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Dear Parents and Caregivers
My congratulations to all our young athletes and sports teams who represented St Andrew’s College so positively through last week’s national Summer Tournament Week. These events, held across the country, rely heavily on the commitment and support of staff, coaches, and parents, whose efforts make these opportunities possible.
Participation in sport provides students with valuable learning beyond the field or court, including teamwork, resilience under pressure, and the ability to respond constructively to both success and setback. Our Senior A Girls’ volleyball team provided a great example of this. Having qualified for the national championships through a late wildcard entry, they approached the opportunity with focus and determination, finishing tenth overall in New Zealand.
My wife Judi and I have also spent time supporting our rowers at the Maadi Regatta, the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Championships, held at Lake Ruataniwha. As the largest secondary school sporting event in the southern hemisphere, Maadi offers a highly competitive environment. It was encouraging to see almost all St Andrew’s crews compete in A and B finals, with around half finishing within the top ten nationally. The regatta also provided opportunities for connection among families, including a lakeside parent function co‑hosted with Rangi Ruru Girls’ School on Thursday evening. The evening featured contributions from Year 13 students Emily Brook, who performed on the pipes, and Scarlett Ryan, who delivered the Address to a Haggis.
Our Boys’ 1st XI cricket team enjoyed an outstanding Term 1 season, with an undefeated run through the Canterbury two‑day competition. They have consistently played with discipline, maturity, and intent, consistently finding ways to win closely contested matches. Entering the final round of fixtures, four teams remained in title contention. Under pressure, the team demonstrated composure and consistency to secure an outright win against St Bede’s College, sealing the championship and the College’s first two‑day Canterbury title since 2017.
Chapel services this week focused on the Easter message, reflecting on Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday, how this sacrifice brings forgiveness, and offering new life (symbolised with Easter eggs) now and in eternal life to come. This theme was reinforced through acts of service, with donations of essential items collected for Kairos Trust to support those in need.
I wish you all a blessed Easter and enjoyable term break. School resumes on Tuesday 28 April, following the Anzac Day holiday on the Monday. During the break, a number of students and staff will be involved in activities, including some pre-season tournaments with our Girls’ hockey team competing in Auckland and Boys’ hockey in Hamilton, the South Island Secondary Schools Adventure Race in Kaikōura, 3x3 Basketball National Championship in Wellington, 40 students involved in Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Adventurous Journeys, and final preparations for the Senior College production, Anything Goes. I will also be in Wellington supporting our Boy’s 1st XV at the Presbyterian Quadrangular Rugby Tournament hosted at Scots College.
Ngā mihi
Mark Wilson
Rector
This term, Year 6 students engaged in a hands‑on STEM project that brought science and engineering to life through the design and construction of zipline racers. Students planned, built, tested, and refined their racers, applying scientific thinking as they evaluated performance and made improvements.
The project culminated in a student‑named ‘Formula 1 Flyer’ race, where designs were tested and compared. Alongside this, students explored electricity through practical investigations, constructing and troubleshooting circuits while developing an understanding of how components work together. The combined learning experiences supported experimentation, problem‑solving, and real‑world application of scientific concepts.
Year 5 students explored scientific concepts through a range of practical, inquiry‑based learning experiences this term. As part of their fossil study, students examined fossil evidence and modelled different methods of fossil formation, creating trace, cast, mould, and free‑form fossils to deepen their understanding of geological processes.
Students also investigated electricity, learning how it is generated and how electrical energy flows. Through testing conductors and insulators and building simple circuits, students actively problem‑solved and tested predictions, strengthening their understanding through hands‑on exploration.
Throughout Term 1, students in classes 4S and 4T explored the St Andrew’s College values of Truth, Excellence, Faith, Inclusivity, and Creativity. These values were embedded through class discussions, collaborative activities, and everyday learning experiences, supporting students to understand how values are expressed in action.
Founders’ Day provided an opportunity for students to connect their learning to the College’s history and traditions, reinforcing the relevance of the values today. Across both classes, students have demonstrated growing confidence in applying these values through supportive behaviour, goal‑setting, creative thinking, and respectful interactions.
This week in e‑Learning, Year 2 students were introduced to QR codes and explored how they are used in digital contexts. Students applied this learning through an interactive Easter hunt, scanning QR codes around the school to access clues and solve problems.
The activity culminated in locating the Easter Bunny’s missing basket of eggs, providing a meaningful and engaging way to apply digital literacy skills. The experience supported problem‑solving, reading comprehension, and collaboration, while bringing e‑Learning to life in an authentic context.
Final results from Summer Tournament Week, including competitions completed over the weekend, are outlined below. A full selection of images is now available via the Combined Summer Tournament Week Flickr.
Summer Tournament Week FINAL Results >
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NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS – After a week of disruptive weather, only a limited number of matches were completed at the National Secondary Schools Tennis Championships. The girls’ team finished equal third nationally, earning a bronze medal, their best result ever! The boys’ team progressed to the playoff round for positions five to eight; however, these matches were cancelled due to conditions.
Both teams competed across the week and adapted to changing circumstances brought about by the weather.
NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS – At the National Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships, the Senior Girls’ team entered Division 1 as a wildcard and recorded several strong performances, including victories over higher‑ranked teams. The Senior A Boys’ team faced challenging opposition throughout the tournament and continued to compete across all matches.
For both teams, the Championships provided extended competition against teams from across the country.
NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Boys – The Senior and Junior Boys’ futsal teams travelled to Wellington for the National Championships. The Senior Boys recorded a number of closely contested matches and concluded their campaign with a win over Tawa College, finishing 31st nationally.
The Junior Boys recorded multiple positive results, including a 6–3 win over Shirley Boys’ High School and narrow victories in early playoff matches. Injuries throughout the latter stages of the tournament limited rotations, with the team finishing 18th overall.
NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS – The National Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships were held in Tauranga, where strong winds resulted in the cycling leg being removed for safety, converting the event into an aquathon.
Ashton Harris (Year 10) placed third in the Boys’ U14 event, while Olivia Copland (Year 9) and Penny Scarlett (Year 10) also competed under the revised format in challenging conditions.
SOUTH ISLAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS MOUNTAIN BIKING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Students competed at the South Island Secondary Schools Mountain Biking Championships at Mount Hutt Bike Park, where cold temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain created difficult racing conditions.
Twelve riders represented the College across downhill, cross‑country, and relay events. Notable results included:
At the Maadi Cup Regatta, St Andrew’s crews qualified for eight A finals and eight B finals, placing within the top eight and top sixteen crews nationally. The regatta involved approximately 2,200 competitors from 129 schools and featured a particularly strong standard of racing. While results in the finals did not go our way, our crews gave their best in a regatta marked by an exceptionally high standard of rowing, particularly from North Island schools.
Beyond on‑water competition, the week included a lakeside function co‑hosted with Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, attended by visiting schools from across the country. Year 13 student Scarlett Ryan delivered the Address to a Haggis, accompanied by piper Emily Brook (Year 13).
fLICKR>Athletes represented the College at the South Island Secondary Schools Athletics Championships across a full weekend of competition. Amelia Cody (Year 12) opened the programme with a third placing in the 300m hurdles and later placed third in the 100m hurdles.
Maiyah Martin (Year 10) recorded multiple podium finishes, winning U16 shot put and U17 200m hurdles, plus second in U16 discus and U16 80m hurdles. Melenaite (Tia) Havea (Year 13) also secured titles in her throwing events. Tayla Ford (Year 10) placed second in both the 800m and 1500m and was a contributing member of relay teams, while Oliver Jackways (Year 13) recorded second placings in the 200m and 400m, alongside relay duties. Diesel Mackie (Year 9) placed second in the 1500m, and Lauren Nicholson (Year 9) placed third in the 400m.
Relay events included second placings for the Girls’ U16 4x100m team of Molly Michael (Year 11), Emma Mckellow, Tayla Ford, and Maiyah Martin (all Year 10), and Girls’ U17 4x400m team of Lauren Nicholson (Year 9), Molly Michael, Tayla Ford, and Alice Glover (all Year 10). The Senior Boys’ 4x400m relay team of Samuel Hardy (Year 12), Kupa Rule, Samuel Cook, and Oliver Jackways (all Year 13) won the South Island title that they had chasing in recent years.
Twenty students represented the College at the Canterbury Secondary Schools Swimming Championships held at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre on Tuesday. This marked the first time since 2010 that the event has been hosted in a 50‑metre pool.
The team included 18 Middle School and two Senior College swimmers, who progressed through morning heats to compete in evening finals. Across the programme, the team achieved nine top‑three individual placings and two relay podium finishes.
Full results can be found on the Canterbury Sport Website by clicking here.
Grace Roy (Year 11) has been selected to represent New Zealand in show jumping at an international competition in Seoul, Korea. Grace is the sole rider selected, with the event taking place from 30 April to 3 May.
St Andrew’s College riders competed at the South Island Interschools Polo Tournament at Waireka Polo in Sefton. The senior team of Sofia Sneddon (Year 9), Harry Brennan, and Billy Forsyth (both Year 12) recorded nine goals across the day and finished as winners of the B Grade.
In the ‘Give It a Go’ section, Georgia Grant, Jolene Bonner‑Vaitaki, Saskia Fitzgerald, and Amelia Brockhurst (all Year 10) were introduced to polo through a short instructional session before participating in a chukka. The experience supported skill‑building and participation ahead of planned C Grade competition later in the year.
Alanna Brook (Year 13), Lauren Bolton (Year 12) and Hugo Millar-Bell (Year 12) have been invited to attend the U18 South Island rowing trials at Lake Ruataniwha from 10–12 April. Selection from the trials will determine crews for the North vs South Regatta later in April.
Maggie McConnochie (Year 12) travelled to Brisbane to compete at the second Annual Pipe Majors McNeill Solo Invitational Competition. She was one of two New Zealand pipers invited to attend. The following day, Maggie competed at the Queensland Highland Pipers Society Solo Competition, winning the Under 18 Piobaireachd and the Open March, Strathspey and Reel, and placing third in the Open Hornpipe and Jig.
Charlotte Donovan (Year 10) competed in the Victorian Pipers Association 2026 Online Competition, finishing first overall in the D Grade events. Her results included first placings in the 2/4 March and the Strathspey and Reel, and third in Piobaireachd.
The Geraldine Adventure Race was held on Sunday 29 March at Orari Station and included a combination of mountain biking and running or walking. Two St Andrew’s College teams competed in the three‑hour event. The Year 9 team of Lila Gordon‑Glassford, Chloe Spencer‑Bower, George Turnbull, and Aria Register‑Hunt placed eighth overall. The Year 7–8 team of Cole Gordon‑Glassford and Benji McBride collected one of the more challenging checkpoints on the course, which required swimming to reach the marker.
Both teams navigated complex routes, managed time effectively, and adapted to difficult conditions, including low cloud and mist on steep terrain.
Stevie Cozens, founder of Forge Sport, visited the College on Tuesday as the guest speaker for the competitive basketball programme’s Kai | Kit | Kōrero hui. Stevie spoke with students about attitude, academic balance, and goal‑setting in forging pathways within and beyond basketball.
He also met with several aspiring student‑athletes for individual guidance on recruitment processes. With more than 100 competitive players and approximately 250 social players involved this season, the session provided a practical foundation for the year ahead.
The Green Library and Innovation Centre hosted a VEX Robotics scrimmage on Saturday, with VEX IQ and V5 teams from schools across the region preparing for the upcoming Canterbury Challenge. As the Canterbury Challenge runs over a compressed timeframe, teams are required to work efficiently and collaboratively.
The robotics space at St Andrew’s College has been increasingly active during lunchtimes in recent weeks, supporting preparation for the major competition at Tūranga next term. Four College teams competed in the VEX IQ Slapshot scrimmage and four teams in the V5 Get In scrimmage. Team The Kitten Klan – Jack Blyde, Zongze (Aaron) Li, Vitek Mencl, and Wyatt Petre (all Year 8) – secured a 14–13 result in the final IQ match.
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The 1st XI secured an outright result over St Bede’s College to conclude the two‑day competition. Resuming on day two with St Bede’s at 148/1, disciplined bowling saw them dismissed for 157, with Stian Pelser (Year 12) taking 5/26 and Otis Wheeler (Year 13) 3/34. St Andrew’s required 88 runs to win and reached the target with the loss of two wickets. This is the first year St Andrew’s College has won the two-day competition since 2017.
Other key performances:
Preparatory School students competed at the Primary Schools Canterbury Swimming Championships held at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, with Year 5–6 events on Wednesday and Year 7–8 events on Thursday.
Liam Botha (Year 5) secured gold in the Boys’ 50m butterfly (Years 5–6), and silver in the Boys’ 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke events. Marcel de Wit (Year 5) placed third in the Boys’ 50m backstroke.
In team events, the Years 7–8 Mixed Medley Relay team of Bozan Wang, ChloeAnn Botha, Jack Blyde, and Leona Smart (all Year 8) recorded a first‑place finish. Bozan Wang added a second‑place result in the Boys’ 50m breaststroke.
All College swimmers finished within the top ten of their events, with fields of more than 30 competitors per race.
On Sunday evening, Cultural Captains Scarlett Ryan and Alice Howard (both Year 13) hosted Miscast, an in‑house performing arts event designed to provide students with opportunities to perform musical theatre repertoire outside their usual casting.
Students from Years 9–13 took part, presenting a wide range of performances that supported connection and inclusivity within the performing arts community. The evening provided space for creative expression and shared participation.
Year 8 students have recently completed a series of golf lessons introducing fundamental skills such as grip, swing, and aim. The programme concluded with a visit to Hagley Golf Course, where students applied these skills in a game setting.
The experience supported confidence‑building, teamwork, and persistence, while also aligning with the PERMA‑V focus on physical activity, engagement, and achievement.
fLICKR>Jessica Nelson (Year 4) competed at the Awesome Autumn Classic 2026, a South Island regional gymnastics competition. She placed second in the All‑Around, first on Vault, and second on Beam. Across the four apparatus, she recorded scores within the highest ribbon band.
Raphael Preuss (Year 9) and Ethan King (Year 8) representing Waimairi Tennis Club, won the Junior Boys’ Interclub U12 Division 1 competition during the 2025–2026 season. Raphael also won the Saturday Junior Interclub Boys’ Open Division 2 competition.
Last Friday, the Preparatory School hosted a performance of RED! through the New Zealand Opera in Schools programme. Composed by Lucy Mulligan, the interactive opera engaged students through singing and participatory activities across the performance.
Last Friday marked an important moment for the Middle School, with student leaders hosting their first assembly of the year. The programme highlighted a range of recent activities, including reflections on Year 9 camps, an Athletics Day video, and an update on the Year 10 Te Waka programme.
The assembly also included a light‑hearted House challenge, with two students from each House competing in an Easter egg activity that added energy and humour to the event, with Erwin taking the win. Marshall Coles (Year 11) and Elisa Taulava (Year 10) led an outstanding assembly and the Middle School Leaders concluded with reminders about Middle School Mondays, the Ball Library, and ongoing fundraising initiatives for So They Can.
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The Preparatory School End of Term 1 Assembly provided an opportunity to reflect on learning, service, culture, and community across the term. The service began with staff processing into the Centennial Chapel to a piping medley, followed by a pepeha delivered by Year 7 student Arizona Wallace.
The assembly included a hymn, The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free, a reading from John 10:11–14, and a prayer focused on care and guidance. Musical performances featured the Preparatory School Orchestra performing We Know the Way from Moana, led by Aiden Jia (Year 8) and conducted by Ros Emeleus.
Students were acknowledged for their alignment with College values, cultural involvement, service, and sporting participation. The Ballet Academy presented two contrasting works, with the Year 6 dancers performing a Tarantella and the Year 8 group presenting a Classical Adagio. A kapa haka performance of Haere Mai followed, bringing the service to a close alongside the College Song and benediction led by Chaplain Jillian Fenton.
The assembly offered a reflective conclusion to the term and highlighted the diverse contributions of students across the Preparatory School.
Flickr>This week, Year 9 students collected 1,500 native seedlings from the EcoAction Trust Nursery Hub at Christ’s College for ongoing care at the St Andrew’s College Nursery. In Term 2, Year 10 students will support the project by repotting the seedlings as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Hillary Award service component.
The project will be managed by the student nursery management team, led by Merida Xiao and supported by Sustainability Council members Eddison Keith, Rufina Kim, Rebecca Fraser, Cathy He, Joanna Liang, and Emma Zhang (all Year 9), who will monitor plant health and growth across the year. By Autumn 2027, the seedlings are expected to be ready for planting in riparian zones or on selected Port Hills sites.
The initiative connects student learning with environmental stewardship, service, leadership, and outdoor education. It also strengthens partnerships with local organisations and neighbouring schools while supporting long‑term sustainability outcomes.
On Wednesday, the Junior Department hosted a Great Easter Discovery Morning, bringing students together for a shared celebration across Periods 1 and 2. Children moved through the Learning Hallway, participating in a range of activities prepared by teachers, including storytelling, crafts, games, songs, and poems.
Pre‑school learners joined the morning’s activities, enhancing the sense of connection across age groups. Many students added Easter‑themed accessories to their uniforms, contributing to the festive atmosphere. The morning provided an opportunity for creativity, collaboration, and shared enjoyment across the Junior Department.
Flickr>This week, St Andrew’s College Old Collegians competed at the Janet Storry Tennis Tournament, held in cold conditions at Waimairi Tennis Club. The team secured the title for the 30th time since the tournament began in 1930, competing against Christ’s College, St Margaret’s College, and Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.
The St Andrew’s College Old Collegians team included Johnny McHarg (OC 1992), Tim McHarg (OC 1995), Tuscany Hamel (OC 2010), Tom Batt (OC 2012), Lawrence Darling (OC 2015), Grayson Cullen (OC 2018), Blake Cullen (OC 2022), Sophie McDermott (OC 2022), and Alumni Manager Lisa Clark. Johnny McHarg was also a member of the 2005 winning team, recording tournament victories across multiple decades.
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Canterbury has been confirmed as the Plunket Shield champions for the domestic first‑class cricket season, with several St Andrew’s College Old Collegians contributing to the campaign. The Plunket Shield is New Zealand’s premier domestic red‑ball competition, with matches played across the summer season.
Old Collegians involved in the squad included Freddy Anderson (OC 2012, coaching staff), Jesse Frew (OC 2019), Henry Nicholls (OC 2009, captain), Leo Carter (OC 2012), Scott Janett (OC 2021), and Rhys Mariu (OC 2019).
Amiria Rule (OC 2001, Head of Learning Support – Secondary) represented Canterbury at the inaugural New Zealand Women’s Masters Cricket Tournament held in Queenstown last week. The tournament featured a high standard of competition across two days, with closely contested matches throughout.
Amiria was named Player of the Tournament following consistent performances across the event. The competition concluded with a close final, where NZ Police edged Canterbury to take the title.
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the term break in sports and cultural activities, including:
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of glamour, celebration, and community spirit at the Black & Bling Ball 2026, proudly sponsored by The Crater Rim, and support our St Andrew’s College hockey and rowing programmes. Standard Tables of 10 are available for $1600 and include complimentary bubbles on arrival, dinner, late evening supper, and fantastic live entertainment. With a formal dress code, this is your chance to dress to impress and enjoy a fantastic evening with friends and our wider College community. Enjoy the fun of the photo booth, explore our exciting silent auction, take part in the raffle and experience the energy of our live auctions.
Tickets typically sell fast, so we encourage you to book to secure your table! This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community for an elegant and memorable evening while supporting our students. All funds raised will support the ongoing development of hockey for all Preparatory and Secondary School teams and contribute to upgrading the St Andrew’s rowing kitchen in Twizel, helping provide outstanding opportunities for our students.
PURCHASE BLACK & BLING BALL TABLE OF 10>Set to a sparkling Cole Porter score, Anything Goes is a fast-paced, fun romp aboard the S.S. American, where romance, mistaken identities and high-seas hilarity collide. This Golden Age classic follows the lovelorn Billy Crocker as he teams up with the charismatic Reno Sweeney, along with an incognito gangster, to win the heart of debutante Hope Harcourt. Featuring iconic tunes and full‑cast tap dancing, this 2022 revision brings fresh wit while honouring the show’s timeless charm. Filled with glamour and wonderful dance numbers, Anything Goes promises a joyful escape for audiences of all ages. This musical is delightful, delicious and truly de‑lovely.
Unfortunately, there has been a delay in making the individual and class photographs available for purchase due to a technical issue with the photo ordering platform. We are working to resolve this and are hopeful that the photographs will be available early in Term 2. Parents and caregivers will be emailed directly as soon as the photos are ready to view and purchase.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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.
