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Dear Parents and Caregivers
At last Friday’s special assembly celebrating our many team and group achievements, I also had the privilege of presenting three Rector’s Medals. Introduced in 2019, these medals are awarded at the Rector’s discretion to recognise outstanding service, work, and accomplishment within our College community.
The 2026 recipients were:
Last weekend, we also held our annual Prefect Camp with our newly selected Year 12 prefects for 2027. The camp provided an important opportunity for the team to come together and develop a shared understanding of their responsibilities. Research into adolescent development shows that young people are influenced not only by their immediate friends, but also by slightly older peers, who provide a window into “what comes next” socially.
We want our student leaders to understand that leadership is not about status, but about service. By modelling servant leadership, they reflect the best of our College’s values and Christian character, bringing people together and helping create the conditions for shared success.
The annual Canterbury-Westland Schools’ Science and Technology Fair was also held last weekend, with St Andrew’s students achieving excellent results across a range of year levels. These awards reflect the curiosity, creativity, scientific thinking, and commitment of our students. Further details of their achievements, along with many other College highlights, can be found in this week’s newsletter.
The term concluded today with our end-of-term assemblies. The Secondary School Assembly celebrated individual achievements, including the presentation of College Colours and recognition of students who have gained national representation. Later in the morning, the Preparatory School gathered to acknowledge a wide range of academic, cultural, sporting, and service achievements.
Secondary School Rector’s Address>Secondary School Assembly Awards> Secondary School Assembly Flickr>
Thank you to everyone whose energy, commitment, and hard work have helped make Term 3 such a successful and enjoyable term. I wish all our families, students, and staff an enjoyable and refreshing break, and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the College for the start of Term 4 on Monday 12 October.
Ngā mihi nui
Mark Wilson
Rector
Gallery 347 showcased Spatial and Product Design projects by more than 60 Year 11–13 Design and Visual Communication students. The exhibition provided an opportunity for students to share work developed throughout the year and for families to see the creativity, technical skill, and design thinking involved.
Year 13 spatial design projects ranged from Hollie Miller’s portable Formula One workshop for Red Bull Racing to Charlie Hitchon’s air traffic control tower for Auckland Airport. Models included Elissa Croy’s Zoolanda Café and Cohnor Walsh’s redevelopment of Scott Base. Year 12 highlights included Ruby Millar-Bell’s origami bird-inspired library chair and Sienna Boyes’ container bach. Year 11 students used the College’s new multicolour 3D printers to create Bluetooth speaker concepts, with work from Sienna Currie, ZiQi (Maggie) Xu, Rebecca Buist, Neve Fantham, and Emma Oxnam among the projects displayed.
Flickr>The final NCEA Music Performance Evening for the year was held on Monday, providing Year 11–13 Music students with an opportunity to present their work before a live audience.
The evening highlighted students’ technical development as instrumentalists and singers, alongside their growing confidence and awareness as performers. Students demonstrated an increasing ability to communicate meaning through music and connect with an audience, reflecting the progress made throughout the year.
This term, Secondary School students were invited to take part in a Reading Odyssey organised by The Green Library and Innovation Centre librarians. Students increased their chances of winning gift cards by reading books across a broad range of genres.
Year 9–13 students read 116 books in total, with particularly strong participation from Year 10 students. Staff also participated in a parallel challenge and read almost as many books as the students. The initiative encouraged recreational reading, supporting literacy, well-being, and engagement with a wider variety of texts.
Year 8 students recently completed a field-based ecology investigation at Strowan Stream, comparing two environments near the Chapel Bridge and Papanui Road. Acting as environmental scientists, students collected water and soil samples and measured abiotic factors including water temperature, soil temperature, pH, and salinity. They analysed their data, compared conditions at each site, and considered how these factors might affect organisms living within the stream.
The investigation built on learning from the Year 7 Castle Hill Camp, where students collected similar data from an alpine stream ecosystem. Next term, they will compare their Castle Hill and Strowan Stream findings, drawing conclusions about how location, land use, and human activity can affect ecosystem health. The inquiry developed students’ ability to conduct investigations, analyse data, evaluate evidence, and communicate scientific conclusions.
Flickr>Year 7 students explored how wind energy can be transformed into electricity through a practical Power Challenge unit. Students investigated different forms of energy before designing, building, testing, and improving working wind turbines.
Throughout the unit, students observed, asked questions, collected and analysed data, and communicated evidence-based conclusions. They tested different blade shapes and angles, measured turbine performance, and generated electricity to power LED lights. Students then used their findings to refine their designs before connecting the turbines to a model town and evaluating how renewable energy can help power communities. The challenge developed understanding of energy transfer and electricity generation alongside creativity, teamwork, resilience, and engineering problem-solving.
Year 6 students concluded their Statistics unit with a practical Statistics Olympics. Working in teams, students rotated through activities including throwing events, hopping races, beanbag tosses, and a fast-paced space race, generating authentic data to collect and analyse.
Back in the classroom, students graphed their results and calculated the mean, median, mode, and range. They compared findings, identified patterns, and discussed differences across the data sets. The activity provided an engaging context in which to apply statistical knowledge while supporting teamwork and mathematical discussion.
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As part of the Future Thinkers programme, Year 4 students were challenged to design an innovative playground that incorporated renewable energy while providing engaging play opportunities for children of different ages.
Students applied creative thinking and problem-solving skills to design and construct models, which they presented to friends at a mini exhibition. Future Thinkers is an extension programme for gifted and talented Year 4–5 students, providing opportunities to apply future-focused thinking to real-world issues. It also creates a pathway into the Future Problem Solving programme offered to Year 6–8 students.
Year 2 students learn Music through the Kodály pedagogy, a singing-based approach that follows a carefully sequenced programme. The methodology recognises the voice as each child’s first and most accessible instrument, using singing as the foundation for developing wider musicianship skills.
Through songs, singing games, movement, and musical play, students develop aural awareness and musical understanding. Solfège syllables and hand signs help children recognise pitch relationships, sing accurately, and develop their inner hearing. These activities support students to hear, remember, and reproduce melodic patterns with increasing confidence and accuracy.
The Junior Department’s PERMA-V Assembly last Friday celebrated a year of learning about the six pillars of the College’s well-being framework. Each class prepared a short presentation, sharing its understanding and experiences of one of the pillars with students from across the Junior Department.
Through songs, stories, posters, and reflections, children explored Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, Vitality, Engagement, and Positive Emotion. They reflected on the importance of connection, perseverance, physical well-being, and recognising and managing emotions, including the strategy of “name it to tame it”. Examples of accomplishment included learning to ride a bike and persisting with challenging goals, while Year 3 students created posters reinforcing their learning about Vitality.
The assembly brought students together to reflect on their learning and celebrate the practical ways PERMA-V can support their everyday well-being.
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The following students have been selected to represent Canterbury at the 2026 Mainland Inter-provincial Rowing Championships this weekend at Lake Ruataniwha:
The following students have been selected for U16 Canterbury representative hockey teams:
The Boys’ team will travel to Auckland for the National U16 Boys’ Hockey Tournament, while the Girls’ team will compete at the U16 Girls’ National Hockey Tournament in Christchurch.
All three St Andrew’s College entries received prizes at the Canterbury-Westland Schools’ Science and Technology Fair last weekend.
Cassie Hedgcock and Harper Keith (both Year 8) investigated the effectiveness of soaps containing essential oils through their project, Squeaky Clean. They received first prize from the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry and third prize from the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society for excellence in experimental design, approach, and interpretation.
Henry Streeter (Year 7) monitored temperatures within a composter for his project, Compost Comparisons. He was awarded first place in the Year 7 Science category, recognising his work as the best overall Year 7 science project at the Fair.
Peichen (Lummi) Lu, Carter Summerfield, and Zhuduanrui (Rita) Wu (all Year 9) investigated the relationship between electrical current and particle deflection within an electromagnetic field. Their project received third place in the Year 9 Science category.
Three students received Honourable Mentions in the 2026 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Haiku Invitational: Claire Zhao (Year 8) for in the playground, Millicent Brown (Year 9) for sunset, and Tasmin Wingfield (Year 10) for cherry petals.
Their recognition is a significant achievement in an international competition that attracts a large number of entries from around the world.
Alice Howard (Year 13) and Jasmine Ryan (Year 9) competed at the 2026 NZCAF Schools National Aerobics and Hip Hop Championships in Dunedin.
Alice competed individually in the U19 Division 2 category and earned a bronze medal with her fitness team. Jasmine also placed third in the NZCAF U14 Fitness Team category with her team, Rock and Roll.
The 2027 prefect team travelled to Kura Tāwhiti Castle Hill for an overnight leadership camp, accompanied by Head of Senior School Julia Shannon, Senior School Administrator Jocelyn Simmons, and Year 12 Dean Riley Gain. The camp provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships, develop leadership capability, and begin creating a shared vision for the year ahead.
Head of Well-being, Kerry Larby, and Assistant Principal of Secondary School (Academic), Helaina Coote, led sessions exploring character strengths and the qualities each student will bring to the team. Rector Mark Wilson facilitated a session on leadership styles and the characteristics of effective leaders, while Science teacher Connor O’Rourke supported prefects to take ownership of leading the College haka.
Students also participated in Adventure Based Learning activities led by instructors from the College’s Kura Tāwhiti Castle Hill Outdoor Education Centre. These challenges required collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and mutual support, providing a practical foundation for their work as student leaders.
The Music Department held its annual Rock Night and album release event at The Rolling Stone on Tuesday. More than 300 people attended, with nine Secondary School bands and two Preparatory School bands performing songs they had recorded for the 2026 StAC Rock School album.
The evening concluded with a performance by Year 13 band Pretty When It Burns. Band member Ethan Lam and his brother Hayden have contributed to contemporary music at St Andrew’s for the past 10 years, with Ethan first performing at Rockquest as a Year 6 student. Their sustained involvement has helped strengthen the performance culture and standards within the College rock programme.
Listen on Spotify> Listen on Apple Music>
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The Centennial Chapel was filled with music on Wednesday evening as students presented a varied programme spanning Mendelssohn, Mozart, a traditional Andalusian muwashshah, spirituals, musical theatre, and The Beatles. This was the first concert performed under the choirs’ new names: Ngā Manu Tīoriori, the College’s auditioned choir, and Ngā Oro o te Ngahere, the all-comers choir.
Ngā Manu Tīoriori performed two movements from New Zealand composer Andrew Baldwin’s Martha Goose Suite, for which the choir received an award at this year’s Big Sing. In another first, a chamber orchestra accompanied student soloists performing arias by Mozart and Purcell. The concert concluded with both choirs performing together as Te Kōkī o Hato Ānaru, conducted by Emily Watt (Year 13).
The concert reflected the breadth and high standard of vocal music at St Andrew’s College. Thank you to Vocal Tutor Deborah Wai Kapohe, Choir Directors Dr Jared Corbett and Thomas Woodfield, Chamber Orchestra Director Mark Hodgkinson, and accompanists William Ernest and Singing Lin for their support of the students.
Flickr>Three students recently competed in events on the New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour.
Oliver Wilton (Year 11) placed third in the U17 category at Treble Cone, while Benjamin Wilton (Year 9) placed second in the U15 category at the same event. Elliott Harper (Year 10) also achieved second place in the U15 competition held at Mt Olympus.
Ninety-five Preparatory School ākonga represented St Andrew’s College at the Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival at the Christchurch Town Hall, presenting a programme that 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 a conch shell before William Keir (Year 8) accompanied the group on bagpipes.
The kapa performed the waiata-ā-ringa Waitaha E, led by Lila Scott and Josie Velluppillai (both Year 8), followed by the poi waiata Tīhore Mai te Rangi. The boys joined with short rākau before the programme concluded with the St Andrew’s College haka, led by Louis Mauger, Harrison Julius, and Liam Stronach (all Year 8).
Students also took on leadership roles within the wider festival. Harrison helped lead the audience in the local haka, Tahu Pōtiki, while Josie joined other rangatahi to lead Te Taukaea, with the Town Hall audience participating together.
Flickr>
Preparatory School football, Mixed hockey, and netball teams competed at the Primary Sport Canterbury Winter Tournament last Friday. The football team progressed through pool play unbeaten but narrowly missed a quarter-final place due to the competition format and results in other matches. The team moved into the ninth and tenth playoff and finished tenth overall, having lost only one match across the day.
The netball team entered the Tournament as a wildcard and responded strongly following the qualifying event. Quick and accurate passing supported a run of wins before the team was defeated by Clearview in the quarter final. St Andrew’s finished sixth overall.
The Mixed hockey team progressed confidently through pool play before securing a closely contested semi-final victory. In the final against Mount Pleasant, goals from Myla Harrison and Louis Hartstonge (both Year 7) helped St Andrew’s secure a 3–2 win and the Canterbury title.
On Monday, four students competed in the Papanui Rotary Speech Finals at Heaton Normal Intermediate School after qualifying from a field of 88 students in the preliminary competition.
Tom Dore (Year 7) and Jessica Whitehead (Year 8) received Highly Commended awards. Sullivan Street (Year 5) and Violet Winterbourn (Year 6) each placed first in their respective year-level categories. The results reflected the preparation, confidence, and communication skills demonstrated by all four speakers.
Speech and Drama students across the College have been preparing for Speech New Zealand examinations, developing confidence, clarity, interpretation, and the ability to communicate with purpose. Year 4 and 7 students recently completed their examinations, with many Year 4 students experiencing a formal assessment setting for the first time. Year 7 students combined prepared work, poetry, and improvisation tasks requiring them to think and respond in the moment.
In the Secondary School, Year 9–13 students have been working towards a range of Speech New Zealand qualifications. Some have completed individual modules towards their next grade, while others will sit full examinations in Term 4. The skills developed through Speech and Drama support students in areas including classroom learning, leadership, interviews, presentations, performance, and everyday communication.
The Preparatory School End of Term 3 Assembly brought ākonga and kaimahi together to reflect on learning, achievement, service, culture, and community across Terms 2 and 3. Led into the Centennial Chapel by pipers, the assembly opened with a piping medley and a performance of You’re the Voice by New Collegians, who recently placed third at Bandquest. The programme also included the hymn Wairua Tapu, a reading from Psalm 139:1–9, and a student-led prayer.
Principal of Preparatory School Leigh Fowler acknowledged the many academic, cultural, sporting, and service achievements of students, while Rector Mark Wilson encouraged them to focus on perseverance, personal growth, and striving to be their best. Claire Chua (Year 7) performed Waltz by John Rutter on flute, accompanied by Sarah Kang on piano. Students were recognised through the presentation of StAC-Up, Cultural, Service, Academic, and Winter Sports awards. The assembly also featured kapa haka and a preview of the Ballet Academy’s upcoming production, The Wizard of Oz, performed by Year 7–8 dancers. The assembly concluded with the College Song, a benediction from Josie Vellupillai (Year 8), and the pipers leading the recessional.
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Year 13 Theme Week brought creativity and energy to the final weeks of the students’ time together at the College. Monday’s theme invited students to dress as something beginning with the first letter of their name, while Tuesday saw them represent a decade of their choice. Wednesday’s Rhyme Without Reason theme produced a range of clever pairings, followed by Thursday’s challenge to imagine themselves 10 years into the future or past. The week concluded with Anything but a Bag, with students carrying their school equipment in an assortment of unusual containers while remaining in uniform. Theme Week provided an enjoyable opportunity for the Year 13 cohort to connect and create shared memories as they approach the conclusion of their final year.
Flickr>Preparatory School rugby players from Year 1–8 students recently welcomed members of the national champion St Andrew’s College 1st XV for a special question-and-answer session. Head Rugby Coach Willi Heinz and Year 13 players Charlie Tanner, Seymour Stowers-Smith, Henry Tayler, Oliver Jackways, and Jiutaisa Manumanuniliwa spoke about their rugby journeys and shared the team’s trophies with the younger students.
The session enabled students to ask questions about representing the College, balancing school and sport, and the preparation and commitment required to compete at the highest level of school rugby. The visit concluded with photographs alongside the players and trophies, providing an opportunity for connection between current Preparatory School players and senior role models within the College rugby programme.
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More than 140 Old Collegians and guests attended the St Andrew’s College Old Collegians’ Association Annual Dinner on Friday 18 September, celebrating achievement, service, and lifelong connections within the College community.
Three Old Collegians received awards. Ben Taylor (OC 2017) was presented with the L.G. Maginness Memorial Cup for Sports Personality of the Year, recognising his consecutive World Championship gold medals in the Men’s Pair. Ben also reflected on the resilience required following the disappointment of missing selection for the 2024 Olympic Games. Lance Rairi (OC 1988) received the Cockram Cultural Award for Excellence and Service to Culture for his career in pipe band drumming and leadership with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Mark Stewart (OC 1980) received the Alister Newton Cup for Service and spoke about his lifelong connection with St Andrew’s and the importance of generosity, philanthropy, and giving back.
Mike (Scrump) Johnston (OC 1974) also reflected on the Boys’ 1st XV’s historic national title and the significance of seeing the team’s five major trophies displayed together. Guests were encouraged to wear an item of their former school uniform, with blazers, ties, and rugby caps from across the decades contributing to an evening of shared memories and connection.
Flickr>Cricket – Zac Foulkes (OC 2020) has been selected for the BLACKCAPS T20 International squad for the upcoming five-match series against India. The series begins at Hagley Oval on Thursday 22 October.
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.
To assist families with uniform purchases, the College Shop, Thistles, will be open during the second week of the term break on the following dates:
Families requiring a uniform fitting can book an appointment through the College Shop page on StACNet. Families are also welcome to visit during the opening hours above for general uniform purchases without an appointment.
Please note that the College Shop will be closed at all other times during the term break.
Book a uniform fitting appointment >Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who joined us for our recent StACTalks presentation with Joseph Driessen. A recording is now available via StACNet by clicking here for anyone who was unable to attend or wishes to revisit the session, with access available until Sunday 11 October in accordance with Joseph's wishes.
Thank you for your continued support of StACTalks throughout 2026, and to the St Andrew's College PTA for its generous support.
We’re excited to invite parents to our first Coffees and Catch Ups session for Term 4 on Tuesday 13 October. Join Guidance Counsellor, Caroline Sewell, from our Well-being and Pastoral Care team, along with a representative from Asian Family Services, for a cup of coffee and kōrero about support networks, well-being and future education pathways.
Join us between 8.00am–8.45am – no need to RSVP, just drop in after drop-off. We hope to see you there!
Year 11–13 students will begin their Preliminary Examinations immediately after the term break. The examinations will run from Monday 12 October to Monday 19 October.
The Preliminary Examinations provide a formal practice opportunity ahead of the NCEA and Scholarship examinations in November. They allow students to experience examination conditions, identify areas requiring further study, and receive targeted feedback from their teachers. Results may also provide derived grades for students who are unable to sit an NCEA examination in November for an approved reason. In 2025, the College supported 70 derived-grade applications.
Read more about derived grades on the NZQA website >
Examination Timetables
Students received their final, confirmed examination timetable by email on Wednesday. The complete timetable and further information from Head of Teaching and Learning David Bevin are also available through each year group’s Microsoft Team.
A number of examinations will be completed online. Students must ensure they are device-ready for each relevant examination, including:
Classes and Study Arrangements
Year 11–13 classes will not run during the Preliminary Examination period. Classes will resume on Tuesday 20 October for most students.
Some students with Special Assessment Conditions will continue their examinations on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October, as outlined in their individual timetables.
Students who wish to study at school may use the following spaces:
Students must wear their normal school uniform whenever they are on campus for an examination or study.
Sitting Preliminary Examinations and receiving feedback are important parts of the learning process. The next step is for students to respond to that feedback and develop a clear plan for their remaining study.
Academic Conferences provide an opportunity for students to discuss their examination performance, teacher feedback, and next steps with their tutor and whānau ahead of the NCEA examinations in November.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to support this process by booking an Academic Conference with their child’s tutor. Appointment information will be provided separately.
NCEA and Scholarship examinations will begin three weeks after the Preliminary Examination period. They will run from Tuesday 10 November to Friday 4 December.
View the 2026 NCEA Examination Timetable >
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 >
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.
