Ōtautahi Stronger Together

St Andrew’s College hosted a Canterbury-wide student well-being conference, called Ōtautahi Stronger Together which focused on exploring the theme of tūrangawaewae/ belonging. The conference, on Wednesday 19 October, was a studentled event co-constructed by students from St Andrew’s College and Hillmorton School. Well-being Leaders Lachlan Odlin (Year 12), Selena Gan (Year 13) and Radha Vallabh (Year 12), dedicated significant time and effort into the organisation of the conference.

Over 70 students from throughout Canterbury attended the event hosted in the Centennial Chapel. The hui commenced with three inspiring speakers sharing their perspectives on belonging and inclusivity. These included St Andrew’s student, Lily Champion-Smith (Year 12), University of Canterbury student, Sadra Sultani, and City Counsellor, Tyla Harrison-Hunt. The remainder of the afternoon focused on providing students with the opportunity to consider their personal stories and perspectives on how to create an inclusive and compassionate society.

In August, the Well-being Committee presented Mahia te Aroha Character Awards to students who have shown outstanding character. These awards are nominated by students and teachers who have witnessed a student displaying acts of compassion and kindness to make a positive difference in our community. 2022 Recipients were: Taylor Gordon, Riley Girdlestone

University student, Sadra Sultani, Ngan Dang (Hillmorton High School) and Lachlan Odlin (Year 12) were among speakers at the Ōtautahi Stronger Together event, which saw St Andrew’s host 70 students from various Christchurch schools.

Pictured with Heads of Well-being, Selena Gan (Year 13 top left) and Lachlan Odlin (Year 12 bottom right) are 2022 winners of the Mahia te Aroha Character Awards (back) Anika Robinson (Year 13), Mia Montgomery (Year 10), Yinan (Vivian) Lu (Year 10), Taylor Gordon (Year 9), Head of Well-being Kerry Larby, (front) Laai Tausa (Year 12), Hugo Ranken (Year 11), Sienna Stowers-Smith (Year 12) and Hamish Paton (Year 11). Absent were Riley Girdlestone (Year 9) and Alex Ying (Year 13).

(both Year 9), Yinan (Vivian) Lu, Mia Montgomery (both Year 10), Hugo Ranken, Hamish Paton (both Year 11), Laai Tausa, Sienna Stowers-Smith (both Year 12), and Anika Robinson and Alex Ying (both Year 13).

Ara is now part of Te Pūkenga

Te Pūkenga, New Zealand’s Institute of Skills and Technology, will provide greater access to flexible, career-focused learning – on the job, on campus and online – to help our people, communities and workforces grow and thrive together.