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Dear Parents and Caregivers
As a community we were delighted to have our Head of Accelerated Learning, Dr Brett Clark, awarded the Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ) Honours Award for his outstanding services to Learning Support, presented at the annual ISNZ conference last weekend. This national recognition of Brett’s impactful work over many years, was well deserved. I have heard so many positive and appreciative stories from parents, students and Old Collegians about the powerful change Brett made in the learning, achievement and sense of self-worth for his students through his inspiring teaching. Read his ISNZ Award Citation by clicking here.
At this same conference there were a number of sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), covering its increasing impacts in education and how to respond to its rapid development. In brief, there are a lot of benefits identified and being put into action, especially around supporting staff with efficiencies around curriculum design, planning, data analysis, and reporting. However, there is a shift in seeking to reduce access for students to ensure learning processes are authentic and assessments accurately reflect each student's knowledge, understanding, and application of skills.
There is growing global interest and concern about the implications of artificial intelligence in education, as reflected in one-year moratorium recently announced on student use of generative AI for students across the New York school districts; and our own decision this week to bring forward the installation of the High Security Safe Exam Browser on all Years 10–13 student devices to support assessment integrity. As a College, we are continually reviewing and updating our practices and policies around this rapidly evolving space.
This week we hosted Joseph Driessen who delivered a StACTalk presentation in our Gough Family Theatre to around 200 parents and staff. He provided some great advice on parenting, which interestingly endorsed some ‘old school’ parenting, embracing a balanced approach where warmth, presence and clear boundaries work hand in hand. He also encouraged parents to support their children's growing independence while remaining engaged, consistent and connected throughout the journey.
Another wonderful evening this week was our Jazz and Strings Concert held in the Gough Family Theatre on Thursday night. A very large and very appreciative audience thoroughly enjoyed a high-quality musical evening showcasing our talented young musicians with cleverly arranged pieces.
This week across Aotearoa New Zealand we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) when we seek to encourage people to use more of our indigenous te reo in their daily language. This is part of recognising te reo as a taonga (treasure), its importance to our national identity and cultural heritage, and raising more awareness of the Māori language and its history.
On Friday we concluded with a very special assembly to celebrate the many team successes that have been achieved from across our co-curricular activities. This included celebrating our choir making the national Big Sing Finale and winning Silver, our Pipe Band gaining third place in the World Pipe Band Championships, and a wide range of outstanding sporting accomplishments. My key message at this assembly and for us as a community, is how it’s good we recognise and celebrate such outcomes, but our educational focus is always on getting the processes right. It’s the development and the growth of people we are committed to, the outcomes are simply a reflection of this dedication and hard work.
Rector’s Assembly Address>
Sports Captains' Morning Comment>
Assembly Awards>
Assembly Flickr>
Ngā mihi nui
Mark Wilson
Rector
Year 12 Business Studies students heard from Troy Bilbrough, owner of Bacon Bros, who shared his inspiring business journey. Troy spoke about how he transformed a small sandwich stall at the Riccarton Farmers’ Market into a successful multi-restaurant business that now employs more than 100 people across Christchurch. As a well-known local business, Bacon Bros was a relatable and engaging example for our students. They were captivated by Troy’s stories, from his upbringing in Waikuku to becoming one of Christchurch’s leading hospitality entrepreneurs. His insights into the challenges and opportunities of running a business provided valuable real-world examples that will support students as they prepare for their NCEA Business Studies external assessments in Term 4. Following the presentation, students had the opportunity to enjoy Bacon Bros food, which was on sale in the Quad at lunchtime. A popular choice among many students, it was a fantastic way to connect classroom learning with a real business in action. Seeing the operation firsthand helped bring Troy’s story to life and reinforced the concepts they have been studying throughout the year. His visit supporting our Business Studies programme was both informative and inspiring.
Last week, Year 8 students took part in an exciting Mathematical Investigation Inquiry called Geocity. Working as architects, engineers, and city planners, they designed and constructed a city from scratch using their knowledge of geometry, measurement and teamwork. Students planned their city, considered key infrastructure and created detailed designs using scales, metric measurements and geometric shapes. They then brought their ideas to life by constructing three-dimensional buildings, and exploring the connections between two-dimensional plans and three-dimensional models. This investigation provided a valuable opportunity for students to apply their mathematical understanding in a real-world context. Along the way, they strengthened their skills in geometry, mapping, measurement, problem-solving and communication. The project also reflected our commitment to the PERMA-V framework. Students experienced Engagement as they immersed themselves in the design process, built positive Relationships through teamwork and collaboration, found Meaning in creating a shared community and celebrated a strong sense of Accomplishment when their individual contributions became part of the finished city.
In Year 8 e-Learning this term, ākonga have been exploring digital citizenship, with a focus on learning how to stay safe online. To showcase their understanding, they have been creating stop-motion movies that promote positive online safety messages. The project has involved planning storyboards, designing backdrops, creating characters, and filming in pairs. It has been wonderful to see their creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in action. We look forward to viewing and celebrating the completed movies together soon.
Over the past term, Year 5 students have taken part in a Rocket Challenge, exploring the big science idea that forces affect how things move. Through a series of hands-on investigations, students discovered how pushes, pulls, gravity, and air resistance influence the motion of rockets. Throughout the unit, students worked as both scientists and engineers. From testing balloon rockets and investigating different fin designs to exploring how nose cone shapes affect flight, each lesson provided opportunities to carry out fair tests and collect data. Students learned that changing one variable at a time helps scientists gather reliable evidence and identify patterns in their results. We were fortunate to have Year 8 students join us during the project, supporting the Year 5 learners with rocket construction, sharing ideas, and encouraging collaborative problem-solving.
The highlight of the unit was testing and improving their own water rockets. In teams, students used evidence from their investigations to refine their designs and improve performance. On launch day, Year 6 students assisted with the rocket launches on the bottom field, drawing on their own experiences from participating in the Rocket Challenge the last year. Their support helped the event run smoothly and gave students the opportunity to confidently test their rockets. We were incredibly impressed by the enthusiasm, teamwork, creativity, and resilience shown throughout the project, as well as the positive mentoring relationships that developed across three year levels.
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In Novel Study, both Year 4 classes have been reading The Big Friendly Giant by Roald Dahl. The children have delighted in uncovering Dahl’s wonderfully quirky “gobblefunk” words and exploring the unusual and often surprising moments from his life. Our Research Skills Group in 4S unearthed some remarkable facts: Roald Dahl served as a fighter pilot in World War II, survived a dramatic crash landing in the Libyan desert, and was eventually laid to rest with a collection of his favourite possessions – a snooker cue, a bottle of Burgundy, chocolate, HB pencils, and even a power saw. As part of this unit, the students have been crafting imaginative Dream Jar recipes inspired by the story. Next week, after watching the BFG movie, they will decorate and fill their own Dream Jars, bringing their creative ideas to life.
On Tuesday evening, we welcomed parents and caregivers to the third and final StACTalks event for 2026, featuring leading New Zealand educator and parenting expert, Joseph Driessen. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience working with families, schools and educators, Joseph shared practical and research-based insights to help parents navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising young people in today's world. Building on the importance of "old-school" parenting principles, Joseph encouraged parents to adopt a balanced approach where warmth, presence and clear boundaries work hand in hand. He highlighted the importance of maintaining strong parent-child relationships, noting that connection and consistency remain at the heart of helping young people thrive both at home and at school. Joseph also spoke about supporting children's growing independence while remaining actively engaged and providing the guidance and structure they need along the way.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported StACTalks throughout 2026. We are also grateful to the St Andrew's College PTA, whose generous support made these events possible, and to Joseph Driessen for sharing his insights and expertise with our parent community. We look forward to bringing more StACTalks events to our community in 2027.
Junior Department families were invited to an engaging and informative PERMA-V Information Evening on Monday. The session featured presentations from members of our Junior Department teaching team, student leaders from the Secondary School, and Head of Well-being, Kerry Larby, who shared insights into the PERMA-V framework and its role in supporting student well-being. Families were introduced to practical strategies for nurturing the six pillars of PERMA-V at home and learned more about how well-being is embedded within our school programme. The evening provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school in supporting our children's emotional, social, and academic growth.
Thank you to all families who attended and contributed to the evening's positive atmosphere. Families who were unable to attend have received a copy of the PERMA-V booklet developed by Kerry Larby, which outlines the framework and offers practical ideas for continuing well-being conversations and practices at home.
Flickr>Kangwoo Moon (Year 10) has been named as a Gold Award Finalist in The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026 by The Royal Commonwealth Society, for his essay, Affinity for the Fallen. This is an exceptional achievement in an international competition that this year received over 53,000 entries.
It was a great honour for St Andrew’s College to host the National Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award ceremony last weekend. Ninety recipients from across New Zealand received their Gold Award, nine of which were from St Andrew’s College. Peter Hillary was the guest speaker and presented the recipients with their Gold Awards. Chenxiao (Leo) Yang (Year 9) entertained the award-holders and their families playing the piano with no sheet music to an exceptional level, while Cameron Sharpe (Year 12) piped the official party into the ceremony. Congratulations to our Gold Award recipients: Lucy Binnie, Thomas Parsonage (absent), Corbin Revis, Oliver Searle, Teresa Steiner, William Wiffen Lal, Toby Wilson (all Year 13), Grace Kempthorne, Jayden Okeroa (both OC 2024) and Madie Wallace (OC 2025).
Lennox Kopelani (Year 12) was named in the New Zealand Schools rugby squad, and Jett Timbrell and Caleb Collins-Polata (both Year 13) were named in the New Zealand Barbarians U18 team. These three will travel up to Hamilton later this month where they will take part in the 2026 National U18 Pathways Programme and play three games against the likes of the Australia U18 team, the Samoa U18 team and Australia Schools’ squad.
A number of St Andrew’s College students were selected in the Canterbury U18 rugby team this week. They have a two-match campaign coming up versus Tasman U18 and Highlanders U18 on Saturday 3 October and Friday 9 October. The students selected are: Jairo Senio, Leeson Tiakia, Oliver Kirk (all Year 12), Moleli Lagokamu, Henry Tayler, Charlie Tanner, Lachlan Mitchell, Oliver Jackways, Seymour Stowers-Smith, and Jock Sidey (all Year 13).
Lennox John (Year 9) and Manaaki McNab-Henry (Year 10) were selected for the Canterbury Bulls 14s Boys’ league team, which competed at Auckland’s Region of Origin Tournament. Their selection followed a successful season with the Riccarton Knights, including a club final victory and invitations to a Warriors Pathways trial.
Our St Andrew’s College Pipe Band members had an incredibly busy weekend, with the Ōtautahi Solo Drumming Championships held on Saturday at the College in the Spiro Science and Mathematics Centre, and the pipers in the Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Sunday Solo Competition, also held at the College on Sunday. To see the full results for both competitions, please click the link below.
Flickr>At the Christchurch Tap Dancing Teachers Association (CTDTA) September Competition 2026, the St Andrew’s College Dance competition group placed second overall for their piece, Gasping for Air. Their other piece, Ghosts, was Commended by the judges. The students (left to right) are: Alyssa Blackman (Year 11), Clara-Jane Long (Year 12), Emily Brook (Year 13), Frederick Paterson (Year 11), Samantha Bilton (Year 12), Siara van Nobelen, Ema Hikosaka (both Year 11), Femke McLean, and Annabel Paterson (both Year 12).
Last Sunday, our five jazz/soul groups performed in the annual St Andrew’s College Jazz Club, once again hosted at Fat Eddie’s. A large and appreciative audience of family and friends were entertained to two hours of music from our Big Band, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo and the Junior and Senior Soul Bands.
This is always a highlight of the music calendar and this year didn’t disappoint. What is particularly impressive about the Big Band is that they performed for 40 minutes, and didn’t use any material that they were using at the “Jazz Big Band… with Strings attached” concert this week (more on that below). This is a testament to the ability of the band to learn a lot of material in a very short time.
Flickr>The first ever concert combining our jazz Big Band with a string orchestra was held on Thursday night. With special guests Kate Taylor (Vocal Tutor) and Jimmy Rainey (Saxophone Tutor and OC 2012) it was a stunning night of student performances. It was particularly impressive to see the brass players have the stamina to play for almost two hours and to such a high level. The concert was one of the musical highlights of 2026 and was very well received by an enthusiastic audience in our Gough Family Theatre.
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Last Sunday, the Green Library and Innovation Centre was filled with enthusiastic students from seven different schools for the last VEX Robotics Scrimmage of the term. With 10 V5 teams on the field, competition was fierce. Team ‘Redox’ (Cathy He, Peichen (Lummi) Lu (both Year 9), Eliska Menclova, and Jessica Armstrong (both Year 11)) teamed up with Avonside Girls’ High School to take out the V5 final 67-27 against higher ranked teams. The St Andrew’s College VEX IQ teams continued their great progress – Team ‘Code Red’ (Jack Blyde, Zongze (Aaron) Li, Vitek Mencl, Wyatt Petre (all Year 8) were strong contenders once again – making it through to the VEX IQ teamwork finals and coming second. They also came second in the Skills category with a solid score of 64 points.
The AIMS Games once again provided an outstanding opportunity for our students to test themselves against some of the best intermediate-aged athletes in New Zealand, with more than 460 schools and 14,500 athletes taking part. Beyond the results, the tournament provided valuable lessons in teamwork, independence and resilience. Our football and hockey players learned how to function as part of a tournament environment, supporting one another on and off the field, making lunches, helping with daily chores, and managing the demands of a busy competition schedule. The camaraderie between the two teams was a highlight, with the footballers enthusiastically supporting the hockey side through spirited chants and renditions of the College Song, while Mixed hockey captain, Patrick Glover (Year 8) proudly piped both teams onto the field at various stages of the tournament. On the pitch, our Mixed hockey team produced an exceptional performance, finishing 11th out of 57 teams, the highest placing achieved by a St Andrew’s Mixed hockey side at AIMS. Our football team faced a particularly challenging pool and narrowly missed the opportunity to progress higher in the draw, but responded by winning four of their final five matches, demonstrating tremendous character, determination and growth throughout the week.
We also celebrate several encouraging individual performances. In swimming, Lilly Mackie (Year 7) and Bozan Wang (Year 8) delivered superb results against the country’s top young swimmers, making finals, finishing in the top 8. Tristan Bi (Year 7) represented the College in golf, improving as the week progressed, while Cole Butler (Year 7) became our first ever competitor in the BMX competition. Collectively, our athletes embodied the spirit of the AIMS Games, embracing the challenge of high-level competition while representing St Andrew’s College with pride, commitment and enthusiasm.
Flickr>Archie Gordon (Year 7) represented Canterbury at the Regional U13 Hockey Festival in Timaru over the weekend, playing four games in the Year 7 Boys’ tournament.
Liam Botha (Year 5) competed at the 2026 Selwyn Spring Classic, where he broke the Canterbury Short Course Record for Boys 9 Years & Under in the 100m Butterfly, swimming an impressive time of 1:18.90.
Sophia Xu (Year 3), Ismay Bi (Year 4), and Jessica Whitehead (Year 8) have had their poems published on the NZ Poetry Box website in response to the August poetry challenge inspired by the book He Aha Te Mea Nui? What Matters Most? The challenge invited young poets across New Zealand to reflect on the question and write a poem in response. Ismay was one of three entries to receive a copy of He Aha Te Mea Nui?.
Our Year 4 students recently enjoyed their very first school camp at Woodend, an exciting milestone. Set in a fantastic outdoor environment at Woodend Christian Camp, students challenged themselves and built confidence through a wide range of activities, including the zipline, go-carting, disc golf, air rifles, archery, the ever-popular aero jump – and plenty of time exploring the playground with friends. These experiences provided valuable opportunities for teamwork, resilience, independence and fun beyond the classroom. The camp was a fantastic success, and the children returned home with many great memories, new skills and plenty of stories to share.
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori (The language is the life force of Māori identity).
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was celebrated with energy and enthusiasm across the kura as ākonga and kaiako came together to honour the te reo Māori, culture, and identity of Aotearoa. Throughout the week, ākonga embraced opportunities to use Te Reo Māori around the kura, from simple greetings and classroom interactions to everyday conversations with peers and kaiako. A range of activities helped bring te ao Māori to life. Ākonga enjoyed participating in Kī-o-Rahi, and making whitebait fritters. In classrooms, ākonga demonstrated creativity by designing and creating tukutuku patterns, gaining a deeper understanding of the stories of te ao Māori. The celebrations extended beyond the akomanga, with food trucks in the Quad, and a Kapa Haka performance in chapel honouring the significance of the week. The week served as a reminder that Te Reo Māori flourishes when it is spoken, heard, and valued by everyone in our community.
E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea (I will never be lost, for I am a seed sown from Rangiātea).
As part of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Year 6 ākonga proudly shared their learning with our Pre-school tamariki, showcasing the waiata, poi, rākau and haka they have been preparing for the upcoming Tūhono Festival. This special opportunity celebrated te reo Māori and tikanga Māori while strengthening connections across our College community. Following the performance, the Pre-school children learned alongside their tuakana, enthusiastically trying basic poi and rākau movements. It was wonderful to see our older students demonstrating leadership and confidence while fostering a sense of connection and shared learning across generations of learners.
As part of the celebrations, Year 1 and 2 ākonga have been exploring designs of carved pounamu (greenstone) during the week and have created their own designs with air dry clay.
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The House Rowing Competition brought the year’s whole-school House events to an energetic close. On Wednesday, a boy and girl from each year group represented their House in fast-paced erg relays, rowing 250 metres before changing over. Experienced rowers and first-time participants gave their best, with several students stepping in at short notice to support their Houses. Strong individual performances and enthusiastic support created an excellent display of House spirit. After close racing, Erwin powered home to win its first House Rowing title in many years, ahead of MacGibbon, Rutherford and Thompson. The 1st XV also ran a BBQ fundraiser for The Lighthouse Trust. Thank you to everyone who raced, volunteered and supported their House in the last of this year’s House competitions.
On Wednesday morning, Pre-school was visited by some Year 10 ākonga, who have been working on recreating some bible stories into their own picture books. They needed a test audience, and who better to choose than the Pre-school tamariki?! Ngā tamariki were very engaged by the e-books created by the older students – what a success with the test audience!
Good luck to all students who are representing the College over the weekend in sports and cultural activities, including:
For a full list of upcoming school events, please refer to the fixtures page on StACNet.
This year’s St Andrew’s College Prizegiving will be held at Wolfbrook Arena on Monday 30 November, from 4.00pm–7.00pm.
Prizegiving is an important occasion celebrating the achievements and contributions of students across the College. Attendance is compulsory for all Year 7–13 students, with further details to be shared next term.
When: Wednesday 23 September, 6.00pm–7.15pm
Where: St Andrew’s College Centennial Chapel
Our two choirs, Ngā Manu Tīoriori and Ngā Oro o te Ngahere, come together for the last concert of the year alongside soloists and a chamber orchestra. The concert programme ranges from a traditional Andalusian song and Mendelssohn, to Bob Chilcott, Mozart, and the Beatles, and finishes with both choirs singing as Te Kōkī o Hato Ānaru, conducted by Year 13 student, Emily Watt.
Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. No registration required.
We warmly welcome the College community to visit Gallery 347, a Design and Visual Communication exhibition showcasing the creative work of our Year 11–13 students in Product and Spatial Design.
This exhibition celebrates the design process, innovation and technical skills developed by students throughout the year, featuring a diverse range of projects that demonstrate imagination, problem-solving and design thinking.
Normal is overrated.
They’re creepy, they’re kooky, and delightfully chaotic. Step into the world of The Addams Family Musical: School Edition, where the iconic characters we know and love meet a fresh, contemporary edge that today’s audiences can’t get enough of. With a nod to the classic Addams charm and the darker tone popularised by Wednesday, this musical is a wickedly funny celebration of the strange and unusual. When Wednesday Addams falls for a perfectly “normal” boy, both families are thrown into a night of secrets, surprises, and unexpected revelations. With ancestors caught between life and death watching on, nothing unfolds quite as planned. Featuring Year 9 and 10 performers, this production is filled with humour, heart, and a deliciously dark twist, promising an entertaining evening for the whole family.
When: Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October (four performances)
Times: 7.00pm–9.30pm
Where: Gough Family Theatre, Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre, St Andrew's College
Tickets*: Adults $35.00 | Students $17.50 (school-aged children only; ID may be requested on entry)
*A small levy is included in the ticket price, contributing to the build cost of Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre.
Delicious Christmas goodies, locally made with the highest quality ingredients. The perfect gift for Christmas or to treat your own family! All proceeds will go towards the PTA 2026 fundraising drive, supporting the StAC Jazz Combo.
More information about each of the PTA’s Christmas Goodies, including the ingredients list, can be found at the order link below. The products on offer this year are:
Closing date for orders: Monday 2 November 2026
Cake collection: Orders must be collected from the Senior College on the following dates (there is no delivery option):
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.
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 12.00pm on Tuesday 20 October.
Complete the Grandparents' Day Registration Form >Become a homestay family with St Andrew's College and open your home to a rewarding global experience. Hosting an international student provides not only a reliable source of extra income, while enriching your family's daily life. You will gain insight into new cultures, traditions, and creating lasting bonds along the way. St Andrew's College will provide the guidance and support for you and your family to feel confident throughout the experience.
Please contact Director of International Students and Exchanges, Palē Tauti, at PTU@stac.school.nz for more information.
More information>
The following 2026 photographs are now available to order online:
Details of how to order the photographs can be found on StACNet. Parents will need to log in using their St Andrew's College login credentials.
For photography enquiries, please contact: photography@stac.school.nz.
Order Photographs Onlibe>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.
