Manaakitanga in MacGibbon House 37 Senior College Formal
Cultural Week
Special Assemblies 40 ISNZ Conference; Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Ceremony
Kapa Haka impress in first public performances
Film Fest; Dance Revue
New Zealand representatives 2024
Tournament Week
the President; Events;
to the world
There have been many defining moments in the 107-year history of St Andrew’s College. As each Rector has influenced a chapter in our collective story, many wonderful people and events have shaped who we are today.
The last seven years, post our Centenary in 2017, have been significant for the College as we have imagined how we wanted to begin our second century. In this time, through our new Strategic Plan, Framing our Future, we have deliberately embraced four key concepts, supported by our five College values: Truth, Excellence, Faith, Creativity, and Inclusivity. These have driven our most recent strategy – to be a community:
• of high performance educational practice;
• that values caring for others;
• that balances tradition with creativity and innovation;
• which equips students with the roots and wings to flourish in an ever-changing world.
The last 21 editions of Regulus over these seven years have been full of stories which have captured the innovations, initiatives, and successes over this time. I must here acknowledge and thank our talented Regulus writer, Jo Bailey, for the way she has brought these stories to life for our readers.
Education has always been a changing landscape. I recall, as we approached the end of the 1990s, the focus was on 21st century learning and the digital revolution which was predicted to transform the way students learn and how schools function. The following 24 years have been influenced by the effect of digital technologies, social media and screentime on children and adolescents, experiments with more fluid and collaborative teaching spaces, the debate about the place of knowledge, critical thinking and inquiry for learners, and the role of teachers as guiders and mentors rather than authoritarian figures who control the learning process and classroom discipline.
The challenge for all schools over this time has been to strike the right balance between traditional methods and innovative approaches. These innovations have included blended learning approaches, projectbased learning, digital citizenship education, and focus on the soft skills of communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Also widely recognised is the need to equip students with effective well-being strategies in order to develop the resilience and character strengths to flourish not only at, but in their lives beyond school.
I was delighted to present two Rector’s Medals recently. The first was to Olivia Brett (OC 2019) to recognise her magnificent success as a member of the gold medal winning K4 500 team at the Paris Olympics. Olivia’s address to Year 5–10 students in chapel was inspiring for us all. The second was awarded to Year 13 student, Sea-am Thompson, in recognition of his scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford University as an organ scholar. Sea-am has played regularly for services in the Centennial Chapel as well as being a lead violinist and lead of the St Andrew’s orchestra this year.
At St Andrew’s, our strategic response over the last six years, has led us to a good place from which to take the next steps for ‘Gen Z’ students currently in our Secondary School and ‘Gen Alpha’ who will come after them.
After the last 17 years of working with and following the progress of so many young people at St Andrew’s, I am leaving with a deep and unshakeable belief in their ability to navigate a positive way forward in our ever increasingly complex modern world. Our role as teachers and leaders in our schools is to know and appreciate the young people in front of us and use our wisdom and their voice to engender a sense of purpose and hope for their future. This is now in the hands of others, in whom I have the utmost confidence. I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given to make a contribution to this St Andrew’s College educational landscape for my chapter, 2007–2024.
Mā te whakarongo, ka mōhio Through listening comes knowledge
Mā te mōhio, ka mārama Through knowledge comes understanding
Mā te mārama, ka mātau Through understanding comes wisdom
Mā te mātau, ka ora Through wisdom comes well-being
Christine Leighton Rector
Executive Assistant to the Rector, Michelle Oosthuizen, Rector Christine Leighton, and Regulus Editor/Writer, Jo Bailey
A large group of invited guests, including friends, educational colleagues, and representatives from all areas of the St Andrew’s community, gathered on Saturday 19 October to officially farewell and celebrate Rector Christine Leighton, as her 17 years of outstanding service comes to an end.
The evening began with the unveiling of the extraordinary, lifelike portrait of Christine, painted by renowned Central Otago realist artist, Neil Driver. He started the portrait a year ago, using a photograph of Christine taken in her study by photographer, Clinton Lloyd, as the basis for the painting, which was completed with lots of layers of thin acrylic paint on board. An exquisite frame made by City Art Depot added the finishing touch to the stunning artwork. A heartfelt poem, Still Life, presented to Christine by Writer-in-Residence, Kerrin Davidson, completed this ceremony.
Hosted by the St Andrew’s College Board of Governors, featuring three Board Chairs, Felicity Odlin, Bryan Pearson, and Garry Moore, and organised by Museum Curator, Pip Dinsenbacher, and Alumni and Community Relations Co-ordinator, Lisa Clark, the happy evening included drinks and nibbles in the Old Collegians Foyer of the recently opened Ngā Toi, a wonderful Address to a Haggis, by Catie Riordan (OC 2021), a surprise appearance by Christine’s son, Tom Leighton, who travelled from Thailand to be part of the evening, a delicious dinner in the Strowan House dining room prepared by Catering Manager, Russell Gray, and his team, speeches in the Gough Family Theatre, cake cutting, a performance of Christine Leighton’s Farewell by Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke, and a special rendition of Happy Birthday by the Pipe Band in front of Strowan House, given the celebrations coincided with Christine’s 65th birthday.
Dessert and dancing rounded off a fabulous evening of tributes and celebration
Final reflections from Rector Christine Leighton
As Rector Christine Leighton prepares to retire from her remarkable 17-year tenure as Rector of St Andrew’s College, we asked her to reflect on her role one last time.
What are the most stand out moments for you over your tenure?
St Andrew’s is such a busy place, and during the past 17 years there have been many wonderful and joyous moments, times of celebration and fulfilment, and positive interactions with people in our community. There is one momentous occasion which does stand out – our St Andrew’s College Centenary in 2017. It was two years of constant focus, work, and creativity to deliver on the community’s expectations for such an important event. I have enormous gratitude for the team who worked alongside me for this wonderful community celebration. I look back and wonder how we managed it!
You say the years from 2016–2019 marked a significant point in the College’s history, can you explain why?
A key focus for the Centenary was to have our campus rebuilt to the best possible post-earthquake standard. The crowning glory was the opening of our beautiful Centennial Chapel in 2016, which felt like a real turning point in terms of recovery. After the 2017 Centenary year, we consulted extensively with our community and launched the Strategic Plan in 2019. In this we imagined what the next five years would bring as we started a new chapter in St Andrew’s College history.
The campus has undergone an extraordinary transformation since you became Rector in 2007, can you tell us about that?
The campus is unrecognisable from when I started 17 years ago, largely due to the earthquakes, which although a dreadful time and enormously challenging, also gave us the opportunity to reimagine the campus. Through deliberate planning and execution, I’m proud of the visually appealing, modern, calm space which has been created for our students to learn, socialise, and relax in, as well as enjoying an environment which supports any activity they wish to undertake. Leading the community consultation and design phase of the Centennial Chapel was terrifying. However, the result which brings so much pleasure to many is very satisfying.
How to you define success in your role as Rector?
Personal success for me has been the ability to create an Executive Team and Senior Leadership Group at St Andrew’s who I believe are exceptional in talent and character. We use our collective strengths to constantly strive for continuous improvement, something we can only do as a team. Strong respectful relationships are at the heart of every successful school. These must extend to students, staff, parents, Old Collegians, Board members, and colleagues in education. Being interested, visible, and highly engaged in all that is going on is also critical to the success of a principal.
What are some of the challenges of the role?
Providing a world-class education for every student in a consistently positive culture, where everyone feels they belong, is not easy to sustain. An independent school must also function as a successful business to remain relevant, thrive, and deliver upon stakeholder expectations. Just as in any business, the immediate needs and wishes of students, staff, parents, and community must be balanced against future financial sustainability. It is also a constant balancing act between maintaining traditions and areas of strength while making space for innovation and new projects.
What are some of the things you have enjoyed most about being Rector?
Two of the things I have particularly enjoyed are the relationships I’ve built with students, parents, and Old Collegians; along with communications with the community, whether I’m writing articles, sending information out through newsletters, or speaking at assemblies or events. Telling the stories of St Andrew’s has been a significant part of my role. I also love the challenge of planning and delivering strategy through dynamic process. I find it very satisfying to measure achievements against deliberate goals we’ve set as an organisation.
What are some of the personal qualities you have brought to the Rector’s role?
I have strong intuition and very good radar. I’m always listening, looking, reflecting, and noticing. I’ve learnt how to constantly monitor situations while at the same time enjoying the moment. I do feel fortunate being a ‘glass-half full’ person who looks forward to every day, anticipating it will be a good one!
You have always been a great supporter of students in all their sports, cultural, and academic pursuits, and there have been significant successes. What is the secret to this?
Celebrating the success and achievements of our students is definitely one of the highlights of my role, both on a personal and professional level. Student success is critical to the success of our school, and it comes in many forms. Success is also part of a broader strategy and vision of St Andrew’s, ensuring we have the support systems in place to allow our students’ talents to flourish. Sometimes, like in a perfect symphony, where all the instruments come together, something magical happens.
Are there any student successes over your time at St Andrew’s which really stand out to you?
Winning the Gillette Cup in cricket, the Maadi Cup in rowing, and the UC Cup in rugby are some of my personal highlights, along with the national titles won by mixed tennis and mixed touch, and seeing the incredible rise of girls’ sport at St Andrew’s over the last few years with Girls’ football, basketball, futsal, hockey, netball, and volleyball teams all excelling at a regional and national level.
Similarly, our students competing in cultural and academic competitions have had significant success. Standout national achievements include chamber group, Vich Perfect, winning the national NZCT Chamber Music Competition in 2021, Grace Lawrence, Head Girl 2022, winning the Play It Strange national songwriting competition, and Chantelle Xiong (Year 13) winning the 2024 National Schools’ Poetry Award. And of course, in 2013 the Pipe Band won the Juvenile World Championships in Glasgow, which was a massive celebration. The College’s most outstanding academic achievement was Luke Zhu, Corin Simcock, Tom Edwards and Toby Harvie’s (OC 2022) global victory in the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge, with students achieving highly in many other national and international competitions. It is also quite incredible that in the last six years St Andrew’s students have achieved 296 NZQA Scholarship Awards including 43 Outstanding Scholarship winners, with nine students achieving Outstanding Scholar Awards given to the top 60 Scholarship students in New Zealand
You and husband Gavin are retiring to Wanaka. What are your plans?
I suspect retirement won’t mean stopping, but I haven’t really had time to think about what the future holds. I would like to think I will be able to use the experience, skills, and attributes I’ve developed along the way to embark on some new opportunities. In the meantime, I’m going to have a rest, read some books, and go for long walks. There is a lot of sacrifice in relationships with family and friends when you have a full-time working career, and I’m looking forward to being able to pay more attention to those parts of my life and personal fulfilment.
How would you sum up your time as Rector of St Andrew’s College?
The word privilege is absolutely at the core of my time here. It’s been such an honour to serve as the tenth Rector with all the challenges and celebrations. When I think of the times of sadness, turmoil, and uncertainty – the earthquakes, mosque shootings, the COVID-19 pandemic, I fully understand the responsibility of leadership. But from these challenges came personal growth, a sense of self-belief, and the discovery of inner strength. I am truly grateful for all the people I have connected with over the last 17 years. I cannot think of a more fulfilling career than working with adolescents and hope that in some small way I have made a positive difference in their lives.
2008
• Rebuild of Alistair Sidey Mountain Lodge, Castle Hill
• First major review of Strategic Plan
• Whole school teacher professional learning plan
2010
• Synergetic and use of achievement data
• External Sports Review
2012
• Campus plan re-drafted post-earthquake
• Boarders offsite while boarding houses rebuilt
• Communications and ICT strategies introduced
• Hockey Turf
2009
• Spiro Centre build
• New uniform and College brand
2014
• Introduction of Te Waka for Year 10
• Launch of new Strategic Plan
• Publish College cookbook, Recipes from Tartan Kitchen
• Chapel fundraising
• Director of Development appointed
2016
• Opening of Gym 2 and Centennial Chapel
• Elite Sports Studies programme introduced
• Centenary launch
2011
• New Preparatory School completed
• Significant focus on earthquake recovery
• Whole school plan for Te Reo and Tikanga developed
• New Leadership Structure
2015
• Life is Co-ed Campaign
• New tutor system
years of 17 innovation & achievement
2013
• Return to Strowan House following repairs and refurbishment
• ‘Step into our Future’ fundraising campaign launched
• Pipe Band World Champions
• New boarding houses opened
• Three Top Subject scholars
• Winners Co-ed national rugby, and mixed tennis nationals
2018
• Opening of Green Library and Innovation Centre and Stewart Junior Centre
• Premier Top 12 Scholar (NZQA Scholarship) and two top 50 students nationwide
• Pipe Band second at World Championships
2020
• StACFit Fitness Centre opened
• Operating through COVID-19 pandemic – online learning
• Fundraising campaign Your Legacy Our Future introduced
2022
• Mathematics Modeling Team World Champions
• Top 10 NZ Scholar and Top New Zealand Subject Scholar – six ICAS Gold Awards
• New People and Business Manager – review of College’s HR structure
2024
• Opening of Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre
• New St Andrew’s College website launched
• S enior A Girls’ futsal national champions
• Te Ao Māori and mana whenua – landscaping design
2021
• W inners National Chamber Music Competition
2019
• L aunch of Strategic Plan Framing our Future
• P ipe Band Centenary
2017
• St Andrew’s College Centenary (March)
• L aunch of Well-being and Positive Education
• Maadi Cup winners
• Te Reo Māori subject option introduced
• 1st XI cricket Gillette Cup winners
• V isible Learning introduced
• P hilanthropy –relationship developed with So They Can
• Six ICAS Gold medals
2023
• Introduction of Sports Framework
• Mixed touch national champions
• New Position – Health and Safety Manager
• P rizegiving performance of Stairway to Heaven achieves international acclaim
As she prepares to retire, Rector, Christine Leighton, reflects on her review of the Strategic Plan over her time at St Andrew’s College, and shares some of the many highlights of her time in the role.
Christine Le ighton
Regulus
Tributes dedication and impact celebrate
Several of RectorChristine Leighton’s colleagues, past students, and other members of the St Andrew’s community, reflect on her legacy of leadership.
Christine is a consummate professional and true leader with a clear vision for excellence. Her wisdom, passion, and drive have profoundly impacted St Andrew’s and the Independent Schools’ network, where her dedication and love for her role truly shine. A true legend!
PETER CASSIE
Board Chair ISNZ, Principal Saint Kentigern Boys’ School
Alongside leading our community through times of challenge, most notably the Canterbury earthquakes and the renaissance that followed, Christine’s gift at telling the stories of our Old Collegians and our community has strengthened the sense of belonging all of us have to St Andrew’s College.
NICK LETHAM Deputy Board Chair
Christine has raised the bar extremely high through her vision, focus, hard work, and persistent positivity. She leaves St Andrew’s as one of the leading schools in New Zealand, and her legacy will shape and define the College’s future – surely the best legacy that’s possible for anyone to leave.
BARRY MAISTER
Rector of St Andrew's 1995–2001
Christine’s extraordinary leadership was epitomised during the 2017 Centenary when she united people, places, and events into a unique and memorable celebration, bonding St Andrew’s remarkable past, present, and future. She leaves a lasting legacy, as an exceptional mentor and person, who will always be revered.
Christine has a personable, polite, and enthusiastic nature, with an outstanding ability to recall the names and faces of current and past students and their families. Her involvement with school sports and cultural activities shows her passion for the school. During Christine’s tenure, she has guided the school family through some memorable highs and lows but will be leaving the school in an incredibly fortunate position.
ROCHELLE AND GEOFF SPARK
St Andrew’s College parents
LIZZIE STEVENSON Head Girl 2017
Christine’s vibrant energy and unwavering enthusiasm never cease to inspire me. Her ability to cultivate deep connections within our community, paired with her hopeful, forwardlooking vision, have defined her exceptional leadership.
KERRY LARBY Head of Well-being
Christine’s remarkable leadership and dedication to St Andrew’s College has been inspiring. She connects personally with everyone, recalling names effortlessly. Her leadership through the earthquakes, rebuild, centenary celebrations, and COVID-19 has been extraordinary. Christine’s innovative approach and genuine care have fostered a strong sense of community and continuous improvement, which has led to countless academic, culture, and sporting successes.
HAMISH BELL Head of
Values and Culture
My first meeting was shaking Christine’s hand in the Senior College as a prospective student. I joined 17-year groups worth of students whose names she never forgot. An ultimate example of how to be a personable leader. While she enjoys a well-deserved retirement, her legacy remains in the College’s beautiful new grounds and infrastructure, but most importantly the unified network of students, staff, and Old Collegians who will continue to return and share their stories in the decades to come.
LUCA VINNELL
Head Boy 2019
I vividly recall Christine’s first address to the College in 2007 when I was in Year 11. She held the audience with warm confidence, curiosity, and grace. Christine has instilled these qualities into the College culture, making St Andrew’s better. It has been a privilege to be both a student and friend during her time as Rector.
SAM CROSBIE
President Old Collegians Association
Christine has enabled me to flourish in my role. She has given me freedom and autonomy, but also known when to ‘check-in’ and ask the necessary questions, the perfect balance. Despite her demanding role she never loses sight of people, her empathy, perception, warmth, and kindness making it a joy and privilege to have worked under her leadership.
LAURENCE WISEMAN Head of Drama and Dance
Christine has been a wonderful supporter of the Music Department and could always be relied upon to support our choirs, jazz bands and chamber musicians’ various concerts, festivals, and competitions. She has loved the great success we have had in competitions like the NZCT Chamber Music Festival and always enjoyed travelling to support the musicians wherever they were in the country.
DUNCAN FERGUSON Head of Music
Christine has been an extraordinary leader, an anchor in turbulent times, strategic, visionary,and always focused. Her gift of connection is unmatched, remembering every name, giving permission to grow, and encouraging all to thrive. Christine has led with grace and strength, embodying wisdom which has shaped futures with clarity and purpose. I have been privileged to be under her leadership.
REV. PAUL MORROW College Chaplain
I’m so grateful for the time Christine has given to the Old Collegian community during her tenure and the example of strong female leadership she has set to me personally and to all those who’ve had the privilege to be led by her.
MEG BLACK
Head of Boarding 2010 and Past President of the Old Collegians Association
Secondary School students bid farewell
Rector Christine Leighton received a warm farewell from Secondary School students on Friday 25 October, who gathered in an assembly to pay tribute to her years of dedication and to honour her final weeks in the role
The assembly began by recognising several significant student achievements, including a Rector’s Medal presented to Sea-am Thompson (Year 13) who has been awarded a 2025 Organ Scholarship to the prestigious Magdalen College at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Another highlight was the presentation of a Rector's Medal to the Rector herself, by Nick Letham, Head Boy 2001, and Deputy Board Chair, in honour of Christine's dedicated service. A kete was also presented to Christine by Deputy Head Prefects, Holly Maraki and Carter Rhodes, on behalf of the students.
Then the student-led farewells got underway. A group of around 30 Old Collegians, who had been Head Students during Christine’s 17 years as Rector, surprised her by joining her on stage, with some sharing memories of their time at the College and their time with her, and others taking part in a combined choir performance with present students. Estee Wilke (OC 2022) performed a beautiful solo and a duet with Jack Flanagan (Year 13).
The recessional was a fitting finale to the assembly with the Pipe Band playing Christine Leighton’s Farewell, composed by Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke.
The celebrations continued with a surprise whole Secondary School haka for Christine on the front lawn of Strowan House.
“The performance from the Kapa Haka Group, and the College haka led by George Wesley (Year 12), was a moment I will never forget, as was the entire morning. I am very humbled by the honour bestowed upon me and thank all who were a part of making it happen,” says Christine.
Mrs Leighton has inspired students and created a StAC culture we are proud of. She has led with wisdom and courage, and her kind, passionate and inclusive personality makes our school so special.
MEG SIMPSON AND HUGO RANKEN Heads of College 2024
From Board the
We are rapidly coming up to the end of the year and, among the many people who have given so much over the course of the year, the Board would like to particularly recognise Head of Guidance, Tom Matthews and Rector, Christine Leighton.
At the recent annual ISNZ Conference, Tom Matthews received an ISNZ Honours Award. A select number of these awards are given each year to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions made by staff from ISNZ member schools. The Board is delighted to congratulate Tom, who was recognised for his dedication to guidance and counselling at St Andrew’s. Tom works in an open, collaborative, and professional manner to lead his team and guide and support many students, families, and staff. Our staff also benefit from Tom’s work in facilitating leadership development.
As Christine’s time as Rector draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the challenges, opportunities, and changes during the past 17 years. The College has faced challenges such as the Christchurch earthquakes, significant facilities rebuild postearthquakes, additional building improvements and projects and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and its downstream consequences. Other areas of development have included co-education, a Well-being and Pastoral Care Programme, professional development for staff, a philanthropic culture, a high performance and participatory sports framework, Te Ao Māori, and inclusion and diversity.
Change has also come in the form of rapidly evolving technology and the rise and prevalence of social media. Seventeen years ago, smartphones were barely a thing, and AI was hardly talked about. Now, smartphones are part of everyday life, and everyone has heard of AI (even if they are not sure exactly what it is and what it means).
Developments in AI technology have the potential to enhance learning experiences. We need to keep up with these developments and continue to integrate them appropriately into our educational environment. The multiple benefits for our staff and students in using AI tools include greater resources, personalised learning, professional development, and data analysis. These outcomes will, in turn, support diverse learning needs, give real time feedback, and create new opportunities for innovation, creativity, and success in the classroom. The College has recently invested in technology leadership resource so that it is well placed to identify and take advantage of these opportunities.
We have already seen the benefits of data analysis over the last seven years with our student performance data analysis. This programme measures individual and cohort performance, assesses value add on a granular and aggregate basis, and identifies areas for development.
AI technology does not come without its challenges. We are aware that issues of bias, data privacy, and responsible use can arise and need to be addressed carefully. We will continue to embrace AI technology thoughtfully and in line with our values. By doing so, we hope we will empower both staff and students, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Great leadership and teamwork are crucial to guide the College through these and many other comparable issues. Great leaders and teams respond to challenges and proactively embrace opportunities. They sustain a strong foundation and understanding of the College’s ethos and culture.
As Christine Leighton prepares to retire after an impressive 17 years as Rector, we applaud her commitment to ensuring the College has been responsive, progressive, and creative while also nurturing its history and traditions. Whether addressing such issues as emerging technologies, societal change, and educational innovations or navigating the challenges posed by earthquakes and pandemics, Christine has always prioritised the well-being and success of students and staff. The College’s traditions have fostered a sense of belonging and pride among students, alumni, staff, and the wider community. One of Christine’s strengths has been her relationship building skills, her connection with students, and effective stakeholder engagement.
On a personal note, I have greatly enjoyed working alongside Christine. Her openness, trust, respect, and support has made for an effective and positive working relationship which I feel privileged to have been part of.
Thank you, Christine, for your years of service and your unwavering dedication to the College and all the people associated with it. You have been a guardian of tradition, a promoter of innovation, and an inspiration to many. You will be greatly missed, but, happily for all of us, your legacy will endure. We wish you all the very best for the next chapter in your story.
And now, with summer approaching, we can look forward to celebrating the end-of-year events. On behalf of the Board of Governors, I wish everyone the best for a relaxing and safe summer holiday.
Felicity Odlin Board Chair
On behalf of the Board of Governors
Wilj Dekkers leads College’s innovation strategy
After a three year absence, St Andrew’s former Head of Innovation and Information Services, Wilj Dekkers, is pleased be back at the College, returning on a part-time basis at the start of the year, to provide strategic direction in key areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital learning, and innovation in teaching and learning.
“Being welcomed back into the St Andrew’s community has felt like coming home. After nearly a year in the role, it’s become evident just how important it is to have a liaison between teaching and learning and the technology side, in a school this size,” says Wilj, who since Term 4 last year, has been working at the College four days a week. Navigating the fast-paced changes brought about by AI, is one of his key priorities.
“With a proliferation of generative AI tools, we swiftly started to look at the College’s policy around AI use for teachers and students, and during the year, have been drafting a teacher guidance framework for the technology, which is ever evolving given the tools keep changing.”
A set of approved AI tools have been trialled with teachers and students, which provide consistency across the College, create efficiencies, and are trusted to protect everybody’s privacy and information, says Wilj.
“One of the tools we have trialled is called Magic School, which runs on Chat-GPT 4 and is specifically tailored to St Andrew’s needs. We understand teachers have a heavy workload, and believe this tool has great potential for supporting teachers with planning and personalising learning for our students, in a way that had previously not been possible. This can free up teachers, so they have more time to focus on oneon-one student engagement,” says Wilj.
In Term 3, AI tools in the Magic School suite were also trialled with a select group of students for the first time, helping them to develop AI literacy,
learn how to use the tools in an ethical and responsible way, and understand the tools are there to support, but not replace, their learning.
Wilj says some of the tools proved popular in the Language Department, where students were able to have conversations with AI in French and German, helping them to build fluency in a low-pressure environment.
Wilj has also been working with Head of Teaching and Learning, David Bevin, around the transition to digital examinations for NCEA.
“We have been trialling a specific examination tool, which we have integrated with the Microsoft Teams suite. It provides a secure online platform where students can sit digital examinations without the risk of them accessing unauthorised materials.
We’ve been working with teachers to create their own examinations in the tool, having trialled it with Level 1 NCEA students, and utilised it for some preliminary examinations. This tool will also form part of our wider AI strategy.”
Another key part of Wilj’s role is to have a broader strategic overview of digital learning across the College, which includes answering the question, w hat is innovation at St Andrew’s?
“In such a rapidly changing and complex technological landscape, we want to ensure St Andrew’s is at the forefront of innovation. This innovation will always place our students’ learning at its core, ensuring that every advancement serves to enrich their educational experience.”
Head of Innovation and Information Services, Wilj Dekkers (centre), discussing innovation in teaching and learning with Head of Secondary School (Academic), Helaina Coote, and Head of Teaching and Learning, David Bevin.
Year 12 students explore character strengths
A Character and Leadership programme, which was trialled for Year 12 students in 2023, has become a compulsory part of the programme for all Year 12 students this year, with a quarter of the cohort doing the 10-week programme each term.
Head of Well-being, Kerry Larby, says the goal of the programme is to help students develop self-awareness and leave St Andrew’s with the ability to talk about who they are, what their strengths and values are, and how they can contribute to the world.
“We start by having deep conversations with students about the nature of leadership, what it means to be a leader, and how leaders, through using their strengths, can contribute positively to influence how others think and act. However, the majority of the course is spent looking at the students’ five signature character strengths, which have been identified by the VIA Classification of Character. As the students reflect, they develop a deeper awareness of themselves and appreciate the contributions of their peers more.”
Supporting this self-exploration is a comprehensive set of resources which Kerry has developed for each of the 24 VIA character strengths.
“These materials allow students to reflect on how their strengths empower them, where they might face challenges, and how their values shape their contributions,” says Kerry. “When students finish reflecting on their character, they are required to write a character reference for themselves using specific examples from their time at St Andrew’s.”
Many of the students get a surprise when they go through the resources and start to recognise themselves, says Kerry.
“It’s interesting how many of them, say, ‘yes that’s me!’ Well-being literacy is an important first step in understanding and experiencing wellbeing. The aim of this programme is to give students words and phrases to describe things they already know about themselves.”
Kerry, who teaches the Character and Leadership programme with Head of Senior College, John Ruge, says the positive benefits really come into their own once the students start looking at life beyond school.
“Whether students are writing job applications, curriculum vitae, university and halls applications, or going through the interview process, their understanding of their values and strengths can be hugely beneficial, providing significant clues to the sorts of decisions they should make and where they will find engagement and joy in life.”
Engagement in the programme has been positive and students have enjoyed the time to think about themselves in a more in-depth way, says Kerry.
“It’s pleasing to see the extent our students can reflect on themselves more deeply and insightfully now they are in the Senior College and starting to prepare for the transition beyond school.”
Head of Well-being, Kerry Larby, chats about character strengths with Year 12 students, Katherine Simcock and Milla Smith.
A recipe for learning
Preparing students for various careers, while fostering creativity and personal expression are both hallmarks of the Food and Fabric subjects at St Andrew’s, says Head of Technology, Allyson Duncan. “Many of our students go on to explore career paths in things like nutrition, food safety, health, hospitality, sports nutrition, and clothing design, while others take these subjects purely out of interest and enjoyment, and to gain some valuable practical and life skills.”
There is always strong interest in both subjects, with 11 Food classes and eight Fabric classes across all year levels in 2024.
The opportunity for students to explore their own ideas in Food and Fabric has a lot of appeal, says Allyson. “Creativity is a big part of the practical elements of both courses. “Many of our recipes offer flexibility, allowing students to use them as a base and then create the dish in their own unique way. It’s the same in Fabric, where students are encouraged to adapt patterns creatively.”
Being able to select and prepare food, make good food choices, and learn to take responsibility for their own health are some of the important skills Years 9 and 10 students learn in their Food and Nutrition option classes.
This year, the Year 11 course has been rebranded as Food and Health, with a renewed focus on well-being, nutrition, and healthy eating. Students now have two lessons each week with a Food teacher and two lessons with a Health teacher. “One of our most popular group assessments in Year 11 involved students creating a dish connected to Matariki, which they planned, prepared, and shared with the rest of the class. It was a fun and educational experience, with students also reflecting on how the activity contributed to their well-being,” explains Allyson.
In Years 12 and 13, students expand their knowledge even further, to include food for sportspeople, evaluating sustainable food related practices, food security, and the wider issues associated with food choice and well-being in New Zealand.
Fabric Technology students also build on their knowledge and skills each year. In the option courses in Years 9 and 10, they learn how to create personalised, innovative, and useful products. In Year 11, their practical skills extend as they develop briefs, concepts, construction plans, technological models, and fully realised products.
By Years 12 and 13, students are learning to design and develop products which address specific needs. “As they progress up the year levels, their projects become more complex. Junior students start with basic blocks, while senior students move on to drafting and creating their own patterns, exploring how their worldviews shape their creative work and problemsolving approaches,” explains Allyson.
The skills learned in Fabric can also open doors to exciting career opportunities, says Allyson. “While breaking into clothing design in New Zealand can be challenging, the skills our students gain in Fabric provide a strong foundation for various design and creative fields.”
Kristina Burton and James Ryan in a Year 10 Food class.
Stitching cooking up and exciting careers
These former Food and Fabric Technology students are putting their learning and skills in the subjects to good use in their work.
Laura Bleyendaal née Brooks (Head Girl 2008)
Having an interest in food, health, and cooking from quite a young age, Laura Bleyendaal (née Brooks) decided to select Food Technology as a subject from Year 11. One highlight she remembers was when, with guidance from Head of Technology, Allyson Duncan, the students were able to create their own multi-course menu, which they served to their families.
During Food Technology, Laura loved being able to express herself creativity in the kitchen as well as testing her practical and time management skills. Combining this subject with the sciences and undertaking Post Graduate studies in Health Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Otago, has allowed her to pursue a career she is really passionate about. Today, Laura works as a Women’s Health Nutritionist (HER Nutrition), specialising in hormone health, gut health, and specific conditions such as PCOS and thyroid issues. She says much of how we feel and function stems from the foods we consume and how the nutrients present serve our health or detract from it. She is grateful to the Food Technology Department and Allyson Duncan for giving her a foundation and confidence in this area. In the future, Laura aims to develop a female-centred nutritional supplement to support women’s bodies at a cellular level.
Courtney Williamson (OC 2010)
After studying as a student at St Andrew’s, Courtney Williamson has come full circle, becoming a Food anad Nutrition teacher at the College four years ago. Growing up in a family involved in both hospitality and food manufacturing, Courtney always wanted to pursue food-related studies at school, and says the Food and Nutrition classes were a good mix of learning practical skills and theory lessons, which related heavily to the fields she later worked in. She says Food and Nutrition has come a long way over the last 15 years, with the content now relating more closely to future potential pathways and counting towards University Entrance. After studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Food Industry) at Lincoln University (now called Bachelor of Food Marketing and Agribusiness), Courtney worked in food manufacturing for a multinational company in a quality assurance position, as well as in sales and sales support in the food distribution sector. After retraining as a teacher, Courtney rejoined St Andrew’s College in her current role. In the future, she hopes to achieve what Head of Technology, Allyson Duncan, achieved with her, by inspiring students who have an interest to consider the vast array of careers related to Food and Nutrition.
Brown (OC 2010)
Olivia Kitson took Fabric from Year 7 at St Andrew’s and by Year 10 already saw it as a potential career option. As well as learning and honing her sewing and pattern making skills, Olivia says the classes prepared her for how hard a career in fashion can be, and the amount of work that goes into making a piece or collection of clothing. Highlights of her time at the College include working with teacher, Raewyn Buckley, and winning the Wearable Arts Section at the New Zealand Young Designer Awards when she was in Year 12, with the support of the Fabric Department. Olivia says her studies at St Andrew’s set her up well for university and some exciting future roles in the fashion industry. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fashion Design from AUT in 2014, Olivia started her career as a production assistant with Karen Walker, then managed Juliette Hogan Bridal. Heading off on her OE in 2019, Olivia took on a role as Senior Garment Technologist for London designer, Roksanda, and was exposed to the world of luxury fashion and European-made clothing. A three year stint with Juliette Hogan followed on her return to New Zealand. Now Olivia is back in Christchurch after welcoming her first child, and is working for a local furniture company, Woodwrights, learning new construction, fabric, and upholstery skills. While she is not sewing daily anymore, Olivia says it is still a much- loved hobby.
Science Club enriches students’ learning
Since Term 2, Secondary School students with a strong interest in Science have been gathering every Tuesday lunchtime for Science Club, an initiative of Year 13 student, Aaron Moore, which is giving them a ‘high-powered learning experience’ says Teacher in Charge of Academic Extension and Enrichment, Ellen Hampson.
“This is a great initiative and legacy project for Aaron, which provides students with a greater window into Science-related subjects and extends their knowledge beyond the curriculum. I enjoy sitting in on the lively sessions, where there is lots of laughter and humour alongside some really interesting conversations. It’s impressive that Aaron, and his assistants, James Hart and Jack Li (both Year 13), willingly give up their time to help other students in this way.”
The programme is also supported by Head of Science, Brent Cummack,who says it’s a ‘brilliant student-led initiative.’
“Brent often pops in and out of Science Club and offers pearls of wisdom,” says Ellen. “During one session on nuclear bombs he even brought uranium in lead boxes into the class.”
Aaron Moore, whose key interest is Physics, says the Science Club idea came to him because he had more free time in Year 13 and wanted to do something with it. “Having a place to get extension and discuss ideas with other students interested in Science is something I would have enjoyed as a younger student,” he says.
Aaron often leads the presentations on a range of different Science-related subjects during the interactive sessions, however, he says a key aspect of Science Club is that everyone gets a chance to
present and talk about their areas of interest.
“Nothing is too formally planned, and we like to talk about what people are interested in. There are usually lots of questions and we often go off on tangents,” says Aaron.
Science Club attracts 10–12 primarily gifted and talented students each session. The Neuroscience programme is also positioned inside Science Club, meaning once a month, the group receives neuroscience lectures from the University of Otago.
Once he leaves school, Aaron plans to continue exploring his passion for Physics at university, and hopes to go into research in the future.
Science Badge programmes spark curiosity
This year, a group of curious, committed young scientists in Years 7–10 have embraced the opportunity to extend their interest in the subject as members of the Science Badge programme.
Secondary School Science teacher, Rebecca Richardson, who co-ordinates and runs the rewards-based initiative, says the students work towards Science Badges across a range of science-related topics. “The students love it. They regularly check in with me to see if their work meets the standards, as they are eager to earn their badges,” she says. “Along with the rewards, the programme helps to ignite a passion for science and encourages the students to extend themselves.”
At the start of the year, the students worked with Rebecca on foundational topics including Marine Biology, Food Technology, and Epidemiology, before selecting topics tailored to their own specific interests, she says. “It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm for science grow in the programme, which has been part of the Science Awards Scheme for over 40 years.”
Once students have selected their topic, they are provided with an activity sheet and must complete 20 points out of the available 47 to achieve their badge. Most of the activities are completed independently in the students’ own time, however they meet in the laboratory with Rebecca on Tuesday lunchtimes for hands-on practical sessions and additional support. One standout participant is Year 8 student,
Louis Hyland, who by August had completed 15 Science Badges, earning a prestigious Gold Star Badge, which was presented along with a certificate and congratulatory letter at a Preparatory School Assembly. “Louis is a star and is so dedicated to his work, which he completes to a really high standard. He is aiming for Platinum status next.”
Rebecca is proud of the efforts of all the enthusiastic young scientists who are part of the Science programme. “It’s great to see them working so hard, and we love to celebrate their successes when their badges are presented at assemblies.”
Aaron Moore (Year 13) presenting to students during a Science Club session.
Science teacher, Rebecca Richardson, assists Keer (Tessa) Meng (Year 9) and Louis Hyland (Year 8) during a Science Badge session.
Scholarship students work on exciting real world projects
Under the guidance of mentor, Bryn Lewis (OC 1984), a group of four Year 13 Digital Technology Scholarship students are creating some exciting projects which have the potential to make a positive impact in real world applications.
Two of the students, Grace Kempthorne and Joe Mundy, are building solutions for animal welfare using artificial intelligence, working in conjunction with Livestock Visibility Solutions, a local company which focuses on the use of AI in agriculture.
Grace’s project is aimed at the poultry industry to ensure the well-being of baby chickens, which are unable to regulate their body temperature for the first couple of weeks after they are born. Using a combination of artificial intelligence and mathematics, Grace’s solution aims to detect whether the chickens are cold and clustering together, or hot and sprawling on the floor, allowing farmers to intervene.
Joe’s project is to ensure the well-being of milking cows and staff. His focus is on the use of AI and skeletal models to determine the milkers’ pose, and how this might be potentially putting the milker and cow at risk of injury.
Aaron Moore and James Hart, both strong mathematicians, are working
together on the third project, using mathematics and coding to value foreign currency forwards. Their work will be used to validate a possible way to improve the software of Hedgebook, a New Zealand company with global clients, which specialises in managing foreign currency deals.
Bryn has worked in the industry since 1988, and is one of only two people in Australia and New Zealand to be named as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional who specialises in the Internet of Things. He has mentored at St Andrew’s in various technology roles for several years. Since the start of 2024, he has visited the four Scholarship students a couple of times each week in their Year 13 Digital Technology class with teacher, Phil Adams, and is impressed by their work.
“It’s fantastic to see the students working on real world projects, which are helping them to gain industry connections and experience and will be an impressive addition to their university applications.”
Bryn contracts to both Hedgebook and Livestock Visibility Solutions, where two additional Old Collegians feature prominently – Graham Robertson (OC 1961) the firm’s lead investor, and Bryan Inch (OC 1980) its Chairman of the Board.
“Both Graham and Bryan are keen on getting students involved in the tech
side of agriculture, while Hedgebook CTO, Ian Ross, and I would love to see more young women getting involved in the technology sector,” says Bryn.
Livestock Visibility Solutions Board Chair, Bryan Inch, sees a lot of value working with St Andrew’s students on these types of projects, and is keen to continue to foster the relationship.
“As a business focused on people and animal welfare, we greatly appreciate the input of the very talented students who are getting a feel for real industry issues facing agricultural production and helping create solutions where computers and cameras are able to do tasks better and more consistently than people. Their work takes lots of skill, patience, and guidance by Bryn.”
Bryn Lewis and Grace Kempthorne working on her project.
Mentor, Bryn Lewis (OC 1984), is helping Digital Technology students, Grace Kempthorne, Joe Mundy, Aaron Moore and James Hart (all Year 13) with their scholarship projects.
ACADEMIC
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS:
77 awarded
ICAS:
3 Medals – Year 13 Mathematics and Science, and Year 8 English
INFOMATICS:
2 students European Girls’ Olympiad NZ team
BIOLOGY:
NZ International Biology Olympiad – Bronze award
ETHICS:
5 students NZ International Ethics Olympiad finalists
CHEMISTRY:
Year 11 Ara Chemistry Team Competition Winners
FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING:
Year 8 team – Third in the World
Individual Junior Division – First in New Zealand
CREATIVE WRITING:
National Schools Poetry Award Winner and Runner Up
DECATHLON:
Year 8 NZ da Vinci Competition Winners
MATHEMATICS:
Year 8 Cantamath Winners
Year 9 and Year 10 Cantamath Runners Up American Maths Olympiad Runner Up SPEECH:
Ngā Manu Kōrero: Senior Māori Impromptu – Third CHESS:
Canterbury Schools: Secondary Runner Up NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVES:
2 Recipients
College Productions
The Nutcracker (Ballet Academy)
The Aurora Stone (Preparatory)
Once Upon A Mattress (Middle) Legally Blonde (Senior)
Outstanding Cultural Celebrations
Music Festival // Film Fest // Dance Revue // Pipe Band StAC Attack
TOP STUDENT SUCCESSES
Congratulations to our students for their outstanding successes across sports, cultural and academic areas.
SPORT
ROWING:
Girls 16 8+ Gold NZSS, Boys U16 4+ Gold NZSS
Boys U18 4+ Silver NZSS
SISS Championships – 5 Gold, 3 Bronze
FUTSAL:
Senior A Girls Winners NZSS
CULTURE
CHAMBER MUSIC:
Original Composition Overall Winner NZCT Contest
ORCHESTRA:
7 students NZSS Symphony Orchestra
PIPE BAND:
New Zealand National Champions in Juvenile U21 Solo Piping Champion
NZ Young Piper of the Year
5 students National Youth Pipe Band
ROCK BAND:
National Finalist Battle of the Bands, and Best Guitarist and Top 3 Drummer Rockquest Best Song
JAZZ BAND:
Big Band Southern Jam & Aurora Festival Gold awards Best Bassist Southern Jam and Aurora Festival Best Drummer Aurora Festival
SONGWRITING:
Finalist Play it Strange Competition
Finalist Peace Song Competition
BALLET:
5 NZAMD Ballet Distinctions and Scholarships
2 National Ballet Award Finalists and Winner
Younger Performer of the Year – Semi finalist
DEBATING:
Junior and Senior Regional Winners CSS
HIGHLAND DANCE:
Winner New Zealand Championships Sean Truibhas and Reel O’Tulloch 18 Years and Over
Winner New Zealand Championship Irish Reel and Highland Fling U16
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S HILLARY AWARD: 23 Gold awards
NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVES: 15 Recipients
BASKETBALL:
Girls Senior A Runner Up NZSS
Girls Senior A and Junior Girls Winners NZSS Zone 4
Girls Senior 3x3 Winners NZSS Zone 4
FOOTBALL:
Girls’ 1st XI Third NZSS, Winner CSS
FLAG FOOTBALL:
U12 New Zealand Champions
NETBALL:
Senior A Fourth SISS
Senior A Top 12 NZSS
Year 9A Runners Up SISS Junior Tournament
VOLLEYBALL:
Senior A Girls Third NZSS
TOUCH:
Mixed Team Winner NZSS (Dec 2023) and Winner SISS
TENNIS:
Senior Mixed Tennis Runners Up NZSS
Senior A Girls Winners & Senior A Boys Runners Up SISS
A year ago, Luke Zhu (Joint Dux OC 2022), was embarking on a new adventure, swapping the classrooms of St Andrew’s for the hallowed halls of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.
After completing his first year at the Ivy League institution, Luke, one of St Andrew’s most gifted academics, took advantage of the lengthy North American summer break to return home to Christchurch. As well as catching up with family and friends, he was a regular visitor at St Andrew’s, helping Teacher in Charge of Academic Extension and Enrichment, Ellen Hampson, with the Gifted and Talented programme, which once nurtured his own potential.
“I’m still in touch with lots of staff members at St Andrew’s including Ellen, Digital Technology teacher, Phil Adams, and Spanish teacher, Alexis Evlampieff. They are excellent teachers, who helped me so much academically, as well as supported me through the application process for Harvard. It’s great to come back, catch up, and help out where I can,” Luke explains.
During the three months he was back in New Zealand, Luke helped Ellen to organise the Da Vinci Decathlon, Ethics Olympiad, and Thriving Minds Conference, the latter held at St Andrew’s in late August, just before he headed back to Harvard.
Another highlight was catching up on the development of students he had previously worked with, including Luke and Alex Manson (both Year 11), and Joshua Adams (Year 12).
“I remember all three joining Maths Club as super young, nervous Year 9 students. Now they are confidently running the whole thing. I’m proud to see how far they have come.”
It wasn’t until he was in Year 12 that Luke started thinking seriously about completing his tertiary studies overseas. “When I looked into Harvard it sounded possible, so I thought why not give it a shot?”
There is fierce competition for places at the prestigious university, which doesn’t offer academic scholarships but awards financial aid to select students like Luke. During his freshman year, he enjoyed exploring a range of ‘challenging’ subjects and expects to start a Concurrent Masters in Mathematics in his sophomore year on his return.
Meeting students from all around the world is one of the most enjoyable aspects of studying at Harvard, he says, along with exploring all the historical landmarks in Boston. With three more years of study ahead, Luke is unsure where his future career path might lead, although he thinks it will have ‘something to do with mathematics’ potentially in academia or industry.
Ellen Hampson enjoyed having Luke back on campus, describing him as a humble, diligent, and exceptionally talented academic of international-level potential. “It is heartening to witness a young person with the world at his feet so humble in his journey. In his final year at
St Andrew’s, Luke was the first person to be awarded both Dux and the Citizenship Award at the College. I believe it is a combination of these character traits which are the hallmarks of Luke’s success.”
What advice does Luke have for other students keen to explore tertiary study options in America? “Definitely showcase your abilities and potential for future success. One of the ways to do this is to chase every available opportunity at secondary school and do the things you are passionate about. Being willing to unlock your own potential is something universities look for.”
Luke Zhu (left) with a freshman classmate outside their first-year dorm, Wigglesworth Hall, at Harvard.
Academic successes
Biology Olympiad
Five St Andrews’ College students won a Bronze Award in the 2024/25 New Zealand International Biology Olympiad (NZIBO) – Hoi Sang (Kevin) Chen (Year 12), Lucy Binnie, Daniel Liu, Ken Minh-Ky Pham (all Year 11) and Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 10).
Book Launch
Jessica Armstrong (Year 9) wrote and self-published a children’s book focused on psychology, titled A small book on psychology for younger readers, which she launched at the College.
Business Studies Night Market
Twenty teams from St Andrew’s College, Cashmere High School, and St Margaret’s College participated at the annual Night Market, which was attended by whānau, friends, and potential customers and investors of the Business Studies students.
Cantamath
Baizen (Tony) Chen, Cong (Zilong) Chen, Emmett Lawler and Benjamin Yu.
At the annual Cantamath Competition at Wolfbrook Arena the Year 8 team of Cong (Zilong) Chen, Benjamin Yu, Emmett Lawler and Baizhen (Tony) Chen won a coveted ‘golden ticket’ for answering all the questions correctly and won first place in a record time of just over 14 minutes. In the Year 9 competition, StAC 1 and StAC 2 finished second and third behind Lincoln High School, and in the Year 10 competition, StAC 1 was second, and StAC 2 was fourth.
Chemistry
At the Year 11 Ara Chemistry Competition, Ellie Zhou, Ken Minh-Ky Pham and Katie Chan won first place, with the other St Andrew’s team, of Joshua Exon and Luke and Alex Manson, placing fourth.
Chess
At the Canterbury Interschool Individual Chess Tournament, a group of Years 6–8 students represented St Andrew’s, with Samuel Rijpma finishing second in Year 6.
Debating
A masterful effort from the StAC White debating team of Katherine Simcock, Isobel Forsey and James Hart (all Year 13) saw them unanimously win the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Debating final, beating Rangi Ruru Girls’ School.
The StAC 1 debating team of Lachlan Hackston, Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (both Year 10) and Matthew Bluck (Year 11) beat St Margaret’s in the final to win the Junior Debating Canterbury Regionals. Lachlan Hackston was also awarded Best Speaker of the tournament. The Year 9 team, in their first inter-school debating competition, narrowly lost in their semi-final.
Future Problem Solving
Emmett Lawler (Year 8) won first place as an individual in the Junior Division at the National Future Problem Solving finals. The Year 8 team comprising Ethan Zhao, Joy Zuo, Juno Park and Cong (Zilong) Chen also made the finals in the Global Issue Problem Solving section on the contest.
Mathematics
Cong (Zilong) Chen (Year 8) received one of the top 30 prizes for the Year 9 competition at the University of Otago Junior Mathematics Competition. Luke Manson and Alex Manson (both Year 11) also scored in the Top 30 across New Zealand.
For the second year in a row, Cong (Zilong) Chen (Year 8) achieved a perfect score in the Junior Division (Years 8–9 in Australasia) in the Australian Mathematics Competition. He won the Peter O’Halloran Award for his outstanding achievement.
Emmett Lawler (Year 8) attained the highest score and the fastest time in the Kiwi Year 8 Mathematics Competition administered by the University of Canterbury.
Alex Manson, Luke Manson and Joshua Exon (all Year 11) competed in the New Zealand Senior Mathematics Competition, placing in the Top 20 out of 297 teams.
Photography
With her photograph of a duck underwater, Chaio ting Huang (Year 10) won the Amazing Animals Photo Competition in the 11–18 years category from hundreds of entries received.
Physics and Mathematics
A small group of students represented the College in Round 2 of the New Zealand Physics and Mathematics Competition (NZPMC) South Island finals, with the following results:
• Senior Division: Aaron Moore first, Bryan Cooper second (both Year 13);
• Junior Division: Luke Manson (Year 11) third;
• Cong (Zilong) Chen (Year 8) was the only student under Year 10 to qualify to compete, and one of the Top 10 students in Round 1 of the Junior Division.
Science Fair
At the Canterbury-Westland Science Fair, Keer (Tessa) Meng and Violet McInnes (both Year 9) won the Best Year 9/10 Science Fair Project, and a special first prize from the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, Canterbury branch for their research on the effectiveness of nanoparticles in sunscreen. ZiQi (Maggie) Xu and Muyi (Bella) Yang (both Year 9) secured third place for their investigation into the browning of apples.
Thriving Minds Conference
Julie Arliss, who is based at Oxford University, UK, facilitated two Thriving Minds (Philosophy) Conferences at St Andrew’s College with topics captivating St Andrew’s students and the 260 other students from wider Canterbury-based schools. The highlights included Xavier Dickason (OC 2020) debating against Julie Arliss for the two House debates, and the ‘live from Oxford University’ lecture from Dr Andrew Pinsent on Science and Miracles.
Times Tables
Class 6T won ninth place out of 163 schools at the national Times Tables Rock Stars competition, demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork.
Violet McInnes and Keer (Tessa) Meng (both Year 9) with their Science project.
Hannah and Ellie represent New Zealand on World Stage
After a rigorous selection process, the exceptional coding prowess of Year 11 students, Hannah Withers and Ellie Zhou, saw them chosen to represent New Zealand on the world stage at the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI), held in the Netherlands during the Term 2 holidays.
New Zealand is one of a limited number of countries outside Europe which are invited to participate at the competition, but until this year, had only competed digitally.
Hannah Withers says the girls’ pathway to the competition began at the end of 2022, when they competed in a coding competition for Years 9 and 10 girls and finished second.
“From there we were selected for the NZIC camp, and after that participated in a selection contest for the top eight students. It was an honour for Ellie and I to be chosen as members of the first New Zealand EGOI team to compete at the competition in person,” she says.
Ellie Zhou says she was ‘thrilled and incredibly grateful’ to have made the team and found it ‘inspiring’ to compete against girls from around the world with a high level of skill and expertise.
Although representing their country, all competitors competed as individuals in two five-hour contests, with four
challenging problems to solve each time, earning up to 100 points each.
Both girls did extremely well, with Hannah finishing 159th overall, and Ellie 168th.
In addition to the competition, Ellie’s highlights included connecting with like-minded people from many different countries. “It was amazing to work together during team-building activities and talk throughout the event.”
Hannah says the Kiwi girls bonded especially well with the Netherlands team. “It was amazing meeting so many girls who have the same interest, which can be hard to find in a male-dominated space like Computer Science.”
During the week of the competition, the girls also did some sightseeing in Amsterdam, and attended an Expo, which showed many different technological possibilities for the future.
“There were lots of fun activities at the Expo, like Dungeons and Dragons, and in one section, there were bartenders creating themed mocktails for us to drink while we talked to the sponsors and other women who work in the tech world,” says Hannah.
Ellie says attending talks about technology innovation in the wider world has inspired her to consider further study and a career in the industry.
“I am excited to become involved in this field and learn more about technology. With its rapid development, new and impactful innovations are frequently being created, and I hope to be able to contribute to that in the future.”
Hannah says attending EGOI opened her eyes to how critical software development is to the financial world, and the possibilities that came with that reliance. The experience has also helped to cement her future path.
“I had always wanted to go into engineering, or computer related subjects at university, but after attending the contest I know that software engineering is what I want to do.”
Ellie Zhou (centre, green jersey) competing in one of the two five-hour examinations.
Ellie Zhou (left) and Hannah Withers (second left) with other members of the New Zealand team selected for the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI) in the Netherlands.
Senior and Preparatory School students ‘club together’
When extra hands were needed for the Preparatory School clubs and After School Care programme, Duke of Edinburgh students were quick to step up. Senior students from Years 11 and 12 have made a tangible impact, as they fulfil the Community Service component of the award programme, while building connections and becoming role models to the younger students they help.
The Preparatory School clubs offer a wide variety of activities which appeal to students with different interests, and the senior students have jumped at the chance to get involved, sharing their time, knowledge, and skills, says Head of Values and Culture, Hamish Bell.
“Once we sent out the information about supporting the clubs, the vacancies
filled quickly. It’s been great to see the interactions between the older and younger students, and the crossconnections formed between the two schools. Some of the senior students attended the Preparatory School themselves, so have loved going back.”
A group of 21 students from Years 11 and 12 support the seven Preparatory School clubs – Minecraft, Chess, Art, Quilling, Lego, Digi, and Stitch, which are run across several lunchtimes each week. An additional four students assist the After School Care programme.
Deputy Principal of the Preparatory School (Well-being) and Head of Education, Vicki Pettit, says the senior students are making an invaluable contribution to both programmes.
“They interact with younger students, assist with activities, supervise various tasks, and play games, fostering a positive and engaging environment. Their presence is not only helpful but also greatly appreciated, as they are well-liked by the younger students. These older students serve as role models, creating a supportive and fun atmosphere which enhances the overall experience for everyone involved.”
Iona Garrett (Year 11) helps with the Lego Club, and says she has ‘really enjoyed’ being part of the programme.
“Spending time with younger students has been a great opportunity for me to understand the similarities and differences between the Secondary and Preparatory Schools. A highlight has been getting to know younger students and seeing how they interact with each other.”
In addition to community service, meeting and interacting with new people is another key aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award programme, and the Preparatory School initiatives tick both boxes, says Hamish.
“The Duke of Edinburgh programme also encourages discipline and commitment from our senior students, who understand they must show up consistently, and not let the Preparatory School down. Overall, it’s a great initiative which has shown how everyone benefits when different age groups come together.”
Year 11 student Luca Rose, helping Georgia Blyde (Year 4) and Alfred Lash (Year 6).
Luca Rose supervising during the Preparatory School’s Chess Club.
Te Wiki O Nga - Pukapuka – Book Week 2024
Staff and students in the Preparatory School enjoyed a busy final week of Term 3, as they celebrated the best of children’s literature during Book Week. This year’s theme was ‘Reading Is Magic,’ focusing on stories that lift imaginations, and spark creativity and dreams. Celebrations began early with a visit from award-winning author, Steve Mushin, whose book, An Audacious Plan for Rewilding Every City on Earth, is a mindbending collection of plausible and often hilarious inventions that could save the world. Students and staff were gripped by his entertaining and stimulating presentation. Meanwhile, younger students were entertained by local author, Jennifer Somervell, who shared her stories of life on the farm, her latest picture book, Curly Cat, and advice on how to be a great writer.
The main event was the spectacular Book Parade. Led by piper, Alice Glover (Year 8), all of St Andrew’s College Pre-school and Preparatory School students and staff paraded across the campus dressed up as favourite book characters. Throughout the week, library sessions and lunchtimes were filled with literary quizzes, competitions, and creative activities. Book Club hosted a lunch in the Library with storytelling and fun games, while Year 7–8 students got to grips with Spine Poetry, with some fabulous results.
Regulus
Daffodil Pre-school
day
The Pre-school was a sea of yellow on Friday 30 August, as the children and staff celebrated Daffodil Day.
Head of Pre-school, Mandy Jenkins, says given how many New Zealanders are touched by cancer, Daffodil Day was an opportunity to gently introduce, in ageappropriate ways, ideas about how we can all support those affected by the disease.
“Many of our tamariki brought along a gold coin donation for the Cancer Society, and during our hui time, we explained how the money raised can help to fund research, support doctors and nurses caring for those battling the disease, and assist community volunteers who provide essential services, like driving patients to appointments. We also explained how donations contribute to special programmes, like providing bead necklaces and teddy bears to children undergoing treatment in hospital.”
The Pre-school children enthusiastically embraced the ‘Wear Yellow’ dress-up day, enjoyed face painting, made a lemonade stand, and created lots of daffodil inspired art.
A vibrant display of daffodils and yellow Daffodil Day messages written on a Pre-school window facing the driveway drew lots of positive feedback from the wider St Andrew’s community.
“As a team, we thought Daffodil Day was the perfect time to start to positively introduce some ideas to our tamariki around combatting cancer and supporting people with the disease,” says Mandy. “While cancer is a sad subject to think about, and Daffodil Day is a time for us to remember those we have lost in our own whānau and communities, it was heart-warming to see the children finding the joy and magic in all the things we were doing.”
Top: Mariam; Second row: Maddison, Olivia and Archie; Third row: Milo, Huxley and Elaine sitting on teacher Emma Richard’s lap; Bottom row: Rosie (left) and Charlie (right).
Discovering the
Junior Department students have been immersed in a pre-historic adventure, with the Year 1–2 students learning about the dinosaurs which roamed the planet millions of years ago, and the Year 3 students discovering how New Zealand’s tuatara are a living link to the dinosaur age.
During their inquiry, the Year 1–2 students were captivated by a wonderful visit from Anthony Hennig from the Canterbury Museum, who shared his vast knowledge of dinosaurs with the children, which built on what they already knew and had been learning in the classroom, says Year 1 teacher, Anna Wylie.
“Anthony brought some special items along, including real moa bones, a moa egg, and replica dinosaur bones. However, the children’s absolute highlight was the fossilised dinosaur poop,” she smiles. “As part of the inquiry, students also learnt about dinosaur classifications, stepped out how big the dinosaurs were, considered what human life would be like if dinosaurs were still around, and reflected on how we are able to see pictures of what dinosaurs looked like when humans weren’t around in prehistoric times to see them. It’s been a wonderful inquiry which really captured the children’s imaginations.”
Year 3 teacher, Marlene Van der Bent, says students in her year group were fascinated to learn about the tuatara’s links to the dinosaurs, with a highlight being a visit by a New Zealand Conversation Trust Officer, with a special ‘spiky’ visitor in a glass box.
“The students loved having a close-up encounter with the tuatara, and seeing their very own ‘living dinosaur’ being fed. They were also shown a taxidermy kiwi and kiwi egg, and learnt about the predators which endanger both species,” she says.
The Year 3 students inquiry expanded further during the year to include birds and green spaces and finished with a visit to Riccarton Bush in Term 4, when predators were again a focus.
“We have also worked closely with teacher, Mary Leota, during sessions throughout the year, which included learning about geckos and skinks,” says Marlene. “The Year 3 students made skink houses out of natural materials, which have been put in the Junior Department garden. We hope skinks will eventually make them their home.”
dinosaur age
Top: Matisse Tompkins, Florence Ryan, Sebastian Gorgon, Frederick Price, Matthew Wen, and Anastasia Sinclair (all Year 1) with Anthony Hennig from Canterbury Museum. Middle left: Alexander Ling, Alissa Alborough, Sophie Bennett, Jack Walsh (all Year 2) inspect a moa egg. Middle right: Florence Ryan (Year 1). Bottom left: Iselle Bromhead and Jasper Berry (both Year 3) building a skink house. Bottom right: Cynthia Zhang (Year 3) walking through the podocarp forest at Riccarton House and Bush.
Well-being initiatives connect teachers
A focus on teacher well-being is having a positive impact on the Year 4–6 team, and has especially helped them through tough times, says Head of Middle Syndicate, Megan Feller.
“It’s been a really sad year, losing members of our parent community. I think our strength as a team and care for each other has helped us through, and also enabled us to support the students in the best way we can.”
It was after attending a well-being focused chapel at the start of the year that Megan decided to work with her team of six teachers around well-being strategies.
“We are all hard-working and dedicated teachers, who know the job can be challenging and also lonely if you are not part of a strong team. It’s important to have a connection with your peers, and a safe space to be together, share a laugh, and support each other through the more challenging times.”
Well-being is a whole school goal at St Andrew’s, and the Middle Syndicate teachers were keen to ensure their ideas were brought to life and not just written down on paper.
Megan says rather than focus on one big initiative each term, they decided to take a ‘little and often’ approach, with lots of different opportunities for the teachers to connect.
“We take turns to organise a monthly get-together, which often includes food,” she smiles. “We’ve had some amazing Friday morning Posh Porridge breakfasts together, and we all love cheese scones, so a couple of times a term, we’ll order in some coffees and scones for a morning tea catch up and conversation. After the Parent Interviews we had some beautiful platters from Little Lunches and have enjoyed some First Table dinners together. It’s great to touch base often and keep the connections going.”
The teachers’ physical well-being is important too. With an earlier finish on Wednesdays, they have a walking group for whoever can make it, says Megan.
“We usually walk for up to an hour and take turns deciding the route. Sometimes we might stop for a scone on the way round. The fresh air and exercise are great for our mental health too.”
The teachers celebrate birthdays with cake and a restaurant voucher, and sometimes on Fridays contribute a couple of items each for shared platters to mark the end of the school week.
“We try to make things easy to organise, so they’ll happen, but they definitely mean a lot to everyone,” says Megan.
The teachers’ care has also extended to the families in the Middle Syndicate
team, with them contributing to meal trains, and even sending meals home with students during tough times for their families.
“I’m proud of the connections and openness within our team, which has built trust and loyalty,” says Megan. “We are a strong team who work closely together, which ultimately benefits our students too.”
Preparatory School teachers, Fiona Patterson, Emily-Jane Ullrich, Megan Feller, Leanne Gilray and Adam Fleming enjoying one of their regular coffee and scone sessions.
A birthday celebration for Middle Syndicate teacher, Lori Haisty.
Speech competition lights up the stage
With ambient blue light and a single spotlight illuminating the stage of the Gough Family Theatre, the scene was set for the finals of the Year 8 Speech Competition, held on Monday 30 September.
Year 8 Team Leader, Morgan Sheppard, said holding the finals in the new theatre added to the prestige of the occasion, when the top three students from each Year 8 class delivered their speeches in front of the entire cohort and teachers.
“The speeches were funny, interesting, and sometimes shocking, covering a range of topics, from weird hobbies to brain rot, and even the history of chewing gum.”
The three winners, selected by the Year 8 teachers, and guest judge, Mary Leota, were Isla Marshall (The art of procrastination),
Charlotte Currie (Teamwork) and Scarlett Dunbar (Why I should be in the next Olympic Games).
“The top five speeches were all pretty even, however, Scarlett’s message of perseverance and determination, Charlotte’s always relevant message around teamwork, and Isla’s focus on the art of procrastination, which we could all relate to, including the teachers, stood out to the judges in the end,” says Morgan.
The three winners went on to represent St Andrew’s at the Rotary Speech Competition later in the Term 3, where Isla Marshall made the finals and was Highly Commended, finishing in fourth place.
As well as developing oral language skills, Morgan says the competition, which is held across Years 5–8 each year, helps the students to build confidence, think creatively about how to approach a topic, and engage an audience as they deliver their speech within a strict time limit between three minutes 45 seconds and four minutes 15 seconds.
“The competition is enthusiastically embraced by some students, and definitely pushes others outside their comfort zone, but they usually find a sense of accomplishment once they have taken on the challenge,” says Morgan.
Year 8 Speech Competition winners, Isla Marshall, Charlotte Currie, and Scarlett Dunbar. Regulus
With stunning costumes, clever dialogue, and a mountain of mattresses, Year 9 and 10 students delivered a quirky spin on the classic fairy tale, Princess and the Pea, in the light-hearted Middle School production, Once Upon a Mattress Director, Ginnie Thorner, says the humorous musical, originally written in 1959, presented some challenges for the young cast, many of whom had never been on stage or danced before. But she was proud of the way they dug deep and delivered some great performances.
“Many of our student cast stepped into roles which required them to stretch beyond their comfort zones, with others finding new strengths they didn’t know they had.”
Ginnie says what makes a Mattress so special is its ability to playfully subvert the classic Princess and the Pea offering some delightful moments which explore relationships between characters. “Stories like this endure because they remind us that humour, love, and cleverness can triumph over the most absurd obstacles.”
This was the first Middle School production held in the new Gough Family Theatre, with the ability to rehearse in the space a major plus, says Ginnie. She is grateful to the large creative team behind the scenes who helped bring the show from page to stage, including Musical Director, Duncan Ferguson, Choreographer, Hana Pearce, Costume Designer, Sylvia Campbell, Hair Designer, Mel Halle, and Set Designer, Rosie Gilmore.
“We had an amazing parent team to help with hair, and a group of dedicated Senior students who helped with auditions, hair and make-up, crew, backstage, and assisting with all manner of tasks,” she says.
The show’s challenging musical score was impressively played live by a young, talented orchestra, made up of mainly Year 7–10 students, accompanied by two Year 13 students, Tamaroa Connelly and Sea-am Thompson, along with Grace Lawrence (Head Prefect 2022).
Together, the large cast, musicians, and crew, delivered a colourful, toe-tapping show, which showed the timeless magic of fairy tales.
Regulus
Robert Burns Scottish Scholars
“A whirlwind of fun, challenges, laughter, learning, and adventure,” is how Year 12 student, Olivia Bloom, describes the three-week adventure to Scotland she and Jake Elvidge (also Year 12) experienced when they each visited five different schools in Term 3, and were immersed in Scottish culture as the 2024 Robert Burns Scholars.
“It was incredible to meet so many people from many different countries. Learning to navigate my way around airports and train stations at the time was stressful, but the independence and confidence I gained is what made the trip so special. One of the most memorable moments was our
final dinner in Dumfries in the famous Globe Inn. Jake and I sat down with various Presidents from different Robert Burns associations and got to witness a true Scottish recital of Burns’ work by an award-winning reciter.”
Visits to castles, trying haggis, and Irn-Bru, climbing a 3000-foot Munro, seeing the northern lights, and attending a professional football game were some of Jake’s other highlights, as well as making lots of new friends at the various schools, he says. “Sport was a great introduction to some amazing people. I played cricket, basketball, and rugby with some great teammates and made some lifelong friendships on the trip.”
St Andrew’s sent its first scholars to Scotland in 2006, and since 2018, the programme has been named the Robert Burns Scottish Scholars in recognition of the beloved 17th century Scottish poet. Rector, Christine Leighton, says Olivia and Jake returned with warm tales of Scottish hospitality, Celtic architecture, and of course, bagpipes and haggis. They were ‘great ambassadors’ for the College, she adds.
After arriving in Scotland, Olivia and Jake separated to visit the five schools on their individual itineraries. This saw them visit various parts of Scotland, including Edinburgh, St Andrew’s, Elgin, Crieff, Perth, Dumfries, Dunblane, Aberdeen, and Dundee. They were reunited at the end of the trip for the special visit to the Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries, where they were hosted by the Robert Burns Federation.
“Jake and I learnt so much more about the life Burns had and the legacy he left behind. We felt we could appreciate his works and lasting influence on a deeper level,” says Olivia, who is St Andrew’s current Head of Well-being and is a passionate dancer, debater, and hockey player.
During the adventure, the students enjoyed a mixture of homestays and boarding, which was a new experience they both enjoyed.
Jake, a multi-talented sportsman and performer at St Andrew’s, says the ‘incredible’ host families he stayed with were another highlight. “These were some of the best people you could meet. I was treated as part of the family and taken to some amazing restaurants and events with them.”
Olivia’s homestay family in St Andrew’s taught her to play golf, which ended with her playing a full round on the Balgrove Course. Together, the students enjoyed their first try at the sport of curling.
Both agree the scholarship was a ‘life-changing’ opportunity, which has changed their outlook on the world and their interactions with people.
“This is by far the best experience of my life to date and can be summed up by a line from a Burns’ poem, Catch the moments as they fly, says Jake.
Olivia and Jake are grateful to all who contributed to the scholarship, particularly Director of International Students and Exchanges, Palē Tauti, Rector, Christine Leighton, and Rob Bruce-Barron (OC 1953) whose generosity in sponsoring the scholarships makes the trip possible.
Jake Elvidge and Olivia Bloom (both Year 12) with Tom Hughes from the Robert Burns Centre, at Robert Burns’ final home in Dumfries.
Top: Jake Elvidge beside a statue of Robert Burns outside Dundee High School. Bottom: Olivia Bloom exploring Victoria Street in Edinburgh.
StAC Attack
The James Hay Theatre in the Christchurch Town Hall was the magnificent setting for the annual StAC Attack concert on Sunday 28 July, an impressive and entertaining showcase of 140 pipers, drummers, and Highland dancers from the College.
Rector, Christine Leighton, got the biggest surprise of the evening, when Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke, presented her with a tune called Christine Leighton’s Farewell, to honour her final year as Rector. The tune was wonderfully performed by the Pipe Band students in its first ever public performance. Christine has been a passionate supporter of the Pipe Band during her 17 years as Rector. Incredibly, she first met Richard Hawke (OC 1980) as a 20-year-old teacher, while
on section at St Andrew’s College and he was in her Seventh Form English class.
Among the many other highlights at StAC Attack were spectacular performances of Pokarekare Ana, Last of the Mohicans, and Scotland the Brave
During the concert, the sell-out audience also enjoyed an insight into the journey of learning the pipes and drums, from the youngest learners on the chanter or drum pad, to the talented students playing at the highest levels of competition.
Following StAC Attack, there was lots of positive feedback from audience members, including many Old Collegians, who were wowed by the pipers’, drummers’ and dancers’ performances.
Exciting student exchange opportunities return
“Confidence has definitely returned to the Exchange programme space, both in New Zealand and abroad. It’s fantastic we can start to offer our students the full exchange experience, and embrace hosting their exchange partners at St Andrew’s too.”
In September, Palē returned from a tour of several countries in Asia, where there was lots of interest, both from prospective international students, and schools keen to explore the potential to partner with St Andrew’s on new student exchanges.
“This year, two of our girls took part in a new exchange with Glenalmond College, outside Perth in Scotland, which was a direct result of the Robert Burns Scottish Scholarship, and the positive impression Jack Flanagan (Year 13) made at the school as one of the previous scholars. This is a great example of the impact our young ambassadors can have in this space.”
International travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on the St Andrew’s Student Exchange programme.
However, the programme is not only back to pre-pandemic levels, there are some exciting new opportunities in the pipeline for students wanting to apply for one of these life-changing opportunities, says Director of International Students and Exchanges, Palē Tauti.
“We are excited at the prospect of a completely new four-week exchange for Year 11 boys with Bangkok Christian College, a top private school in Thailand, and hope to reignite an exchange from a long time ago with Raffles Institution in Singapore, which has separate campuses for boys and girls. Former Head of Middle School, Mikae Tuu’u, went on this exchange as a Year 10 student at St Andrew’s and says it was awesome.”
Another potential new exchange partner is Barkers College, a large co-educational school in Sydney. Palē also hopes to reignite three exchanges with Scottish schools next year, to Merchiston Castle School, an all-boys’ independent school, and St George’s School, a private girls’ school, both in Edinburgh, and Strathallan School, in Perth.
The regular exchanges for Year 10 girls at Presbyterian Ladies College in Sydney, Year 12 and Year 13 students to Lakefield College School in Ontario, Canada, and Gordonstoun School in Elgin, UK, have all taken place this year.
After years of disruption and uncertainty, Palē says it is exciting to not only get back to ‘business as usual,’ but to have potential new offerings in 2025, providing even more students with the opportunity to take part in the Exchange programme.
“We love our young people to become global citizens and the best way to do this is to get out there and have experiences on the ground. Exchanges have so many benefits, from exposure to new cultures, increased independence and personal growth, and creating memories and friendships which last a lifetime.”
Head of English wins Sunday Star Times competition
An evocative story written by Head of English, Rebecca Ball has won the 2024 Sunday Star Times Short Story Competition, which saw her take home a record prize of $15,000.
Given the prestigious competition attracted around 600 entries from writers across New Zealand, this is an outstanding achievement for Rebecca, who alongside Writer-in Residence, Kerrin Davidson, works tirelessly to promote writing at St Andrew’s College.
Rebecca told the Sunday Star Times she was “thrilled and humbled” to win the competition with her story, How it is in dreams, which focuses on two young people living in Christchurch, with the main character’s future in law suddenly in doubt.
“I hope this will remind the incredible student writers of St Andrew’s that every piece of writing has a home: sometimes you just have to try multiple places, and edit multiple times, until you find it.”
Rebecca’s story will be published in the Sunday Star Times over summer.
Head of English, Rebecca Ball
Carrie O’Donnell, Charli McFarlane, Bridget Glass and Lauren Bolton (all Year 10) at Sea Life in Sydney during their exchange to Presbyterian Ladies College.
International Club reinvigorated
A chance conversation on a Year 9 camp between Head of Modern Languages, Fiona Taylor, and Director of International Students and Exchanges, Palē Tauti, has led to the reinvigoration of the International Club, which is providing students with the opportunity to try exciting new activities, and learn about different cultures.
Throughout the year, Fiona, Palē and the four International leaders have come up with ideas for the club’s activities, which are run weekly or bi-weekly. Some have been matched with a global week or event, including the Spanish, Samoan, and Chinese Language Weeks, World Day for Cultural Diversity, and Olympic Games, while others honour the heritage of members of the College community.
“We are delighted with the number of students who are attending International Club and try to change the day of the activities each week to give all students the opportunity to take part around their other commitments,” says Fiona.
The club has become so popular since it was established in Term 2, that in August, an international ‘passport’ was introduced for students taking part. Each time students attend an activity they receive a sticker, and once they
have filled the eight spaces in the passport, are rewarded with an international themed prize. A group of 28 students went to the first passport event, an always-popular foodthemed activity, when they were provided with sponges, cream, cherries, and chocolate and tasked with creating their own Black Forest Cherry Cake.
Students have had the opportunity to try everything from calligraphy and origami to an international music quiz, and international food challenge, which saw them try interesting foods from different countries including snails from France and chicken hearts from South America. Several food trucks representing different cuisines have also visited the campus throughout the year, including Chinese Language Week at the end of Term 3, when students also learnt tai chi, and enjoyed cultural performances.
“It’s great to see students engaging so positively with the International Club, which is helping to connect our local and international students, expose them to different cultures, and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our College community,” says Fiona.
International Assembly
The International Assembly on Friday 9 August was a celebration of the spirit of internationalism and the College’s commitment to Inclusivity. Staff and students, serving as flag bearers, represented 14 countries, and introduced themselves in their native language.
The International Club was also acknowledged at the assembly and a warm welcome was extended to the exchange students from Scotland and Canada who were attending the College at the time. Myers Mbonda (Year 11) from Lakefield College School, Canada, shared insights into the differences between his school and St Andrew’s.
An engaging Q&A session with international staff and students about their experiences in New Zealand was another highlight of the assembly.
Students learning tai chi during Chinese Language Week.
Communityservice and
Ag Show
The annual Ag Show on Thursday 26 September was another wonderful success, with a fantastic display of student art and baking entries, from paintings and flower arrangements to edible art. The petting zoo was a huge hit, drawing crowds of excited children eager to cuddle with the fluffy bunnies, goats, and greyhounds.
Build Ōtautahi
A group of Year 9 and 10 students led the Build Ōtautahi event at the 2024 Innovation Expo at Te Pae. The Build Ōtautahi programme involved 240 students aged 10 to 12 and culminated in a Minecraft Education build competition. Our young student leaders also took on key roles, serving as judges, providing lively commentary as shout casters, handling all technical support for PCs, and overseeing the gameplay as game managers.
Fountain of Peace New Zealand
Amelia Cody and Piper Stone (both Year 10) are Student Ambassadors for Fountain of Peace New Zealand, a charity supporting children in Uganda. In September, they organised a fundraising event to raise funds for the care of orphaned babies at the Fountain of Peace, Bethel Babies Home.
Gumboot Friday
Many students across the College traded in their black school shoes for a pair of gumboots on Gumboot Friday, which was run in association with the Secondary School Boarders’ Assembly, to raise money for the I Am Hope Foundation, which provides financial assistance to young people requiring support with their mental health.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori was celebrated with various activities held across the College, including karakia, waiata, stories, legends, songs and books in te reo Māori in the Preparatory School, and various activities in the Green Library and Innovation Centre and Secondary School Friday Quad. These included the ‘Fush Waka’ food truck offering classic fish and chips, and the junior Māori class running two photo booths, and giving out ice blocks to students who spoke te reo Māori, or for performing pūkana.
Well-being Hui
Heads of Well-being, Olivia Bloom (Year 12) and Aria Wilke (Year 13), collaborated with students from Hillmorton High School to organise a Well-being Hui for secondary school students across Waitaha Canterbury, which focused on ‘actioning compassion’ and creating a support network for students advocating for positive change.
World Vision
Madeline Davidson (Year 12) has been awarded a place at the World Vision Leaders for Change annual summit. She will have the opportunity to attend four days of global education, leadership development, and social action training in a group of 35 students hosted by World Vision over four days in January 2025.
During World Vision’s 40-Hour Challenge, Samuel Ferguson (Year 13) was one of the top ten individual fundraisers in the South Island.
Years
9–10
Activities Day
Pushing their physicality and intellect to the brink, Year 9–10 students competed in teams in basketball, charades, netball, word puzzles, football, and quiz sessions during the Junior Activities Day. In the afternoon, the students practised the school Haka and listened to Dr Kelly Dale, an expert on sleep for teenagers.
Years
9–10
Dance
There was plenty of dancing, jumping, and swinging of glo sticks as the Year 9 and 10 students pulsed to the beat of DJ Zane at the Junior Dance, organised by Deans, James Jenkinson and Liz Gormack.
Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Environmental Initiative
Every Monday during Term 3, Year 10 classes assisted with the repotting of native plant seedlings to contribute to the College’s sustainability goals via the Eco Action Project, as well as meet their Duke of Edinburgh service requirements.
Year 13 Theme Week
Year 13 students enjoyed a wonderful Theme Week in the last week of Term 3, with the themes including ‘the first letter of your name’, ‘country or country club’, ‘decades’, ‘10 years forward or 10 years back’, and ‘anything-but-a-backpack’. It was a week full of creativity fun and enjoyment, organised by the Senior College Council.
Generosity at the heart of St Andrew’s
2007–2024
Over the last 17 years, $21 million has been gifted to St Andrew’s College through donations to the Foundation or specific fundraising campaigns for College facilities.
Cultivating a culture of philanthropy and giving is an essential part of the mission of an independent school, both to generate a sustainable business model into the future, and to ensure the values of diversity and inclusion are evident within the school community. Indeed, the Founder of our College, Rev. A Thompson travelled tirelessly through the Canterbury region trying to raise essential funds for the formation of St Andrew’s College in the 1910s, generating a bequest from a donor which enabled the purchase of our Strowan House and grounds in 1917.
Since that early beginning, many supporters of St Andrew’s College: parents, Old Collegians, students, and community members, have continued to support the College to ensure its future success. In September 1991, the St Andrew’s College Foundation was established to support the College’s future growth. In gifting to the Foundation, donors protect and grow this fund, at the same time providing some financial assistance to College operations by way of scholarship support for students.
Generous Benefactors
I have known many students who have benefited from the generosity of donors to the College Foundation. These students have come to recognise what opportunities they have enjoyed as a result and many years later continue to speak of their gratitude. This year, St Andrew’s can celebrate 11 George Hight Scholars (seven of whom have graduated from St Andrew’s) who, through the generosity of George and Marilyn Hight, have enjoyed a full tuition scholarship for their five years in the Secondary School. Today their legacy lives on in perpetuity, as a new scholar is selected each year. This year, a further magnificent bequest of $6.5 million from George Hight, has grown the St Andrew’s College Foundation to a total of $21.6 million.
A number of other generous donors have also set up a scholarship in their own name.
The rebuild of our campus since 2008 has similarly been supported by other donors including the Spiro Science and Mathematics Centre, Alistair Sidey Mountain Lodge at Castle Hill, The Green Library and Innovation Centre, the Turley Bridge, The Stewart Junior Centre, Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre featuring the Gough Family Theatre, the Fife Foundation Dance and Drama Studios, the John Westgarth Family AV Room, Old Collegians’ Foyer, and the PTA Green Room. There were also several major gifts to the Centennial Chapel of $20,000–$500,000 – a special place which speaks to the heart of our College. These gifts plus the sale of 429 ‘bricks’ brought a total of over $3 million donated to the Chapel campaign.
I feel immensely grateful and proud of our St Andrew’s community who have contributed so much to the success of our school which sees us in a strong position to support the education of tomorrow’s students.
More details about gifting at St Andrew’s can be found in the 2023 Philanthropy Report. https://stac.nz/PhilanthropyReport2023
Christine Leighton Rector
our
Theatre Seats
DWG (Wal) Scott (OC 1959) and Family
Michael Zhang and Family from the Development Team
George Hight, pictured in 2018 at a special morning tea with five recipients of the George Feilding Hight Scholarship (back) Grace Richan (then Year 9), Benjamin MacLeod (then Year 12), Isla Lewis (then Year 11), and front, Graeme Campbell (then Year 10), and George Gray (then Year 13).
Manaakitanga in MacGibbon House
It can be a challenging time for new boarders to adjust to life away from their home and family, with lots of different routines and expectations to contend with. However, Assistant Director of Boarding and MacGibbon Boarding House Manager, Struan George, says the promotion of manaakitanga helps to make the transition in MacGibbon House easier, especially for new and Year 9 boarders.
“Learning to live with others in a communal environment is one of the biggest challenges facing new boarders. It is also a time where new friendships and relationships are developing. Manaakitanga is the process of showing respect, generosity, and care for others.
Adopting manaakitanga values provides us with a framework to support the boys’ transition into boarding, foster and strengthen new connections, and help them to be the best version of themselves in an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.”
Since the beginning of the year, Year 9 and 10 boarders have been encouraged to reflect on how they can embody the principles of Manaaki tangata (care for people), Manaaki whenua (care for land or the house), and Haere Whakamua (go forth and take action) in their interactions with each other and their care of the boarding environment.
Posters in each dorm room remind the boys of the four important values of respect, inclusivity, courtesy, and brotherhood, which underpin their daily lives.
“We start our House Meetings every Monday talking about manaakitanga and have an action of the week we encourage the boys to focus on. These are usually small actions which relate back to managing self and positively engaging with others and could be as simple as asking their roommate how their day was, including someone who appears quiet or a bit left out, or learning how to open the door for others.”
Many of the actions tie back to the Key Competencies in the curriculum, as well as to the boarding motto, Te Taki Tino Ma – be the best to lead the rest,
says Struan. “This is how we support the boys to not only be the best versions of themselves, but also have agency to help others be the best versions of themselves.”
In addition to the weekly actions, MacGibbon House celebrates boys who go above and beyond in demonstrating manaakitanga, Struan says.
“The boys love checking out the names each Monday, to see who has been recognised by the tutors for displaying Te Taki Tino Ma values and will receive the coveted chocolates. We have also introduced a special Manaakitangi Award, which is given out at the end of each term, to the boy who has exemplified manaakitangi in the House.”
The first recipient of the award was long-standing tutor, Jono Oxley (OC 2012), who finished in the role at the end of 2023 after eight years’ service. On the back of the wooden trophy is an inspiring Maya Angelou quote, which Jono adapted and delivered during a speech at last year’s Boarders’ Dinner. The quote reads, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, and forget what you achieved, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.’
“This quote embodies the manaakitanga philosophy, and also how Jono contributed so much to the growth of individuals in MacGibbon House. It’s great to offer this award to the MacGibbon boys each year who exemplify the same spirit.”
Lucas Jemmett (Year 9) being presented with the Manaakitanga Award for Term 3, by Assistant Director of Boarding and MacGibbon House Boarding Manager, Struan George.
End-of-term pizza night for the MacGibbon borders, when the Term 3 Manaakitanga Award was presented.
Formal Senior College
There was an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation as a large group of 560 students and several staff arrived at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on Saturday 3 August for the highly anticipated 2024 Senior College Formal.
Dressed in their finery, the senior students enjoyed a fabulous night of singing, dancing, and having formal photographs taken, preserving lots of special memories from the night.
This was the second year the Formal was held at Te Pae, and the guests were highly complimentary of the food, drink, DJ, and five-star amenities on offer.
The venue was spectacularly decorated to fit the theme ‘Meet me at midnight’ which had been chosen by the Senior College Council. A large wall of programmed lights, multiple disco balls, and a huge clock face painted by Heads of Art, Lily Hart and Oscar Reed (both Year 13), helped to create a fantastic atmosphere.
The Senior College Council did a wonderful job of coming up with creative ideas and organising the event, with help from Preparatory School Receptionist, Kelsey Williams, and Senior College Administrator, Jocelyn Simmons. There was a fantastic turnout of staff to support the students, including many Years 12 and 13 tutors, and year group Deans, Dayna Stirling and Riley Gain.
The Senior College Formal was a great success, creating many unforgettable memories for our senior students.
Regulus
Cultural Week
Cultural Week was a wonderful celebration of culture, which began with hot chocolate outside Senior College, and performances by the Barbershop. A ‘bring a friend to dance’ event where students got to try and learn a dance was a popular event, followed by the opportunity to watch a mini Theatresports competition. Students also gathered to watch videos of past productions and sing along to all their favourite songs.
The week culminated in the Cultural Assembly, masterminded by Cultural Captains, Xanthe Pearce and Jenna Howell (both Year 13). A packed assembly enjoyed items including a violin duet of Flower of Scotland; an intro item of I Will Survive with great singing, dancing, and jazz band; a reflective Morning Comment, What is culture?, delivered by the Cultural Captains; a soul band item, Runaway, and a speed portrait competition won by the Year 9 Cantamath team.
Another special part of the assembly was a beautiful performance of My Favourite Things, from The Sound of Music, dedicated to retiring Rector, Christine Leighton.
The assembly was followed by a House Art Competition during Friday Quad, won by Thompson House. Another fun cultural event during the week was the House Rock Competition, which was won by MacGibbon.
Assemblies
Boarders’ Assembly
Heads of Boarding, Alexander Kinney and Gretal Tavendale, and the Year 13 boarders did a great job of organising an entertaining Boarders’ Assembly, with the theme ‘Rhythm and Boarders’. A play on the Rhythm and Vines Festival, the assembly was full of song, dance, film, humour, and reflection as it acknowledged the diverse backgrounds from which boarders come to live in the ‘festival’ of boarding. Two student addresses had thoughtful and poignant messages. Holly Maraki (Year 13), spoke about Kia māia – courage in sport and life, and in the Morning Comment, Archibald Thomas (Year 13), delivered a message about striving to meet potential and navigating the highs and lows of school life.
The Boarders’ Assembly finished with a rousing rendition of The Gambler, and the traditional dance number. It once again coincided with the Gumboot Friday fundraiser.
Well-being Assembly
The Well-being Committee, led by Heads of Well-being, Olivia Bloom (Year 12) and Aria Wilke (Year 13), hosted the annual Well-being Assembly. Milla Smith and Katherine Simcock (Year 12), delivered an engaging presentation on the vital role that friendship plays in student wellbeing. There was lots of laughter and encouragement as the Deans took part in a ‘Dean of the Week’ challenge of creating a portrait of a student in their year group. A highlight was the presentation of the prestigious Mahia te Aroha Character Awards, which recognise students who exemplify the College’s core value of Inclusivity.
The deserving recipients were Lucas Jemmett, Jessica Armstrong (both Year 9), Lachlan Hackston, Vanessa Li (both Year 10), Max Bell, Scarlett Ryan (both Year 11), Oliver Cotter, Meg Matthews (both Year 12), Hamish Paton and Grace Vincent Parr (both Year 13).
ISNZ Conference
For the first time in many years, Christchurch hosted the ISNZ Conference, with St Andrew’s College well-represented at the annual event, held at the magnificent Te Pae Convention Centre on 30–31 August.
The Secondary School kapa haka group were honoured to participate in the mihi whakatau at the conference opening, with their stirring and uplifting performance much appreciated by the principals, senior staff, and
Rector, Christine Leighton, says it was a privilege to be asked to appear as a keynote speaker along with her colleague, Graeme Yule, Headmaster of Scots College.
“Graeme and I were interviewed by well-known Radio New Zealand broadcaster, Jim Mora, with our panel discussion exploring how the job of leading a school has evolved over time.”
The conference theme was ‘Shifting Tides’, which reflected the need for adaptability and resilience in the face of change including technological advancements, societal changes, and pedagogical innovations which are
Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Ceremony
A group of 14 St Andrew’s students and recent Old Collegians were presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Awards by Sarah Hillary (daughter of Sir Edmund Hillary), at the National Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Awards ceremony, hosted by St Andrew’s College in mid-September.
A total of 78 rangatahi from across New Zealand gathered to receive their award, with St Andrew’s having 10 more Gold Award winners than any other school.
Achieving a Gold Award is an exceptional accomplishment, which takes significant dedication, commitment, and service for the students to achieve. The support of Head of Values and Culture, Hamish
Bell, Castle Hill staff, and parents is also key to St Andrew’s rangatahi completing this challenging and prestigious award.
During the event, attendees heard from Sarah Hillary, Minister for Youth, Matt Doocey MP, and Gold Award Recipient, Magdalene Herlihy, who spoke of how working towards sensible goals alongside mentors, teachers, and friends got her to places she never thought of experiencing.
Congratulations to the Gold Award recipients from St Andrew’s College: Sarah Anthony (OC 2022), Abby Baxter (Year 13), Grace Burnett (OC 2023), Mia Fraser (OC 2023), Harrison Justice
constantly changing the educational landscape. A variety of speakers over two days delved into topics such as generational change, digital and social identity, personalised learning approaches, and integration of emerging technologies in classrooms.
“As well as enjoying a packed programme, our team from St Andrew’s enjoyed the opportunity to meet and network with colleagues from other independent schools throughout New Zealand, which is always a highlight of the conference”, Christine says.
Back: Jake Patterson, Tom Kerry, Noah Mellish-Temple;
Second Back: Campbell Searle, Grace Burnett, Cameron Scott, Xanthe Pearce; Second front: Harrison Justice, Sarah Anthony, Gemma Lewis, Mia Fraser, Abby Baxter; Front: Rector, Christine Leighton, Iona Lawson, Sienna Spark, Head of Values and
Board members in attendance from independent schools throughout New Zealand.
Secondary School kapa haka performing during the mihi whakatau.
Rector Christine Leighton with journalist Jim Mora (left) and Headmaster of Scots College, Graeme Yule.
Kapa Haka impress in first public performances
Performing as part of the mihi whakatau which opened the ISNZ Conference in Christchurch on Saturday 31 August, was a special first public performance for the Secondary School Kapa Haka group, which has been reinvigorated this year by Teacher in Charge of Te Reo/Māori, Wiremu Pickering.
Conference attendees were impressed by the group’s powerful performance, with lots of positive feedback says Wiremu.
“Several people came up to me during the conference to tell me how great the group was. It was a huge moment for our ākonga.”
Being an all-new group meant the students had to work extra hard to prepare for the performance, including a couple of all-day practices.
“It took a while for them to gel, but through focusing on whanaungatanga, or building strong relationships, the students started to connect and develop an understanding of each other’s strengths. We also focused on building the confidence of the younger and quieter members of the group. I am proud of how far they’ve come.”
On Wednesday 25 September, Kapa Haka students spent an afternoon with residents of The Village Palms Retirement Village in Shirley, performing five items, including a classic waiata which got the residents smiling, singing and reminiscing.
Under Wiremu’s leadership, Kapa Haka in the Secondary School is more active than it has been in years, with a core group of around 20 students from Years 9–13 taking part.
“Students get great exposure to kapa haka in the Preparatory School, but we want to ensure this continues in the Secondary School. We’re planning lots more Kapa Haka performances at the College and in the community next year, along with participation in various competitions.”
Teacher in Charge of Te Reo/Māori, Wiremu Pickering has reinvigorated kapa haka in the Secondary School.
In his day-to-day role, Wiremu teaches Te Reo Māori in the Secondary School, and in 2025, will also take over the tikanga classes.
“This year has been about learning new systems, getting to know the students, seeing where they are at with their Te Reo, and looking at ways to develop and grow both the language and tikanga programmes going forward.”
A recent highlight, in early November, were the noho marae (overnight stays) at Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa, which saw the entire Year 9 cohort split into groups of around 80 students, with each group having a night on the marae and engaging in various activities, says Wiremu.
“The kaupapa was to provide a marae experience, immersing ākonga in activities such as Māori art, learning the history of the marae, and Māori weaponry. We also put the College’s new hangi steamer to good use, with each group having hangi for their main meal. The noho marae visits were a fantastic opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zone, mix with others, and gain a deeper appreciation for Māori traditions and culture,” Wiremu explains.
The Secondary School kapa haka performing at The Village Palms Retirement Village.
13
Years On
2011/12 - 2024
With primary, intermediate, and secondary schooling on campus at St Andrew’s, each year there are a special group of Year 13 leavers who have enjoyed their entire schooling at the College.
This year, 16 students who arrived in Year 1 in 2011 and 2012 will walk out the school gates for the final time, with five of these students, James Brown, Matthew Dew, Finn Doherty, Jenna Howell and Amelia Kyle, also attending the St Andrew’s College Pre-school. We asked the students to share what their time at St Andrew’s means to them.
(* Also attended Pre-school)
William Bainbridge-Smith
I am a StAC lifer. In 2011, I joined St Andrew’s aged almost five, and the College has given me a life sentence of friends, values, community spirit, and an education that Mum hopes will be a good investment. Thank you, St Andrew’s, for the foundation you have given me.
Jenna Howell
Being at the same school over 13 years is a unique and strange experience, and it’s been so cool watching the College grow. I’ve made so many amazing memories here as well as plenty of friendships. Thank you to all of the teachers and students that have made my time here wonderful.
Joe Mundy
Dara Ballard
After 13 years at St Andrew’s, I have developed a long attention span for school assemblies, an ability to memorise all the Thomson House chants, and a gift for writing a three-week report in one night. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and am grateful for all the opportunities I have been given.
Madison Hughes
Being at St Andrew’s College for 13 years has allowed me to make many long-lasting friendships which I’ll cherish. Something I’ll never forget is travelling over to Scotland on an exchange which would have never happened without the school.
Jack O’Neil
My 13 years at St Andrew's have been amazing. The opportunities have helped me to reach my goals academically and in the swimming pool. I am grateful to all my incredible teachers and friends who have made my time at St Andrew’s unforgettable. I leave with so many good memories.
I’m incredibly grateful for the years I’ve spent at St Andrew’s College, where I’ve grown, academically and personally. Highlights include playing ice hockey and being part of a supportive community. The friendships I’ve built and the lessons I’ve learnt will stay with me long after I leave.
Alexandra Shepherd
I have many memories and achievements from my time at St Andrew’s, from participating in six productions, to shaving off all my hair for charity. I have also made many lifelong friends at St Andrew’s and am grateful for the opportunities the College has provided.
James Brown
I am grateful to have been at such a great school, where I have met many lifelong friends and been offered so many opportunities. I am very thankful to some of my teachers who have really worked with me and helped me along my way through school.
Amelia Kyle
Throughout this time at St Andrew’s, I have created lifelong friendships and connections, enjoyed many opportunities, and have been supported to achieve my academic, sporting, and cultural goals. I am especially thankful to my parents and teachers who have supported me.
Matthew Dew
I have learnt many valuable lessons and developed truly deep connections with others at St Andrew’s. I’ve had important role models, particularly my Year 1 teacher, Mrs Bateman, who have helped me grow into the person I am today. I will never forget my time at St Andrew’s.
Hayden Lam
During my 13 years at St Andrew’s College, I’ve been lucky to be part of many cultural groups including jazz bands, rock bands, chamber groups, productions, and more. I have made many great connections with teachers and students which I will fondly look back on in the years to come.
Finn Doherty
I am really grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had at St Andrew’s, and the valuable relationships I’ve made with friends and some remarkable teachers, who have made my experience and time at St Andrew’s such a great one. The memories will stay with me long after I leave.
Aine Molony
I have been lucky to be able to attend St Andrew’s for 13 years. It has resulted in many friendships, memories, and opportunities which I will cherish for the rest of my life. It has been a long journey that I am extremely thankful to have been a part of. I am grateful to be part of the legacy.
Victor Sherborne
I’ve really enjoyed my 13 years at St Andrew’s and the opportunities I’ve had. I am grateful and appreciative of the amazing teachers and staff in the College community, as well as my family for providing me with a great education.
Chantelle Xiong
I will forever cherish the memories I’ve made throughout my 13 years at St Andrew’s, from ballet to rock bands to theatre, and I am so grateful for these opportunities. Thanks to all the teachers and staff who have guided me, and I wish them all the best.
Cherry Zhou
I’ve had a very enjoyable schooling experience at St Andrew’s, with opportunities to travel, play sports, and participate in cultural activities. The friendly nature of the teachers and students created a welcoming environment. I thank the teachers, my peers, and my parents who supported me on this journey.
Cultural catch
up
Aurora Festival
Several music groups from St Andrew’s competed at the Aurora Festival at Burnside High School, with some great results:
• Jazz Big Band – Gold Award, with Hayden Lam (Year 13) awarded Best Drummer and Tamaroa Connelly (Year 13) awarded Best Bass;
• Junior Jazz Orchestra – Silver Award, with Juno Park (Year 8) winning Best Pianist;
• StAC Symphony Orchestra –Silver Award;
• Isabella Cutforth (Year 10) received a Soloist Award for her oboe playing.
Ballet
Tave Stuart (Year 12) won first place at the National Ballet Scholarship Awards. This is a significant achievement as the event is by invitation only, with dancers first having to gain 97 per cent or above in the annual Ballet Examinations, with an examination nomination required.
Ballet Winter Showcase
During the Ballet Academy’s Winter Showcase, the audience enjoyed a collection of classical, jazz, national, and contemporary work from the students’ class studies to date. A group of 26 Secondary School dancers also achieved their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Performance Awards – dancing solos, duos, and trios.
Three students competed in the Christchurch Tap Dancing Teachers Association (CTDTA) Competition with the following results:
• Tave Stuart (Year 12): first Classical, Barefoot, and Variation, and Ballet Championship; third Lyrical and Jazz; fourth Musical Theatre;
• Neve Aitken (Year 11): first Contemporary Duo; Awarded Most Outstanding Performance; first Jazz Duo, Contemporary Duo, second Lyrical Solo; Overall placing second;
• Isla van Toor (Year 3): first Novice Lyrical class.
Following the annual Ballet examinations at the St Andrew’s College Ballet Academy, NZAMD Scholarship Nominations were awarded to the following dancers: Cameron Lyons, Holly Thirkell (both Year 9); Femke McLean (Year 10); Tave Stuart (Year 12); Siara Clarke (Year 13).
Creative Writing
New Zealand Schools’ Poetry winner
Chantelle Xiong (Year 13)
Talented poet and performer Chantelle Xiong (Year 13) was the national winner of the 2024 National Schools’ Poetry Award with her powerful poem But i wish /., which explores diasporic identity. This is an outstanding achievement for Chantelle and is the first time St Andrew’s College has won this award. After winning the award, Chantelle said the poem highlights how those with differences have to overcome so much just to be comfortable with their own identity, “It’s hard to write about diasporic identities because there’s just so much to say. Most of the poem was cultivated by my personal experiences, and of course, that makes me feel a certain vulnerability in sharing it. I was surprised, to say the least, to have won.” Head Prefect, Meg Simpson, won a top 10 placing in the competition for her poem, 11.47am on Thursday, which was another outstanding achievement.
2024 New Zealand Poetry Society’s International Poetry Competition
St Andrew’s writers took out all top three places in the haiku category at the 2024 New Zealand Poetry Society’s International Poetry Competition, which was an incredible achievement in an international competition of this scale and calibre. An additional three students, Ellie Zhou (Year 11), Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 10)
and Daniel Officer (Year 12) were Highly Commended in the poetry category. The winners in the haiku category were:
• Violet McInnes (Year 9): first place and the Jeanette Stace Memorial Award for her haiku, after the strike;
• Shey Doerner-Corson (Year 11): second place for outside the cabin;
• Alexa Collis (Year 9) third for wrapped in layers
Vancouver International Haiku Competition
The following students won Highly Commended awards at the 2024 Vancouver International Haiku Competition: Toby Allan (Year 10) with evening wind, Fletcher Cairns (Year 10) with in the pond, Jonathan Chiu (Year 10) with through the breeze, Matilda Tombros (Year 9) with moon lit, Meila Farrelly (Year 10) with moving in the wind, and Yu Huan Ding (Year 10) with my graduation and at the grand shrine
In the Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 student competition, Ellie Zhou won first place in the Year 11 category for her poem, 50c lemonade. In the Year 12 category, Penny Dai was second with her poem, Ceramics. Isobel Forsey was Highly Commended in the Year 13 category for her poem, Primary School disco
Thomas Ambury (Year 9) had a piece selected for an installation at The Crossing as part of the Word Festival’s ‘Ōtautahi is Flash’ writing competition.
Heidi Smith and Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (both Year 10) were finalists in the Given Words poetry competition for Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day 2024.
In the 2024 St Andrew’s College Secondary School Creative Writing Competition, Trinity Powell (Year 12) was awarded first place in Poetry and the Overall Winner for her poem The last time I will see you. Trinity will be the next recipient of the Kerrin P Sharpe Cup for Promise in Creative Writing at Prizegiving. Second in Poetry was Penny Dai (Year 12) with her poem Loophole, and third was Ellie Zhou (Year 11) for Sometimes I grieve. Although I have never really lost anything, have I? In the Prose category, Cooper Gallagher (Year 12) came first with All that Hurts in the Meadow, second place was won by Keer (Tessa) Meng (Year 9) with The Magnetic Train, and third place by Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 10) with Underwater Daisies
Jazz Club at Fat Eddies
There was a great atmosphere for Jazz Club 2024 at Fat Eddies, with the audience enjoying performances from the Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Soul Band, and Big Band.
Tave Stuart (Year 12)
Musical Theatre Gathering
Cultural Captains, Jenna Howell and Xanthe Pearce (both Year 13), hosted a gathering for the musical theatre community, with the theme, ‘Dream Role’ inviting students to share songs from roles they would love to perform.
Highland Dancing
The following students performed at the Highland and National Dancing New Zealand Championships and achieved top ten national rankings:
• Siara Clarke (Year 13): sixth national ranking 18 Years and Over, winner New Zealand Championships Sean Truibhas and Reel O’Tulloch 18 Years and Over;
• Emily Brook (Year 11): seventh national ranking U16, winner New Zealand Championship Irish Reel U16;
• Samantha Bilton (Year 10): eighth national ranking U16, winner New Zealand Championship Highland Fling U16;
• Sarah McCarthy (Year 9): tenth national ranking U16, National Champion Dancer U14;
• Sofia Sneddon (Year 7): National Champion Dancer U12;
• Iaera Abrahamson (Year 4): fifth national ranking U10;
• Nayana Abrahamson (Year 2): second national ranking 6 Years and Under;
• Watson Winterbourne (Year 1): first Novice U14 Highland Fling.
A number of students achieved success at the Highland Dancer of the Year competitions:
• Sarah McCarthy (Year 9): won overall Champion Dancer of the Year for the 13 years category, and also won the overall Champion Dancer title for U16 years;
• Nayana Abrahamson (Year 2): runner-up Champion 6 years and under.
At the Canterbury West Coast Competition, Georgia Gregg (Year 7) won Most Points of the Championship events U12, was runner-up Most Points U12 of the competition, and was winner of Most Outstanding Competitor U12. Georgia also won Most Points U12 at the Ellesmere Competition.
Media
Shaun Cooper and Flynn Rhodes (both Year 13) won the Best Sound Design award for their short film Knock Knock at the School Shorts Screen Competition, which showcases the best film-making talents of South Island secondary school students.
Music
Sea-am Thompson (Year 13) visited the UK to attend several auditions for organ scholarships at two prestigious English universities, Oxford and Cambridge, playing at King’s College Cambridge, Jesus College Cambridge, Emmanuel College Cambridge, Christ Church Oxford, and New College Oxford. He was delighted to achieve a long-held dream to be selected to attend the prestigious Magdalen College at Oxford as an Organ Scholar starting in October 2025. In recognition of this significant achievement, Rector, Christine Leighton, presented Sea-am with a ‘Rector’s Medal’.
Raymen Dai (Year 5) achieved a Distinction in his Cello Grade 5 examination with Trinity College of London.
Opera
Matthew Lee (Year 13) has been cast in the ensemble for New Zealand Opera's next opera in July 2025.
Pipe Band
Young piper, Maggie McConnochie (Year 10), has had an outstanding season. After winning two of the four New Zealand U21 Championship events held at different locations throughout the year, Maggie won the overall New Zealand U21 Championship, which is an incredible achievement for a student in her year group.
Band Director, Richard
with
delivered some amazing performances, often against adult competitors, winning or placing in numerous events. One highlight was at the Glenfinnan Highland Gathering, where Maggie won the Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey, and Reel events, earning a week’s tuition and accommodation at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. She also qualified for the final of the prestigious MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd Competition against international competitors.
A special moment for both pipers was at Blair Castle near Pitlochry, when they were permitted to play a few tunes in the ballroom, the venue for the annual World Solo Piping premier event.
New Zealand Young Piper of the Year
Sam Foote (Year 11)
Sam Foote (Year 11) gave an outstanding performance to be named the overall U21 New Zealand Young Piper of the Year, after winning the March, Strathspey and Reel event, and finishing third in the Piobaireachd at the New Zealand Young Piper of the Year competition, a major championship in the solo piping calendar attracting the most talented pipers under 21 from around the country. As well as winning the New Zealand Young Piper of the Year Cup, Sam won $1000. It was a successful competition for St Andrew’s pipers, with Hamish Bilton (Year 9) being the overall winner of C Grade, winning the Welch Family Trophy, and Finlay Trewinnard (Year 9) being the overall winner of D Grade, and winning the McConnochie Family Trophy. Top three placings were:
• Sam Foote (Year 11): overall winner U21 New Zealand Young Piper of the Year, first March, Strathspey and Reel, third Piobaireachd, third B Grade Piobaireachd, third B Grade Strathspey/Reel;
Back in August, Maggie, along with Lucas Paterson (Year 13) and Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke (as tutor) had a successful trip to Scotland where they competed at several Highland Games and Major Solo Championships. The students
• Lucas Paterson (Year 13): third U21 March, Strathspey and Reel;
• Cooper Gallagher (Year 12): third U21 Hornpipe and Jig, third B Grade Hornpipe and Jig;
• Maggie McConnochie (Year 10): first B Grade 2/4 March;
Pipe
Hawke,
Maggie McConnochie (Year 10) and Lucas Paterson (Year 13) in Scotland.
Regulus
• Hamish Bilton (Year 9) overall winner C Grade, first C Grade Strathspey/ Reel; third C Grade Hornpipe/Jig;
• Charlie Gregg (Year 9): first C Grade 2/4 March;
• Alice Glover (Year 8): third C Grade Strathspey/Reel;
• Finlay Trewinnard (Year 9): overall winner D Grade, first D Grade Piobaireachd, third D Grade 2/4 March, third D Grade Slow Air/Jig;
• William Nicholls (Year 9): second D Grade 2/4 March, second D Grade Strathspey/Reel;
• Nathanial Jones (Year 7): second Novice March;
• Benjamin Carline (Year 6): third Novice March.
After his impressive performances at the King’s Birthday, New Zealand Piper of the Year and Labour Weekend solo piping competitions, Sam Foote (Year 11) was announced as the winner of the prestigious William Boyle Foundation U21 Prize, a scholarship consisting of a $1000 cash prize.
First placegetters at recent Pipe Band competitions were:
Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Indoor Solo Piping Event
First placegetters at this event were:
• Maggie McConnochie (Year 10): first B Grade Piobaireachd;
• Cameron Sharpe (Year 10): first C Grade Piobaireachd, first Strathspey/Reel;
• Charlie Gregg (Year 9): first C Grade 2/4 March;
• Finlay Trewinnard (Year 9): first D Grade Piobaireachd, first Strathspey/Reel;
• Samuel Gilbert (Year 7): first Novice Piping.
Canterbury Drummers Club
• Daniel Liu (Year 11): first B Grade March, Strathspey and Reel, first C Grade Compound March;
• Ethan Higgs (Year 12): first C Grade March Strathspey and Reel;
• Theodore Lagias (Year 12): first D Grade March, first Aggregate;
• Benjamin Edward (Year 8): first D Grade Strathspey and Reel;
• Dylan Liu (Year 5): first Novice Drum; first Drum Pad;
• Madelyn Harding (Year 8): first Novice Tenor Drumming;
• Harrison Justice (Year 13): first Intermediate Bass Drumming March, Strathspey and Reel, first Hornpipe/ Jig, first Aggregate.
Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Solo Competition
• Lucas Paterson (Year 13): first B Grade Piobaireachd, first Strathspey/Reel;
• Maggie McConnochie (Year 10): first B Grade 2/4 March;
• Hamish Bilton (Year 9): first C Grade Piobaireachd;
• Charlie Gregg (Year 9) first C Grade 2/4 March;
• Cameron Sharpe (Year 10): first C Grade Strathspey/Reel;
• Finlay Trewinnard (Year 9): first D Grade Piobaireachd, first 2/4 March;
• William Nicholls (Year 9): first D Grade Strathspey/Reel;
• Jacob Wang (Year 7): first D Grade Novice.
Rock School Album Release
A supportive audience of around 200 gathered at A Rolling Stone for the release of the Rock School’s first ever album. While tracks have been published on Spotify from past Year 13 songwriters, this is the first album fully written and recorded by St Andrew’s College bands.
Head Prefect, Hugo Ranken, Chantelle Xiong (Year 13), Oliver Woodgate (OC 2024) and Hayden Lam (Year 13) at the album release.
Singing
Edwards Pitts (Year 13) and Emily Watt (Year 11) achieved impressive results at the 2024 Christchurch Junior Vocal Competitions:
• Edward Pitts (Year 13): 16 and U18: first Folk Song, Art Song, second Music Theatre, very highly commended in Mounsey Memorial;
• Emily Watt (Year 11): 14 and U16: first Foreign Language Art Song, Sacred Solo, second Unaccompanied Folk Song, Vocal Solo.
Songwriting
Hayden Lam’s (Year 13) song, Make Up Your Mind, was named among the 63 finalists in the 2024 Lion Foundation Play It Strange competition. He now has $750 to have his track professionally produced.
Tamaroa Connelly (Year 13) was a finalist in the Play It Strange 2024 Peace Song Competition with his song
titled Peace On? He won a professional recording of the song in a studio of his choice.
Tamaroa Connelly (Year 13)
Southern Jam
The Big Band and Soul Band both won gold awards at the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival with the Big Band also earning runner-up in the Big Band category. Tamaroa Connelly (Year 13) won best bassist, and he and William Ruge (Year 13) were selected for the festival All Stars Band. Jack Flanagan (Year 13) won the Spirit of the Festival Award for the way he interacted with children on the primary school performances.
Speech and Drama
A group of Preparatory School students competed in Rotary Speech Finals with the following results:
Tamaroa Connelly and Xanthe Pearce (both Year 13) were successful in auditioning for the ensemble of the Showbiz season of Mamma Mia
Eden Taylor (Year 10) performed in her first professional show at the Court Theatre, playing the young Alison in Fun Home
Annabelle Laurenson (Year 6) successfully auditioned for a role as one of the children in the Court Theatre production of A Doll’s House Violin
Cheryl Teng (Year 10) participated in the 2024 Hutt Valley Performance Art Competition, Class 14 Orchestral String for 14 years and over, winning second place. Cheryl also attended the Aroha String Quartet International Academy for a week in July.
Vocal Concert
Staccoro, Stacchorus, three barbershops, Kapa Haka, a rock band, numerous soloists, and a staff quartet entertained an appreciative audience at the annual Vocal Concert in the Centennial Chapel.
FilmFest
WINNERS:
Best Actor: Tyler Browne (Year 12) – Enclosed; Best Actress: Jenna Howell (Year 13) – Knock Knock; Best Supporting Actor: Xanthe Pearce (Year 13) – Knock Knock; Best Cinematography: Flynn Rhodes (Year 13) – Knock Knock; Best Sound: Tyler Browne and Gemma Wong (both Year 12) – Enclosed; Best Costume/Make-up: Louis Tappin (Year 10) – The Christmas Truce; Best Editing: Kiera Faass (Year 12) – The Cat Sitter; Best Screenplay: Flynn Rhodes – Knock Knock; Best Director: Kiera Faass – The Cat Sitter; Best Film: Knock Knock –
The annual Film Fest was a resounding success, celebrating the incredible talents of our student filmmakers. Rector, Christine Leighton, made a memorable appearance in the opening intro video, a delightful homage to The Breakfast Club and the 80’s theme of the evening. Louis Tappin (Year 10) won Best Junior Film once again with his poignant period war short film, paying homage to the Christmas Truce. The highlight of the evening was the winning film, Knock Knock, by Shaun Cooper and Flynn Rhodes (both Year 13). This short horror film about the perils of social media fads swept the awards, taking home five accolades in recognition of their hard work and creativity.
Dance Revue
The 2025 Dance Revue, ‘Stars on Stage’ delighted record audience numbers over two performances in the Gough Family Theatre in mid-September.
Expertly led and executed by student Heads of Dance, Shaun Cooper and Sienna Spark, and student Head of Ballet, Siara Clarke (all Year 13), the showcase was slick, lively, and engaging, with an eclectic mix of dance genre and styles ensuring there was something for all.
Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Musical Theatre performances were beautifully choreographed by Ballet Academy Artistic Director, Dr Carolyn Cairns, Ms Sandy Gray, Shaun Cooper, Sienna Spark, Siara Clarke and Xanthe Pearce (all Year 13)
Grandparents’ Day
Hundreds of guests gathered on Friday 25 October for Grandparents’ Day, a highly anticipated event on the St Andrew’s calendar.
A special showcase in the Centennial Chapel, with performances by the Pre-school, Ballet Academy, Junior Choir, Ethan Waines (Year 8) on piano, and Isla Marshall (Year 8) delivering her prizewinning speech, entertained the grandparents and special guests. After the performances, the children met with their grandparents and took them proudly on a tour of the College to meet their teachers and friends. Some special memories were created with official group photos being taken on the lawn in front of the Senior College by the St Andrew’s professional photographer.
Preparatory School Principal, Jonathan Bierwirth, and his team did another fantastic job of organising this wonderful occasion.
Leavers’ Assembly
On Wednesday 30 October, a group of 204 leavers from Year 13 and 22 leavers from Year 12, were farewelled at the traditional Leavers’ Assembly, marking their last day at St Andrew’s College.
The day began with a delicious breakfast in the Strowan House dining room, before the leavers made their way to the Centennial Chapel through the campus which was lined with Preparatory School students for the assembly.
Highlights included the presentation of Special Awards, Academic 30s, Academic Greatest Movers, and recognition of Tertiary Scholarship Awards. Speakers included Deputy Heads of College, Holly Maraki and Carter Rhodes, who reflected on their time in the Secondary School, and Head of Secondary School, Evert van Florenstein, who paid tribute to the teaching staff also leaving at the end of the year.
Musical items included a performance of Stevie Wonder’s Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing, by the Year 13 Music class, with Year 13 students Xanthe Pearce, Sea-am Thompson and Chantelle Xiong performing For Good by Stephen Schwartz.
Rector, Christine Leighton, says the Leavers’ Assembly is an important milestone for the leavers, who can be proud of their achievements during their time at the College.
It is also special for their whānau who have supported, encouraged, and guided them throughout their schooling.
“Our seniors have had a positive influence on the younger students who looked up to them, and in keeping with the Head Prefects’ theme of ‘All for One and One for All’, have shown courage in their journey and given much encouragement to others. May their lives be enriched by all the experiences ahead, and may the memories they take with them be a taonga from their days at St Andrew’s College.”
New Zealand representatives 2024
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent New Zealand in Academic, Cultural, and Sports pursuits in 2024.
ACADEMIC
European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics
Hannah Withers and Ellie Zhou (both Year 11) were selected for the New Zealand team to compete at the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI) in the Netherlands.
CULTURE
Music
Jasmine Hooker, Miu Kim (both Year 12), Selena Zhang (Year 11), Yuxin (Alice) Chen, Xinyi (Alicia) Chen, Ary Son, Cheryl Teng (all Year 10) and Hao Bo (Terence) Yang (Year 9) were selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. Jasmine Hooker was also selected for the National Youth Orchestra.
Matthew Lee (Year 13) was selected for the New Zealand National Schools’ Choir.
Noah Fanene (Year 12) and Jinyang (Yang) Zhang (Year 11) were selected for the 2025–2026 New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir.
Pipe Band
Harrison Justice, Lucas Paterson (both Year 13), Tayla Eagle (Year 12), Sam Foote and Daniel Liu (both Year 11) were selected for the New Zealand Youth Pipe Band.
SPORTS
Athletics
Orla Motley (Year 12) was selected to represent New Zealand in the U18 hammer throw and javelin at the Oceania Athletics Championships.
Basketball
Ava Jones (Year 11), Maniah Taefu (Year 10) and Roma Tuimaunei (Year 11) were selected for New Zealand U15 basketball teams.
Beach Rowing
Coby Goode (Year 13) represented New Zealand at the World Beach Rowing Championships and the Rowing Beach Sprint Championships.
Climbing
Spencer Menzies (Year 12) represented New Zealand at the Australia Youth Climbing Nationals.
Georgia Lewis (Year 11) represented New Zealand at the Asia and Pacific Cup, and the International Virtual Dressage Competition (U18 class).
Football
Scarlett Gray (Year 12) and Holly Lyon (Year 11) were selected for the New Zealand U16 Schools’ Girls’ football team.
Amber de Wit (Year 12) was selected for the New Zealand U17 Women’s football team.
Gymnastics
Claudia Renaud (Year 10) was selected to represent New Zealand at the 2025 WOGA Classics competition to be held in February 2025 in Texas.
Hockey
Henrietta Nation (Year 13) was selected for the New Zealand U18 hockey team.
Karate
Gemma Thomas (Year 11) represented New Zealand at the JKF Godu-Kai Karate Tournament.
Rowing
Charles Butterfield and Jack Pitts (both Year 13) were selected for the New Zealand Men’s U19 rowing eight.
Speed Skating
Anthony Kutovoy (Year 12) represented New Zealand on the Junior World Speed Skating circuit.
Touch
Fynn Harris (Year 12) was selected for the New Zealand U18 touch team, and Samuel Mustchin (Year 13) was selected for the New Zealand U20 touch team.
Volleyball
Molle-Belle Morrow (Year 13) was selected for the New Zealand Junior Women’s Volleyball Development Team and the Women’s Premier Division – New Zealand U23 team, playing in the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships.
Water Skiing
Genevieve Wallis and Katrina Wallis (both Year 10) were selected for the New Zealand U14 water ski team.
Back row: Maniah Taefu, Molly-Belle Morrow, Ava Jones, Spencer Menzies, Sam Foote, Roma Tuimaunei, Coby Goode,Samuel Mustchin, Fynn Harris, Henrietta Nation, Gemma Thomas, Hao Bo (Terence) Yang, Daniel Liu Absent: Matthew Lee, Miu Kim, Selena Zhang, Ellie Zhou, Noah Fanene, Jinyang (Yang) Zhang, Amber de Wit, Holly Lyon, Anthony Kutovoy, Claudia Renaud, Charles Butterfield, Jack Pitts
Winter Tournament Week
After a demanding winter season in their local competitions, St Andrew’s College sports teams took on the best opposition from across the South Island and Aotearoa New Zealand during an intense Winter Tournament Week.
The girls’ teams once again led the results, with the standout being the Girls’ 1st XI football team’s stunning third place in the National Premier Tournament – St Andrew’s best ever result for girls’ football; and both the Senior Girls’ and Junior Girls’ basketball teams claiming well-deserved South Island titles.
All the St Andrew’s teams represented the College with pride and respect for their opposition, with a huge team effort from coaches, managers, teachers, and parent supporters helping make the week such a success.
Football
After securing a fourth Canterbury Premier Championship, the Girls’ 1st XI football team carried their great form into the New Zealand Premier Girls’ Football Tournament. They were
dominant during pool play, with four wins and a draw, then lost a close semi-final 0–1 to Baradene College, which saw them take on Epsom Girls’ High School in the play-off for third and fourth. This nail-biting match went to a shootout, with the St Andrew’s team holding their nerve to clinch victory 5–4 and the bronze medal, which was an outstanding result.
The 1st XI Boys also competed at the national tournament, finishing in 21st place in the Malcolm Cowie Tournament.
Basketball
It was another great Winter Tournament Week for St Andrew’s basketball, with both the Senior Girls’ and Junior Girls’ teams winning South Island titles, and the Senior Boys’ team making the semifinals to finish in an impressive fourth place. Both Senior teams qualified to compete at the national tournament.
After winning their fifth consecutive Canterbury Whelan Trophy crown, the Senior Girls’ basketball team carried on
Assistant Coach J D Dennen, Emily Morgan, Victoria Cairns Knight, Aria Wilke, Hannah Burnett, Addison Pilkington, Holly Lyon, Gemma Wong, Chloe MacDonald, Coach Jasmine Donald. Front: Amber de Wit, Megan Simpson, Billie Revis, Scarlett Gray, Meila Farrelly, Odette Lieshout, Taylor Gordon
The Girls’ Junior A basketball team were South Island champions along with the Girls’ Senior A team. Back: Manager Kate Taylor, Maniah Taefu, Sophie Schouten, Anna Lewis, Hannah Radford, Holly Radford, Rosie Gaffaney, Assistant Coach Maddie Morrow, Coach David Ermerins. Front: Hayley Stowell, Lucy Cliff, Eden Taylor, Sophia Bourke.
their dominant form with an unbeaten display throughout the South Island Secondary Schools’ Tournament. Their biggest challenges came in the semi-final against Columba College, which they won 67–54, setting up a tense final against Kaiapoi High School. This game went to the wire, before St Andrew’s prevailed 67–65.
The Junior Girls were also dominant, winning every match comfortably on their way to their South Island title, including a 90–50 victory over Ashburton College in the final.
The Senior Boys had five wins and a loss in pool play on their way to the playoff for third and fourth, which they lost to Rangiora High School 60–83. The Junior Boys finished seventh in their Zone 4 competition.
Netball
The Senior A netball team was also in great form during Tournament Week, with six comprehensive wins in pool play before facing Columba College in the semi-final. It was another nailbiting match, with the girls just missing out on a place in the final after losing by one goal 36–37. The team faced Christchurch Girls’ High School in the playoff for third and fourth, losing that match 28–37 to claim fourth place in the South Island, a great effort which saw them qualify for the national tournament.
Hockey
The 1st XI Boys’ and Girls’ teams both travelled to their respective national tournaments and delivered some great performances during the week to finish within the top 20 nationally.
In pool play, the girls won three and lost two matches, which put them just
outside the top 16 teams. Their 2–0 victories over both King’s College in their semi-final playoff, and Rangitoto College in the final, saw them claim the Marie Fry Trophy for 17th place in New Zealand.
The 1st XI Boys won three, lost one, and drew one match on their way to the playoffs, where they ended up in shootouts in both their semi-final and final matches. A 2–4 loss to Whangarei Boys’ High School in the final saw them finish second in the India Shield, and 18th overall in New Zealand.
Round up of other sports
St Andrew’s was also well represented during Winter Tournament Week by our rugby, equestrian, ice hockey, and badminton teams.
The 1st XV rugby team took part in the Independent Schools’ Rugby Festival, where there were no placings. The U15 team finished eighth at the South Island Secondary Schools’ U15 Tournament, with the U16 team third in their quadrangular tournament, and the 1st XV Girls’ rugby team winning the plate final at their Secondary Schools’ 10’s Tournament.
The equestrian team started strongly at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Equestrian Championships, placing third overall in the Competitive Trail Riding on day one. Once the scores from arena eventing, dressage,
and show jumping were tallied the team finished fourth overall in the South Island. This was a great result for the riders, many of whom had top five placings in their classes.
Following two wins, three losses, and a draw, the Senior A ice hockey team finished fourth at their South Island Secondary Schools’ competition.
The Senior A Girls’ badminton team competed at the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Championships, with Fanxi (Elsa) Meng (Year 9) runner-up in the Junior Premier Singles, and winner of the Junior Girls’ Doubles with Kristina Burton (Year 10). In the Senior competition, Manzhao (Cherry) Xu (Year 12) won the Girls’ Plate Singles, and Yutian (Tianna) Chen (Year 9) and RuoLin (Lauren) Li (Year 10) were runners-up in the Girls’ Doubles.
Milla Downing (Y13) and Jody McCarthyDempsey (Y12) in action.
The Girls’ A hockey team on their way to 17th place in New Zealand.
Sports round
up
National Tournament round up
Basketball
The Senior A Girls’ and Boys’ basketball teams both competed at the ‘AA’ Secondary Schools’ National Championships during the first week of the holidays, with the girls continuing their great form after winning the South Island championship to forge their way into their third straight national final. The team went through pool play unbeaten and overcame strong challenges from Napier Girls’ High School and St Peter’s School Cambridge in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.
Ava Jones (Y11), Ophelia Powell (Y13) and Niamh Chamberlain (Y13) were among the standout players helping lead the group to their third straight national final. Facing Westlake Girls’ High School, St Andrew’s could not get the final win, falling 97–69 to finish with a silver medal. Ava Jones was named in the Girls’ All-Star 5 for her superb play throughout the tournament.
The Boys’ Senior A team finished 19th out of 24 teams nationally, with a 3–5 record, led by balanced contributions from Carter Rhodes (Y13), Bronson Curtis (Y12), Logan Righton (Y12) and Roma Tuimaunei (Y11).
Trap Shooting
St Andrew’s College had great success at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ (NZSS) and South Island
Secondary Schools’ (SISS) Clay Target Championships. Highlights from the national competition include Mitchell Twentyman (Y12) finishing with the High Overall Single Rise and High Overall Kilwell Trophy, and Logan Gardner (Y13) winning the Boys’ Individual Skeet. Results were:
• SISS – Kurt Lilly (Y11) and Ethan Higgs (Y12): second Boys’ team skeet;
• Andy van Asch (Y13), Marcus Ferguson (Y11), Harry Pitts (Y11) and Jonathan Rogers (Y12): winners of New Zealand Kilwell Postal Shoot;
• Lucie Hood (Y12): second individual girl New Zealand Kilwell Postal Shoot, first individual girl Fish and Game regional;
• Addison Williams (Y13): third individual girl New Zealand Kilwell Postal Shoot;
• NZSS – Mitchell Twentyman: high overall single rise and high overall Kilwell Trophy;
• NZSS – Logan Gardner: first Boys’ individual skeet;
• NZSS – Logan Gardner and Ethan Higgs: third Boys’ team skeet.
Netball
After their fourth place finish at the South Island championships, the Senior A netball team competed at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Netball Championships. In their seven matches, the team won three, drew one, and lost three, only just missing out on a spot in the top eight on points differential, following a draw against Westlake Girls’ High School. The team went on to finish 12th out of the top 16 secondary school teams in the country after a narrow 34–31 loss to New Plymouth Girls’ High School in the playoff for 11th and 12th places.
NZSS Mountain Biking Championships (7-10 October)
The New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Mountain Biking Championships were held in Christchurch with 13 St Andrew’s students taking part. Edward Bull (Y11) and Cooper Pringle (Y10) were the most successful riders, both achieving top 10 finishes. The following students made the top 30 placings:
• Edward Bull: sixth in U17 enduro, 21st in U17 downhill, and 17th in U17 cross country;
• Cooper Pringle: ninth in U16 cross country;
• Toby Maw (Y9): 22nd in U15 cross country.
Hillary Challenge Final (7–10 October)
After strong performances in regional events, eight students, Elliot Graves (Y13), Adam MacFarlane, Isabella Cody, Katherine Simcock (all Y12), Joshua Morrow, Toby Wilson, Abigail Scott-Douglas, Iona Garrett (all Y11), represented St Andrew’s in the Hillary Challenge national final at the Tongariro Centre. During the five-day event, the students competed in challenges including climbing, high ropes, mountain biking, first aid, problem-solving, water based activities, an overnight expedition involving orienteering and navigation, and a rogaine-style adventure requiring navigation, mountain running, and cycling.
The young team performed admirably. Unfortunately they were unable to complete the final day’s challenge as a team due to injury, which saw them lose a significant number of points, finishing in 12th place. The team placed fourth in the overall spirit points. This event was a great experience for the students and puts St Andrew’s adventure racing in good stead for the future.
The Girls’ Senior A basketball team runners-up in New Zealand. Back: Coach David Ermerins, Hannah Radford, Rafferty Powell, Ella Sharpe, Maniah Taefu, Ava Jones, Niamh Chamberlain, Coach Adam Morgan. Front: Manager Kate Taylor, Hayley Stowell, Ophelia Powell, Orla Motley, Ella Buchanan
Premier Competition highlights
It was another highly successful season for St Andrew's College sport in local Canterbury premier competitions, with the girls’ teams once again to the fore. Several other St Andrew’s teams across the codes and age groups made playoffs and ended their season with top three finishes.
Football
The Girls’ 1st XI celebrated a remarkable achievement becoming four-time Canterbury Premier Champions, and cementing their dominance in local school football, after a commanding 4–0 victory over Avonside Girls’ High School in the final. Incredibly, the team has only lost one match in the last four years, and this is the fifth championship the girls have secured in the last six years. Amber de Wit (Y12) led the charge with two goals in the final and was the top Canterbury goal scorer.
The Boys’ 1st XI put up a valiant effort in their cup semi-final against Burnside High School, but ultimately lost 0–2, ending their cup run.
Basketball
The Girls’ Senior A basketball team stormed out of the gate in their Whelan Trophy basketball final against Kaiapoi High School building an early 20-point lead and never looking back. They secured the win, and their fifth consecutive regional title, 88–50. Ophelia Powell (Y13) scored 27 points and was awarded MVP of the final.
The Boys’ Senior A team made the semi-finals of their competition, going down to number one ranked team Christ’s College, 121–75.
Netball
The SuperNet final against St Margaret’s College was a fiercely contested match, with both teams showing great determination. At half time, the St Andrew’s Senior A team held a narrow lead, up by just one goal. However, St Margaret’s fought back fiercely in the third quarter, managing to edge ahead by one goal. Despite a relentless effort, the final score was 30–25 in favour of St Margaret’s College, with St Andrew’s claiming second place in the competition.
Rugby
In the Canterbury Schools’ Girls’ 1st XV final, St Andrew’s played against tough opposition in Christchurch Girls’ High School, who are ranked number four in New Zealand. St Andrew’s were down 22 points early in the match but fought back bravely to be within
seven points at the 50-minute mark. Although Christchurch Girls’ High School ultimately won the match, the St Andrew’s girls showed great character and growth across the season, which bodes well for the 2025 season.
The 1st XV had an enjoyable but challenging year in 2024, placing eighth overall in the Miles Toyota Cup. Highlights included winning the big traditional games against Christ’s College (25–19) and Timaru Boys’ High School (29–0) as well as retaining the Fox Memorial Cup against Shirley Boys’ High School on Rugby Club Day. At the Independent Schools’ Tournament, the team delivered outstanding performances to beat CNI champions, St John’s College and Scots College.
Hockey
The Girls’ 1st XI hockey team faced a challenging start in their semi-final against Christchurch Girls’ High School, trailing 1–2 after the first quarter. However, the girls steadily gained momentum each quarter and Ella O’Brien (Y12) scored two crucial goals, to tie the score 2–2. Captain, Henrietta Nation (Y13), scored the final goal securing third place for St Andrew’s.
The local premier competition was challenging for the Boys’ 1st XI, with some early losses, but the team leant on a positive culture and improved with each game. They finished fifth but had some excellent results in later games as they headed away for the Rankin Cup tournament in September.
General sports round up
AIMS Games
Preparatory School mixed hockey, rugby sevens, and football teams, as well as four swimmers and a tennis player, competed at the Zespri AIMS Games in Tauranga. There are around 13,000 students competing at this event and the teams came up against some strong competition, playing their best and being great ambassadors on and off the field. Out of 397 schools, St Andrew’s College were deemed second in the Zespri AIMS Games Gives Back programme (beach clean ups, tree planting and express environmental kaitiakitanga) by ‘giving back’ to their host city.
At the games, swimmer, Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Y7), was the fastest Christchurch 12-year-old girl in
St Andrew’s College students during a beach clean up at the Zespri AIMS Games.
The Girls' 1st XV rugby team
200m breaststroke and 100m butterfly with New Zealand placings of seventh and 11th respectively. She also received a Mercury Wonderful Energy Award for outstanding commitment to having a great attitude and positive energy.
Basketball
At the Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) U18 Nationals, Niamh Chamberlain, Ophelia Powell and Rafferty Powell (all Y13) led Canterbury to a bronze medal finish, with Ophelia selected in the All-Star 5.
Roma Tuimaunei (Y11) was named in the New Zealand U15 Men’s National Team for FIBA Qualifying in November.
Ava Jones (Year 11) and Maniah Taefu (Year 10) were named in the New Zealand U15 Women’s National Basketball team for FIBA qualifying in November. Rosie Gaffaney (Year 10) was named as reserve.
Several students were part of regional teams competing at the BBNZ U16 Nationals with the following finishing in the top ten:
• Canterbury A Boys – third (Roma Tuimaunei Y11);
• Canterbury A Girls – fifth (Maniah Taefu, Ava Jones both Y11, Lucy Cliff Y10);
• Otago Girls – ninth (Rosie Gaffaney Y10).
Roma Tuimaunei and Ava Jones were also named in the tournament All-Star team.
Carter Rhodes (Y13), Bronson Curtis (Y12) and coach Taylor Britt were selected for the Mainland Eagles Boys’ Select team taking on the visiting University of Colorado – Colorado Springs team.
The following students represented their regions at the South Island U14 representative tournament:
• Year 9 – Holly Radford, Anna Lewis, Lucas Bourke;
• Year 8 – Isabelle Broome, Aurelia Ashman, William Patterson;
• Year 7 – Thomas Hopping, Liam Gravley.
Cricket
The 1st XI cricket team travelled to Sydney during the first two weeks of the Term 3 holidays. They played six matches, winning three, and narrowly losing two others. The tour was a great build up for the team’s regular season.
Duathlon
Cohnor Walsh (Y11) and Sophie Lampe (Y10) both won first place at the U16 Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Duathlon Championships.
Equestrian
Georgia Lewis (Y11) was selected to represent New Zealand in the International Virtual Dressage Competition (U18 class), held in October.
At the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ One Day Horse Event, Lily Ellis (Y12) won her class, and Ella Smith (Y12) was sixth in her class. The St Andrew’s College team was just outside the placings, finishing seventh out of 23 teams.
Flag Football
The Preparatory School Years 7–8 flag football team are national champions, after putting in an outstanding performance to win the NFL Flag Football National Championship in early November, without losing a single game. Sponsored by the NFL, the trip to Wellington was fully funded, allowing the team to put all their focus into their performance. With their undefeated record, the team now have the honour of representing New Zealand at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando in 2025, where they’ll face off against thirteen other national champions from around the world. The team qualified for the nationals after an earlier unbeaten run in the Canterbury competition. The team’s coach, Preparatory School teacher, Mason Shaw says the students trained relentlessly every lunchtime to perfect their understanding of the game’s schemes and formations. “Their commitment to mastering each play and preparing for high-level competition showed in their remarkable performances. Now, they’re set to take on the world stage with the same resilience and skill that brought them this far,” he says..
Football
Benjamin Stuart, Jack Cook, Zac Manson and Fergus Booth (all Y9) were members of a 14th Grade academy team which finished second at the South Island Junior Football Tournament. Amber de Wit (Y12) represented New Zealand at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. She played against Ecuador, Nigeria, and the Dominican Republic, starting in two of the games and came off the bench to play in the third.
The following students were selected for Canterbury teams:
• Canterbury U18 team: Amber de Wit, Scarlett Gray (both Year 12), Billie Revis (Year 13), Holly Lyon (Year 11) and Meila Farrelly (Year 10).
Gymnastics
Kalisa Zhang (Y9) was third overall in the Rhythmic Junior International category (13–15 years old) at the 2024 New Zealand Gymnastics Championships. She had previously won the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ title. Claudia Renaud (Y10) won the 2024 National Title for Step 10 Balance Beam and Step 10 Floor Success at the 2024 New Zealand Gymnastics Championships, and was selected to represent New Zealand at the 2025 WOGA Classic competition to be held in February 2025 in Texas.
Hockey
Edward Connolly (Y12) was selected for a Go Hockey Experience U18 team to play in an organised Mini Quad Series with a travelling team from Australia.
The Preparatory School Years 7–8 flag football team celebrate becoming national champions. From left: Frank McHarg, Liam Gravley (both Y7), Olivia Quane (Y8), Austen Fraser (Y7), Edward Park (Y8), Jack Ellwood, Patrick O'Byrne (both Y7), Levi Currie, Joshua Stewart (both Y8), Mila Rule (Y7)
Ice Figure Skating
Yu Huan Ding (Y10) competed at the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating National Championships, winning first place in the Intermediate Novice category.
Ice Hockey
Ming Macarthy (Y5) was selected to play ice hockey for the Kung Pow Kings in a tournament taking place in Malaysia at the end of September.
Jet Ski
At the SBT WGP-1 World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Jonte Butterfield (Y13) was third in the Pro-Am Ski Lites and third in the Amateur Ski Lites, and Jake Wilson (Y11) was second in the Pro-Am Ski Four Stroke Lites.
Karate
Gemma Thomas (Y11) competed in two main national karate competitions in the first weekend of the holidays, winning bronze in the Female Kata 14/15 Years Premier at the New Zealand Open Championships, and bronze in the Female Kata U16 Open at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Championships. Gemma won two gold medals at the Canterbury Cup Karate Competition in Female Open Kata and Female Kata 14–17 Years Premier.
Corbin Revis (Y11) earned his Junior Black Belt at the Canterbury–Buller Okinawan Goji Ryu Karate Club. His sister, Billie Revis (Year 13), completed the same Black Belt achievement in May 2023.
KartSport
Louis Smith (Y9) was seventh in the New Zealand Schools’ KartSport Championships.
After five races, Zongqi (Iris) Li (Y3) finished second overall in the 2024 Mainland Series Kart Racing Championships.
Preparatory School
CPSSA Basketball
The Preparatory School Boys’ and Girls’ Senior basketball teams competed at the CPSSA Basketball Tournament in Rangiora, where after being unbeaten in pool play, both teams progressed to the semi-finals after solid quarter-final victories. Both teams were beaten in thrilling semi-final matches against eventual competition winners, Kaiapoi North School, to finish third overall.
Preparatory School CPSSA Duathlon
A group of Preparatory School students competed in the CPSSA Duathlon against 900 students from around the wider Canterbury area. The following students finished in the Top 10:
• Year 8 Girls: Tayla Ford third;
• Year 7 Open: Joshua Smith second;
• Year 7 Girls: Isabelle Greer second, Mila Rule eighth;
• Year 5 Girls: Alessandria Greer fourth.
Preparatory School ISSA Tournament
St Andrew’s College hosted the annual ISSA Winter Tournament. Each school in the independent zone enters their ‘A’ football, hockey, and netball teams in the Year 5/6 grade and Year 7/8 grade. In the Year 7/8 tournaments, St Andrew’s were unbeaten, which saw them progress to the CPSSA Tournament. In the Year 5/6 grade, the hockey and netball teams finished third overall, and the Year 5/6 football team won the tournament for the first time, edging St Mark’s School on goal difference.
Preparatory School CPSSA Tournament
The Years 7–8 football, hockey, netball teams, and a Years 5–6 football team took part in the annual Canterbury Primary Schools’ Winter Tournament, bringing together the top 32 teams from across Canterbury for each code. The Preparatory A netball team and a selected Years 7–8 mixed hockey team won their tournaments to be crowned Canterbury champions for 2024, a fantastic achievement for both teams. The Years 7–8 football team finished eighth overall, with the Years 5–6 football team in 12th place.
Motocross
Shey Doerner-Corson (Y11) was first overall in the final round of the South Island Dirt Sprint Series. He was also first in the Berwick Super Scramble and the first junior overall in the Survivor Series.
Louis Smith (Y9)
The Preparatory A netball team in action during the CPSSA Tournament.
Corbin Revis (Y11) left
Mountain Biking
Alice Glover (Y8) was second out of 12 solo riders in the Solo Girls’ Division (Years 7–8), and 10th overall out of all riders at the MTB Huxster Event.
Refereeing
Alexander Black (Y12) was a referee at the U14 and U15 Christchurch International Football Cup and was appointed to referee the U15 final. Alexander has also been appointed by the New Zealand Football Appointments Panel to the 2024 New Zealand Football National League Championship as a referee.
Road Race
The following Preparatory School students achieved top placings at the Canterbury Road Race Championships:
Coby Goode (Y13) represented New Zealand as part of the Rowing New Zealand’s coastal team at the World Beach Rowing Championships in Genova, Italy. The first regatta was a long-distance endurance event (4km) with over 30 Paris Olympians competing. Coby came eighth out of 24 in his heat and made the B final, finishing eighth to place 25th in the World for Open Men’s Solo Rowing. The following weekend at the Rowing Beach Sprints Championships, 26 countries entered athletes into Coby’s event, the U19 Solo. He put in an outstanding effort to qualify for the quarter-finals, eventually being knocked out by Germany to finish eighth in the world.
Rugby
1st XV rugby players Samuel Mustchin, Charlie Sullivan and Macklan Robertson (all Y13) were selected to play for the Junior Crusaders against the U18 Hurricanes at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Wellington, with the game ending in a 41–41 draw.
A group of 1st XV players were selected to participate in the U18 Crusaders Knights Rugby Development Day –Aston Saunders, William Voice, Charlie Sullivan, Macklan Robertson, Samuel Mustchin, Tom Turner and Thomas Heffernan (all Y13).
Several St Andrew’s students were named in representative rugby teams:
• Crusaders 2024 Junior Camp: Samuel Mustchin, Charlie Sullivan, Macklan Robertson (all Y13);
• Canterbury Under 16 Metro Red: Nikao Panapa (Y12), Jiutaisa Manumanuniliwa, Jock Sidey (both Y11);
• Canterbury Under 16 Metro Black: Lachlan Mitchell, Jett Timbrell, Jacob Farrelly, Ricco Peauafi Symonds (all Y11);
Metua Cranwell (Y11) was selected for and played in the U18 New Zealand Māori rugby team. She was also selected for the South Island U16 Scorpion rugby league team.
The following players represented Canterbury at the South Island U18 Girls’ Rugby Tournament, where U18 Black won the tournament, and Holly Rossiter was named Best Forward and
Rugby Club Day is always a highly anticipated occasion on the sports calendar. The weather was superb, the pitches were in great condition, and all St Andrew’s College rugby teams played with fantastic team spirt and courage at this year’s event, organised by the hard-working rugby committee. The 1st XV team retained the Fox Memorial Trophy against Shirley Boys’ High School, after the exciting, highpaced game finishing in a 32–32 draw.
Rugby League
Iosefo Tito (Y9) was selected as a member of an invitational team from the South Island Malie 13s (Samoan League) to play in the Senior Q-Legal Carnival held in Brisbane, Australia. Iosefo and his team competed in the U14 grade and won all their games.
Rugby Sevens
The U16 Boys’ team won the Rugby Sevens South Island Championships to become South Island U16 sevens champions for 2024. The team was unbeaten in their four matches, building momentum throughout the competition. The final was a tough game against Christ church Boys’ High School, but St Andrew’s showed both grit and composure to close the game out 10–7!
Snowsports
Oliver Wilton (Y9) won the U14 Men’s ski national title at the 2024 New Zealand Junior Freeride Tour. He placed first at both the Treble Cone and Remarkables events but unfortunately crashed at the Mount Olympus stop. However, he managed to win the overall title for the second year in a row.
There were clear skies at Cardona Alpine Resort for the South Island Secondary School Snowsport Championships, on Saturday
Macklan Robertson, Samuel Mustchin and Charlie Sullivan (all Y13)
Rafferty Powell and Holly Rossiter (both Y13)
Coby Goode (Y13)
17 August. Results follow, with the team results determined by the three fastest combined runs in each team:
• Individual Skiing: Hugo Harris (Y11) second fastest boy;
• Boys’ Ski Team silver: Hugo Harris, Luke Skinner, Nilo Labbe Hubbard (both Y13);
• Girls’ Ski Team bronze: Holly Thomas, Cherry Zhou (both Y13), Philippa Taylor (Y10).
The Preparatory School fielded two primary teams and one intermediate team at the Mike Greer Homes Upper Clutha Schools’ Race at Cardrona Alpine Resort in Wanaka, which brings together schools from across New Zealand. Results were:
• Intermediate team second place overall: William Patterson, Elliott Harper (both Y8), Isabelle Greer and Imogen Brooks (both Y7);
• Primary team second place overall Years 1–6 category: Alessandria Greer, Archer Bryant (both Y5), Francesca Greer (Y4) and Emilie Bryant (Y3);
• Isabelle Greer (Y7) was second fastest Years 7–8 Girl and was fourth overall;
• Alessandria Greer (Y5) was fourth fastest Years 1–6 Girl and finished sixth overall.
A group of 35 St Andrew’s College Preparatory School students took part in the annual ISSA Schools’ Ski Race at Porter Heights with the following results:
• Fastest Co-ed Primary Team of 2024: Luke Russell (Y6), Alessandria Greer, Archer Bryant (both Y5) and Francesca Greer (Y4);
• Fastest Co-Ed Intermediate Team of 2024: Edward Park, William Patterson and Lara Isar (all Y8);
• Luke Russell (Y6) Fastest Overall Boy in Years 1–6;
• Alessandria Greer (Y5) Fastest Overall Girl in Years 1–8.
Speed Skating
Artem Kutovoy (Y8) was second in his age group at the Australian Open Speed Skating Championships and was third in his grade in short track speed skating at the 2024 South Island Short Track Ice Speed Skating Championships.
Surf Lifesaving
Millicent MacIntyre (Y9) competed at the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships, won gold and broke a national record in the 150m patient tow by almost five seconds. She was also the U14 national champion in 50m swim with fins, won a gold medal in the U14 mixed medley relay, and a silver medal in the 6 × 50m mega relay.
Swimming
The following results were achieved by St Andrew’s swimmers at the South Island Short Course Swimming Championships:
• Sophia Molnar (Y13) competing in the Women’s 17 and Over category: first 200m butterfly, second 200m individual medley and 50m breaststroke, third 100m breaststroke and 100m individual medley;
• Rylee McBride (Y12) competing in the 15–16 Women’s category: first in 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke, second 100m butterfly, 200m backstroke and 100m individual medley, overall South Island Open champion, set new Canterbury and South Island records in 50m backstroke.
Sophia Molnar (Y13) competed in the 17–18 age group, Open finals, and relays, at the New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships, where she swam five personal bests and won two bronze medals for 50m and 100m breaststroke. Her team also came fourth in the overall team championship points.
Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Y7) competed in the 61st Wharenui Winter Olympics where she achieved a gold medal in 100m butterfly, silver in 200m breaststroke, six personal bests and a Division II qualification time. Kelicia was also seventh at the National Artistic Swimming Championships in the U12 Aquanaut Free Solo category.
Tennis
Frank McHarg (Y7) won the U12 Canterbury Spring Championships in singles and doubles. He also won the South Canterbury Spring Championships in singles and doubles.
Elina Wang (Year 7) has had success with several tennis achievements in 2024:
• Winner of U12 Girls’ singles and doubles at the Marlborough Junior Winter Open;
• National Junior Teams Event U12 Canterbury Representative;
• Runner-up U12 Girls’ singles; winner of U12 Girls’ doubles at the Otago Junior Open;
• Runner-up U12 Girls’ singles and doubles at the Wanaka Junior Open.
Umpiring
Alexandra Hirschfeld (Y13) gained her Centre Umpire badge, becoming an official white skirt umpire. Melenaite Havea (Y11) passed her Zone Theory examination with 90 per cent, which is the second highest umpiring examination available.
Volleyball
Catherine Cook (Year 12) has been selected for the New Zealand Junior Women's indoor volleyball squad for 2024/2025, with the team to be confirmed after a final selection training camp in the new year.
Zonta Awards
St Andrew’s had 11 finalists at the 2024 Zonta Secondary School Sports Awards, with the following students receiving Highly Commended Awards in their category:
• Liam Hackston (Y13) – Football Referee for contribution by a young administrator, umpire, referee, coach or tutor;
• Jake Wilson (Y11) – Jet Ski Racing in award for the most outstanding individual achievement by a young sportsperson specialising in one sport;
• Senior Girls’ A Futsal – in the award for the most outstanding team;
• Orla Motley (Y12) – Athletics, Basketball, Rugby, Touch Rugby in award for the best all-round young sportsperson who has achieved in more than one sporting code.
Elina Wang (Y7)
Oliver Wilton (Y9)
President Message
It is an honour to have been re-elected as President of the Old Collegians Association in August. Since then, we have had the pleasure of participating in several joyous alumni events as we cherish Christine Leighton’s final months as Rector.
Earlier this year, we attended our OCA regional event in Wellington. It was wonderful to reconnect with Old Collegians of all ages – the alumni spirit is alive and well in the capital. A heartfelt thank you to Old Collegian, Jonathan Scragg (1996), for hosting such a memorable evening.
Our OCA Annual Dinner in August was another sold-out success. While I won’t delve into the details (please refer to the Events section of the a summary), I extend my gratitude to Catering Manager, Russell Gray, and his team for their exceptional contributions. I also wish to acknowledge Alumni and Community Relations Co-ordinator, Lisa Clark, for her outstanding organisation and energy, which ensured a first-class evening befitting our impressive Old Collegian award recipients. The stories and journeys of our alumni never cease to amaze.
I encourage all alumni to stay tuned to our future publications and social media for information about an exciting Old Collegian event we are planning for late next year. It promises to be an unforgettable occasion and is sure to sell out quickly. More details to come!
Lastly, as I pen my final column for 2024, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to outgoing Rector, Christine Leighton, for her incredible 17 years of service. Christine, your dedication and enthusiasm have profoundly impacted thousands of Old Collegians worldwide. Thank you, Gavin Leighton, for your support as the ‘First Gentleman’, and to your sons, Tom and Alex, thank you for sharing Christine with us.
Sam Crosbie (2009) President, Old Collegians Association
2025 Reunion & Event Dates
10 Years On: Class of 2011–2015: Friday 7 November 2025
30 Years On: Class of 1995–1999: Friday 13 June 2025
40 Years On: Class of 1985–1989: Friday 25 July – Saturday 26 July 2025
50 Years On: Class of 1975–1979: Friday 23 May – Saturday 24 May 2025
60 Years On: Class of 1965–1969: Friday 14 March – Sunday 16 March 2025
1st XV Rugby Reunion: Teams of 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015 – Date TBC
OCA Annual Golf Tournament: Friday 4 April 2025
OCA Annual Dinner: Friday 8 August 2025
Gentlemen’s Luncheon: Friday 10 October 2025
OCA Annual Dinner 2024
On Friday 16 August, 160 guests gathered for the Old Collegians Annual Dinner, meeting in the Old Collegians Foyer in the new Gough Family Theatre for pre-dinner drinks and the traditional Address to a Haggis, performed by Jonathan Wells (1987), before retiring to the dining room to enjoy dinner, speeches, and award presentations, expertly guided by emcee, Phil de Joux (1994).
The event marked Rector, Christine Leighton’s 18th and final OCA Annual Dinner, and she was honoured for her 17 years as Patron of the Old Collegians Association by OCA President, Sam Crosbie (2009).
The evening also celebrated the remarkable achievements of several Old Collegians with the presentation of awards. Professor Roy Kerr (FRS, CNZM, FRSNZ –1950), a distinguished nonagenarian and multi international-award winning mathematician, received the Alister Newton Award for Outstanding Service. Dr Jonathan Ogilvie (1979) was awarded the Cockram Cultural Award for his work in film. His latest movie,
the International Film Festival in Rotterdam and headlined the New Zealand Film Festival in Christchurch. Britney-Lee Nicholson (2017) who has excelled regionally, nationally, and internationally in futsal and football was the recipient of the L G Maginness Memorial Cup for Sports Personality of the Year.
Catering Manager, Russell Gray, and his team once again provided superb food, and the evening finished with a spirited rendition of the School Song, led by Mark Tavendale (1987).
forgotten not but Gone
The St Andrew’s College community was saddened to learn about the passing of Jim Hudson (Deputy Head – 1953) who was fondly known for his passionate performances of the Address to a Haggis, particularly at Founders’ Day Assembly, and during the Centenary Year. St Andrew’s also lost Christine (Chrissy) Spence, a much loved and fondly remembered matron from 1988 to 2006, who was instrumental in setting up the first girls’ boarding house, and Bill Hall (1966) who became a dedicated and fondly remembered Accounting and Economics teacher at St Andrew’s from 1976 to 2002.
Gentlemen’s Lunch
The Gentlemen’s Lunch at St Andrew’s College on Friday 18 October, was a truly memorable event, attended by 120 Old Boys, ranging in age from 74 to 97. We also welcomed the Classes of 1949, 1954, and 1959 celebrating their 65, 70, and 75 Years On reunions.
The day began with morning tea in the Centennial Chapel foyer, followed by performances in the Chapel by talented students Edward Pitts, Chantelle Xiong (both Year 13) and Miu Kim (Year 12), accompanied by William Ernest (OC 2014). The guests were then piped over the Turley Bridge by Jack Boon (Year 13) for the obligatory photos.
Catering Manager, Russell Gray, and his team provided another outstanding lunch. Ian Satterthwaite (1958) said Grace, Miles Kennedy (1945) offered a Toast to Absent Friends, and Neil Thompson (1957) delivered a Toast to the College, paying tribute to Rector, Christine Leighton, for her outstanding tenure and contributions to the Old Collegians community.
It was a day filled with laughter, reminiscing, and strengthening the bonds that tie the St Andrew’s College community together.
Colin Watson (1940)
Robert Paterson (1951)
Donald Perr y (1951)
Graham (Scotty) McLeod (1952)
Robin Bryant (1953)
Jim Hudson (1953)
Gordon Kelly (1954)
Graham Henderson (1955)
Alastair Scott (1956)
Brian Thomas (1959)
James Fairweather (1960)
Allan Young (1961)
James Beaven (1962)
Ross Johnson (1962)
Guy Scott (1962)
Murray Meyer (1963)
Randal Scott (1970)
David Solomon (1970)
Douglas McIntosh (1975)
Raymond Humphries (1987)
Derek Neal (1989)
Jono Marshall (1994)
Finn Bright (2017)
Tatiana Keogan (Tee) (2021)
Connor Higgs (2023)
Class notes
Jock Sutherland (1963 – Deputy Head Boy), a key member of the 1962–1963 St Andrew’s 1st XV, ran onto Trafalgar Park in Nelson for Nelson’s Buccaneers against the Marist Golden Oldies in the curtain-raiser to the senior Marist versus Nelson match, a stellar commitment at age 78. Luckily, Jock wasn’t one of the three from his team who filled the Casualty Ward that afternoon.
Director Slavko Martinov (1988) is making a documentary about cats in the war-torn region of Israel-Palestine. This is Slavko’s third feature film with Cats In Conflict investigating the role our feline friends might play in building bridges between divided communities.
RNZAF Squadron Leaders, Tim Jones (2007), Dave Natapu (2003), and their crew made history by flying the first of five brand new C130-J Hercules aircraft from the USA to its new home in New Zealand. These new, bigger, better, and faster aircraft are set to replace the retired Hercules that have served us since the 1960s.
Olympic Gold for Olivia
Olivia Brett (2019) had an outstanding Paris Olympics, winning a gold medal in the Canoe Sprint K4 500m. Olivia’s dedication, commitment, and resilience, along with that of team members, Dame Lisa Carrington, Tara Vaughan, and Alicia Hoskin, was inspirational. St Andrew’s was delighted to celebrate Olivia’s success and welcome her back to the College for a post-Olympics visit, complete with gold medal. Olivia Brett
Sam Lane (2015) will be playing in the Hockey India League for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the upcoming season.
Dr Molly Dore (2016) earned her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Otago. Her journey began with a Biomedical Science degree, sparking a passion for cancer research, especially endometrial cancer, which became the focus of her thesis.
Dr Molly Dore
Tom Rance (2018) was part of the New Zealand National Flag Football Team which travelled to Finland for the Flag Football World Championships in August.
Quinn Ojala (2018) from Inati Restaurant, Christchurch was awarded the Silver Fern Farms Outstanding Emerging Chef at the 2024 Canterbury Hospitality Awards.
Charlotte (2018) and Lauren (2023) Whittaker were selected as part of the 2degrees Tall Ferns squad and represented New Zealand at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifier Tournament in Mexico in August, where they placed fifth.
Mac Stodart (2019) was part of the Canterbury Rams Basketball team which took out the national title in July.
Jenny Zhu (2019) has been recognised as one of New Zealand’s top young entrepreneurs, making it to the finals of the prestigious KiwiNet Research
Jock Sutherland
Slavko Martinov
Tim Jones (left) and Dave Natapu
Quinn Ojala
Olivia Brett (second right) with fellow gold medallists, Dame Lisa Carrington, Tara Vaughan, and Alicia Hoskin
Commercialisation Awards. As a talented badminton player, Jenny is developing ‘Line Buddy,’ a phone app that brings professional analysis technology to everyday players, both amateur and competitive. A recent Mechatronics Engineering graduate from the University of Canterbury, Jenny’s innovative idea was born during a computer vision course in her final year.
Campbell Wilson (2020) studied Classical Ballet at the New Zealand School of Dance for three years (20212023) and recently moved to Plzeň, Czech Republic where he is dancing as an apprentice with Divadlo Josef Kajetán Tyl Balet.
Campbell Wilson
Sophia Lazor (2021) and her University of Auckland team won the 2024 National Tertiary Futsal Championships.
Catie Riordan (2021) starred in the Queen musical We Will Rock You in Wellington at the St James Theatre.
Kiara Bercelli (2022) was selected to represent New Zealand at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September. She is also studying and playing at UC Sampdoria in Italy.
Scarlett Kirby (2022) competed at the U21 World Korfball Championships in Turkey, in July.
Charlotte Roche (2022) was awarded the Maia Jackman Trophy for Player of the Match in the final of the Kate Sheppard Cup, playing for Auckland United football team against Western Springs. She was the only player to score a goal, which came at the 90th minute, winning the final 1–0.
Hugh Nixon and Scarlett Kirby (both OC 2022) received the prestigious University of Otago Blue Awards in hockey and korfball, respectively.
Tom Rae (2022) once again showcased his incredible talent by winning the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year in the Skyscapes category with his stunning photo titled ‘Tasman Gems’. This year’s competition attracted over 3500 entries from 58 countries around the globe.
Alys Scott (2022) placed 13th worldwide in the elite women’s division of Torian Pro (a world semi-final CrossFit competition) and also the Oceania Championships.
Jonah Cropp (2023) competed in the 10,000m Race Walk at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
Sienna Stowers-Smith (2023) was selected for the New Zealand U21 national squad to play in the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar in September 2025. She was also part of the 14-strong Rising Stars netball squad which played in Suva in August against teams from Fiji, Singapore, and Australia.
Fred McRae (2024) was selected to represent New Zealand in the High School Trans-Tasman Challenge for the 2024/2025 season, where he finished second in the U18 bull ride.
Cricket
An incredible nine former St Andrew’s cricketers are currently on cricket contracts, with a highlight being Henry Nicholls (2009) and Zak Foulkes (2020) named in the 15-strong Black Caps squad set for two T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka, starting in Dambulla in November.
In addition, the following Old Collegians have scored themselves a contract for the 2024/2025 domestic summer season.
Wellington: Logan van Beek (2008)
Canterbury: Cam Paul (2022), Zak Foulkes (2020), Rhys Mariu (2019) and Henry Shipley (2014)
Otago: Leo Carter (2012), Andrew Hazeldine (2012) and Llew Johnson (2017)
Rugby
A number of Old Collegians are making waves in international, Super, and NPC rugby:
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (2021) made his first start for the Fiji Water Flying Fijians at No. 10 against the All Blacks in San Diego in July.
Seb Calder (2019) has secured his first full-time contract with the Crusaders. Seb made his debut for the Crusaders in 2022 and has since earned 13 caps, contributing to two championshipwinning squads. Now, he is committed to the team for at least two more seasons, through to 2026.
Will Stodart (2021) has signed for the Highlanders 2025 Super Rugby season.
Other rugby representatives:
Canterbury NPC: Seb Calder (2019), Joel Lam (2020) and Torian Barnes (2021)
Canterbury B NPC: Harry Allan (2015) and Jamie Carr (2020)
Manawatu NPC: Isaiah ArmstrongRavula (2021)
Manawatu B NPC: Moses ArmstrongRavula (2022)
North Harbour: Shilo Klein (2017)
Otago NPC: Sam Gilbert (2016) and Will Stodart (2021)
Southland NPC: Jack Sexton (2019)
Canterbury U19: Radford Powell and Cylas Tauti (2023)
Otago U19: Couper Killick (2022) and Lucas Te Rangi (2023)
Jenny Zhu
Alys Scott
Fred McRae
Regulus
Old Collegians
to the
Welcome world
Florence Madeline Tait
Daughter of Andrew Tait (2002), born 1 February 2024.
Arthur Dowie
Son of Elliot Dowie (2015), born 27 April 2024.
Louis Ryan McEwan
Son of Amanda (née Colee) and Ryan McEwan (both 2009), born 3 Sep 2024. Pictured with older sisters Isabelle 9, and Ella 6.
Flora Jain Jemson
Daughter of Rose Goss (2010), born 9 May 2024.
Otis David Dunlop
Son of Amanda (née Fraser) and Nick Dunlop (both 2010), born 5 March 2024.
Alfie Constanti
Son of Bid Constanti (née McLean) (2007), born 8 June 2024.
Annie Doris Storey
Daughter of Indy (née Kraal, 2008) and Richard Storey (2006), born 23 April 2024.
Harvey William Harry Aimer
Son of Sarah (née French) and Jesse Aimer (both 2012), born 17 May 2024.
