“With modern facilities for studying and boarding, students are given every opportunity to learn, perform and achieve success.
Palē Tauti DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND EXCHANGES
International Students
studying at St Andrew’s College
International students at St Andrew’s College are part of a busy, vibrant, and close‑knit community, which provides fantastic opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom.
St Andrew’s College has a rich history, values and traditions. It was founded over 100 years ago in Christchurch, New Zealand, and is the only independent, co-educational boarding school in the South Island offering pre-school to Year 13 education. There are more than 1150 students in the Secondary School (Years 9–13) and over 450 students in the Preparatory School (Years 1–8).
International students are warmly welcomed at St Andrew’s College, and become part of the ‘boarding family’ in our bright, comfortable boarding facilities. St Andrew’s provides a first-class private education, with students learning from a rich and balanced curriculum. A unique cultural experience also awaits, with international students able to participate in a wide range of exciting sporting, cultural, leadership and service opportunities.
Key Points of Difference
In addition to a world-class education, St Andrew’s College offers some incredible facilities, resources and opportunities.
THESE INCLUDE:
• the only professional media studio and control room in a New Zealand secondary school;
• the Alistair Sidey Mountain Lodge at Castle Hill, where students experience the outdoors;
• excellent sports facilities including fields, courts, two gymnasiums, and state-ofthe-art fitness centre, StACFit;
• a full Music Suite with Recording Studio, and a purpose-built Pipe Band Centre;
• a Ballet Studio and Ballet Academy, which offers the only co-educational integrated Ballet programme on campus in a New Zealand school;
• Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre, completed in 2024, includes the Gough Family Theatre, Lesley Johnston Ballet Studio, Fife Dance and Drama Studio, and Blair Gough Drama Studio;
• the Green Library and Innovation Centre, home to our thriving robotics programme, which is one of the biggest of any New Zealand school;
• the multi award-winning Centennial Chapel –the spiritual heart of St Andrew’s College.
Boarding
International students can board at St Andrew’s College from Years 9–13. They are well-cared-for by our highly trained team in our three modern, well-resourced boarding houses.
• close supervision enables international students to live comfortably and securely while developing independence and maturity;
• support for students to reach their academic goals outside the classroom in daily supervised prep time (study/homework);
• fun activities and events at weekends and afterschool throughout the year;
• after-hours access to facilities such as the Library, gymnasiums and Fitness Centre;
• all meals provided by our own catering team, including morning and afternoon tea;
• onsite laundry services and bedding provided.
Campus and Facilities
St Andrew’s College has one of the largest school campuses in Christchurch, with exciting, modern teaching and learning centres, plus impressive cultural and sports facilities, spread across a spacious 13-hectare site on Papanui Road in the heart of Christchurch. The College is just one hour from the snow capped Southern Alps and 15 minutes from the city’s beaches. The most recent campus development, officially opened in 2024, is Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre, incorporating the 266-seat Gough Family Theatre.
Sport and Culture
International students can choose from more than 30 sports at St Andrew’s College, where both enthusiastic participation and elite performance are encouraged. The diverse cultural opportunities on offer include Music, Dance, Drama, filmmaking, and Pipe Band, as well as theatre productions, festivals and competitions.
Academic Success
Values of excellence, expert dedicated teachers, a safe collaborative learning environment, and an average class size of 22–23 students, leads to outstanding academic results.
St Andrew’s College 2023 NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship Results:
NCEA Level 1 Gained NCEA Level 2 Gained NCEA Level 3 Gained University Entrance 228 students awarded New Zealand Scholarship 64
Excellence endorsements across all Levels
Pathways
Studying at St Andrew’s College and gaining New Zealand’s NCEA qualifications can open the door to further study almost anywhere in the world. Our track record of academic success sees many of our graduates move onto prestigious domestic and international universities and tertiary providers, with a number of our students offered university scholarships each year.
Student Care and Well-being
Well-being and Positive Education is a strong focus at St Andrew’s College. International students gain the support and friendship of an entire network of people who take an active interest in their welfare.
DAY SCHOOL SUPPORT
Tutors
Meet every morning
Year Group Dean
Academic and Well-being
Head of Middle School / Head of Senior College
Well-being and Discipline
Head of Secondary School
Well-being and Discipline
Director of International Students and Exchanges
Well-being, Academic, Administrative, Discipline
Mr Palē Tauti Director of International Students and Exchanges
Together, they ensure international students feel welcomed, comfortable, safe and cared for; are supported to flourish academically; are encouraged to grow in confidence and resilience; and are supported to establish a strong foundation for success in their lives beyond school.
BOARDING SUPPORT
Tutors
Support in boarding
Assistant House Manager
Well-being
House Manager
Well-being
Director of Boarding
Well-being and Discipline
Director of International Students and Exchanges
Well-being, Academic, Administrative, Discipline
Residential Caregiver
Advocate, Speaks Native Language, Sickness Support and Well-being
E PTU@stac.school.nz
P + 64 3 940 2086
W stac.school.nz
347 Papanui Road, Strowan, Christchurch 8052, New Zealand