographs (New Entrant will be taken in Term 4); 
• Whole year group photographs for Year 9 and Year 13; 
• Summer sports groups, excluding cricket; 
• Music and cultural groups; 
• Clubs and leadership groups;
• Preparatory School sibling groups.

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.