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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Last Sunday, 22 February, marked the 15-year anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake, an event that profoundly shaped our region and remains a defining part of our shared story. This significant occasion was acknowledged during our chapel services this week.
Our annual Boarding Roadshows, combined with our Old Collegian Association (OCA) gatherings, continued this week with visits to North Canterbury on Monday evening, hosted at Waipara Springs Winery, and to Mid Canterbury on Tuesday night in Methven. As always, these were enjoyable and valuable opportunities to connect with Old Collegians, current parents and prospective parents – a wonderful reflection of the breadth and diversity of our College community.
Yesterday at dawn, we held our annual Te Waka Calling ceremony, a moving occasion for all involved. This year’s ceremony took place at the New Brighton Pier and was accompanied by a stunningly sunrise. Te Waka Calling forms part of our distinctive rite-of-passage programme for all Year 10 students, ably led by Teacher in Charge, Kate Taylor. The programme provides a structured and supportive journey through adolescence and into adulthood and incorporates the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award as one of its many challenge elements. The dawn ceremony marked the beginning of this journey, with tutors supporting students throughout the year ahead.
I always value our weekly chapel services as moments to slow down and reflect during a busy week. This week, Assistant Chaplain Ben Hughes shared a wonderful message on “Mustard Seed Moments” (Matthew 13:31–32), reflecting on how small actions can have a significant impact – from simple acts of kindness to standing up for others and the collective power of many people giving a little.
Today concluded with the colourful Secondary School Athletic Sports Day, always a highlight on the school calendar. The energy of the Houses, creative costumes, spirited chants, and competitive races once again made for a memorable day. As I have told the students, “life is not a spectator sport,” meaning you get out what you put in.
A special feature of day was the attendance of three Old Collegians – Don Davison (OC 1956), Eddie Oakley (OC 1958) and Maurice Milliken (OC 1957). Talented sportsmen in their day, they cheered on the latest generation of athletes and assisted with prizegiving at the end of the day.
Ngā mihi
Mark Wilson
Rector
A group of 40 Year 12 Geography students travelled to Aoraki / Mount Cook for a two‑night field trip as part of their NCEA geographic research. With ideal weather conditions, students were able to fully immerse themselves in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park while gathering high‑quality field data.
The trip enabled students to apply classroom learning in real‑world contexts and engage deeply with field‑based geographic research. It also reflected Well‑being for All, with students supporting one another, building strong connections, and representing themselves and the College with maturity and pride. Overall, the experience provided a holistic learning opportunity that combined academic challenge with learning in a remarkable outdoor environment.
Flickr>To begin the term, Year 11 NCEA Physical Education students have been participating in a unit focused on building kotahitanga (unity). Ākonga have taken part in a range of Adventure‑Based Learning (ABL) experiences, reflecting on the strategies they use to build collective strength and connection as a class.
As part of the programme, three groups attended a High Ropes course at The Groynes this week, applying teamwork, communication, and problem‑solving skills in a challenging and supportive environment.
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Year 7 students have begun their first Food Technology lessons, and the enthusiasm in the kitchen has been clear from the outset. The programme starts with a focus on traditional baking techniques before progressing to the exploration of international cuisines.
Food Technology provides a relaxed, hands‑on learning environment where students are encouraged to learn through experience, including making and reflecting on mistakes. Alongside practical cooking skills, students apply classroom learning such as fractions, estimation, and metric measurement. Hygiene and safety are prioritised, with additional learning connections made to health, nutrition, science, and food from different cultures.
At 5.30am on Thursday morning, Year 10 students gathered at St Andrew’s College before travelling to New Brighton Pier for this year’s Te Waka Calling ceremony – a meaningful milestone marking their transition toward greater responsibility and maturity. As the sun rose over the ocean, students were encouraged to reflect on the journey ahead and the expectations that come with this next stage of their growth.
A powerful moment of the ceremony saw students write a childhood behaviour they wished to leave behind on a rock or shell and cast it into the sea. The focus, respect, and thoughtfulness shown throughout this ritual reflected a genuine readiness to move forward. The morning was further enriched by contributions from across the College community, including a haka led with pride and leadership, and a moving performance by the choir that created a strong sense of unity and reflection.
With a stunning sunrise overhead, Te Waka Calling became a moment of connection, gratitude, and shared purpose – one that many students will carry with them as a lasting memory. Thank you to all staff involved for the care, preparation, and guidance that made this significant occasion possible.
Flickr>The day dawned cloudy, and although conditions were cold, they proved ideal for our 108th Secondary School Athletic Sports Day. The programme began strongly with House chants, which were among the best staff had seen, setting the tone for a day of energy and enthusiasm.
Competition throughout the day was intense, with House spirit evident in the constant cheering and support for athletes across all events. Students demonstrated commitment, participation, and pride in their Houses, reflecting the strength of the House system and the shared culture of involvement.
At the conclusion of the day, Rutherford House claimed the House Cup for the fifth consecutive year, following another closely contested and spirited Sports Day.
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Last weekend, five teams from St Andrew’s College travelled to Auckland to compete in the VEX Robotics National Championships. It was a highly successful event, with three teams progressing through to the playoff rounds.
In the Middle School division, team Error 101 – Jonathan Armstrong, Hudson Blyde, Edward Garbutt, and Ethan Waines (all Year 10) – performed exceptionally well, finishing the qualification rounds ranked fourth. The team advanced to the semi‑finals, where they were narrowly eliminated after a hard‑fought match.
In the High School division, two St Andrew’s College teams qualified among the top 16 alliances to reach the finals playoffs but were knocked out in the first round:
A special highlight of the championships was The Andrew J Millar Fan Club receiving the prestigious VEX V5 Judges Award, which recognises teams demonstrating outstanding effort, perseverance, sportsmanship, interview quality, or innovative and creative engineering solutions.
Flickr>Two St Andrew’s College students competed at the recent South Island Surf Lifesaving Championships in Dunedin, achieving an outstanding set of individual and team results.
Lucy McAlister (Year 12) recorded strong performances across multiple events. Individually, she placed third in both the U17 Female ski race and the U19 Female ski race. In team events, Lucy achieved first place in the U17 Female Tube Rescue, U17 Female Surf Teams, U17 Female Ski Relay, U19 Female Ski Relay, and the Open Beach Relay, as well as third place in the U19 Female Double Ski.
Oliver MacDonald (Year 12) also delivered an impressive championship performance. He won the U17 Male ski race and was part of several successful relay teams, finishing first in the U19 Male Board Relay, U17 Male Ski Relay, and U17 Beach Relay. He also placed second in the U19 Male Ski Relay and the Open Mixed Taplin.
St Andrew’s College was represented by three teams at the Mainland Senior Volleyball Championships, with all squads gaining valuable experience against strong South Island competition. The Senior A Girls’ team delivered a strong performance in Division 1. Friday’s matches provided an important learning opportunity, helping the team identify key strengths and areas for improvement. Their growth was evident across the tournament, culminating in a determined five‑set win over St Margaret’s College on Sunday to secure fifth place, a significant turnaround after a 1–3 loss to the same side in their opening match. The Senior A Boys’ team is a young group this year, with many athletes relatively new to the sport. The championships offered an excellent opportunity to test themselves against top‑level opposition. While the team did not record a win, they competed with determination throughout the tournament and celebrated a highlight moment in taking a set off Christ’s College. The Senior B Girls’ team also showed promising development. They made a strong start by winning one of their two matches on day one, earning a place in the top eight of their division. Over the weekend, the team continued to build skill, confidence, and cohesion, improving with each match and demonstrating strong potential for the future.
Flickr>St Andrew’s College riders showed outstanding team spirit at the Canterbury Secondary Schools Dressage Competition, proudly decorating their faces and horses in College colours and thistles. Many riders challenged themselves by competing in more advanced tests, and despite strong winds and dusty conditions unsettling some horses, the team responded with resilience and composure.
In Level 2, Evie Gilmore (Year 10) placed second in Test B and fourth in Test A, while Georgia Lewis (Year 13) delivered an exceptional performance, placing first in both Test B and Test C. From a field of 31 teams, StAC Navy (Evie Gilmore and Ida Roberts (both Year 10), Ruby MacDonald (Year 11), and Georgia Lewis (Year 13)) finished an impressive ninth overall. StAC White (Ella Bailey (Year 9), Makayla Lochrie (Year 12), Jolene Bonner Vaitaki (Year 10), and Eilish MacMillan (Year 11)) placed 25th. Georgia Lewis was also named Top Level 1 Rider of the Day from a field of more than 60 riders.
The riders represented St Andrew’s College with pride, resilience, and enthusiasm throughout the event. Thank you to the family members and friends who supported the team on the day. We are also fortunate to welcome new coach Sandy Fryatt to the programme. Sandy brings a wealth of experience, including 10 years as Deputy Director of the Nga Tawa Equestrian Academy, international competition at CCI five‑star level in New Zealand and Europe, including Burghley Horse Trials, and selection in the winning New Zealand Trans‑Tasman team in 1995. She has coached successful eventing and dressage teams in New Zealand and the UK and currently competes up to FEI Small Tour level. Her achievements include winning the Prix St Georges World Challenge (2021) and the Overall Individual World Challenge Senior Level 2 title (2023).
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Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 12) has been selected for the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) training and selection camp, to be held during the upcoming school holidays. Just 25 students were chosen for this prestigious programme from a national pool of approximately 500 students representing 200 schools.
Following the camp, four students will be selected to represent New Zealand at the International Biology Olympiad, to be held in Lithuania.
Following on from last week’s Junior workshop, 21 Year 11–13 students took part in a Senior half‑day creative writing workshop on Wednesday in the Green Library and Innovation Centre. The workshop was organised by Writer in Residence Kerrin P. Sharpe, alongside Head of English Rebecca Ball.
Designed specifically for Senior students, the session introduced a range of exemplar poems and prose, along with guidance on upcoming writing competitions and publication opportunities. Students were given time, inspiration, and support to develop their own writing projects during the workshop. Participants will now continue working with Kerrin and Rebecca to refine, edit, and submit their writing before moving on to their next project.
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The 1st XI recorded an excellent win over the Willows XI on Sunday, their first victory against Willows since 2017. Willows batted first and posted 189, with Jacob Farrelly (Year 13) taking four wickets in a strong bowling performance. In reply, St Andrew’s chased down the target with just three wickets lost, highlighted by a composed 71 from Spencer Hair (Year 13). It was an outstanding day of cricket, with Willows, as always, proving gracious hosts.
Other notable performances included:
Orchestra Camp, held last Friday and Saturday at St Andrew’s College, was a productive and enjoyable weekend of music‑making, collaboration, and shared learning. Students refined their repertoire in preparation for Founders’ Day, focusing on challenging passages and developing stronger ensemble skills across strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion.
Alongside rehearsals, students took part in activities designed to build connection and teamwork. Highlights included the Musical Imposter game, where ensembles performed familiar tunes while secretly lip‑syncing one member, and the Chant Challenge, which encouraged creativity through coordinated routines using team names and body percussion.
Across the weekend, students connected across year levels, supported one another, and made significant progress as a full orchestra. The camp provided valuable momentum heading into upcoming performances.
The St Andrew’s Preparatory Swimming Championships were held at Jellie Park on Monday, providing a full day of racing marked by strong participation, encouragement, and House spirit. Students competed with enthusiasm and determination, earning House points while consistently supporting their peers and demonstrating the StAC‑Up values throughout the event.
MacGibbon House secured the overall House points title, finishing narrowly ahead of Rutherford by 10 points. With every swimmer earning a point for each race entered, MacGibbon’s strong whole‑House participation proved decisive. The championships also recognised the 2026 Age Group Champions following a competitive and well‑supported programme of events.
View the Swimming Records by clicking here and Age Group Champions by clicking here.
Flickr>Our Beach Education Day provided Year 4–6 students with a balanced programme of practical and theory‑based learning focused on surf and beach safety. Throughout the day, students toured the Surf Life Saving Club, observed demonstrations of essential rescue equipment, and learned key messages around surf awareness and sun safety.
Students developed an understanding of beach environments, including waves, rips, holes, and currents, and explored the role of lifeguards in keeping communities safe. The programme also included confidence‑building beach activities, before concluding with students applying their learning in the water through body‑boarding, swimming, and tube rescue experiences.
With the beach being a popular recreational environment for many families, this programme plays an important role in building students’ knowledge, confidence, and skills to safely enjoy New Zealand’s coastline.
At the Rangiora Highland Dance Competition, Nayana Abrahamson (Year 4) achieved Most Points U8 and was also awarded Most Points of the Day. Iaera Abrahamson (Year 6) placed runner‑up for Most Points U12.
At the Timaru Highland Dance Competition, Adelyn Abrahamson (Year 8) recorded a strong series of results, winning Most Points U12, Most Points U14, and the South Canterbury Championship Irish Jig (U12).
Last Sunday, a group of senior staff attended the weekly community meal at Latimer Square, where Daniel Chung and his wife have been providing free cooked meals for people experiencing homelessness or hardship in Christchurch for around 18 years. Each week, approximately 100 people attend, drawn by a simple but powerful approach – consistent presence, kindness, and care.
Staff assisted with serving meals as part of an initial exploration of how the College might support this long‑standing service. The visit highlighted the complex challenges faced by many who attend, including significant mental health needs, alongside others who are seeking support during periods of personal or financial difficulty.
On Monday, more than 60 Old Collegians and their partners gathered with Rector Mark Wilson, OCA President Zoe Merrick (OC 2014), Head of Development and Community Relations Tomo Yee (OC 2008), and Alumni Manager Lisa Clark at Waipara Springs Winery for the second North Canterbury Gathering. Alumni spanning year groups from 1948 to 2015 were represented, creating a diverse mix of shared memories and conversation. It was particularly pleasing to welcome several guests attending their first Old Collegians event since leaving the College. Head Boarders Henry Tayler and Katie Taggart also attended, sharing insights into boarding life today while hearing reflections from previous generations.
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On Tuesday, around 60 guests attended the Mid Canterbury Gathering in Methven, bringing together Old Collegians alongside current and prospective families from the region. Alumni representing year groups from 1957 through to 2017 enjoyed reconnecting and sharing stories from their time at the College. Rector Mark Wilson provided an update on the College’s Strategic Plan, and Head Boarders Katie Taggart and Henry Tayler again joined the evening to share their boarding experiences with new families. The gathering reflected the value of regional connections in strengthening the wider St Andrew’s community.
Flickr>Last Sunday marked a special milestone with the first Old Collegians Canoe Polo Reunion, now set to become an annual event. The day brought together past and present students, strengthening connections and celebrating the partnerships that underpin the programme.
The highlight was the inaugural Senior A versus Old Collegians match. With some alumni unavailable, recent leavers from the Class of 2025 joined current College coaches Nick Burnett (OC 1994) and Justin Randall (OC 1989). In a notable family moment, Sophie Burnett and Liam Randall (both OC 2025) competed alongside their parents, joined by Thomas White (OC 2025) and Riley Thomson (OC 2023). They faced a determined Senior A team captained by Luca Rose (Year 13).
After an even first half, the experience of the Old Collegians proved decisive, securing a 4–1 win and the Burnett Family Cup.
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A number of Old Collegians competed at the New Zealand Rowing Championships, representing the Avon Rowing Club:
Senior Boys’ rowing coach Timmy Heritage also competed, coxing Gold in the Women’s Senior 8+, Silver in the Women’s Intermediate 8+, and Bronze in the Women’s Premier 8+.
Tom Turner (OC 2022, pictured right) and his team won the High Goal Challenge title at Urban Polo in Hagley Park on Saturday. The match was decided in the final 30 seconds, with a 4–3 result sealing the win.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College this weekend in sports and cultural activities, including:
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.
Date: Monday 2 March (Week 6, Term 1)
Time: 6.30pm–7.30pm
Venue: Centennial Chapel, St Andrew's College
Join us for StACTalks: The Power of Stories with Jehan Casinader. This special evening features award-winning journalist, author, and mental health advocate Jehan Casinader, who will share his remarkable journey from early success in television journalism to battling depression and suicidal thoughts – and how storytelling helped him survive. Jehan’s presentation is not a generic mental health talk. He offers fresh, compelling, and practical insights into how we can support our children’s well-being and strengthen resilience within our families. His storytelling approach provides tools to help us become the “authors” of our own lives and navigate challenges with confidence.
Jehan has spoken to educators, parents, and students across New Zealand, changing lives – and saving lives – with his unique message. His book, This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life, has inspired countless readers to rethink how they approach adversity.
This free event is open to all St Andrew's College parents and caregivers. Complimentary tea and coffee will be served after the session in the Centennial Chapel foyer.
REGISTER >
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
Date: Tuesday 10 March
Time: Doors open at 5.45pm, with the event starting at 6.00pm
Venue: Gym 1
We warmly invite families to join us for our annual Fiafia Night, a special community event to celebrate and support Pasifika culture! The night will feature performances and shared kai. We encourage attendees to bring a small koha/donation to place on the stage during the second performance of the evening. These contributions will support our talented group before their performance at the 2026 Canterbury Polyfest in North Hagley Park on 13–14 March. Polyfest has a $5.00 entry fee, with free entry for children aged under 12.
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.
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 >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. To view The Coffee Cart menu, please click here.
Who: PTA President, Tim Gibb
View all upcoming Coffee and Catch Ups by clicking here.
The St Andrew’s College has a Community Business Directory features over 100 businesses and professional services owned by families of current students. The Directory is a fantastic way to support local businesses, strengthen connections within our St Andrew’s whānau, and discover the range of services offered by fellow parents and caregivers. This year we’ll also be hosting business networking events – keep an eye out for upcoming dates and details.
THE ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY>
List Your Business: If you’re a current parent and would like to be included, complete the registration form at the link below, or email development@stac.school.nz to update a current listing.
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.
