Community and service – November 2023

Cancer Fundraiser

With the tutor reminding the boys in 11HFL about their haircuts, William Gibson and Connor Frew decided to get a haircut and raise money for charity. The boys set up a fundraising page for Child Cancer and persuaded the other five boys in their tutor group to also get their haircut for the charity. Michael Vaivai (Year 12) did a great job of the haircuts and the group raised over $2000.

Eco-Action Planting Day

A group of students braved the frost and sub-zero conditions to plant trees in the Red Zone as part of the Eco-Action project in late July. This was another spectacular success, achieving close to 5000 trees planted in two hours, with the help of over 300 students and community volunteers.

EcoAction Project

Sustainability Council leaders, Gemma Lewis (Year 13), and Elliot Graves (Year 12) were commended by the EcoAction Trust for their efforts around maintaining St Andrew’s College EcoAction nursery and contributing to planting days. Daniel Robertson and Harry Anderson (both Year 13) managed the College nursery this year, accumulating a combined 120 hours of community service.

Gumboot Friday

Gumboot Friday was a colourful and compassionate display of support for young people’s mental health. A vibrant array of gumboots adorned the feet of students in the Pre-school, Preparatory School, and Secondary School, united in their commitment to raising funds for the I Am Hope Foundation, and to spread awareness about the importance of mental well‑being. A delicious sausage sizzle at lunchtime added a savoury touch to the event, raising further funds.

Hair Donation

During the holiday break, Sophie Hayden (Year 13) cut off her hair to donate to Freedom Wigs, raising money for Melanoma New Zealand.

The Ladies Circle celebrates 65 years

At its AGM in July, the Ladies Circle marked 65 years since the group was first instigated by Betty Galloway, the wife of the then Rector, Ian Galloway (1962–1982). For 65 years a dedicated group of women, mothers, grandmothers, ex-staff, and wives of Old Collegians has met in support of St Andrew’s, and they continue to serve in the best interests of the College.

Snug Up Rug Up Clothing Drive and Fundraiser

During Term 2, a group of Year 12 students organised a clothing drive to support local charity Clothed in Love, which helps Christchurch families in need of good quality pre-loved or new clothing for children. After winning a friendly competition with the Senior College to see who could donate the most clothing, the Middle School students had the opportunity to dunk Head of Middle School, Matt Parr, in water as their prize. In Term 3, the Middle School held a non-uniform day to support Snug Up Rug Up, raising $500, which the Middle School doubled to a $1000 donation.

Sustainability

Sustainability Council leaders, Gemma Lewis (Year 13), Elliot Graves (Year 12) and Katherine Simcock (Year 11), met with UC’s Sustainability Manager, Matt Morris, to discuss UC’s waste management system. The students were specifically interested in waste management practices that could be emulated at the College. Gemma, Elliot and Katherine are contributing to a St Andrew’s staff group focused on a whole school goal of using the sustainability goals (UN) to develop a strategy to reduce carbon footprint and initiate sustainable practices and decision-making across the College.

World Vision Leadership Summit

As one of New Zealand’s top-performing secondary schools in the 2023 World Vision 40-Hour Challenge, St Andrew’s secured a coveted spot at the prestigious World Vision Senior Scholarship Summit. The scholarship has been awarded to Samuel Ferguson (Year 12), a dedicated Community Service leader who will participate in a three‑day programme encompassing global education, leadership development, and social action training, hosted by World Vision in January 2024, alongside 35 other students from around New Zealand.

Youth Future Thinking

Four student well-being leaders, Radha Vallabh (Year 13), Aria Wilke, Jack Satterthwaite and Elliot Graves (all Year 12), attended an inspiring workshop at the University of Canterbury, focused on future thinking and leadership. They participated in teams with students from other schools and used the future thinking framework to create and present ideas to community leaders from around the city.