Rector's Comment

Dear Parents and Caregivers

This edition of the newsletter focuses primarily on Winter Tournament Week results, as several key members of our Communications team are attending a professional development conference in Brisbane. Investing in professional learning helps ensure our teams remains current with emerging trends and best practice. We look forward to sharing many of this week’s other College stories and achievements in next week’s newsletter.

We begin with significant news from the performing arts. Our choir, Ngā Manu Tīoriori, qualified for the national Big Sing Finale last week for only the second time in the College’s history, following its first appearance in 2004. Reaching the Finale placed the choir among the top 24 secondary school choirs in New Zealand from more than 250 entries. At the national competition, Ngā Manu Tīoriori received a Silver Award, the first national award of its kind for a St Andrew’s College choir. Congratulations to our singers, and sincere thanks to Choir Director Dr Jared Corbett for his outstanding leadership and commitment.

We often speak about the value of shared experiences through our performing arts groups and sports teams. These activities provide opportunities not only for collective achievement, but also for considerable personal growth. The commitment, resilience, and determination displayed on stage, on the field, court, and turf are impressive, but what stands out most is the way our students support one another. Time and again, I see young people celebrating each other’s successes, offering encouragement through challenges, and understanding that no individual is bigger than the team.

This has been particularly evident throughout Winter Tournament Week. Our students have represented the College with pride, demonstrating sportsmanship, humility, and genuine care for their teammates. While results matter, the friendships formed, lessons learned, and character developed through these experiences often have the most lasting impact.

On the theme of shared experiences and lasting memories, yesterday the Preparatory School held its annual Book Week Parade. Students and staff embraced the event with creativity and enthusiasm, celebrating books, reading, and the enjoyment of coming together as a community.

The week’s action is not over yet, with several teams still competing in important final matches and for leading national placings. At the time of writing, these include our Girls’ 1st XI hockey team, our Senior Girls’ and Senior Boys’ basketball teams, and our Boys’ 1st XV rugby team at the New Zealand Top Four finals. There is always something special about seeing our students challenge themselves, represent the College, and create memories that will remain with them long after the final whistle.

Ngā mihi nui

Mark Wilson
Rector