A welcome for new students

The start of the year can be an anxious time for new students, however, a range of initiatives are put in place at St Andrew’s College to ensure everyone feels welcomed.

In the Secondary School, a special Mihi Whakatau Assembly is held on the first full day back at the College, when all new teachers and students are formally welcomed. At this year’s Mihi Whakatau Assembly, the College’s Kapa Haka Group and Pasifika students were an important part of this ceremony, in particular, Tamati Frost (Year 12) who delivered the whaikōrero on behalf of the tangata whenua.

Tamati also led a Mihi Whakatau to welcome the eight new international and two exchange students and their families to St Andrew’s College, again with support from the Māori and Pasifika group. This set a great tone for the rest of International Orientation Day, which included the new students getting to know the College community and campus, and enjoying a gondola ride up the Port Hills.

A group of 25 new day students in Years 11–13 also took part in a relaxed orientation camp at Castle Hill, where they were joined by Head of Senior College, John Ruge, their Deans, and the Heads and Deputy Heads of College. The New Student Camp was a great opportunity for the students to have an authentic introduction to Outdoor Education at St Andrew’s College, to connect with each other, and make new friends. A Boarders’ Weekend of activities helped new boarding students to connect with others and settle into the boarding community.

With these initiatives, and many others in place, new students quickly fit into their new environment at St Andrew’s College, and are ready for a positive year ahead.