R
REGULUS AUGUST 2019
Contents Leadership and Governance
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From the Rector From the Board Meet the 2019 Student Captains
Teaching and Learning
AUGUST 2019
Editor/Writer: Jo Bailey Photography: Sue Oxley Cassandra Kovacs Anna Turner Rosa Horncastle Clinton Lloyd Printing: Caxton Published: August 2019 General correspondence should be addressed to: Head of Communications St Andrew’s College 347 Papanui Road Strowan Christchurch 8052 New Zealand Telephone: +64 3 940 2000 Email: comms@stac.school.nz Website: stac.school.nz Find us online: Facebook YouTube Flickr
Where these icons appear throughout the magazine, they indicate where further photographic or video content is available via our online channels.
(Cover) Year 8 Future Problem Solvers from St Andrew's College are second in the world. See page 15 for details. Photo credit: Sue Oxley
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Delving into the past Past, present and future A Greek and Italian Odyssey
Resources and Environment
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From the Director of Development Green light for new Sports and Cultural Centre StACFit for all Lights, camera, action PTA Curtain Raiser a stunning success The story of the Centennial Chapel
Values and Culture
Amazing Spain Reading a key to success Students’ reading habits revealed; Top public speakers found Learning how to learn; Pondering life’s big questions Looking to the future Space mission Problem solvers second in the world Real world experience Giving a helping hand Spirit of Adventure; Academic Successes Guest speakers inspire; Preparatory School prefect induction Smoothing the transition to school Hands-on learning Sowing the seeds of sustainability Teaching critical thinking
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Parade confronts and delights Powerful themes brilliantly portrayed
Stories from the Stage Hitting the right note Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award Prefects’ Assembly; Boarders’ Mid-winter Christmas Cultural catch up Piper and drummer achieve outstanding success Creating magic memories Community and Service Boys’ Breakfast returns Adventures in Borneo Sports round up On the Couch with Richie and Ronan
Old Collegians
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Message from the President Events Class Notes Gone but not forgotten; Upcoming events
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From the
Rector Every student can develop the habits which will set them up for successful learning beyond school. Students will learn best when they develop positive, supportive relationships with their teachers and receive feedback which inspires and motivates them, clearly outlining and identifying the next steps in their learning. At St Andrew’s, we strive to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of our students and expect that everyone will experience the satisfaction of knowing personal goals have been achieved.
Fostering high performance and the pursuit of excellence. The shared values of an organisation are critical to its sustained success, particularly in the face of daily difficult and complex decisions. The five core values of St Andrew’s College – Truth, Excellence, Faith, Creativity, and Inclusivity, deserve to be deeply understood but even more critical are the actions and behaviours that support these values. Over the next editions of Regulus, I will explore each of our values which underpin our new Strategic Direction 2019–2023, called Framing our Future. Achieving Excellence in an educational context is often misunderstood. Our NCEA assessment system allows for diversity in student achievement levels, and the broad curriculum at St Andrew’s College supports success in a range of areas, depending upon a student’s personal skills and interest areas. It would be impractical to suggest that all students can expect to achieve excellence in all their academic pursuits. However, as a school we encourage all our students to develop a mindset and attitude to learning which promotes goals of personal excellence and continual improvement.
Our new vision statement states that St Andrew’s College strives to be at the leading edge of ‘high performance’ educational practice. Using evidencebased research, we must collectively strive as adults – teachers, tutors, mentors, managers, and leaders – to achieve our own excellence. To do this we must be honest in our reflection, seek regular feedback, commit time to personal and professional improvement, and ensure that we are adept at using data and different measurement tools to diagnose what behaviours lead to the best student outcomes.
I believe that ‘Excellence’ is best considered from a balanced or holistic perspective. It is in being the best version of ourselves that we might truly experience satisfaction and a sense of well-being. Our own personal excellence is a lifelong journey – best achieved in partnerships with our family, friends, and colleagues with the right dose of personal relaxation, recovery time, and recreational activity. What better place to begin this journey than at school where the discovery of self can be encouraged and supported through such a diverse range of experiences. Let us celebrate excellence, practise the behaviours that will foster high performance, and most importantly, enjoy our own personal journey along the way.
Christine Leighton Rector
I believe the biggest enemy of excellence is a closed mind and a negative attitude. Alternatively, a ‘can-do’ attitude and a growth mindset opens up all sorts of possibilities. As our young people navigate their way through 13 years of schooling, they will choose to become involved in all sorts of new learning experiences; learning a musical instrument, developing skills of a new sport, pursuing a new subject, or facing new outdoor or physical challenges. There is little point in pursuing excellence if one sacrifices enjoyment, happiness, or health in the process.
Excellence from the Ballet Academy, guest artists at Dancing Like the Stars.
It is in being the best version of ourselves that we might ‘‘truly experience satisfaction and a sense of well-being.’’ CHRISTINE LEIGHTON
Leadership and Governance
RECTOR
Regulus
3
From the
Board areas of particular focus and priority in the College today, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. The Board reported to the meeting strong strategic and financial performance in the 2018 year. The College roll is strong at all levels; achievement across the academic and co-curriculum spectrum continues to improve and reach new heights; innovation and change are alive and well; and our reputation is prospering. Perhaps the greatest single indicator of success is demand for student places which are again at unprecedented levels for 2020, with a long waiting list at Year 9.
It was my pleasure to welcome guests to the 102nd Annual General Meeting of St Andrew’s College, held on Wednesday 19 June. It was an especially lovely surprise to see Dame Adrienne Stewart, and I took the opportunity to again acknowledge the generosity and support of the Stewart Family over many years, most recently in 2018 with the opening of the Stewart Junior Centre and Pre-school. It was also special to have three former Board Chairs in attendance – Neil Thomson (Board member 1967 to 1988 and Chair 1979 to 1988), Brian Gargiulo (Board member 1992 to 2003 and Chair 1996 to 2003) and Garry Moore (Board member 2004 to 2017 and Chair 2006 to 2017) – and to have the opportunity to acknowledge them and their service to the College. Between them, close to 50 years’ governance commitment to the College, which I know required considerable professional and personal sacrifice from them all. The AGM is an important time of reflection and accountability as the Board presents the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the prior year. We also take the opportunity to talk about
I had the pleasure of announcing Nick Letham as the new staff nominee to the Board of Governors following the retirement of Chris Janett earlier in the year. Under the College constitution, staff hold the right to nominate a non‑staff member for appointment to the Board. There were two nominations and after a thorough process, led by Co‑Deputy Board Chair, Rob Hall, Nick was the successful candidate. Nick Letham is a Senior Associate in the Chapman Tripp Corporate Team and holds an LLB with Honours from Canterbury University and an LLM from Cambridge University. He is an Old Collegian, ex Head Boy, ex live-in boarding house tutor, and retired Foundation Trustee. He has strong relationships right across our community, a comprehensive knowledge and appreciation of the College, and is widely known and respected by staff and stakeholders generally. I think it’s pretty easy to see why the Board felt Nick would be a wonderful addition to the College governance team.
Framing our Future, the College’s Strategic Direction, was published earlier this year following a year long conversation with our community and key stakeholders. We are already seeing the value in this work as it guides and aligns planning and decision
making across the College. This was highlighted so well by the new Director of Boarding, Matt Parr, when he recently presented to the Board. Matt connected the plan for boarding to the six strategic priorities from Framing our Future, clearly demonstrating common purpose and ensuring that we are all on the same page and heading in the same direction. If we are looking for an indication of what the future might hold for St Andrew’s College, I believe that we can take comfort from the extent to which effective leadership is being grown and developed across the many and varied facets of College life. Also planning and decision making has common purpose and we have a teaching and support staff team whose overall capability is going from strength to strength each year. On top of this, there is an unrelenting drive to do and be better. The Board remains cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the months and years ahead. There will always be challenges, unforeseen circumstances to face, and change in the wider environment that disrupts, however, I am confident that we have what it takes as a community to confront and navigate any challenge in the best interests of students, families, and the College. So that’s another year behind us and we are already half way through the 2019 year. It’s shaping up really well.
Bryan Pearson Board Chair On behalf of the Board of Governors
Meet the
2019 Student Captains Sports Captains
Cultural Captains
Tony Zhou Running an effective Peer Tutoring system, which matches students wanting help with a suitable Senior student, is a major goal for Tony in 2019. Together with Charles Zhang, Tony also hopes to run an Inter-House Academic Competition, to provide academically inclined students with a fun way to earn points for their House. Tony is a talented violinist in the College Orchestra and was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra in 2018 and 2019. He is the captain of the Senior A table tennis team, and also enjoys basketball. His outstanding academic results in 2018 saw him achieve both NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 with an Excellence endorsement. Next year he plans to undertake the first-year course in Health Sciences at the University of Otago.
Mikeely Jones Promoting and encouraging participation in sport at all levels is a priority for Mikeely, who believes it is important to build friendships, and support well-being. Another of her aims is to recognise a range of different teams and individuals and their achievements. She tries to set a good example on and off the field through sportsmanship and having a positive outlook. Sport at St Andrew’s has given her the opportunity to experience new things, develop as a leader, meet new people, and play in a competitive environment. She is passionate about hockey and is a valued member of the Girls’ First XI hockey team and plays U18 representative hockey. She has also participated in the cricket, touch, and cross country teams at St Andrew’s. Next year, Mikeely plans to study Psychology at University of Canterbury.
Hana Pearce Hana hopes to inspire students by providing many opportunities for them to showcase the amazing work they put into performance and working backstage during cultural activities at St Andrew’s. She has also been working hard to create an encouraging and productive culture between the Music, Dance and Drama groups. A versatile and talented performer, Hana is involved in many different aspects of cultural life at St Andrew’s including the Jazz Orchestra, All Girls’ Jazz Combo, Soul Band, Stacorro, Rock Band, Theatrefest, and Singer/Songwriters. Performing in productions is a highlight, and she is also part of the technical crew for Preparatory and Middle School productions and Dance Revue. Hana’s future plans include continuing on with her Spanish studies and being involved in the theatre, on stage and off.
Harrison Darling Harrison’s main goals are to inspire students to get involved in sport whether as a player or spectator, and to promote positive supporting for St Andrew’s teams at all levels. This year Harrison and Mikeely Jones hope to help Linwood College with its hockey programme, and inspire other students from St Andrew’s to assist sports in lower decile schools. A talented all-round sportsman, Harrison is captain of the Boys’ First XI hockey team, and vice-captain of the First XI cricket team. He is a member of the Canterbury U18 hockey team and was selected for the New Zealand U18 hockey squad. Harrison would like to play professionally for New Zealand in the future. In 2020, he plans to study at Lincoln University with future career options including becoming an air traffic controller.
Elliot Wood Elliot hopes to inspire others by showing that leadership isn’t about having a position of power, but is made worthwhile by the impact you can make on individual’s lives. He is focused on promoting unity and socialisation among all year groups, and facilitating conversation as a way to promote culture. Performing is his number one passion. During his time at St Andrew’s, Elliot has been in five productions, several music concerts, four Dance Revues and a Ballet production. He has also performed in two Showbiz productions. An accomplished actor, singer, and dancer, Elliot was outstanding in the lead role of this year’s Senior Production of Parade. After leaving St Andrew’s, Elliot hopes to complete a degree in Musical Theatre overseas, and keep performing as long as he can.
Charles Zhang Charles encourages students at St Andrew’s to ‘give everything a go’ and not be afraid to taste failure in their academic pursuits, as he believes this is important to one’s success. He enjoys organising and leading the 60 Year 11–13 students who tutor LEAP Reading and Mathematics tuition programmes in the Preparatory School. In 2018, Charles also achieved excellence in academic pursuits, gaining Academic Colours and an Outstanding Scholarship in History. He also obtained Trinity Grade 8 Communication Skills with Distinction, a silver certificate in New Zealand Chemistry Olympiad (NZCHO), and passed US exams in AP Psychology, AP Computer Science, and ACT. Charles is head of the Chess Club and is a keen golfer. He plans to study Sociology or Psychology in the United States after leaving school.
5 Regulus
Academic Captains
Leadership and Governance
From left, Mikeely Jones, Harrison Darling, Elliot Wood, Hana Pearce, Charles Zhang and Tony Zhou.
Delving into
the past
Although History and Classics take students back to the past, the skills they acquire in these subjects play a big part in informing their future, says Teacher in Charge of both subjects, Hamish Faulls. “Students develop key skills including critical thinking, analysing, evaluation, justification, and supporting an argument, which help them in tertiary study, and their future careers. They learn how to answer questions, and to research properly using the internet, not just looking at the first page on Google and moving on.” Hamish says History and Classics students emerge with a broad general knowledge, and an understanding of how society has evolved. “This learning helps them to make sense of the world as it is today.”
Numbers of students choosing History and Classics as options in 2019 are the highest ever, with three Year 13, two Year 12 and three Year 11 History classes, and two Year 13 and one Year 12 Classics class. “The interest factor in the subjects is huge. Both are English-rich, with lots of fascinating stories about human achievement, disaster, culture, art and architecture. Students know that they can trust their teachers, and if they put in the effort, will achieve good grades. Even those who come in with very little general knowledge can do well if they are methodical, systematic and organised.” In Years 9–10, students get a taste of the subject during semester courses and have the option of choosing History as a full subject option in Year 11, and Classics in Year 12. History covers the period from Elizabeth I to 20th century history, with students studying everything from Elizabeth’s reign, to Weimar Germany, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, the Vietnam War, and the Black Civil Rights Movement.
Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece are studied in Classics, including classic themes such as art and architecture, Alexander the Great, and The Odyssey. There is also the opportunity for students to participate in amazing trips, with four taken to Vietnam, and two to Greece and Italy over the last few years, the most recent of which took place in the Term 2 holidays. “The trips really bring the students’ studies to life and are also great for personal growth. They learn how to become more independent and see things from a different perspective. I’ve had many parents say going on a trip was a lifechanging experience for their child.” Hamish says the History and Classics Departments are well-resourced, and he and fellow teachers, Beka Roest, Ellie Simatos, Susan Poulter, and Emma McLeod are all super-organised ‘straight talkers’, with students having a clear direction for their lessons as soon as they walk into the classroom. “We are not afraid to show our personalities and have some fun. The key for the students is they understand we are authentic, enthusiastic about the subjects, and passionate about passing this critical knowledge of human history on to the next generation.”
Past, present and
future
These former History and Classics students have continued to utilise the valuable skills they acquired in learning the subjects at the College in tertiary study and interesting careers.
William Muir (OC 2017)
The link between the studying of European history and the practice of commercial law in Sydney is not obvious at first glance. However, former Head Boy, Oliver Barron, believes that his time spent in teacher Hamish Faulls’ classroom learning History and Classics, has equipped him with the necessary skills for his job as a banking and finance lawyer at the international law firm, Allen & Overy. He says New Zealand and Australia’s legal systems are based on what is called the ‘common law’, a system in which judges apply and refine historical principles over time. This process ensures the law remains applicable to modern times. Oliver sees his History and Classics studies being based on similar ideas. “These subjects similarly involve understanding historical concepts, whether that be art, architecture, or politics, and then appreciating how they continue to manifest in the world today.” After finishing his Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in International Politics and Criminology) in Germany earlier this year, Oliver travelled to some of the locations he studied in History and Classics. “The knowledge I gained in these subjects certainly made my travels – from Munich to Macedonia – far more enjoyable.”
William’s passion for history is still apparent, and caught the attention of a lecturer at the University of Auckland, where he studies a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts (Music History) degree. “I told my Commercial Law lecturer I wanted to know the history behind the law and how it came about – not just
William was one of New Zealand’s top young cellists before an injury ended his career, although he says that studying Music History allows him to continue exploring his love for music. In addition to studying, William works for Parliamentary Services with MP Melissa Lee, and runs a small business buying and selling military based antiques. After graduating from university, he plans to enter the finance industry, in either New Zealand or the United Stated of America.
After leaving St Andrew’s in 2010, Maeve studied Classics, History, and Archaeology, and later a Master of Arts in Archaeology. She then worked as an artefact specialist for a freelance archaeologist, and was the Collections Cataloguer at Riccarton House Museum, where she discovered her love for historic research.
Maeve Platts
(OC 2010)
Maeve Platts has had a love for history from the age of eight, when she discovered the Horrible Histories book series. However, it wasn’t until taking Classical Studies at St Andrew’s College that she realised she could pursue history as a career. “Mr Faulls had such a love for Classical Studies that it made me realise that I too could pursue a career I was passionate about.”
Maeve is currently a local and family history library assistant at Tūranga, where she is pursuing her passion for historic research as well as helping others. “It is such a rewarding job as all of our customers are so appreciative. It’s easy to love.” Maeve is also studying towards being an archivist, which would combine her love of history and research with helping to preserve historic items for future generations. “It’s been a long road, but I feel like I have finally found a career that ticks all the boxes.”
Teaching and Learning
(OC 2013)
about the law itself. I got quite into legal history for a while which tied in nicely with my fascination for politics.”
7 Regulus
Oliver Barron
William Muir’s fascination for history and its many backstories has been evident since his time at St Andrew’s College, where he gained Scholarship in History, and extensively researched New Zealand politics, with a focus on the period between the 1980s and today. “Mr Faulls was fantastic as he didn’t limit what we could learn, and really encouraged us to do our own research. I enjoyed his classes very much and learnt a lot about how to research and use different resources, which has been valuable for my tertiary studies.”
A Greek and
Italian Odyssey
Students stood in the footsteps of history and visited some of the world’s most incredible historic sights, places of significance, and museums, during a life-changing Classical Studies trip to Greece and Italy during the Term 2 holidays. History and Classical Studies teachers, Beka Roest and Ellie Simatos, along with Teacher in Charge of History and Classical Studies, Hamish Faulls, accompanied the group of 22 students on their epic adventure, visiting Athens, Venice, Florence, Rome and Sorrento. “After our first trip to Greece and Italy in 2017, Beka spent around two years planning and organising this trip and did another fantastic job,” says Hamish. Highlights in Greece included visiting the ancient ruins and architectural masterpieces of Athens, along with the theatre at Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Once in Italy, the group enjoyed walking tours of Venice and Florence, where they saw Michelangelo’s 'David' and the city’s other amazing sights, such as the Ponte Vecchio and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. In Rome, the busy itinerary included visits to the Vatican and Colosseum before the group headed to Sorrento, via Monte Cassino. Hamish says the reverence demonstrated by the students during a visit to the Monte Cassino War Cemetery was one of his personal highlights of the trip. “The students were deeply moved when the names of the four St Andrew’s College soldiers who died there were read out.
This visit has even inspired further study into Monte Cassino for a group of students.” In Sorrento, the group witnessed Europe’s longest Catholic procession during Easter Week, which was a significant cultural experience for the students, says Hamish. Another highlight was a visit to the ancient, ‘frozen-in-time’ city of Pompeii, which was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, and excavated in the mid-1700s. “It was a memorable day as most of the students had either studied Pompeii, or are studying it.” The students also got to experience Greek and Italian culture, and indulge in the amazing cuisine both countries are famous for. “They got a great deal of enjoyment and learning from the trip and are still talking about it. Seeing ancient sites and artefacts in person really brings the Year 12 and Year 13 Classical Studies and History curriculum to life. Visiting a palace from 1250BC was certainly something for our students to get their heads around.”
Amazing
Spanish teacher, Alexis Evlampieff, who led the group of 19 Spanish students on the trip with Head of Modern Languages, Virginia Simcock, says the country’s rich history, and incredible landscapes and architecture were also brought to life during the two and a half week adventure. “The students became fully immersed in the Spanish culture and loved to try out their language skills. They were a little apprehensive at the start, but once they managed to make themselves understood, had a great time trying to communicate, and even managed to haggle the price down at a few markets. The students have returned from their experiences with a new outlook on learning the language.”
One of the group’s first stops was Seville, where they spent the day interacting with students at a local school, cooked two local dishes during a cooking class, and learnt how to dance sevillana, otherwise known as flamenco. In the capital, Madrid, the tour party visited local monuments and learnt about the city’s history and culture, while also touring the Real Madrid football stadium. Next stop were two picturesque medieval cities, Toledo and Segovia. Then it was off to Bilbao, in the Basque Country in Northern Spain, home to the Guggenheim Museum, where the group also saw the spectacular religious procession of Easter Week, with each church represented by different colours and clothing. While in the Basque Country they also visited the cities of Guernica made famous by the paintings of Picasso, and San Sebastian, the holiday place of European royalty. The students finished their tour at Barcelona, famous for the Sagrada Familia and Gaudí’s architecture. Alexis says gastronomically, Spain was ‘amazing’ with the students open to trying new foods, such as
tapas, pinchos, churros, cochnillo (slow cooked baby pig), and even octopus. “The selection and variety of food was amazing, and in most places was on display, so the students didn’t have to order from a menu.” Since their return, he says the students have swapped stories and photographs, and have agreed the four night stay in Seville was one of the best parts of the trip. “There is so much to see and do in Spain, however, one of the most lasting impressions for the students was not seeing sights that were hundreds or even thousands of years old, but how friendly the Spanish people were.”
9 Regulus
Learning about Gaudí, flamenco, and Picasso, indulging in world-famous cuisine, and practising their language skills, were some of the highlights for a group of Year 11–13 students, during a trip to Spain in the Term 2 holidays.
Teaching and Learning
Spain
Reading a key
to success Year 9 students, Sophie O’Connor, Hannah Drury, Ella Withers and Maddison Barr engaged in their reading.
With reading recognised as the single biggest factor influencing academic and personal learning success, the English Department and Library regularly initiate reading promotion activities, says English teacher, Rebecca Ball. “Regular visits to the Library are an integral part of our English programmes. The Library is the hub of reading at St Andrew’s College: an inspiring space which always has new displays and initiatives on offer to engage students with their reading in different ways.” During Term 3, ‘Free Book Fridays’ are being held each week, with students going in a draw to win a popular title. ‘Blind Date a Book’ was a popular initiative in February, when students could select a book based on its description on a brown paper cover but didn’t know what the title was. An end-of-year highlight is the ‘Summer Reads’ programme, with students filling out a personalised profile detailing what sort of books they are interested in or may have enjoyed in the past. Based on this information, the librarians put together an individual selection of books for each student, which they think might be rewarding and challenging. Excited students collect a brightly coloured beach bag full of books before they head off for the summer holidays. Librarians, Marjorie Cook, Margie Broughton and Kay Nicholls-Millar say these are some of the many different
ways they try to entice students into the Library. “We love to talk to the students about books, suggest books, and keep them up to date with new books which have come in. We play a complementary role to the English Department, and our relationship with the students is different to what they have with their teachers.” Rebecca is the department’s library liaison, and regularly engages with the librarians to find out about the latest ideas, promotions, and what students are reading, so she can feed this information back to the department. “Having Rebecca as our library liaison really helps us to strengthen those ties,” says the librarians.
motivating to hear about books that their teachers have loved reading.” Another popular initiative is the Good Reads at StAC blog, which was introduced by the department last year and is managed by English teacher, Donna Jones. “The blog aims to share some of the good reads students and staff at St Andrew’s have enjoyed across a range of genres, and is also increasing reader engagement,” says Rebecca.
Since its stunning refurbishment as part of The Green Library and Innovation Centre, the Library has become a real student hub. The reading snug is often full of readers, even during noisy Friday lunchtime games sessions, when the Library is full of students playing board and card games. Reading promotion activities initiated by the English Department include two displays set up by Rebecca on the third floor of the Arts Block. One display details the science behind the value of personal reading, which includes everything from enhancing empathy, to reducing stress, and boosting creativity. “Reading is also great for student wellbeing, as it is mindful and reflective, and often happens in a quiet space away from distractions,” she says. The other display, called ‘The Bookshelf’, features book recommendations from staff. Rebecca says both are having the desired effect. “Students have told us they are seeking the books which feature in these displays; they find it interesting and
Grace Burnett and Jessie Logie (both Year 9) with English teacher, Rebecca Ball, in the Library.
Librarians, Marjorie Cook, Kay Nicholls-Millar and Margie Broughton work closely with the English Department.
Students' reading habits revealed
Favourite things to read
Novels were by far the most popular, followed by autobiographies, and then newspaper, magazine, and online articles.
What students enjoy most about reading • entertaining storylines; • learning about new perspectives and ways of life; • downtime, relaxation, and escape from the ‘real world’.
What helps students most to read, both at school and home • dedicated time to read, whether scheduled in the classroom, or set aside at home; • getting off their devices (streaming sites and social media are the biggest distractions); • Library visits and taking books home; • book recommendations from teachers/caregivers; • a quiet focused environment.
Top public
speakers
The recent Festival of the Spoken Word showcased some of our most talented and inspirational public speakers. “The skill of communicating our ideas, at a time when social media provides so much information, yet can make us more divided than ever before, has never been more important. At St Andrew’s College, we really value that skill,” said MC and Head of Debating, Meg Longley, during the event. Every student in the Secondary School English classes crafted and presented a speech (or recorded a podcast) during Term 2, and it is from those speeches that the finalists for the event were decided. In a change of format from previous years, the five extraordinary Year 9 finalists presented their speeches in front of the entire Year 9 cohort. “Success begets success,” says Head of English, Jacqueline Gilbert. “This was an opportunity for the year group to enjoy very high quality speeches from peers, and recognise what makes a speech successful and powerful when another
Struan Gordon, Finnian Bierwirth and Marco Leighs (all Year 9) discover some new books in a recent Library display.
found
speaking opportunity presents itself.” Lily Champion-Smith was announced the winner of the Year 9 English Department Cup for Public Speaking, by judges, Head of Middle School, Mikae Tuu’u and Jenni McLaughlin from St Margaret’s College. Lily presented her speech again at the Festival of the Spoken Word evening where finalists from other year groups performed for family and friends. Sian Evans from Christ’s College joined Mikae on the judging panel for this event. Jaymee Chen (Year 12) was named the overall winner of the Mark Ellerm Cup for the Best Senior College Public Speaker, following her incredible speech Stereotypes. Alice Burnett (Year 11) won the Slam Poetry section with The Conforms of Teenage Society. Best speakers at other levels were Harry Waddington (Year 11) with his speech Monkey See, Monkey Don’t, and Harry Withers (Year 10) with Peer Pressure.
Teaching and Learning
Student Survey key findings:
Festival of the Spoken Word winners, Harry Withers (Year 10), overall winner Jaymee Chen (Year 12), Harry Waddington (Year 11) and Alice Burnett (Year 11).
11 Regulus
An ongoing focus for the English Department is to ensure that students understand the correlation between reading and learning success, and to encourage them to lift their reading engagement, says English teacher, Rebecca Ball. “This year is about doing our research into what connects students with books, and what they find enjoyable aboutthe reading experience. Our recent survey of all English students in the Secondary School revealed some interesting results, and will help us to make well-informed decisions about how we can promote this goal next year and into the future.”
Learning How to Learn Around 250 students, parents, and staff gathered in the Centennial Chapel for a one-off opportunity to hear from renowned international author and speaker, Dr Barbara Oakley, who discussed the important subject of ‘Learning How to Learn’. During the inspiring and highly engaging talk, Dr Oakley, who is a Professor of Engineering at Oakland University of Michigan, revealed some simple tricks which help students to learn difficult subjects. Dr Oakley is the author of New York Times best-selling book, A Mind for Numbers, and is co-instructor of the massive open online course Learning How to Learn. Her message is already being transferred into the classroom by those who attended. Assistant Head of Secondary School (Academic), Helaina Coote, says the ‘Pomodoro technique’ detailed by Dr Oakley, is an incredibly simple tool, which her tutor group and Year 13 Literature class have already used with success. The technique involves students turning off all distractions and timing themselves for 25 minutes, during which time they must focus their attention on one activity, which could be anything from reading or writing, to completing an exercise or equation.
Inspirational speaker, Dr Barbara Oakley
“Once the time is up, the students are rewarded with a five to 10-minute break, which allows their brains to move from a focused to diffused state. The hypocampus can then catch up and store the information. I’ve received positive feedback from the students who have tried this techniqe".
Pondering life’s big questions
His talk suggested that outstanding achievement does not ultimately depend upon innate intelligence or ability, and that other factors, under the students’ control, can also contribute.
A large number of students from a wide range of schools participated in the latest Academy Philosophy Senior Conference hosted by St Andrew’s College in May. The keynote address Psychology of Outstanding Achievement’ was delivered by Dr Chris O’Neill, a psychologist, registered psychotherapist and trained counsellor, who initiated the MYRIAD research project at Oxford University, investigating resilience and well-being in young people.
Academic Captains, Tony Zhou and Charles Zhang attended the conference, and were impressed with its content and speakers. Academy Conferences is led by Julie Arliss, who lectures at King’s College and works in close association with Oxford University and Exeter University in the UK. The conferences have an established track record for enthusing and motivating the most able students, by providing them with opportunities
to engage with new ideas presented by internationally renowned lecturers. Teacher in Charge of Academic Extension and Enrichment, Ellen Hampson, says Philosophy is at the core of the GATE programme, with students at Year 9–10 level exploring Integrated Philosophy, Sustainability, and increasingly Global Citizenship. “Student involvement with the Model United Nations and Model European Union Conferences, as well as Future Problem Solving, is critical to promote engagement with global issues and perspectives, and an ethical relationship to difference, while addressing complexity and power relations.”
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Throughout history, the world has gone through periods of rapid change, when acceleration has happened at a rate people cannot quite grasp. International consultant, Roger Dennis (OC 1986), says we are currently experiencing another 'massive paradigm shift’ largely due to the rate of technological change. “If we look back in history, change has always happened fast. The fundamental difference now is that machines are making machines go faster, which is cutting people out of the loop in a way we haven’t seen before.” Roger works globally, providing consultancy to a wide range of government bodies, companies and organisations as a trusted advisor, thought leader, and cultural transformation specialist. He is not fond of the term ‘futurist’, and prefers ‘serendipity architect’. However, his focus is firmly planted on the future, as an advisor to leaders in organisations around the world, on the links between long-term thinking, strategy, innovation, and change management. He is also a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences. Roger has strong links to St Andrew’s College, both as an Old Collegian, and with partner, Tara Wingfield (a long-time hockey coach at the College) as parent of Felix (Year 9), Sefton (Year 7) and Tasmin (Year 3).
Rector Christine Leighton, Assistant Head of Secondary School (Academic), Helaina Coote, and Head of Information and Innovation, Wilj Dekkers, recently spent a fascinating 90 minutes with Roger discussing, among a range of topics, how the changing world might impact on future learning and jobs, and the skills students will need to prepare. “It was such a privilege to spend this time with Roger and we are so grateful to him for taking the time out of his busy schedule. We learnt so much during this stimulating conversation and are fortunate to have someone with Roger’s insight in the College community,” says Rector, Christine Leighton. Roger says one of the biggest challenges facing educators today is how to prepare students for an uncertain future. “As well as having strong basics in English and Mathematics, students will need to develop skills in collaboration, empathy and intuition, along with resilience, agility, and learning skills. How do they continually learn and keep current? How will they adapt and adjust to a world which we can’t understand where it might go in five to 10 years?” Computational thinking, which involves deconstructing a large problem into smaller solvable chunks, is another important skill going forward, he says. “We’re already seeing tests in computational thinking as part of the recruitment process.”
All of these skills are evident in Future Problem Solving, which asks students to think critically about future global issues and approach them from different angles. Roger is a big fan. “I love Future Problem Solvers. They use tools such as creativity, collaboration, and intuition to come up with amazing solutions for problems we don’t actually have real solutions figured out for yet.” Roger has interesting comments to make about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the dramatic impact it is having on the technological landscape. “In some instances Artificial Intelligence written by machines is already performing better than AI coded by humans, and over the next 10 years the machines will get faster and faster. But while machines respond to rules really well, they fail to understand things such as collaboration, empathy, and intuition. Humans see patterns and beauty in many different ways and trying to codify that is very difficult.” Roger says while coding is already embedded in school curriculums, technology is not the sole answer in our complex world. “The world isn’t going to stand still any time soon and in response to that I believe we need more philosophers rather than programmers. The challenges we face are not going to be solved by looking at screens and keyboards.”
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Assistant Head of Secondary School (Academic) Helaina Coote, international consultant Roger Dennis, Rector Christine Leighton, and Head of Information and Innovation Wilj Dekkers pondering the future of learning and work.
Teaching and Learning
Looking to the Future
Space
mission
It was a mission like no other for a lucky group of 34 Year 8–10 students who travelled to the United States of America in the Term 2 holidays to attend the Californian Association for STEAM Educations’ (CASE) Space School, accompanied by Head of Information and Innovation, Wilj Dekkers and Head of Learning Enrichment in the Preparatory School, Kelly McBride. During a packed two-week programme, held in Houston, Texas, and Huntsville, Alabama, the students completed leadership training, spoke to astronauts, toured mission control centres, performed science experiments, built electrical generators, experienced astronaut training simulators and were responsible for running simulated missions using mock Space Shuttles and the soon to be completed Orion space craft.
In an attempt to beat a world record, the students also participated in the simultaneous launch of 5000 model rockets. These were launched into the air at the US Space and Rocket Centre on the exact day and time that Apollo 11 lifted off 50 years ago propelling Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon. The students came home with a one-off commemorative Apollo 11 coin, created for the 1000 students attending the Space Camp in the moon landing’s anniversary year. They also earned their US Space Academy Wings, a tribute to the hard work they put in over long days, which started at around 7.00am, and were often not finished until 9.00pm. Students from St Andrew’s won several prizes during this life-changing
Former Chief of NASA enthrals Around 500 members of the St Andrew’s College community were captivated by a talk by Dan Goldin, the longest serving Chief of NASA, who was interviewed by Jake Miller in the Centennial Chapel. Jake runs a global business out of the United States called Unfiltered, and has interviewed many famous people, the most notably, Richard Branson. The conversation with Dan was enthralling,
ranging from technology, history and politics, to biology. Dan believes that the impact of long distance space travel and living in an environment like Mars should be our focus; not rockets. Former Chief of NASA Dan Goldin, with interviewer Jake Miller.
experience. Team Rhea, made up of Year 8–9 students won the prize for Top Team, voted by crew trainers and lesson instructors. Team Umbriel (Year 10 students) won the Mission Commander’s Patch. Team Shuttle 1 won the Californian Association of STEAM Education Wings, and Sophie Hayden (Year 9) won the Top Student prize after impressing during her engagement with astronaut speakers, instructors and crew trainers.
Problem solvers
second in the
A group of Year 8 future problem solvers from St Andrew’s College, Megan Simpson, Isobel Forsey, Tama Connelly and Olivia Burdon, have proved their critical thinking skills are up there with the best in the world, finishing an incredible second place in the Junior Division at the Future Problem Solving International Final, held at the University of Massachusetts, United States of America, in June. St Andrew’s was represented by a second Year 8 team (Chantelle Xiong, Carter Rhodes, Victor Sherborne and William Bainbridge-Smith), and a Year 9 team (Lachlan Odlin, Luke Wylie, Portia Bennie and William Russell) at the event, which also qualified for the international competition at the Future Problem Solving nationals in Auckland, last November. The teams competed in the Global Issues Problem Solving section and had to consider a scenario set some 30 years into the future, based on the topic of de-extinction, or the process of resurrecting a species which had become extinct. During the competition, the teams were given a five-step booklet, which they had to complete in two hours. This included identifying 16 challenges to do with the scene identified in
the booklet, deciding on the main underlying problem, and coming up with 16 solutions to solve it. The students then had three hours to write and practise a four minute drama based on their action plan. All three teams made the final round of marking in Massachusetts, which is difficult to achieve. The second Year 8 team finished eleventh in the Junior Division, while the Year 9 team placed fourteenth in the Middle Division. These were outstanding results, given that the students were up against more than 2500 problem solvers from over 13 countries, all striving to apply their critical thinking and problem solving skills to hypothetical future situations.
science and technology and develop that science into a potential scenario set in the future. The students worked incredibly hard during lessons and in their own time to prepare for the competition. To have performed like that on the world stage was a wonderful achievement, which validates our visionary Future Problem Solvers programme at St Andrew’s College and our belief in the students.” She says the benefits of Future Problem Solving extend far beyond the competition. “The skills students learn in the programme can be applied across all areas of their academic learning.”
Head of Learning Enrichment in the Preparatory School at St Andrew’s College, Kelly McBride, who accompanied the students, along with Head of Teaching and Learning in the Preparatory School, Vicki Pettit, says the results, particularly the second place-getters, were outstanding. “All of the students put in an incredible amount of work with their coach, Julie Rogers, over many months, who did an incredible job of preparing them for the competition.” St Andrew’s College Future Problem Solving coach, Julie Rogers, was delighted with the results, and says de-extinction was a particularly demanding topic for such young students. “They had to get their head around a considerable amount of
With teacher, Kelly McBride (left) and Future Problem Solving Teacher, Julie Rogers are Luke Wylie and Lachlan Odlin (back corner), Tama Connelly, Carter Rhodes, William Russell, Megan Simpson, Aine Molony, Portia Bennie (middle row) and Isobel Forsey, Olivia Burdon, Victor Sherborne, William BainbridgeSmith, and Chantelle Xiong.
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(From left) Year 8 students Olivia Burdon, Isobel Forsey, Tama Connelly and Megan Simpson with their runners-up trophy.
Teaching and Learning
world
Kelly Ting (Year 12) enjoyed an internship at Architectus.
Real world experience It can be a challenging time for students as they approach the end of their secondary schooling and have to start making decisions about future study or work. An internship with one of St Andrew’s College partner businesses is one way to help them to cement their plans and develop meaningful skills in an industry they are interested in, says Commerce teacher, Steve Aldhamland, “Internships have a number of benefits, including gaining hands-on skills, networking with professionals, gaining self-confidence, and helping students to define their career goals. Having an internship on their CV can also give students a competitive advantage when
Harrison Green (Year 13) mooring up the barge at Akaroa Salmon.
apply for university-level internships, or full-time jobs later on.” Three students to take up this exciting opportunity in the Term 1 holidays, were Loren Hay and Harrison Green (both Year 13) and Kelly Ting (Year 12). Loren is interested in nutritional science, and interned at Midland Holdings, in Ashburton, a leading producer and exporter of high-quality food ingredients, honeys, and nutritional oils, and a leader in high-value seed production. “One of my key learnings from the experience was understanding how a degree in Food Nutrition can lead to a wide range of pathways in the food industry,” she says.
Loren Hay (Year 13) packing hemp seeds to make cooking oil at Midland Holdings.
Harrison is interested in a career involving the export of agricultural products, and interned at Akaroa Salmon, at Wainui. “I have gained an understanding of the huge amount of inputs which go into producing salmon, and the high level of care taken by Akaroa Salmon to look after the fish.” Kelly spent two days with high profile architectural firm, Architectus, the award-winning designers of the Centennial Chapel at St Andrew’s College. She also enjoyed the experience, which has confirmed her desire to study Architecture after leaving school. Guest speakers from Canterbury businesses are also regularly brought into the College to engage with students, with one of the latest being Michael Mayell, founder of Cookie Time. He spoke to two Year 12 Agribusiness classes about a number of possible measures to improve the environment and got students thinking about how they could contribute to solving agribusiness problems in the future. Students interested in internships must fill out an application and prove they are serious about the opportunity, says Steve. “They must be on time, dress according to requirements and perform as employees for the week of their internship. As well as getting a taste of real work experience, the students come into contact with mentors, who can advise them on the best tertiary path to reach their career goals. The valuable skills and connections which accompany an internship cannot be underestimated.”
Giving a
helping
hand
Year 13 students Charles Zhang and Tony Zhou have brought creativity, energy and teamwork to their roles as Academic Captains this year, resulting in large numbers of senior students signing up to provide peer tutoring through three different programmes in the Secondary School and Preparatory School.
The programme in the Preparatory School provides extra practise in reading, and learning Mathematics tables, says Charles. “There are around 40 students from the Senior College and Year 11 involved in LEAP Reading, who work with their Preparatory School buddies on reading skills at lunchtimes. Another 15 senior students help Year 8 students with their times tables proficiency. It has been really awesome to see the Secondary School students giving up some of their lunchtimes and getting stuck in to their roles. The programmes are also building more connection between the Preparatory and Secondary Schools.”
a method of rote learning of tables, led and devised by Head of Senior Syndicate, David Farmer, which involves deliberate repetition. “This is a straightforward way of learning but sometimes the simple ways are best,” says Charles. Tony is in charge of the Peer Tutoring programme in the Secondary School and is pleased to see an exceptionally high number of students sign up for it this year. “It is great to see so many people taking part in this programme. Peers are able to help each other while also developing a new connection with older or younger students.” The meetings take place between the students for one hour each week during a lunchtime or after school.
A big part of Tony’s role is behind the scenes, matching students requesting help with the most appropriate peers. “Everything has fitted together nicely, without me having to scramble around too much to find extra tutors.” Tony says he and Charles regularly communicate about how each of their programmes are going, and they have other plans for the rest of the year. “We plan to introduce an InterHouse academic competition, with fun events, such as a periodic table singing competition, and an Amazing Race with academic challenges, which would provide academically inclined students with an opportunity to contribute points to their House.”
As part of the LEAP Reading programme, run by Preparatory School teacher, Mary Leota, Charles co-ordinates two Secondary School students to work with one Years 4–6 student for 15 minutes, twice a week. The older student models reading a text, which is mirrored by the Preparatory School student, who aims to match the accuracy and fluency of the tutor. The Mathematics tutoring is a new initiative, with one Secondary School student, mostly a Year 13, working with a Year 8 student twice a week on
Members of the Peer Support team (back row) Jenny Zhu, with Academic Captains, Tony Zhou and Charles Zhang (all Year 13), (front row) Kalista Rossiter, Omri Kepes, Jack Wang and Albert Bell (all Year 12).
Teaching and Learning
The student leaders have split their roles, with Charles leading around 55 peer tutors who support the Preparatory School academic programme, and Tony in charge of the Peer Tutoring programme in the Secondary School. This has around 80 active members, who are either tutors or students seeking help with various subjects.
Megan Lilly (Year 11) and her brother Kurt Lilly (Year 6) working on the LEAP Reading Programme.
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“We decided at the start of the year to give it our best and try to do as much in our roles as we can,” says Charles.
Academic Successes Creative Writing
Harry Waddington (Year 11) had his k, poem, behind the apartment bloc toes ma com rs finge in published Forest edition. hett Elliot Menzies and Nicholas Patc poem a had each 10) Year (both longlisted in the Poetry Society’s International Shoot for the Moon Poetry Challenge.
Debating
Jake Newlands, Meg Longley (both r 12) Year 13) and Andrew Garbett (Yea or won the Canterbury Schools’ Seni Meg ent. nam Tour ating Regional Deb e was also the recipient of one of thre ett Garb rew And rds. top speaker awa and Imogen McNeill (both Year 12) ols’ were named in the Canterbury Scho n lusio conc the at Team ent lopm Deve of the tournament. At the annual Canterbury Schools’ Senior Impromptu Tournament, Meg Longley (Year 13) and Oscar Bloom (Year 11) were unbeaten across five and debates (five minutes preparation all. over win to ) ches spee te minu six She Meg was awarded Best Speaker. ury terb Can the of ber mem a was also onal team which competed at the Nati n. Debating Tournament in Wellingto
Mathematics
the A group of students competed in ion, Casio Year 11 Calculator Competit tical ema Math ury terb Can hosted by the Oliver Association. The Year 11 team of th Odlin, Arisa Mori, Felix Kenton-Smi Liu Sage with Xu, y) (And Yang Jing and as reserve, finished a close second in the team section to Burnside High ols. School, competing against 17 scho ion, sect l idua indiv the won n Oliver Odli ol in an exciting finish, when each scho the up go to er play nominated one front and compete in a game show style competition.
Young Enterprise
(both Zachary Venning and Meg Longley Year 13) were selected to represent Action Canterbury at the Entrepreneurs in ed form they e wher 2019 in Wellington, ols, teams with students from other scho and tors, men ness busi with joined forces to solve collaboratively devised strategies local and global issues.
Spirit of
Adventure
Both St Andrew’s College Year 10 teams did incredibly well to win their respective Spirit of New Zealand Voyage Trophies on recent adventures. Each team joined three other schools on the five-day sailings in the Hauraki Gulf, competing in various daily challenges. The first team consisting of George McRae, Ryan Watson, Henrietta Ullrich, Toby Harvie, Elise Vaudrey, Blake Cullen, Emily Sharpe, Alexander Wilson, Grace Sullivan and Campbell Horsbrugh, supported by Year 10 Dean, Sarah Bishop, was a cohesive unit from the outset, with their complementary skills helping them to consistently outperform the other schools.
The second team, consisting of Matthew Butler, Milly Christie, Tom Edwards, Will Heiler, Lachlan Johns, Emily Lindores, Madeline-Rose Morrow, Hugh Nixon, Charlotte Roche and Monique Weber, was supported by Commerce teacher, Jonathan Hoh. The students worked well together, with new and strong friendships made as they grew as a team and overcame the daily challenges and activities. The Spirit of Adventure Voyage was a valuable experience for all students, which aided their character development and growth.
Detective Senior Sergeant, Michael Ford, and adventurer, Hollie Woodhouse, delivered engaging, thought-provoking talks at the Girls’ and Boys’ Assemblies.
Secondary School students heard from two inspirational speakers at the most recent Girls’ and Boys’ Assemblies.
At the Boys’ Assembly, Detective Senior Sergeant, Michael Ford, shared fascinating insights into an investigation which he had carried out a number of years ago. During his detailed talk, he shared the importance of values and being able
to live and share them in order to work as part of a team. He also linked these values in terms of working with people in his role, whether they be witnesses, victims, or colleagues. Michael was responsible for introducing a valuesbased system into the certain areas of the police force in Christchurch, which added direction and a sense of unity amongst the different units. His account to the boys was open and honest and he left them with a clear message about living their values in everything they do.
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The girls’ speaker was adventurous role model, Hollie Woodhouse, a creative designer who has made it an intentional goal to step outside her comfort zone every year. She applied and was accepted for the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Inspiring Explorers’ Expedition programme, which culminated in her taking on the epic challenge of crossing the 560km Greenland ice cap in 2018. Her talk focused on the importance
of goal setting and cultivating a positive mindset, and how we choose to respond to life’s ups and downs is what makes the difference. Hollie gave every girl a goal card and challenged them to set a goal focused on cultivating bravery and moving out of their comfort zones.
Teaching and Learning
Guest speakers inspire
Preparatory School
prefect induction
A group of 10 Year 8 students were inducted as new Preparatory School prefects, joining the other 19 students recognised in Term 1. From left to right, front row: Liam Hackston, Victor Sherborne, Rector Christine Leighton, William Carrodus and Henry Broadbelt. Back row: Abby Ashworth, Frank Roberts, Ava Boock-Luhetoa, Jordyn Campbell, Tanner Bartram and Jack O’Neil.
Smoothing the
transition to
A close relationship with the Junior Department at the St Andrew’s College Preparatory School ensures Pre-school children preparing to take the big step up to Year 1, will have a smooth, and supported transition, says Head of Pre‑school, Amanda Jack. “Head of the Junior Syndicate, Heather Orman, and I work closely together on our comprehensive Transition to School programme, which prepares the children for the next, exciting step in their education journey.” Transitions are an important part of life and can be challenging for children. “We understand the experience will be different for every child, and our programme is very much focused on their individual pace.” At the start of each year, a Transition to School evening is held in the Pre-school and is open to all Pre-school parents, regardless of where their child will be going to school, says Amanda.
(From top) Harry signing his name at the beginning of group time with Pre-school teacher Joanna Gregg; Inquiry Learning in the Pre-school with Annabelle and Emelia; Agnes, sharing her learning with Head of Junior Syndicate, Heather Orman; and Max celebrating his fifth birthday during his Transition to School visit.
Transition to School usually begins two terms before a child starts school. At this point, they will start each day at 9.00am in the Transition to School room, working with Pre-school transition teacher, Joanna Gregg, and focusing on early literacy and numeracy, which is aligned with the school’s curriculum.
“The most important focus of the transition process is our children’s sense of belonging is nurtured. Teachers foster the children’s friendships and engagement as a group to enhance their sense of security and confidence,” says Amanda. On Thursdays, the group join the new entrant class in the morning and have an opportunity to work alongside the school children and be immersed in the classroom environment. Formal school visits, for the children going on to the Junior School, begin seven weeks before a child is due to start, with their final two visits being for a whole day. “New entrants start in the Junior Department at the beginning of each term. This means our Pre-school children and their families can make this important transition as a group, which is really lovely. For these children, starting school is a bit like stepping into the next room, as once they have completed the programme, they are already so familiar with the teachers, students and the environment.” Children who have moved on to the Preparatory School are still visited by Pre-school staff, who ensure all information about the child and their individual requirements are passed on to the new entrant teachers. “Our programme is all about connection, continuity and familiarity for the children, who throughout their transition journey, develop the selfmanagement and confidence to enable them to thrive in the school environment.”
Hands-on
learning
This was one of the fun weekly experiments undertaken on rotation between the Year 1–3 classes with Helen, who is currently on maternity leave but returns on Monday mornings to teach. “We look at topics the students are already studying in the classroom and dig a bit deeper from a scientific aspect. The students are really excited about doing the experiments, getting messy, and learning more about the world around them, as we back up the classroom teaching during these lessons.” Helen says the purpose-built Discovery Room in the Stewart Junior Centre is the perfect environment for these ‘hands-on, busy, noisy’ lessons. “It takes a lot of time for
Some of the other topics studied so far this year have included sun safety, digestion, and forces. “As well as informing their classroom work in Science, the experiments also benefit the students’ language, reading and Mathematics,” she says. The students love to share their work on the experiments with their families through Seesaw, with some even doing their own experiments at home. “After we made ice cream in a bag in the classroom, several students gave it a try at home, while five students grew their own crystals during the holidays. Teachers have said the students are seeking more non-fiction reading, which is another positive spin-off.” Head of Junior Syndicate, Heather Orman, is also delighted with the feedback about the Science Enrichment programme. “We have had lots of wonderful, positive feedback from parents, and all the children love it.”
Year 2 students enjoying a ‘gloop’ making session (from top) Muer (Philo) Yang and Jacob Wang; Andrew Li and Georgia Gregg with teacher, Helen King; Henry Palmer and Kate Li with Helen King; Isabelle Greer and Grace Donnelly.
Teaching and Learning
After making their mixture under the watchful eye of Year 2 teacher, Helen King, there was amazement on the students’ faces when the liquid suddenly turned solid as they started to work it with their hands.
teachers to prepare for, set up and undertake experiments, let alone clear up after them, so having access to this separate space, away from the classrooms, is fantastic.”
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There was lots of laughter, enthusiasm, and very messy hands, when a group of Year 2 children made ‘gloop’ as part of an inquiry into liquids, solids and gases as part of the Science Enrichment programme in the Junior School.
Sowing the of
seeds sustainability
With the help of Year 5 teacher Nicky Vincent, and groundsman, John McDonald, members of the Preparatory School Sustainability Group have developed ‘green fingers’ while undertaking an exciting gardening project. Since Term 1, during one period each week, a group of around 15 Year 5 students have been busy planting, caring for, and growing fresh produce in the vegetable garden and glasshouse behind the Preparatory School. Many different varieties of vegetables, edible flowers and herbs were harvested by the students during the autumn, and sold to staff, as a way to continue to fund the project. “The students brainstormed some ideas about what they wanted to do with the plants when they were ready. They decided to run it like a business and sell the produce, with the aim the project could eventually become self-sustaining,” says Nicky. The Sustainability Group was founded in the Preparatory School last year by teacher Alice Eddington, with produce donated to the City Mission. This year, the group started again from scratch, composting, and adding new soil to the garden, and working out what they were going to plant and where. In addition to the garden, there are pots dotted around the Preparatory School, containing herbs, beetroot and lemons.
Year 5 teacher Nicky Vincent and members of the Preparatory School Sustainability Group enjoyed harvesting the results of their hard work.
Nicky says her focus for the Sustainability Group is around high-interest inquiry based learning. “As well as the practical tasks of managing the garden,
we have been working through a lot of theory on things like precipitation, the water cycle, weeds, root growth, and the different parts of a plant. The feedback from the students has been great and they loved putting on their gardening gloves and working on their tasks out in the glasshouse. They were careful to wear masks to protect them from legionnaires disease.” The students even took a sustainable approach to disposing of weeds and leaves, much of which went to Year 8 teacher, Mary Leota’s chickens. Nicky says groundsman, John McDonald’s help with the project was invaluable. “He is so knowledgeable and patient, and has been incredible.” Students presented their learnings in a PowerPoint presentation to other Middle Syndicate students. They also created an interactive display in the learning hallway, which included an experiment growing beans under different conditions. Research now shows that when children help to grow fruit and vegetables, they are more likely to eat the produce, and even try new things. They also develop a sense of resourcefulness, responsibility, and a better understanding of food and nutrition, says Nicky. “Next year, I would love to extend the project by taking the food we have grown and teaching the students how to make something healthy and nutritious with it.”
critical thinking
Students in Year 8 are being asked to engage in critical analysis, both of current events, as well as considerations of their own performance and learning, says Head of Senior Syndicate, David Farmer. “We live in a world which is overloaded with information, and where groupthink and misinformation can dominate if people cease to engage their critical faculties. Teaching students to think critically sets them on a pathway to achieve higher order thinking. This helps them to avoid the pitfalls of groupthink, and the faulty logic and reasoning which can grow from fallacious reasoning. All too frequently these days, students and adults are encouraged to reason from the locus of their emotions; the subjective trumps (forgive the pun) the objective.” David says the students are taught about common fallacies, which could potentially lead them to become victims of propaganda or dogma. These are often driven by the media, such as the ‘appeal to authority’. An example of this is when a high-profile New Zealander might endorse a
common household good, service or cause, creating either an assumption of trust in the product, or an authenticity to a cause. Another common fallacy is the ‘appeal to number’ when statistics or surveys are skewed to support a certain point of view. “People and groups often do this to support their arguments if they are somewhat weak in the first place. We ask the students to critically analyse what they are reading, look at all the arguments and the issues, and make a considered decision, rather than a fallacious decision. Rationality should be foundational to education.” A group of Year 8 students and staff attended the Philosophy Conference at St Andrew’s College in May, where speaker and conference organiser, Julie Arliss, talked about knowledge not being the same as belief. She presented a range of ideas which explored the difference between that which can rationally be said to be ‘proved’ and what it is reasonable to believe. “Julie said it was very important that we fill, what she called, the ‘ontological gap’ between understanding and meaning or reality.
How we do that enables us to be incisive and wise in our thinking.” David says with students given the tools with which to think and critique, many good debates occur in the classroom. “Students are encouraged to have a different opinion, so long as their opinions are based on more than an emotional response; this is important for ideas to be truly valid in a collaborative world.” With things ‘not always black and white, and often shades of grey’, David says, educators are doing students a disservice if they don’t teach critical thinking. “Fundamentally, what we are teaching students is: how to think, how to critique what is happening around them, how to make decisions as well as consider opposing points of view and alternative viewpoints. It is not our role as teachers to make students believe the things we believe, but to encourage them to think critically; to come to their own conclusions.”
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
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With Head of Senior Syndicate, David Farmer, are (from left) Tanner Bartram, Odette Lieshout, Oscar Reed, and Elsie Ullrich (all Year 8).
From the Director
of
Development
I have had an exciting few months at St Andrew’s College as the new Director of Development. The pace of our lovely school is amazing and I have received fantastic support from so many unexpected and different places within the College community. This has made me realise that so much of what has been achieved, particularly in the way of development across the last 10 years on campus, has been because of the love our community has for the College. So many past and present student families have left legacies to say thank you or simply to help to ensure that the College continues to punch above its weight and provide the best quality facilities for students today and into the future. To this end, I felt it was important to celebrate what we as a College and community have achieved together, and to highlight how the family legacies of the past have contributed to the ongoing development of our campus. The Family Legacy Project was born and to tell the story, we have created five beautiful photographic images showcasing the five most recent major developments on campus – the Centennial Chapel, Turley Bridge, Spiro Science and Mathematics Centre, The Green Library and Innovation Centre, and the Stewart Junior Centre and Pre‑school. We would love you to view the images (located at the developments mentioned) which both illustrate and celebrate how important giving has been and continues to be at the College. I am thrilled to be able to share that the first major project for our new campaign, Your Legacy, Our Future, is to raise $4 million for the development of the new Sports and Cultural Centre at St Andrew’s College, which was recently approved by the Board of Governors.
This ambitious project is necessary so that we can continue to provide students with top class sports and cultural facilities and learning experiences. Two major building projects will be undertaken. The first is the strengthening of Gym 1, which includes upgrading the existing changing rooms and relocating the Fitness Centre. This work will get underway in December 2019, with a completion date of July 2020.
This is a fantastic opportunity for new and existing families whose children will enjoy the new facilities for years to come, and also for families of Year 12–13 students, as an acknowledgement of all the sports and cultural experiences they have enjoyed during their time at St Andrew’s College.
In December 2020, the build of our exciting new Theatre Complex will begin, with completion due in December 2021.
Some other news to share from within the Development team is that Kate Stanbury, our Community Relations and Alumni Co-ordinator, will be leaving us at the end of August to take a year’s maternity leave. Our Development and Events Co-ordinator, Kelsey Williams will take on the role in Kate’s absence. We are sure the Old Collegian community joins us in wishing Kate well, and know they will be well looked after in Kelsey’s capable hands.
The existing Theatre was originally built in 1973 as a lecture theatre and requires an upgrade to match the incredible talents of our students. With our founding values now including ‘Creativity’ and ‘Inclusivity’ there has never been a better time to build for the future and for the love of theatre. We would love you to consider leaving your own family legacy in support of these amazing projects, and over the next few pages, you can read about the many different ways you can help.
If you would like to support our Your Legacy, Our Future campaign, or would like to know more about any of these projects, I would love to hear from you. Please contact me by email on MNE@stac.school.nz or phone on +64 3 940 2068.
SPIRO SCIEN
CE AND MATH
EMATICS CENT
RE
Resources and Environment
Green light for new Sports and Cultural Centre
St Andrew’s College will be able to claim some of the best sports and performance facilities in the country, once the final stages of the Sports and Cultural Centre are completed at the end of 2021.
These two new facilities will complete the Sports and Cultural Development at the College, which has included the hockey turf and netball courts, construction of Gym 2, upgrade of Gym 1 and new sports offices, redevelopment of Music rooms and recording studio, and refitting of a Ballet studio.
The Board of Governors has given the green light for the remaining two building projects to be undertaken to bring this exciting new development to life. The first is the relocation and rebuild of the Fitness Centre, and strengthening of Gym 1, which includes an upgrade to the changing room facilities. Work is scheduled to start on this project at the end of December 2019, with completion in July 2020.
However, it is not just the facilities themselves but the people who also bring the excitement and quality to the programmes on offer, says Rector Christine Leighton. “Our sports and performing arts staff are up there with the best in New Zealand and we are grateful for their commitment, expertise, and the passion that they share with students across a wide range of areas. What our young people achieve is directly attributable to our quality staff, and the support and encouragement they receive from their parents. Watching their games and performances is a privilege and gives us a sense of communal pride.”
This will allow space for a muchneeded Drama Room, Black Box Theatre and a second Ballet studio which is needed due to the popularity of the programme with students from Pre-school to Year 13. Adjacent to this will be the new Theatre Complex. Work on this part of the project is scheduled to start in December 2020 and will be completed by the end of 2021.
She says the College’s ambitious new Your Legacy, Our Future campaign is critical to the success of this important development. “We believe that we owe it to our current and
future students to provide them with the best education within the best facilities we can, which is also true for students engaging in sporting and cultural activities. The continuation of the long history of philanthropy at the College allows us to do this, and also ensures we honour our Old Collegians and past families by continually striving to maintain the high standards and good reputation which St Andrew’s College has always enjoyed.” Sport and cultural activities have been an intrinsic part of life for students at St Andrew’s College since the earliest days of its history. Boys were kitted up in school colours to compete in rugby, tennis, and swimming in the first year of the College’s existence, with cricket following a year later. The very first Drama production was in 1921, when the elocution teacher arranged for fourth form students to read from the Merchant of Venice, and fifth form students to read from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in blustery conditions on the front field. It seems fitting that the final stage of development of the Sports and Cultural Centre will be completed towards the end of 2021, almost exactly a century after that first windswept performance.
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How can you help? Your generosity in support of our current and future athletes can help to us bring this exciting new facility for cy lega ng life and leave a lasti your family.
Naming Rights of the Fitness Centre You could secure these as an s individual, or why not pool resource p, grou ts spor and name as a family, or class?
Donations . Any amount is gratefully accepted – lable avai are ns Three plaque optio Gold and 0 $500 r Silve 0, $300 ze Bron $10,000. These will be recognised on a donor’s plaque located in the Fitness Centre.
Please contact the Director of Development, Miranda Newbury, by email MNE@stac.school.nz or phone +64 3 940 2068 for more information about these exciting opportunities.
StACFit The exciting new, highly resourced, 308 square metre Fitness Centre will support people right across the St Andrew’s College community, from students in our Athlete Development programmes, sports teams, individual and Scholarship athletes, multi‑sport athletes, swimmers, Physical Education classes, Te Waka groups, and boarders, to any staff member or student wanting to improve their fitness and well-being.
for all
The Fitness Centre is being moved to make way for the significantly larger Theatre Complex being constructed in stage two of the development. Initial works will get underway in December 2019, to strengthen the existing Gym 1 (which opened in 1966) and to renovate the changing rooms, on top of which the new Fitness Centre will be built, utilising all of the equipment in the existing Fitness Centre. Students and staff will enjoy great views of the College grounds to the north while they workout in the spacious new facilities. The tall, open plan area is 41m long by 8m wide, and will have a high roof, creating a sense of space. A 24m exercise strip, and acoustic windows which will provide a visual connection to Gym 1, are other features of the new Fitness Centre.
Hundreds of people in the St Andrew’s College community visit the Theatre each year to watch our enthusiastic and talented students perform in top quality theatre and Ballet productions, Music performances and Dance Revues. The Theatre is also a place where students can learn to participate in behind the scenes roles, such as sound, music and lighting, costumes, make-up, set design, props, stage management, directing and producing. Among the many well-known national and international performers to have graced the St Andrew’s College stage over the years are Phil Keoghan (OC 1985), Will Hall (OC1997), Bridie Connell (OC 2007), Paddy Carroll (OC 2009), Will Robertson (OC 2010), and Jack Duff (OC 2015). The stunning new Theatre Complex will no doubt encourage and support the next generation of performers to make it to the bigger stage.
Features of the Theatre Complex redevelopment include: • • • • •
larger stage and backstage areas; enhanced sound and lighting; new designated areas for changing and storage; a larger entranceway and foyer with space for food facilities; greater comfort for the audience with more seating.
Lights,
camera, action
Your generosity in support of our current and future performers and students engaging in cultural activities can help us bring this exciting new facility to life and leave a lasting legacy for your family.
Naming Rights of the Theatre Complex, Drama Room, and Sound Room You could secure either of these three options as an individual, or why not pool resources and name as a family, sports group, or class?
Other support options: Note from the College Song Choose from three options, Bronze Note $3000, Silver Note $5000 and Gold Note $10,000, which will be displayed on the foyer wall of the new Theatre Complex.
A Theatre Seat Your $2,000 legacy will be acknowledged with a plaque on the seat, bearing your child’s or family name. Limited to 60 per year.
Donations Any amount you are happy to donate to the Theatre Complex will be much appreciated by St Andrew's College. Please contact the Director of Development, Miranda Newbury, by email MNE@stac.school.nz or phone +64 3 940 2068 for more information about these exciting opportunities.
Resources and Environment
Capacity will be increased by a third to 270 seats, with the stage, wings and backstage areas twice the size of the present performance space.
How can you help?
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The new Theatre Complex is the final piece of the puzzle, with exciting upgraded facilities and significantly more space designed to support the cultural pursuits of all students, and to match the skills of the incredible performing artists within the College.
PTA Curtain Raiser
a stunning success
Guests kicked up their heels and danced the night away to outstanding entertainment in an elegant cabaretstyle setting in Gym 1, at the PTA Curtain Raiser fundraising event, which launched the Your Legacy, Our Future fundraising campaign in fine style. The event was a wonderful example of the support of the St Andrew’s College
community, with an incredible $30,000 generously donated towards the new Sports and Cultural Centre, which will incorporate the exciting new Theatre Complex, due to open in 2021. The evening began with an outstanding performance of Encore, Encore by several Drama students, along with a set from Year 11 jazz combo,
Club 347. A live dance band, dancing, and a delicious supper, ensured it was a wonderful night, enjoyed by all. PTA members and helpers did a fantastic job of organising the event, which was supported by many generous sponsors with items for the auction, venue lighting, decorations, flowers, and champagne on arrival.
The story of the Centennial memorial space; and an essay written by Ian Lochead, which highlights the successful integration of old and new building elements in the design.
St Andrew’s Centennial Chapel, Te Kāreti o Hāto Anāru Te Kotahi Rau Tau o te Whare Karakia, was launched at a special function in the Centennial Chapel in May. In attendance were 130 invited guests, including principal architects, Patrick Clifford, Malcolm Bowes and the team from Architectus, who co-hosted this event. “It was a pleasure to produce a book about such an extraordinary building, for such an outstanding client,” says Patrick Clifford. “Why a book? We saw the value in it facilitating the opportunity to view the project from multiple viewpoints and to curate information that allows one to go backwards and forwards. The book also reflects on the relationship between the hopes and aspirations for the project; and the reality.”
Special performances, readings, and the launch of the Centennial Chapel Guide, produced by St Andrew’s College archivist, Pip Dinsenbacher, and Head Designer, Craig Morgan, which details every artefact in the Chapel, were other highlights of the event.
An interview with Rector Christine Leighton is included in St Andrew’s Centennial Chapel, which discusses the decision to build a new Chapel, how an architectural competition was launched to garner a variety of design ideas, the importance of the Chapel to the St Andrew’s College community, and aspects of defining the brief and the design process. The book also features stunning photography of the Centennial Chapel, a chapter written by Patrick Clifford, Malcolm Bowes and Severin Soder from Architectus, which comments on the challenges of designing a building which is at the same time, a place of worship, celebration, inspiration, gathering, and a
“The launch celebration was a wonderful opportunity for us to recall the six-year journey of the rebuild of the Chapel, and to show our gratitude to the many people who designed, created and supported this special place. A dream has become a reality – a place where the past, the present and the future meet, and the book is a great reflection of this,” says Rector Christine Leighton. St Andrew’s Centennial Chapel is available to purchase for $30.00 online at stac.school.nz,from the Preparatory School and Secondary School receptions, and the College Shop.
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A new book by top architectural writer, John Walsh, has captured the journey of the Centennial Chapel from the earliest concept to its magnificent realisation.
Resources and Environment
Chapel
Parade
confronts and delights
Director and Head of Drama and Stunning, was a word often Dance, Laurence Wiseman, says used by audience members the challenging and confronting lucky enough to see the sellshow, chosen for its powerful story, out season of this year’s outstanding score and socially relevant themes, tested the limits of Senior College production, 45 students who brought it to life. Parade, says Rector Christine “Ithe didn’t realise how big the show was Leighton. “The many emails until we got into rehearsals. There and comments I received from were a few nail-biting moments about how the show would be those who attended this show received, but when the students made me so very proud of our received a standing ovation every young people, who showed night, I knew it had hit its mark. I was blown away once again by the not only enormous talent but maturity, sensitivity, and quality of also incredible maturity and the students’ performances which understanding of the complex was far beyond their years.” themes explained in the story.”
While unapologetically dealing with confronting themes and material such as anti-Semitism, racial prejudice and oppressed minorities, Laurence says Parade is a story that still needs to be told, and begs the question – how far has humanity really come in over 100 years? “The darkness and bleakness of the show remains thematically relevant today. We had a lot of conversations about the judgements we can all make, and how by having the courage to talk about them and own up to them, we can bring darkness into the light.” Laurence says right from the time the students started working on the show in January, they were aware they were creating something far greater than the average school production. “The themes we explored, discussed, dissected and debated with cast members, provided a learning opportunity to broaden world views, opinions and perspectives. I am a firm believer that theatre should not simply entertain, but create an experience that moves, challenges, provokes or educates members of an audience or cast. Parade provided this opportunity.”
Laurence says the unpredictable circumstances gave rise to many questions, including whether or not to proceed with the production. “Would people want, or need to see the harrowing realities of life played out on stage?” Head Girl, Juliette Newman, who played a lead role of Lucille Frank, wife of Leo Frank, says when the cast came together for a rehearsal two days after the attack, the atmosphere in the theatre was different. “There was this determination and drive that was infinitely stronger than before. We all had a need to channel our emotions of grief, pain and anger into a constructive medium that can put across a message and make people think. We knew that we had even more of a responsibility to get this show right, and to do justice for all of the people who have been oppressed, in every society worldwide. We hoped that the show would provide inspiration for change, and cast a little bit of light on the darkness that can come in the most difficult of times.”
Values and Culture
When his sentence was reduced from death to life imprisonment by a local governor, an angry mob of wealthy white men kidnapped him from the penitentiary, and lynched him. This single incident saw the re-emergence of the Ku Klux Klan, after 40 years of dormancy.
Rehearsals were in full swing when the terror attack of 15 March occurred, which brought the socially relevant themes of the show into even sharper focus. “Racism, prejudice, oppression, power-majorities, hate speech versus free speech, and the concept of otherness, were themes we had safely explored, somewhat objectively, during rehearsals, but which were suddenly thrust centre stage after the attack. The parallels between the real life drama and our own were not lost on anyone.”
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Parade is the musical retelling of the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man, who in 1913 was wrongly convicted under false testimony, for the murder of Mary Phagan, a child employee at a pencil factory in Atlanta, Georgia.
Powerful themes portayed brilliantly Heart-wrenching themes aside, there was still plenty to be inspired about when watching Parade, not least the students’ incredible performances. Most of the story was told through song, which added another level of complexity to the production. Accomplished actor and vocalist, Elliot Wood (Year 13) was outstanding in the lead role of Leo Frank, perfectly capturing the humanity of the character and his descent into disbelief, as the brevity of his situation grew. The love story between Leo, and his wife Lucille (Juliette Newman) was central to the story. Juliette did a wonderful job of developing Lucille from a woman striving to be seen and heard by her husband in the early part of the show, to revealing the redemptive quality of their relationship at the end when she realised the extent of the forces against her husband. Both are formidable performers, whose talents inspired great things from the rest of the cast.
Other standouts included Toby Lee (Year 13), who was totally convincing as the menacing chief antagonist, Hugh Dorsey, the prosecuting attorney, responsible for the false conviction of Leo Frank; Philip Nordt (Year 13), impressive as Governor Slaton, who eventually commuted Leo Frank’s sentence from death to life imprisonment; Catelin Riordan (Year 11), who beautifully captured the innocence of Mary Phagan, the young girl killed in the pencil factory; Jack Calder (Year 11), who shone as young war veteran Frankie Epps; and Aminiasi (Mini) Toga (Year 12), who was powerful in the role of Jim Conley, the African American janitor, on whose testimony Leo Frank was convicted, and who many contend may have actually committed the crime.
The remaining cast members also performed with great passion and dedication to their roles, with several of the students in Year 11, taking their first step up to a Senior production. As always, Director, Laurence Wiseman was ably supported by Production Manager and Performing Arts Co-ordinator Ginnie Thorner, and Musical Director and Head of Music, Duncan Ferguson, under whose direction the nine young musicians in the band delivered an outstanding and polished performance of the show’s highly complex and challenging score.
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Values and Culture
Stories from the
Stage
The incredible talents of Year 7–8 students were showcased in the Preparatory School production, Stories from the Stage, which played to delighted audiences in late June.
Ginnie says she was proud of the way the students rose to the challenge of learning dance for the musical theatre pieces, which required a high level of discipline and energy.
The show was a celebration of the ways in which stories can be brought to life through singing, dance and drama. The 200 students involved were split into two casts, technical, and backstage crews. Each cast performed some of the classics of musical theatre, such as Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast, and Hard Knock Life from Annie, along with some devised drama pieces, conceived by the students and Director, and Drama and Dance teacher, Ginnie Thorner. “Each of the dance and drama pieces had specific skills the students had to develop, regardless of whether they were a regular performer or a novice. Auditions for roles were held within each class, with a large number of students able to try their hand at a speaking or singing role.”
Creating a show for such a significant number of students was a huge task, and Ginnie was backed by a supportive team, including Sylvia Campbell (costumes), Head of Music, Duncan Ferguson, Head of Drama and Dance, Laurence Wiseman, and Drama teacher, Natasha Derry, along with many other volunteer helpers. “This production was about giving students the experience of being on stage. While some already love performing, for other students very new to the stage, it could well be the start of something they wish to continue,” says Ginnie.
right
the
note
The outstanding depth of talent within the Classical Orchestra programme at St Andrew’s College was recognised earlier this year when 10 students were selected to play with the 2019 New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO). This was a significant achievement for the College, says Music tutor, Mark Hodgkinson, who leads the programme. “We are incredibly proud of the students. In some ways their selection was not unexpected, as we have a number of senior players with a very strong background in classical music this year.”
The 10 students selected for the NZSSSO were Callum Hampton, Iona Taylor, Tony Zhou, Serge Beaton, Jin Ju (Victoria) Lee (all Year 13), Flynn Megaw (who couldn’t perform due to illness), William Lucas, Samuel Foote, (all Year 11), Grace Lawrence (Year 10), and Jin Woo (Luka) Lee (Year 9). Jin Ju (Victoria) Lee was chosen to lead the orchestra, recognising not only her musicianship, but also her leadership capabilities. She said she has always admired the role of the concertmaster, who builds a rapport with the conductor and other members of the orchestra, to create
When Mark joined the staff at St Andrew’s in 1988, the College had a Concert Band and a String Orchestra. “Some years after that, in discussion with then Head of Music, Michael Lawrence, we started a Chamber Orchestra, and when Duncan Ferguson took over around 10 years ago, we introduced the current orchestral programme.” The orchestra is now a big part of school life, with the exceptional quality of their performances at concerts and special College occasions always admired. Students at St Andrew’s are able to join the Concert Orchestra – an intermediate ensemble for Year 9–11 students, the Symphony Orchestra, which currently has close to 50 members, and the Chamber Orchestra for more advanced students musically and technically, who are usually in Year 12–13. Each year, St Andrew’s also enters six to eight groups of its most advanced classical musicians in the national Chamber Music Competition. Mark says there is a big team effort behind the Classical Orchestra programme, which provides students with many benefits, including the development of musical skills, and learning to perform to a high standard with others. “Most students have been learning for at least a couple of years before they are ready to join the
orchestra. The orchestra manager and Preparatory School teacher, Jane Radford and I are happy to adapt music, creating parts for less capable players, as long as they can play in tune and in time.” The annual Orchestra Camp to Hanmer Springs at the start of each year is a highlight for the students, says Mark. “The aim is to establish a team ethic and morale, introduce new students, promote interaction between the year groups, and get a significant amount of preparatory work done on the chosen repertoire. The camp ends with the students performing two concerts, at Hanmer Springs Primary School, and Amuri Area School, which gives them the exciting extra dynamic of performance.” Mark believes there is something special about the culture at St Andrew’s College which helps to keep the standard of performance so high. “There is something unique about the nature of the students who come to this school, as most performances are at or above what we’ve practised at rehearsal. Everything seems to just click when they get on stage. It is pretty special.”
Performances at North Canterbury schools are a highlight of Orchestra Camp.
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Hitting
something greater together than just notes on paper. “All of us definitely learnt something new from this extraordinary experience, and now have the responsibility to apply that to our own music with our orchestras and chamber groups at St Andrew’s.”
Values and Culture
The St Andrew’s College Symphony Orchestra performing at the Classical Concert in the Centennial Chapel.
Duke of
Edinburgh’s Hillary
Encouraging students to get off the couch and make good use of their leisure time is one of the great things about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award programme, says Head of Values and Culture, Hamish Bell. “Students learn and try new things, and develop a range of other skills, including time management. They also get a lot of satisfaction from their involvement in the programme.” Just before school started this year, the six students completing their Gold Award in 2019, went on an exciting sea kayaking adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park with Director of Outdoor Education, Peter Dawkings. “Since then, Deputy Head Students, Lewis Edmond and Frankie Morrow, have completed their Gold Awards, which is an impressive achievement so early in the year.”
Hamish achieved a Gold Award himself after leaving school and has enjoyed being reconnected with the programme in his role at St Andrew’s College. “Since the programme was first introduced to the College in 1965, 127 students have received their Gold Award while still at school, with a large number of Old Collegians completing it after leaving school. We’ve had quite a successful period since 2012, with 50 St Andrew’s College students receiving their Gold Awards.” The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award was founded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, and has since expanded to 144 countries.
Award
It is open to all 14–24 year olds, and has three levels, with each getting progressively more challenging. The Bronze programme has been compulsory for all Year 10 students at St Andrew’s College for many years. They participate in four sections, Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey. On average, around 70 students in Year 11 decide to progress on to the Silver Award each year, which has the same sections. A small group of around a dozen Year 12–13 students usually move on to the Gold Award. This has an additional Residential Project section, which sees students spend five nights away with people they don’t know. Throughout each stage of the programme, students complete upwards of 52 hours of voluntary service, which has to be undertaken on a regular ongoing basis. Hamish says students often challenge themselves to learn something new for the Skills section, which they have to demonstrate. “We’ve seen a wide range of activities, from learning to bake, model making, coding, building and creating all manner of things, and even shuffling cards like a professional.” The Physical Recreation component is largely completed during normal school activities. Hamish says
Director of Outdoor Education, Peter Dawkings (also a Gold Award holder) and Drummond Thompson (who provides Outdoor Education training), and the rest of the Outdoor Education Department, provides ‘outstanding’ support for the programme, taking students on adventures during the school holidays to Mount Somers, Cass-Lagoon, the Binser Saddle, Mount Oxford and Quail Island. “The programme also has great support from a huge number of others, including tutors, Te Waka staff, and sports and Physical Education coaches and managers.” Once students achieve their gold confirmation certificate, they are invited to an official award ceremony hosted by the Governor-General. “Receiving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award Gold Award is an outstanding achievement, which is recognised worldwide, and gives students a real point of difference on their CV,” says Hamish.
Special
Events
Prefects’ Assembly
A more serious but compelling highlight was the delivery of Morning Comment by Meg Longley (Year 13), who gave an outstanding insight and reflection on ‘Bravery’.
The Strowan House dining room came alive with the festive spirit, as boarders and staff, all dressed in theme, tucked into a delicious mid-winter Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings, including turkey and pavlova. Each House performed Christmas carols to a high standard. The night was topped off by group performances from each House, with Year 11 students, James Wright, Benjamin Ferrier and Matthew Fleming, taking the honours with their three piece guitar item, playing Bruce Springsteen’s version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Their efforts tipped the overall win to Rutherford for the Dianne Needham Cup standings.
Values and Culture
Jacob Gavin (Year 11) and Shannon Fraser (Year 13) were presented with the 2019 DPR Awards, chosen by student vote.
Boarders’ Mid-winter Christmas
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The highly anticipated Prefects’ Assembly was another huge success, with a Thriller theme seeing Gym 1 transformed into a haunted house with ‘danger’ in the air. After a funny and cleverly crafted entrance video, filmed and edited by Year 12 student, Jeremiah Anderson-Gardner, there were many ‘side-splitting’ moments, including two blindfolded students and one teacher, who bravely played ‘What’s in the Box’. An impressive Thriller dance routine, and a tuneful and instrumentally adept rendition of Hero added to the entertainment, which concluded with the annual public invitation to the Senior College Formal of an unsuspecting senior student by a courageous prefect.
Cultural catch up Ballet A group of 40 Secondary School Ballet Academy dancers performed a spectacular two-night 'Showcase' at the Dancing Like the Stars event held at the Isaac Theatre Royal. The dancers performed beautifully before two full audiences, with wonderfully positive feedback received. The St Andrew’s College Ballet Academy and Company (Years 3–13) had an amazing four-day experience with visiting guest tutor and prima ballerina, Abigail Boyle, from the Royal New Zealand Ballet in June. Students experienced professional level ‘masterclasses’ and learnt new dances (repertoire) from famous ballets such as Swan Lake, Coppelia and Peter Pan. Abigail inspired the dancers with her beautiful demonstrations and encouraged them with challenging techniques.
Maduro, was one of six finalists at the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest, which took place at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 3 August. During the competition, the violin quartet, made up of Jin Ju (Victoria) Lee and Callum Hampton (both Year 13), Samuel Jeon (Year 11) and Grace Lawrence (Year 10), has played Isaac Shatford’s (OC 2014) stunning new work Real Mature. They had debuted this challenging piece at the College’s annual Classical Concert, committing many hours in preparing for its first exceptional performance. Classical Concert The annual celebration of the College’s Orchestral and Chamber Music groups took place on Tuesday 4 June in the Centennial Chapel before an audience of around 200 people. Three ensembles, six chamber groups and four orchestras, involving around 70 students from Years 4–13, presented nearly two hours of a wide range of music from the late 1500s to modern day. The level of performance was especially high, reflecting the strength of dedication, skill, and musicianship of the students, especially the large body of seniors. The finale of the evening was a stunning performance by the College Symphony Orchestra, who played with composure and confidence. Their delightful and polished performance of Waltz from Swan Lake and Hungarian Dance No.5 was a great way to end an exceptional evening. Dance At the New Zealand Dance Awards, Mackenna Wilson (Year 12) placed first in the Contemporary Section. Jaida Banks (Year 9) performed incredibly well to achieve three golds and six silvers.
Royal New Zealand Ballet prima ballerina, Abigal Boyle, with members of the Ballet Academy.
Big Sing Staccoro won the Best Mixed Voice Choir at the Canterbury/Westland Big Sing regional competition, which was held at the Christchurch Town Hall, with its wonderful acoustics, for the first time since the earthquakes. Over 1000 students also joined voices to sing the massed item at the Gala Concert. Staccoro was also selected to perform at the South Island Big Sing Cadenza alongside 11 other choirs in Timaru in August. Chamber Music After winning their way through several competitive stages at the Christchurch District and Southern Regional Finals, our outstanding Chamber Music quartet, Quartetto
Highland Dancing St Andrew’s College Highland Dancers performed extremely well at the New Zealand Highland Dancing Championships. Place-getters were:
Quartetto Maduro (from left): Callum Hampton (Year 13), Samuel Jeon (Year 11), Jin Ju (Victoria) Lee (Year 13) and Grace Lawrence (Year 10) with judges at the regional Chamber Music competition.
Several St Andrew’s College students achieved highly at the Ashburton Championship Competition: • Hayley Nolan (Y9) won Most Points Local U14;
• Brianna Sloper (Y10) won Most Points Local U16; • Siara Clarke (Y8) won Most Points U14.
A number of Preparatory School students competed at the Canterbury West Coast Highland Dancing Championships with excellent results: • Lucy Fraser (Y4) won the Novice category; • Charlize Blakely (Y7) won Most Points U12; • Siara Clarke (Y8) won Most Points U14 and the Canterbury Sword Dance U14 Championship; • Madison Hughes (Y8) won Most Points Restricted Events U14 category.
• Charlotte Sloper (Y12) – Winner of the New Zealand Championship Reel O’Tulloch U18 and third Overall National Ranking U18; • Milly Christie (Y10) – Winner of the New Zealand Championship Sean Truibhas U16 and third Overall National Ranking U16; • Siara Clarke (Y8) – Runner Up New Zealand Champion U14; • Charlize Blakely (Y7) – Runner Up New Zealand Champion U12.
At the South Island Championships, Charlotte Sloper (Year 12) was the U18 runner-up, and won the South Island Championship Irish Hornpipe. She also won the CWCC Championship U18 Sailors’ Hornpipe U18, and Most Points Local.
Lucy Fraser
Music Jin Ju (Victoria) Lee (Year 13) was selected as the violin soloist to perform with the Canterbury Philharmonia during their Autumnal public concert at The Piano. She played the Romance in F Op 50 by Beethoven with the orchestra. Hana Pearce (Year 13) and Pippa McAnergney (Year 12) performed their original Song of Hope at the recent We Are One fundraising concert following the terror attack. The song was composed along with Sienna Beer (Year 13) who wasn’t able to attend the concert.
Christchurch Competitions Society Instrumental Section A number of Preparatory School students competed in the Christchurch Competitions Society Instrumental Section Competition with excellent results: • Anthony Song (Y4) won
the J Drury Cup for String Instrument Solo (Violin) U10; • Hansen Hong (Y7) won the Harry Ellerm Cup for the Piano Scholarship (12–14 years), the Strong Cup for Piano Solo Own Selection (12 years), was first in JS Bach (9–12 years), and third in Sonata Recital U14; • Jessica Drury (Year 6) won the Leehan Cup for String Instrument Solo (10 and U12) and was third in the Brass Instrument Solo U15. Pipe Band Competitions results: South Island Solo Drumming Championships Round 1 First place-getters were: • Edwin Short (Y9): Novice Drum Pad; • Ethan Higgs (Y7): D Grade Snare Drumming; • Georgia Eagle (Y9): C Grade Share Drumming;
• Lucy McIntyre (Y8): Novice Tenor Drumming; • Marcella Bragg (Y13): Intermediate Tenor Drumming; • Iona Taylor (Y13) Novice Bass Drumming. South Island Solo Drumming Championships Round 2 First place-getters were: • Hayden Lam (Y8): D Grade Snare Drumming; • Georgia Eagle (Y9): C Grade Snare Drumming; • Montague Stamm (Y11): B Grade Snare Drumming; • Lucy McIntyre (Y8): Novice Tenor Drumming; • Elena Limmer-Wood (Y12): Intermediate Tenor Drumming; • Iona Taylor (Y13): Novice Bass Drumming. Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Solo Piping Competition Round 1 First place-getters were: • Oskar Trafford (Y9): C Grade 2/4 March, Strathspey/Reel; • Alicia Smith (Y13): Piobaireachd; • Annabelle Jones (Y12): D Grade 2/4 March, Strathspey/Reel; • Patrick Cotter (Y11): Practice Chanter;
Queen’s Birthday Solo Piping Competition First place-getters were: • Campbell Wilson (Y12): Open Premier Qualifier March, Strathspey and Reel, Open Hornpipe/Jig, U21 2/4 March, U21 Strathspey Reel; • Annabelle Jones (Y12): D Grade 2/4 March; • Timothy Justice (Y12): D Grade Strathspey/Reel • Oskar Trafford (Y9): U16 2/4 March.
Ngā Manu Kōrero Māori Speech Competition A group of 30 students represented St Andrew’s College at the annual Ngā Manu Kōrero Māori speech competition at Lincoln University. Three students were entered in the competition, with the rest of the students performing waiata in support. Oskar Trafford (Year 9) spoke in the Junior Te Reo section and Lily Champion-Smith (Year 9) spoke in the Junior English section, performing her Year 9 speechwinning piece on taking action. Imogen McNeill (Year 12) spoke very well in the Senior English competition.
Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Solo Piping Competition Round 2 First place-getters were: • Annabelle Jones (Y2): C Grade 2/4 March, Strathspey/Reel, D Grade Strathspey/Reel; • Alicia Smith (Y13): Piobaireachd; • Timothy Justice (Y12): D Grade 2/4 March. Lily Champion-Smith delivering her speech.
Values and Culture
Jazz Band St Andrew’s College bands performed exceptionally well at the Ara JazzQuest Combo Competition at The Piano. Club 347, led by Samuel Foote (Year 11), won a gold category award, with our Senior Combo winning a silver category award. Once again, Serge Beaton (Year 13) won best trombone, which St Andrew’s College has now won for eight years in a row.
Staccoro singing at St Mary’s Church.
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During a special lunchtime choral concert at St Mary’s Church, Stacchorus, Staccoro, Barbershop, and a number of soloists performed a delightful and varied programme in front of an appreciative audience.
Preparatory School Concert Delighted parents, grandparents and Preparatory School classes enjoyed a wonderful concert in the Centennial Chapel showcasing three Preparatory School music groups. The Junior Choir performed a bracket of songs from the musical Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The orchestra played two pieces arranged by Preparatory School Music teacher, Ros Emeleus’ father, John Emeleus. The programme concluded with the Cantare Choir singing the popular song A Million Dreams from the hit movie The Greatest Showman. Annie Young (Year 6) and Mia Taylor (Year 8) sung the solo parts with conviction.
A Preparatory School showcase performance.
Songwriting Jin Ju (Victoria) Lee (Year 13) won Best Secondary School Songwriter Award at the Ara Songwriting Competition. Andrew Garbett (Year 12) was also among the ten finalists performing solo and in bands.
Loose Edge performing at Rockquest.
Rockquest St Andrew’s College entered 10 bands in the annual Smokefree Rockquest Christchurch heats, the largest number by any Christchurch school. The Secondary School rock band, Loose Edge – Ethan Withers, Jordan Bourke, Alexander Woodward (all Year 12) and Thomas Wells (Year 11), and the Preparatory School rock band, Black Wired – Ethan Lam (Year 6), Hayden Lam, Tama Connelly (both Year 8) and Sam McAlister (Year 7) both made it through to the Canterbury Rockquest Finals, where Loose Edge won Best Original Song. Play it Strange A group of 12 students entered the annual Play It Strange competition earlier in the year, with four students selected to have their songs appear on the final album, which is an amazing result from one school. • Lachlan McBride (Y11) – Been there, done that; • Sage Klein (Y12) – Golden Hour; • Hana Pearce and Sienna Beer (both Y13) and Pippa McAnergney (Y12) – Song of Hope; • Matthew Palmer (Y13) – Swimming.
Speech and Drama During the holidays a number of students competed in the Christchurch Competitions Society Speech and Drama Competitions. Our students did extremely well, taking out many of the top prizes. Cindy Xiong (Y10) won the Scholarship for 14–16 years, The Rea Cup for Top Scholarship Winner over all age groups, and the Best Female Performer 14 and over. Priya Bartlett (Y7) won the Scholarship for 10–12 years, was first equal in the highest mark for 10–12 years with Emily Woodgate (Y6) and was the U12 Most Promising Competitor. Aaron Yu (Y2) won the U8 Highest Mark and the trophy for the Most Entertaining team in the whole festival. First place-getters were: • Cindy Xiong (Y10): 14–16 Own Selection
Poem, Reading at Sight, Test Poem;
• Pieta Bayley (Y9): 13–16 New Zealand
Poetry, 12–14 Light Verse Poem;
• Priya Bartlett (Y7): 10–12 Reading at
Sight, Original Poem, Own Selection Poem (first equal), Test Poem; • Kiera Faass (Y7): 10–12 Own Selection Poem (first equal); • Emily Everest (Y6): 10–12 Poetry Reading, Dramatic Extract; • Emily Woodgate (Y6): 10–12 Prose Reading; Light Verse Poem; • Georgie Murphy (Y6): 10–12 Novice Test Poem, Novice Own Selection Poem; • George Couper, Kate Ramsay and Ken Minh-Ky Pham (all Y6): U16 Dialogue, Repertory Prize; • Alexander Dunn (Y5): 8–10 Light Verse Poem; • Christian Li (Y5): 8–10 Novice Own Selection Poem; • Charlotte Everest (Y3): U8 Dramatic Extract and winner of Most Points Under 8; • Aaron Yu (Y2): U8 Own Selection Poem, Test Poem.
National and international titles for Montague Montague Stamm (Year 11) first played the snare drum when he was just five years old, at The Scots School Albury, Australia. Fast forward to 2019, and the Year 11 student has recently achieved an incredible double, as winner of the inaugural Australian Young Drummer of the Year 2019 competition in May, and winning the New Zealand Young Drummer of the Year 2019 title the following month, following stellar performances of Balmoral Highlanders, Susan McLeod and Brown Haired Maid. Montague is Australian and came to St Andrew’s College on a Pipe Band Scholarship in 2017. He is now the leading drummer in the Pipe Band and has been instrumental in its national championship winning results and second place at last year’s World Championships.
success Montague says he was ‘shocked and incredibly happy’ to win the Australian competition, for which he was awarded a $1500 AUD travel voucher. He plans to use the voucher to travel to Scotland in October to compete at the World Solo Drumming Championships, and to purchase a new Andante drum.
He says it is ‘awesome’ to be part of the Pipe Band at St Andrew’s and is looking forward to this year’s World Championships. “We have great tutors and committed and hardworking band members. The relationships and skills we learn in the Pipe Band are like no other team.” Campbell pipes his way to glory Piper, Campbell Wilson (Year 12) made history in April, when he became the youngest ever winner of the New Zealand Gold Medal for Piobaireachd, held in conjunction with the Hawke’s Bay Highland Games. “This was an outstanding achievement as he was competing against pipers with significantly more experience performing at this highest level,” says Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke.
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Two members of the St Andrew’s College Pipe Band, Campbell Wilson (Year 12) and Montague Stamm (Year 11), pictured here with Pipe Band Director, Richard Hawke, are cementing their place among the best in New Zealand for their age group and beyond.
Values and Culture
& drummer achieve outstanding
Piper
Montague Stamm (Year 11)
Campbell Wilson (Year 12)
Campbell’s promise was recognised in 2018, when he won the inaugural New Zealand Young Piper of the Year Competition. Since then he has gone from strength to strength. Among his many other great results this year has been a fourth place in the prestigious Piobaireachd Targe event in Palmerston North against some of the best solo pipers in New Zealand. He also finished in second place at the South Island Championship Open Strathspey and Reel event, where he was pipped at the post by his father, Greg Wilson, also an accomplished piper. The fact that father and son finished at the top of a field of 60 bagpipers highlights just how much piping is in Campbell’s blood. At this event, he also did well in the U21 grade, winning the 2/4 March and Strathspey/Reel.
magic memories
Creating The Semi-formal is always a magical night to remember on the Year 11 calendar, and this year’s ‘black and gold’ themed event was no exception. The students looked fabulous in all their finery, and there was a real sense of fun and excitement, both on the dance floor, and in front of the dazzling photo wall, decorated in keeping with the glamorous theme.
The Middle School Leaders put countless hours into ensuring everything went smoothly, with the help of Year 11 Dean, Liz Gormack, and Head of Middle School, Mikae Tuu’u, who put in a lot of effort behind the scenes. Their hard work ensured a wonderful night was had by all.
Service Cambodia service trip A group of 11 students and two teachers had an amazing and eye-opening experience as they travelled to Cambodia for a 10-day service trip during the April holidays. The poverty, climate, pollution, and the horrors of recent history were quite confronting, but these were contrasted against the beauty and warmth of the people, the ancient temples, and sense of hope that there is in this country. Highlights of the trip included interacting with the children, celebrating Khmer New Year with a local village community, exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, boat trips, the food, tuk tuk rides, and travelling around in a Disco bus with an onboard karaoke machine. As part of their community service, students spent time with children from the slums of Phnom Penh and the village of Kampong Speu. They also got to learn about the extent of child slavery in this country and others. “Our students were amazing in the way in which they cared for others, got involved, and allowed themselves to grow from these life changing experiences,” says Mathematics teacher, Mitch Howard, who accompanied the students. ECAN Regional Voice Hui Head of the Sustainability Council, Thomas Pope-Kerr (Year 13), participated in ECAN’s Regional Voice Hui. Over three days, Thomas took part in an immense amount of learning from the concept of mahinga kai, to the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, and everything in between. He learnt more about how our government system works, and also the importance of fostering a symbiotic relationship with our natural environment. Emerging Leaders’ Conference A group of 15 Year 12 students joined hundreds of students from other schools around Canterbury at the Emerging Leaders’ Conference, where they heard from a range of outstanding speakers – Paralympic blade runner, Liam Malone, Associate Professor Marketing at UC, Ekant Veer, the Ronald McDonald House South Island CEO, Mandy Kennedy, nutritionist, Marco Mollo, therapist, Jessie Kendall, and Atlantic Ocean rower, Isaac Giesen (OC 2010).
Charlie Kenny amd Jack Stokes (both Year 13) at the Young Farmer of the Year event.
Year 8 Communion On Sunday 30 June, Chaplain Paul Morrow held a special Year 8 Communion Service. It was the first of its kind and planned so that Communion becomes more familiar within the College, rather than the one time it occurs in Year 11. The students were prepared in their Religious Education classes about what Communion means and its significance within the Presbyterian Church and Christianity. The service was well attended by students and parents and many received Communion. Young Enterprise Year 13 students, Meg Longley and Zachary Venning, took part in the Young Enterprise in Action (EIA) 2019 in Wellington. The students completed two back-to-back team business challenges in 48 hours – a Business Plan in 12 hours and a Market Entry Strategy in 24 hours. The students gained an understanding of ‘real world’ teamwork while improving their business knowledge, problem-solving and innovative thinking skills.
Values and Culture
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Community
Sustainability A new sustainability blog has been launched. Written by Teacher in Charge of Academic Extension and Enrichment, Ellen Hampson, the aim of the blog is to track the College's progress towards more sustainable practice, highlight how our students and staff are contributing to a more sustainable future, and provide useful facts, updates and inspirational stories around topical issues specifically related to aspects of sustainability. These include everything from governance, environment, society and culture, to the economy. Ellen has a long-standing interest in the state of the environment and protecting the planet. Through the Sustainability Council and other initiatives, she provides a platform for student action, both at individual level and as a collective, to drive positive social and environmental change.
Renee Vaudrey and Sage Klein (both Year 12) with Cambodian children.
Young Farmer of the Year Charlie Kinney and Jack Stokes (both Year 13) finished a highly creditable fifth at the New Zealand Young Farmer event in Napier in July. It poured with rain during the practical day, but they showed grit and perseverance and made it through to the top five, competing in a rapid fire question round on stage in front of a live audience. Highlights of the competition were a third placing in the examination round and second place (by 0.3 points) in the speech. Year 12 students at the Emerging Leaders’ Conference.
Boys'
Breakfast returns
Boys from Years 8–13, along with their fathers or special friends, gathered in the Strowan House dining room to listen to inspirational speaker, Isaac Giesen (OC 2010), also known as ‘The Blue Rower’ at the first Boys’ Breakfast to be held since the earthquakes in 2011. Tickets were in such high demand for the event that they sold out in under 24 hours. Isaac was the first New Zealander to solo row across the Atlantic Ocean, a 4815km journey which took him 71 days to complete. During the adventure he raised money for mental health support. While enjoying a hearty breakfast, guests were captivated by Isaac’s story and message, which included keeping life simple, and to never stop 'rowing through the waves of life'. The boys and their fathers also had the opportunity to view Isaac’s boat. The event was brought back to life by Head Boy, Luca Vinnell and Deputy Head Boy, Lewis Edmond, who hope it will become an annual fixture. “Mornings are busy and bringing back the Boys’ Breakfast created a rare opportunity for us to have breakfast with our fathers, while connecting with fellow boys and fathers in the St Andrew’s College community. Isaac was a great speaker, and we were pleased there was genuine interest in the event, reflected by the tickets selling out so fast,” says Luca.
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Borneo
Sleeping in the jungle, seeing incredible wildlife, and carrying out challenging community service tasks were some of the experiences that will be long remembered by the group of 17 Year 12, and two Year 13 students who went on the World Challenge Adventure to Borneo. Year 9 Dean and English teacher, Donna Jones, who accompanied the group with Head of Commerce, Phil Temple, says the trip was a “fantastic opportunity” for the students to build their leadership, communication, planning, negotiation, and collaborative skills. “They spent around 14 months planning and fundraising for the trip and were in charge of all the decision making around budgeting, accommodation, food, transport and activities. They did an amazing job.” Soon after their arrival in Borneo, the group visited the Niah Caves, which are archaeological treasures containing evidence of some of the earliest human habitation in South East Asia.
Community service is a key aspect of World Challenge Adventures, with the students completing some tasks at the edge of their comfort zones, says Donna. “Our main project was doing flood recovery work at a school at Tampat Do Aman which involved digging drainage holes in the playground and laying pipes at the correct pitch so the water would drain out. The heat was extreme on several days when the students could only work 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. It was phenomenal to see 16 and 17-year-olds accomplish this.” The students also painted a security shed at the school and spent an afternoon on the beach with local children. An electricity-free eco-camp called TREC on the fringe of the Tungong Lake was the next project location, where the students helped with the regeneration of a rain forest by clearing a former palm oil plantation and replanting it with forest seedlings. “We saw some amazing wildlife here, including a rare moon rat, a mouse deer, massive spiders including a tarantula, and a huge number of crocodiles. Visiting a sun bear nursery and orangutan sanctuary were other highlights.”
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Adventures
Values and Culture
The World Challenge Adventure to Borneo was an incredible experience for a group of 19 St Andrew’s College students.
Sports round up Adventure Racing The Senior Mixed Adventure Racing team of Henry Spark, Tom Wells, Benjamin Leech and Ella Heffernan (all Y12) and Benjamin Ferrier, Molly Spark, Georgia Spark and Alice Egan (all Y11) finished second at the South Island Schools’ Hillary Challenge, six-hour adventure race in Geraldine, covering 50km on bike and foot. This result has qualified them for the fiveday national finals to be held in the Tongariro National Park next year. Artistic Gymnastics Oliver Del Rey (Y6) was first in Level 3 at the Marlborough Gymnastics Competition.
Jack Wang (Y12), Jenny Zhu (Y13) and Yirui (Elly) Li (Y9) were selected for the Canterbury Senior badminton team, which beat Southland in Invercargill to win the Neil Cup. Jack played as the number one male and Jenny as the number one female in the team. Jack Wang (Y12) and Jenny Zhu (Y13) have been selected to represent New Zealand in the U19 team to compete in the Badminton World Federation World Junior Championships in Russia at the end of September. Jack Wang (Y12) and Jenny Zhu (Y13) competed in the Counties Manukau U19 Open, with Jack winning the Boys’ double and Mixed doubles titles, and Jenny was the runner-up in the Girls’ singles. Basketball Mac Stodart (Y13) was the only Canterbury player selected for the New Zealand U17 basketball team to play at the Oceania Championships at Noumea, New Caledonia in August. This gives him the opportunity to qualify for the FIBA Asia U18 Championships in 2020. Mac Stodart (Y13) and Samuel Jenkins (Y12) were part of the Waitaha Canterbury A team which finished third at the U19 Basketball Nationals.
Oliver Del Rey (Y6)
Athletics Tapenisa Havea (Y11) was named Junior Athlete of the Year at the 2019 Athletics Canterbury Awards and won three trophies – the O’Grady Trophy for the most outstanding track and field athlete still attending school, the Edmond Champagne Cup for the most outstanding athlete at the Canterbury Track and Field Championships, and the E E Mayes Memorial Trophy awarded to an U20 athlete for performance, sportsmanship, and contribution. Badminton Jack Wang (Y12) was named Canterbury Young Badminton Sportsperson of the Year. His recent successes include finishing runner-up in mixed doubles at the Bay of Plenty U19 Championship, and winning the Boys’ doubles and Mixed doubles at the Auckland U17 Open, where he was runner-up in the Boys’ singles.
Lauren Whittaker (Y9) was in the Waitaha Canterbury team which finished third at the AON U15 Nationals. Lauren was also named in the tournament team. BMX Nicholas Daniels (Y12) was invited to be part of the New Zealand High Performance BMX Hub for 15–19 year olds. Only 10 riders are invited into the programme.
Cross Country Secondary School Cross Country There was enthusiastic participation by students in the Secondary School Cross Country Championships, an event which challenges them physically, and reinforces the importance of physical activity for overall well-being. MacGibbon won the House competition, followed by Thompson in second, Rutherford in third, and Erwin in fourth. Top three individual place-getters were: • U14 Girls: Payton Kimber-Reynolds (Y9) first, Jenna Hirschfield (Y10) second, Sienna Stowers-Smith (Y9) third; • U14 Boys: Tom Harris first, Max Blockley second, Oskar Trafford third (all Y9); • U15 Girls: Emily Sharpe first, Sophie McNee second, Grace Sullivan third (all Y10); • U15 Boys: Tom Ruwhiu (Y10) first, Adam Redway (Y10) second, Lachlan McBride (Y11) third; • U16 Girls: Neve Moulai first, Izzy Gibson second, Molly Spark third (all Y11); • U16 Boys: Jake Jackways first, Harri Silcock second, Nate Pringle third (all Y11); • Senior Girls: Eva Pringle first, Victoria Spratt second, Mikeely Jones third (all Y13); • Senior Boys: Ayrton Shadbolt first, Gregor MacKay second, Rhys Blackmore third (all Y13); Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships A group of 26 students took part in the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships, where Eva Pringle (Y13) had an outstanding race to claim the Senior Girls’ title, and Neve Moulai (Y11) was not far behind in third place. Other impressive results included Ayrton Shadbolt (Y13) coming third in the Senior Boys’ and Payton Kimber-
Elleanor Bell (Y7)
Eva Pringle, Victoria Spratt, James Blake and Ayrton Shadbolt (all Y13).
New Zealand Cross Country Championships Ayrton Shadbolt (Y13) was part of a Canterbury team which placed second in the Senior Boys’ relay at the New Zealand Cross Country Championships. Eva Pringle (Y13) and Neve Moulai (Y11) were members of a Canterbury team which placed fourth in the Senior Girls’ relay. ISSA Cross Country/Canterbury Primary Schools’ Cross Country Championships A group of 48 Preparatory School students competed at the Independent Schools’ Cross Country Championships, with several students placing in the top three, and 11 qualifying for the Canterbury Primary Schools’ Cross Country event in June. Seven students achieved a top 10 placing at this event, which saw them qualify for the Canterbury team. This was an outstanding effort as the students were competing in large fields. Eddy Connolly was a standout runner, winning the Year 7 Boys’ race in a field of 189 students. Top 10 place-getters: • Year 6 Girls: Sasha McIntyre third, Jessica Drury eighth; • Year 6 Boys: Jack Shearer seventh; • Year 7 Boys: Eddy Connolly first, Adam MacFarlane eighth; • Year 7 Girls: Jasmine Hooker sixth; • Year 8 Girls: Isabella Pringle seventh. Cricket Jesse Frew and Rhys Mariu (both Y13) were selected for New Zealand U19 cricket team to play four games against the Australian U19 team.
Fencing Ryan Stewart (Y10) was second in the New Zealand/Oceania U15/17 Fencing Championships in Wellington. In March, he was sixth at the New Zealand U20 Nationals and went on to represent New Zealand in the Australia U15/17 Nationals in Sydney in July. William Couper (Y8) won a silver medal in the Canterbury Games of Future fencing competition and was third in the Canterbury U13 Fencing Championship. Ryan Stewart (Y10) competed in the Cadet and U15 National Oceania Championships in Sydney over the holidays, winning bronze in the U15 men’s foil team.
Football Frankie Morrow (Y13) and Jasmine Donald (Y12) were in the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Girls’ football team, which competed in Dallas, Texas during the Term 2 school holidays. Frankie also recently scored her 100th goal for the St Andrew’s Girls’ First XI this season. Futsal Over the holidays, a small group of St Andrew’s College students represented Canterbury at the Youth Futsal Championships. Frankie Morrow (Y13) and Britney-Lee Nicholson (OC 2017) were in the winning Canterbury team for the U19 Girls’ tournament, with Britney-Lee also a member of the New Zealand Futsal Ferns. In the U16 Girls’ tournament, Sophia Lazor and Annabel Surveyor (both Y11) finished fifth overall. Golf Sebastian May (Y9), Mika MacDonald (Y11) and Hayden Lam (Y8) were part of a successful five-person Canterbury U16 representative golf team which won the U16 competition at the South Island Age Group Interprovincial Tournament. The Canterbury Order of Merit golf season concluded with Hayden Lam winning the U13 Boys and Sebastian May runner-up in the U16 Boys. Grass Kart Harri Silcock (Y11) was fourth overall in New Zealand in the Junior grade at the New Zealand Grass Kart Championships in Timaru. Gymnastics Kalisa Zhang (Y4) won five events at the Olympia Ashburton Junior Championships rhythmic competition – overall, freehand, ball, rope and Grade 1 group.
Ryan Stewart (Y10) representing New Zealand
Figure Skating Milla Newbury (Y10) competed in Figure Skating at the Centaurus Ice Skating Club Championships on Sunday 7 July and placed first in the Ladies Freestyle (U18) Basic Novice grade. She has qualified to represent Canterbury at the New Zealand Nationals In October and will compete at the South Islands in August. Milla was also first in the Basic Novice Ladies’ Free Skate at the Winter Whirl Alpine Trophy 2019.
Hockey A group of 13 St Andrew’s College hockey players were selected for Canterbury U18 regional and association teams: • Canterbury U18 Regional Women: Isabella Ambrosius (Y13); • Canterbury U18 Association Women: Aleisha Davis, Ella Heffernan and Jemma Watson (all Y12) and Mikeely Jones (Y13); • Canterbury U18 Regional Men: Lucca Burley and George McCallumClark (both Y12), Harrison Darling, Lewis Edmond, Etienne HarringtonWatt, Oscar Nation and Oscar Story (all Y13); • Canterbury U18 Association Men: Cameron Slee (Y11).
Values and Culture
Dressage Elleanor Bell (Y7) and her pony, Kinloch Violet, won the Canterbury Dressage Autumn Series Level 1 Pony.
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Reynolds (Y9) fifth in the Year 9 Girls’ race. The U16 Boys’ team was first place, the Senior Girls’ team and Year 9 Girls’ team both finished second, and the Senior Boys’ and Year 9 Boys’ teams were third.
Karapiro, competing against kayakers from Australia, Japan, Cook Islands, and Singapore. She had outstanding results, placing first in the U18 K1 200m and K2 200m, second in K2 500m, and third in the Mixed K4. In the U21 age group, she placed third in the K4 500m. Olivia was then part of the mega relay made up of one male and one female from each of the U16, U18, and U21 age groups, where the New Zealand team were beaten on the line by Australia.
Over the holidays, the National U18 hockey tournament was held in Napier. The Canterbury Men’s U18A Regional, the Men’s U18 Association and Women’s U18B Association teams all won, with the Women’s U18A Regional team placing third. Mikeely Jones (Y13) played for the Central team, her home province, and won the U18A Regional title. Canterbury U18A Regional Men – Lucca Burley (Y 12), Harrison Darling (Y13), Lewis Edmond (Y13), Etienne Harrington-Watt (Y 13), George McCallum-Clark (Y 12), Oscar Nation (Y13) and Oscar Story (Y 13).
At the end of June, Olivia competed at an international regatta in Italy. She then headed to Romania, where she competed in the World Championships at the beginning of August.
Central U18A Regional Women – Mikeely Jones (Y13) Canterbury U18A Regional Women – Isabella Ambrosius (Y13) Canterbury U18B Association Women – Aleisha Davis, Ella Heffernan and Jemma Watson (all Y12) Canterbury U18 Association Men – Cameron Slee (Y11) The following players were selected for Canterbury U15 teams: • U15A – Holly Gilray (Y9), Jakarta Klebert, Hugh Nixon, Adam Redway, Jonathon (Jock) Rollinson, Corin Simcock and Harry Withers (all Y10); • U15B – Alex Rippin and Luke Slee (both Y9), Jonty Foote, Rico Gamble, Rhys Marshall and Scarlett Wilson (all Y10). The following five players have been named in the New Zealand U18 hockey squad: • Isabella Ambrosius (Y13) • Lucca Burley (Y12) • Harrison Darling (Y13) • Etienne Harrington-Watt (Y13) • Oscar Nation (Y13) Ice Hockey Timothy Thomas (Y11) was selected for the Red Devils Canterbury Men’s ice hockey team, the Canterbury U20 team, and the Canterbury U18 team. Indoor Cricket Harry Bisphan (Y11) was selected for the Canterbury U16 team, which played at the Junior Nationals in Auckland during the holidays, and the Canterbury U22 team, which competed at the Senior Nationals in Palmerston North at the end of July. Karate Sophie McNee (Y10) won gold in U15 Premier Kumite (fighting), bronze in U15 Premier Kata (display), and silver in Team Kumite (fighting) at the New Zealand Open Karate Competition. She also won gold in the 14/15 Years Kumite (fighting) and 14/15 Years Kata (display) at the Canterbury Westland Karate Championships.
Sophie McNee (Y10)
Cindy Xiong (Y10) competed in the 2019 New Zealand National Karate Championships on Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 July in Auckland, winning a gold medal in the Female Kumite 14–16 Premiere Division to become the 2019 National Champion. Billie Revis (Y8) and Corbin Revis (Y6) achieved their Purple belts as 6th Kyu, under the instruction of Sensei Hayden Wilmott of New Zealand Okinawa GojuRyu Karate-Do Association. At the New Zealand Karate National Championships, Sophie McNee (Y10) won gold in the Team Kumite (fighting), silver in the 14/15 years Premier Individual Kumite (fighting), and bronze in the 14/15 years Premier Individual Kata (Display). At the National Secondary School Championships, Sophie won bronze in both the U14 Premier Individual Kumite (fighting) and Individual Kata (Display). Karting Levi Wilson (Y13) won the Canterbury Senior Enduro - Rotax Light Division – a two hour non-stop karting race. Kayak
Mountain Biking Edward McGuckin (Y12) was second in the Male Student category at the Contact Epic Race, finishing this tough 35km mountain biking event with a race time of 01:45.01. He finished 14th overall out of all 71 competitors. Motocross The St Andrew’s College team of Ethan McBreen and Luke Doerner-Corson (both Y11), and Cody Doerner-Corson, Angus Wakeman and Gus Jeffries (all Y13), came third at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Motocross Championships, which was held in Timaru on Saturday 13 July. Cody Doerner-Corson also won gold in the Year 13 Class and Ethan McBreen won gold in the Year 11 Class. The students have also achieved the following results recently: • Cody Doerner-Corson – fourth New Zealand Enduro Championships (7 Round Series) – Expert AAE2 Class. • Ethan McBreen – first Mudfest Hokitika 2-day Enduro TT1 Class, first New Zealand Enduro Championships (7 Round Series) – Intermediate TT1 Class and third Intermediate Overall • Luke Doerner-Corson - third Mudfest Hokitika 2-day Enduro TT2 Class and second New Zealand Enduro Championships (7 Round Series) Intermediate TT2 Class. Mud Run St Andrew’s had eight teams of four students competing in the annual UC Mud Run at the Christchurch Adventure Park, with the Year 9 boys’ team of Joseph Connolly, Blake Rossiter, Campbell Heasley and Michael Brownlie finishing second in the 5km run.
Olivia Brett (Y13)
Top level kayaker, Olivia Brett (Y13) represented New Zealand in the Asia Pacific Kayak Championships at Lake
Multisport Molly Spark (Y11) was third in the U16 Girls’ individual event at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Multisport Championships at Blue Lake, Rotorua. She completed the 4.5km kayak, 21km mountain bike, and 5.5km run in 2 hours 19 minutes.
The following students were selected for Canterbury representative netball teams:
Rugby A group of 13 players from the First XV were selected to attend the Crusaders Knights Representative rugby camp during the holiday break. The players were: Forwards – Sebastian Calder, Jack Sexton, Charlie Murray, Jack Stokes and James Carr (all Y13), Aminiasi (Mini) Toga (Y12) and Torian Barnes (Y11). Backs: Dominic Clarke and Ben Innes (both Y13), Isileli Saumaki and Joel Parry (both Y12), Jack Harding and DAngelo (Lino) Tauti (both Y11).
• U14 Red: Sienna Stowers-Smith and Lily Champion-Smith (both Y9); • U14 Black: Pippa Henderson (Y10); • U15 Red: Isabella Tuaine and Natasha Lind (both Y10), and Grace Cameron (Y11); • U15 Black – Lynonahdolphin Tausa and Angie Doig (both Y10). ISSA Winter Tournament A total of 14 Preparatory School teams took part in the annual ISSA Winter Tournament, where the Preparatory School A netball team, for the third year running, won the ISSA Netball Cup. Also qualifying for the CPSSA Tournament were the Year 7–8 StAC Navy football team (current holders at Canterbury level) and the Year 6 Navy netball team. Orienteering Ayrton Shadbolt (Y13) and Alice Egan (Y11) were selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ orienteering team to compete for the Southern Cross Trophy against six Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory in the 2019 Australian Schools Championships.
Ashleigh Brett (Y11) attended the New Zealand Māori U18 rugby camp in Rotorua and played in one of the curtain raiser games, before the Māori All Blacks played Fiji. Skiing Alys Scott (Y10) represented New Zealand at the Whistler Cup international children’s ski race, against over 140 U14 girls from across the globe. She placed 23rd in the giant slalom and 33rd in the slalom (first race). As a member of the New Zealand U14 Ladies’ team she placed third in a field of over 20 countries in the panel slalom.
Rupert Shepherd (Y11) finished fifth in the long course event at the National Orienteering Championships. Rhythmic Gymnastics Sara Yu (Y6) won first in hoop, third in freehand, and first in the group routine at the Wellington Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition.
Top places were:
Rogaine The New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Rogaine Championships were held on Saturday 13 July in Blenheim. The Intermediate girls’ title was won by Molly Spark and Alice Egan
New Zealand Age Groups Championships A group of nine St Andrew’s College students competed at the New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships in Wellington. Outstanding results were: • Angus Kelliher (Y12) won six Nationa Age Group titles in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, as well as the 50m, 100m, and 200m butterfly. He broke two of his own Swimming Canterbury West Coast records and was also a member of the 4×200m Zonal Freestyle Relay; • Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Y11) won three National Age Group titles in the 100m butterfly, 50m backstroke, and 50m freestyle, breaking the Swimming Canterbury West Coast records for the latter two events, as well as in the 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly in which he won silver; • Henry Crump (Y12) won bronze in the open 50m and 100m freestyle, and 50m and 100m butterfly; • Bryn Rumble (Y13) won silver in the 4×100m club medley relay 16 Years and Over. Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championships A team of 39 swimmers competed at the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championships, achieving impressive results with 22 top three placings in individual events and seven top three placings in relays. Angus Kelliher (Y12) set a new record in the 16–18 50m backstroke, and Taiko TorepeOrmsby (Y11) was named the Canterbury Secondary School Outstanding Male Swimmer. Gold medal winners were:
Road Race There were some great individual and team results at the 2019 Road Race Championships.
• Eva Pringle (Y13) – second in the Senior Girls race; • Neve Moulai (Y11) – third in the Senior Girls race; • Ayrton Shadbolt (Y13) – second in the Senior Boys race; • Girls Senior team placed second; • Girls Year 9 team placed third.
the 2019 Australian State Short Course Swimming Championships in Canberra in October.
Alys Scott (Y10)
Squash At the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Squash Championships, William Dobbs (Y10) was runner-up in Division 2. Swimming Angus Kelliher (Y12) and Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Y11) have been chosen to represent New Zealand at
• Isabella McConchie (Y9): 12–13 year 50m breaststroke; • Lachlan Frazer (Y13): 14 year 50m breaststroke; • Oliver Graves (Y11): 15 year 50m freestyle; • Rebecca Hurley (Y11): 15 year 50m butterfly; • Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Y11): 15 year 50m butterfly, senior Boys’ 200m medley relay, Boys’ Open 100m butterfly; • Connor Barr, Lachlan Frazer, Oliver Graves, Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (all Y11): 15 year 200m freestyle relay; • Angus Kelliher (Y12): senior 50m backstroke; • Manaia Butler (Y12): senior 100m freestyle; • Bryn Rumble (Y13): senior 100m freestyle, open 200m freestyle; • Henry Crump (Y12), Marshall Setu (Y12), Angus Kelliher, Bryn Rumble: senior Boys’ 200m freestyle relay;
Values and Culture
(both Y11), Rupert Shepherd and Clayton Shadbolt (both Y11) won the Intermediate boys’ title, and Henry Spark and Tom Wells (both Y12) placed second in the Senior boys’ race.
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Netball Ruthie Konusi and Tehinnah Ratulomai (both Y12) were selected for a Fiji International Mixed netball team, which will play later this year.
• Katie McBride (Y12): open 100m backstroke; • Oliver Graves, Angus Kelliher, Bryn Rumble, Taiko Torepe-Ormsby: open Boys’ 200m medley relay, open Boys’ Manaia Butler (Y12) competed in the Swim Canterbury West Coast Short Course Championships, where she placed first in the 15–16 year old Women 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle, second in the 15–16 year old Women 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly, and first in the 15 and Over Women 4x100m relay and 4x100m medley relay.
Trapshooting Olly Hood (Y12) was selected into the New Zealand Men’s team for the International Skeet Shooting Federation to attend the 2019 Oceania Championships taking place in November in Sydney. He is currently ranked the number one junior in New Zealand and is fifth in the men’s section. Maggie Hood (Y9) was selected into the New Zealand Women’s team for the same event. Maggie is currently ranked third in the Women’s Open ISSF in New Zealand.
Surfing Campbell Heasley (Y9) was second in the U14 age group at the South Island Surfing Championships in Dunedin and was third in the Kaikoura Grom Competition.
The South Island Secondary Schools’ Clay Target Championships were held in Invercargill on Saturday 6 July with seven St Andrew’s College students competing against 110 students and 22 squads from 26 schools.
Tennis Duncan McCall (Y9) won the U14 singles and doubles titles at both the Tecnifibre Central Junior Open 2019 and the Tennis Canterbury Junior Championships 2019. He was also selected to represent New Zealand at three Australian international tennis championships in June and July.
Results: • Maggie Hood (Y9) Highest Overall Skeet; • Maggie Hood and Olly Hood (Y12) First in 2 person Skeet Teams (Paterson Shield); • Olly Hood 2nd Boys’ Skeet, third Single Rise, third Points Score and runner up for High Gun; • Harrison Green (Y13) Highest Overall Points Score; • PS Team was won by Lincoln High School (270) with St Andrew’s College scoring 268. Volleyball Georgia Hollings (Y13) and Anaya Cole (Y11) were selected for the New Zealand Junior Women’s volleyball team to compete at the USA HP Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in July. Georgia Bonne (Y13) was selected for the New Zealand Junior Women’s Development Team to compete in the Australian State Junior Volleyball Championships in July.
Duncan McCall (Y9)
Fynn Harris (Y7) played in the Canterbury Country team which won the South Island Tennis Tournament. Fynn was also named the Most Consistent Boy of the Tournament. Finn Emslie-Robson (Y10) competed in the Rod Laver Lead-in and the Rod Laver tennis tournaments in Brisbane over the holidays, placing third in the singles and first in the doubles in both tournaments.
Maggie Hood (Y9)
Water Polo Benjamin Steel and Lachlan Frazer (both Y11) won gold representing the Canterbury U16 Boys’ Water Polo Development Team. Lucy Hamilton (Y11) won silver in the U16 Girls’ team. Unicycle – Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award James Holyoake (Y12) rode the 152km Otago Central Rail Trail on a unicycle in attempt to achieve his Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Gold Award. James completed the trail in two days, despite the freezing cold, wet conditions. Weightlifting Charlotte Johns (Y12) won both the female Youth (14–18 years) and female Junior (U20) sections at the South Island Weightlifting Championships. She also finished first overall in the Youth section and second overall in the Junior section. Charlotte has qualified for the National Secondary Schools’ Championships being held in Wellington at the end of August.
Zack Waite (Y11) was selected for the U17 Canterbury volleyball team. The following students were selected for Canterbury teams to take part in the New Zealand Inter-provincial Volleyball Championships: • Canterbury U17: Kate Allan and Kate Hughes (both Y12), Anaya Cole (Y11) and Tineke Hinton (Y9); • Canterbury U19: Georgia Hollings and Georgia Bonne (both Y13), Alice Thomson and Marjke Hinton (both Y12); • Canterbury U21: Hayley Neill (Y13). Charlotte Johns (Y12)
On the
Couch with
Richie and
Ronan
R
e
REGULUS
Pete Smith (OC 1968) conducted the interview and did a great job of keeping the evening flowing and asking some challenging questions, says Mike. “There was good debate around the fact that they are both world class first fives, what their roles are in a team, and what it takes to become a top class athlete.” Richie stayed on after the event, chatting with parents and students for some time. “He is a proud and humble Old Collegian, who loves to reconnect with his old school and give something back. We are extremely lucky that Richie holds St Andrew’s College in such high regard and acknowledges how it virtually changed his life.”
REGULUS is available as an e-magazine making it easy to read – anywhere, and on any device! If you would prefer to receive Regulus as an e-magazine please contact us at records@stac.school.nz.
Values and Culture
“I had excellent feedback about the event, and how pleasant and engaging both of the speakers were,” says St Andrew’s coach, Mike Johnston. “Richie highlighted his time at St Andrew’s and the opportunities it gave him to develop as a player and character. He then spoke about the transition and expectations around playing for the Crusaders and All Blacks. Ronan provided an
insight into his playing days for Ireland, and talked about his transition to coaching and philosophies around what makes a good player.”
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One of St Andrew’s College's most high profile sporting Old Collegian, Crusader and All Black, Richie Mo’unga (OC 2012), returned to the College along with Crusaders' coach, Ronan O’Gara, to support the rugby fundraiser, On the Couch.
Message from the President
On Wednesday 12 June, the Old Collegians Association held its AGM in Strowan House, which made me reflect on how quickly the first year of my term as President has gone. My Annual Report highlighted many of the fantastic events we have enjoyed over the previous 12 months and was also an opportunity for me to thank the Executive for all their support over the past year. One of the key events in the Old Collegians’ calendar is the Anzac Day Service, which is a chance for the school community to recognise the sacrifice of former students and teachers. It was a special service to be a part of, with a moving address delivered by Year 13 student, Charles Zhang. It was also a privilege to read out the Roll of Honour with Rector, Christine Layton, and lay the wreaths with the President of the Ladies Circle, Jill Irving. I was unfortunately away for the launching of the wonderful book documenting the design and construction of the Centennial Chapel. This commemorative book covers the history of the Memorial Chapel and the events leading up to the decision to rebuild following the 2011 earthquakes. It then takes readers through the processes of selecting the architect and then through processes behind the design of the fabulous building we have today. It is well worth a read. The regional get-together in Auckland was also a great event, well attended by around 35 Old Collegians, who enjoyed the night. The Annual Dinner on 26 July was another wonderful evening, with a large number of guests coming together to reconnect and celebrate the success of this year’s deserved award winners. Congratulations to acclaimed performer, Bridie Connell (2007) who won the Cockram Cultural Award, Crusader and All Black, Richie Mo’unga (2012), who took out the Maginness Sports Award, and lawyer, Brian Palliser (1962), whose significant voluntary efforts saw him receive the Alister Newton Service Award. A Special Achievement Award was presented to Isaac Giesen (2010), the ‘Blue Rower’, in recognition of his incredible solo rowing adventure across the Atlantic.
Jonathan Wells (1987) President
Auckland
event
The first of our regional functions for the year was held in Britomart, Auckland on Thursday 27 June. Around 35 Old Collegians attended this relaxed event. They appreciated an update from Rector, Christine Leighton, and the chance to mix with other Old Collegians from different generations.
Annual Dinner
Richie Mo’unga (2012) won the Magginnes Cup for Excellence in Sport for his feats on the rugby field as a Crusader and All Black. Richie was also named last year’s Super Rugby Player of the Year. The Cockram Cultural Award for Excellence and Service to Culture went to Bridie Connell (2007), an awardwinning writer and multi-disciplinary performer, who has extensive experience and training in acting, comedy, voice artistry and musical theatre. In 2018, Bridie won an ARIA award for best comedy release. A Special Achievement Award was presented to Isaac Giesen (2010) for being the first New Zealander to row the Atlantic solo, whilst raising awareness and funds for mental health.
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The Alister Newton Cup for Service was awarded to Brian Palliser (1962) a lawyer whose voluntary service to the Christchurch community has fostered overseas relations. Brian was also recognised with a Queen's Service medal in 2017 for his services to community.
Old Collegians
This year’s Old Collegians’ Annual Dinner was held on Friday 26 July. James Tapper (2010) provided a warm welcome to guests, with Meg Black (2010) hosting the rest of the dinner. OCA President, Jonathan Wells (1987) performed the Blessing of the Haggis and George Scrimshaw (1955) said grace. Rector Christine Leighton acknowledged the importance of community and the amazing things St Andrew’s College students go on to achieve as Old Collegians. John Sinclair’s (1965) contribution to the College was acknowledged when he was made an Honorary Old Collegian. Jonathan also thanked Kate Stanbury for her hard work behind the scenes and contribution to the OCA and wished her all the best for her upcoming maternity leave. The rest of the evening was left to celebrate this year’s award winners; a group which shows the diversity of talent in our Old Collegian community.
Class
notes
Roy Kerr (1950) Professor Roy Kerr’s exact solution of Albert Einstein’s equations that describe rotating black holes has now been proven, with the unveiling of an image of a supermassive black hole 55 million light years away. In 1963, Professor Kerr solved some of the most difficult equations of physics to come up with his solution, which sparked a revolution in physics. All subsequent detailed work on black holes has depended fundamentally on his work.
boarding school. Their son Jacque (1991) came to St Andrew’s College. In a bid to earn extra income Gavin and Judy started Lovely Grub, a mobile catering company, which has catered for some of New Zealand’s largest rural brands, movie shoots, weddings, and many other events.
Gavin Marshall
Roy Kerr
Hugh Wilson (1962) was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Lincoln University. Hugh has a national and international reputation as a botanist, naturalist, and innovator. For the last three decades as manager of the 1250 hectare Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula, he has overseen the transformation of gorse-infested farmland back to a native flora and fauna reserve. He has also authored numerous botanical publications Michael Brathwaite (1966) is a singer under the name Ritchie Venus. He records for the Spacecase label based in the United States, with his latest single Demetria reaching number six on a Californian Top 30 chart. Gavin Marshall (1971) and his wife Judy, featured on a recent episode of Country Calendar. The story detailed Gavin’s history of farming on Banks Peninsula and the many challenges he and Judy faced, including the sacrifices they made to send their children to
Scott McFadden
Simon London (2000) has been living in Australia for eight years, where he works as an actor, scriptwriter and director. He’s had roles in several features, including two of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies, and in a number of popular television series, including Love Child, Doctor Doctor, Shortland Street, and Go Girls. His next role will be as Sir Thomas Seymour in The Last Wife for Ensemble Theatre Company in Sydney. He is in the final stages of creating a short film, developed and funded by the New Zealand Film Commission. Simon also records audio books, all New Zealand titles so far, and has a parallel career as a photographer, contracting to architectural firms to photograph their projects in different parts of Australia.
Greg Reynolds (1973) is a dentist based in Auckland. Greg graduated from University of Otago with a Master of Medical Science following a research thesis involving the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing with dental appliance. Greg also became the first graduate of the University of Sydney Masters Programme in Sleep Medicine in 2006. His Somnodontics practice on the North Shore focuses on the treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea. Derek Syme (1984) has been the Managing Director at Citi New Zealand for the past eight years, with over 24 years in the company. Jamie (1985) and Scott McFadden (1990) featured on an episode of Country Calendar. The brothers grew up on the family farm in North Canterbury and neither have strayed far from their roots. Jamie now owns a native plant nursery near the homestead while Scott works the farm, taking the reins after their father Robert (1954) passed away. Scott also has a wool press hireage business, and has undertaken counselling training. Going out and meeting with farmers has given him the opportunity to lend a friendly ear to those who may be under pressure and reluctant to seek help.
Simon London
Tell us your news! If you know of any Old Collegians you think should be featured in our Class Notes section or would like to tell us what you are up to, we’d love to hear from you. It doesn’t have to be significant achievement – our community just loves to hear about what fellow Old Collegians are doing. So please do not be shy and send any updates and information to oldcols@stac.school.nz
Jonathan Price (2009) is an Auckland based actor. He began his training with Long Cloud Theatre, moving on to study mask, clown, and physical theatre at the John Bolton Theatre School. He holds a First Class Honours degree in Theatre and English Literature from Victoria University, is a founding member of Bright Orange Walls Theatre Company. Jonathan has directed on the first year solo block at Toi Whakaari.
Jonathan Price
Henry Nicholls (2009) was in the New Zealand Black Caps team, which were runners-up at the Cricket World Cup after losing a nail-biting final to England, at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Shilo Klein (2017) and Sam Gilbert (2016) represented New Zealand in the U20 rugby team against Fiji. Shilo was also named in the New Zealand U20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship, which took place in Argentina. Lucy-Rose Beattie, Alex Wilson, Christina Shepherd and Fletcher Edmond (all 2017) were invited into the Golden Key International Honours Society from University of Canterbury. Thomas Russel and Ben Taylor (both 2017) won silver in the Men's Four at the World U23 Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton, USA.
Alice Yang
Sally Lovell (2007) and her husband Matty Lovell, own Anytime Fitness Cashmere and took out Franchise of the Year. They also recently opened Electrify, an electric bike specialist store, in the Christchurch CBD.
Simon Todd (2008) has graduated with his Doctorate from Stanford University. His dissertation research concerns the biases between the spoken word perception and the asymmetrical patterns in the way that language changes.
MacGibbon House Tutor, Jono Oxley (2012), came third in his age group at the World ITU Multisport Championships in Spain.
Robbie Shepherd (2017) and Dougal Shepherd (2018) were awarded their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award by the Governor General at Government House on Sunday 28 July.
Henry Nicholls
Jacob Murray (2011) was one of the many heroes who came to the aid of some of those shot in the Friday 15 March mosque terrorist attacks. His courage, compassion and now, friendship with one of the men he saved, has been highlighted in the media.
Charlotte Whittaker (2018) was named in the Tall Ferns basketball team for their Asia tour, which was an outstanding achievement. Unfortunately Charlotte had to pull out the week before the team departed, as she needed a knee operation ahead of her upcoming College season with the University of Colorado, where she has a full basketball scholarship.
Old Collegians
Richie Mo'unga
Oska Inkster-Baynes (2009) won the Christchurch Marathon in a time of 2:18.1, giving him a hat trick of Christchurch titles alongside his winner’s medals for the 10km and half marathon distances. The win also crowned him New Zealand champion, with the race doubling as the national event.
Carson Cox (2008) moved into the electrical supply industry after leaving St Andrew’s College, where he completed an apprenticeship as an electrical fitter and is now finishing a Level 6 Diploma in Electrical Engineering. Carson currently works as a technician engineer cadet for Connectics.
Richie Mo’unga (2012) was recently awarded the Champion Crusader Award along with People’s Choice Award at the club’s Annual Awards Dinner.
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Alice Yang (2003) Alice Yang (2004) has a Juris Doctor and a Master of Health Law from the University of Sydney, and was admitted to practice in 2015. Alice is based in Sydney and joined Delaney Lawyers in 2019. Prior to joining Delaney Lawyers, Alice worked in the areas of commercial litigation and Family Law, including at a specialist Family Law firm, where she gained invaluable experience in complex financial and parenting matters. Alice is on the Legal Aid NSW Family Law Panel of private legal practitioners, and is passionate about breaking down cultural and gender barriers in the legal profession. She is a member of the Executive Committee of Women Lawyers Association of NSW and the Chair of its Diversity Subcommittee. Outside of work, Alice enjoys volunteering with Dress for Success and continues to play the cello. She is the principal cellist of the Sydney Lawyers Orchestra and The Lawyers Orchestra (NSW).
Surprise visit from
The
Blue Rower
Upcoming Old Collegians' Events 20–21 September 50 Years On
1 November 10 Years On
18 October Gentlemen’s Luncheon
13-15 November Canterbury A&P Show
A group of Preparatory School students were fortunate to receive a surprise visit from ‘The Blue Rower’, Isaac Giesen (OC 2010) in May. Isaac answered many of the students’ questions about his solo row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money and awareness for mental health, which included: What were his favourite things to eat? What did he have for Christmas lunch? And how did Father Christmas find him in the middle of the ocean? Isaac is the first New Zealander to complete this amazing journey.
Gone but
not forgotten
• John Maples (1948) • Warren Featherstone (1949) • Robert Lindsay Kerr (1956)
For the full 2019 Old Collegian Events Calendar please visit stac.nz/OldColsEvents
PTA
$60.00 per cake (or Gluten Free $62.50)
Christmas Cake Fundraiser Beautifully presented in a gift box, this delicious Christmas cake is the perfect gift! Place your order at stac.school.nz by Friday 1 November 2019. For any enquiries please contact stacpta@stac.school.nz.
l go e d s w il A ll p ro ce nt s s tu d e rd a w to e s fo r re s o u rc vi ti e s . m e a c ti lu n c h ti
Aim high, be bold, consider Aim high, be bold, consider the power of your legacy gift the power of your legacy gift To reserve naming rights, or to discuss making a donation, please contact the Director of Development, Miranda Newbury, via email at MNE@stac.school.nz or telephone +64 3 940 2068.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
At St Andrew’s College we At St Andrew’s College we believe that every person believe that every person contributes in his or her contributes in his or her own way. You are invited to own way. You are invited to be a part of this campaign. be a part of this campaign.
To reserve naming rights for the Fitness Centre or Theatre Complex, or to discuss making a donation, please contact the Director of Development, Miranda Newbury, via email G Iat V IMNE@stac.school.nz NG OPPORTUNITIES or telephone +64 3 940 2068.
Visit stac.school.nz for further information about our giving opportunities for the new Theatre Complex and the St Andrew’s College Foundation. Visit stac.school.nz for further information about our giving opportunities for the new Fitness Centre and Theatre Complex.
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