Cultural catch up – August 2024

48Hours Film Competition

Eight Media students from Years 9–11 participated in the 48Hours film competition. The students were assigned the genre of ‘The Animal Adventure’ and were given 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film. They rose to the occasion creating an imaginative time- travelling hijinks story. The participants enjoyed the thrill of seeing their work on the big screen, networking with film enthusiasts, and competing for prizes.

Ballet

Tave Stuart (Year 12), won first place in the Ballet Championship (15 and Over), and third place in the Modern Championships (15 and Over). Tave received a nomination to take part in the 2024 National Young Performance Awards, later this year. At the New Zealand Dance Awards, Tave achieved first in both Ballet and Contemporary, gaining national titles for her age divisions, and was second in Lyrical.

The Ballet Academy enjoyed four full days of classes with the Specialist Dance Educator, Neve Pierce, from the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Dancers in Years 3–8 experienced learning new repertoire from the current RNZB production of Swan Lake, including the classic Four Cygnets, while the Secondary School dancers took up the challenge of having entirely new contemporary works set on them.

At the Christchurch Tap Dancing Teachers Association (CTDTA) competitions, Neve Aitken (Year 11) won two first places for Jazz and Contemporary Duos, third for Jazz Solo, and a special choreography award for her Contemporary Duo.

Ballroom Dance

Holly Hembry (Year 9) took part in the Kiwi Classic Ballroom Dancing Championships in Auckland, winning nine first placings from her Solo and Pro/Am events. She later competed at the New Zealand One Dance Ballroom Dancing Championships, winning 23 out of 24 of her Recreational Single events in the Teen and Adult sections, receiving the Champion of Champions trophies for both. She also won all four of her Pro/Am Teen Latin events. Holly made the final in two dances out of four in the Adult Open Ballroom events, placing fourth in the Quickstep, against competitive adult couples much older than herself.

Battle of the Bands/Rockquest

St Andrew’s band, The E.C.H.O. have had a fantastic year. After getting through the Battle of the Bands Christchurch heats, semi-finals and finals, The E.C.H.O., featuring Hayden Lam (Year 13), Ethan Lam and Oliver Hill (both Year 11), and their bass player from Papanui High School, made their way to Wellington for the national finals against fourteen bands from all over the country. The E.C.H.O. played their set of five originals and one cover. Ethan Lam won the Best Guitarist award for the national finals and Hayden Lam was nominated in the top three drummers at the finals.

The E.C.H.O. was one of two St Andrew’s bands who made it to the regional finals of Rockquest, where they won the award for Best Song, and their bass player won the Musicianship Award. The other band to make the finals was Awthentix, comprising Hugo Ranken, Jack Flanagan, Tamaroa Connelly, William Ruge and Daniel Ruge (all Year 13).

Big Sing

Two St Andrew’s choirs were awarded for their wonderful performances at the Big Sing competition. Staccoro won The Jubilate Singers award for an Outstanding Recital Performance by a Mixed Voice Choir, as well as the Outstanding Performance of a Contemporary Art Composition award. Stacchorus won the trophy for The Christchurch Youth Choir Audience Impact award.

Chamber Music

Following the Canterbury District Final of the NZCT Schools Chamber Music Contest, three St Andrew’s groups were selected for the Southern Regional Final: The Acousticks (percussion quartet, coached by Roanna Funcke): Jack Flanagan, Hayden Lam, Daniel Ruge (all Year 13) and Edward Park (Year 8); 8 Strings 88 Keys (piano trio): Miu Kim, Jasmine Hooker (both Year 12) and Sea-am Thompson (Year 13); and AAA Insurance (trio): Ary Son, Xinyi (Alicia) Chen (both Year 10) and Andy Li (Year 9). In addition, at the Canterbury District Final, One Gold Two Silver (trumpet trio with William Ruge (Year 13), and sisters Yuxin (Alice) (Year 10) and Yutian (Tianna) Chen (Year 9)) were awarded the Woolston Brass School’s Trophy, the seventh time since 2008 that St Andrew’s College has won this cup. The three groups’ performances at the Southern Regional Final were well received by the audience and judges, however, none progressed through to the national final in August.

Sea-am Thompson (Year 13) was both the Southern Region winner and the Overall Winner of the Original Composition section of the 2024 NZCT Chamber Music Contest. The award was presented to Sea-Am at the national finals of the contest at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington, on Friday 2 August. Adjudicator, Michael Norris, said Sea-am’s piece was an ‘impressive, professional composition’ and that he demonstrated ‘phenomenal’ instrumental writing, along with being an experienced and gifted performer himself. This is an outstanding achievement, with the last person from St Andrew’s to achieve this being Isaac Shatford (OC 2014) ten years ago.

Classical Concert

Nine chamber groups and three orchestras performed at the annual St Andrew’s College Classical Concert in the Centennial Chapel, with performances well received by the audience of family and staff, who responded with warm applause throughout.

Creative Writing

At the Ōtautahi celebration of Flash Fiction Day at Tūranga, it was announced that Ellie Zhou had placed second overall in the Youth competition in the National Flash Fiction Day Youth Competition for her story Bàba tells me, which was an outstanding achievement in an international competition of this calibre. Jack Flanagan (Year 13) was also shortlisted in the competition, while the writing of Katrina Wallis and Edward Keenan (both Year 10) made the longlist.

Cultural Showcase

Cultural Captains, Jenna Howell and Xanthe Pearce (both Year 13), along with the Cultural Council, organised a wonderful Cultural Showcase. The Big Band opened the night with some New Orleans styled work. Other performances were from singer songwriters, StAC Dance, Year 10 Drama, and the Senior Choir, Staccoro. The evening was well supported, and entry was by koha, with money raised going to the So They Can charity.

Highland Dance

Before heading to Melbourne to perform with the New Zealand Highland Dance Company, Siara Clarke (Year 13) competed at the King’s Birthday Highland Dancing competitions in Dunedin winning the most points U18, Most Points in Highland Dances U18, South Island Championship Seann Triubhas U18, South Island Championship Reel O’Tullock U18, Highland Fling Championship Open, and the Most Outstanding Highland Performance.

Sofia Sneddon (Year 7) was first (most points) in her age group, 10 and U12 Years, at the National Highland Dancing Championships.

Eleanor (Ella) Nortje (Year 2) won the Novice Highland Fling trophy and the runner-up Most Points 6 and Under at the Christchurch Caledonian Highland Dance Competition.

At the Waimate 69th Festival Highland and National dancing competition, Adelyn Abrahamson (Year 6) and Iaera Abrahamson (Year 4) won the Double Swords trophy. Iaera won Most Points U10 and the South Canterbury Championship Highland Fling, and Nayana Abrahamson (Year 2) won most points U7 and runner-up Most Points U8. At the North Canterbury Highland Dance Competition, Iaera Abrahamson won Most Promising Dancer U10 and runner-up Most Points U10. Nayana Abrahamson won Most Points U6 and Most Points U8.

At the Oamaru Highland Dance Championships, Georgia Gregg (Year 7) won Most Points runner-up U12. At the Oxford Highland Dance Competition, Georgia won the trophy for U12 Irish Jig, was first in U12 Fling and U12 Sword, and placed second in Sailors. Agnes Buist (Year 5) won the Novice Highland Fling U14. At the Hokitika Matariki Highland Dance Competition, Georgia also won Most Points U12, U14 and Overall Most Points of the competition.

Watson Winterbourn (Year 1) won the Most Promising Highland Dancer Award at the Oamaru Performing Arts competition.

International Languages Week

International Languages Week was celebrated throughout New Zealand, with students at St Andrew’s participating in a variety of activities. Highlights included a Chinese calligraphy session in The Green Library and Innovation Centre, with around 150 students taking part; several classes watched films at the French Film Festival; the Year 10 Spanish class made quesadillas; a haiku competition took place; and an international food challenge was held in the Quad.

Matariki

Together, ākonga and kaiako explored the significance of Matariki. Te Reo Māori classes made whetū/stars, kōkiri/shooting stars, and took part in mahi whai/string games. There were Matariki challenges in The Green Library and Innovation Centre. All Te Reo Māori classes took part in mau rākau (traditional Māori weaponry). The Kapa Haka group performed for kaumātua at the Summerset on Cavendish Retirement Village. In the Preparatory School, older students researched aspects of Matariki and designed some Matariki inspired activities to share with their younger buddy class. The Junior School also got into the spirit, taking part in waiata, learning, and creative activities. A special Matariki celebration night was held in the Pre-school, with family enjoying a shared feast and watching the children perform three waiata.

Music

During Matariki weekend, Sea-am Thompson (Year 13) performed over three days as one of 11 young organists featured in the Dunedin Organ Festival, organised by the New Zealand Organ Association. In 2024, a record 20 students from the Preparatory School were selected for representative groups in the 2024 Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival:

• Symphony Orchestra: Chloe Wang (Year 6), Chloe Sha, Emma Zhang, Jacob Wang, Chenxiao Leo (Leo) Yang, Matthew Zhang, Baizhen (Tony) Chen, Yunze Li (all Year 7), Ethan Waines, Ethan Zhao, Lexie Dong and Cong (Zilong) Chen (all Year 8);

• Junior Representative Choir: Adelyn Abrahamson, Alice Williams, Annabelle Laurenson, Jessica Whitehead, Ruby Richard (all Year 6), Riona McKendry and Romilly Comyn (both Year 5);

• Senior Representative Choir: XiaoYa (Cynthia) Zhou (Year 7).

Ngā Manu Kōrero Secondary School Speech Competition

Metua Cranwell (Year 11) and Holly Maraki (Year 13) represented St Andrew’s at the Ngā Manu Kōrero Secondary School Speech Competition. Both students spoke powerfully about themes including discrimination, racism, identity, and history. Metua Cranwell was third overall in the Senior Māori Impromptu section.

Pipe Band

As part of the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association National Youth Band, five members of the Pipe Band (Lucas Paterson, Harrison Justice (both Year 13), Tayla Eagle (Year 12), Sam Foote, Daniel Liu (both Year 11)) and Pipe Band tutor, Tiffany Gilchrist, attended the Penticton Highland Games in Vancouver, Canada and took part in the Piping Hot Summer Drummer School at Silver Star Mountain Resort.

At the Australian Pipe Band Championships Tayla Eagle (Year 12) was runner-up in the Juvenile A Grade while competing with Haileybury Pipes and Drums.

Pipers, Sam Foote (Year 11) and Finlay Trewinnard (Year 9), performed at the Rangi Ruru Girls’ School Founders’ Day Celebrations. Sam’s sister, Annie, graduated from the school a few years ago and Finlay’s sister, Ruby, is currently in Year 12 and Head of Chapel.

Several Pipe Band members performed in services around the country on ANZAC Day:

• Lucas Paterson (Year 13), Tayla Eagle (Year 12), Sam Foote, Daniel Liu (both Year 11) and tutor, Tiffany Gilchrist, played with the National Youth Pipe Band of New Zealand at Pukeahu National War Memorial, Wellington;

• Jack Boon (Year 13) and Cameron Sharpe (Year 10) played with the Ellesmere Pipe Band at a service in Leeston. Jack Boon led the parade in Dunsandel;

• Maggie McConnochie (Year 10) played at the Dawn Service in Twizel;

• Charlie Gregg (Year 9) led the parade in Akaroa;

• Lachlan Sneddon and Hamish Bilton (both Year 9) played with the Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band at Arrowtown, Queenstown;

• Emily Brook (Year 11) played at the Fairlie ANZAC Service with the Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band;

• Anthony Song (Year 9) and Ryley Medland (Year 11) led the parade at Alpine View Retirement Village;

• William Nicholls (Year 9) played at Victoria Park on the site of the 19th Battalion and Armoured Regiment Memorial, and later played at Summerset Retirement Village with George Nicholls (Year 6);

• Cooper Gallagher (Year 12) was the lone piper at the St Andrew’s College ANZAC Service alongside Guards of Honour, Iona Lawson (Year 13) and Adam MacFarlane (Year 12);

• Luca Graham (Year 12) led the parade for the Tai Tapu service;

• Tutor and Pipe Band Manager, Graeme Bryce, played with the Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band at Templeton.

Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Solo Piping and Canterbury Drummers Club Solo Drumming

At the first competitive events of the year, St Andrew’s pipers and drummers to achieve first placings were:

Piping

• Sam Foote (Year 11): first B Grade Piobaireachd, C Grade Strathspey/Reel;

• Maggie McConnochie (Year 10): first B Grade Strathspey/Reel, C Grade Piobaireachd, 2/4 March;

• Lachlan Sneddon (Year 9): first D Grade Piobaireachd;

• Alice Glover (Year 8): first D Grade Strathspey/Reel;

Snare Drumming

• Ethan Lam (Year 11): first B Grade Hornpipe/Jig, C Grade Strathspey/ Reel, C Grade Aggregate;

• Edwards Park (Year 8): first D Grade March, Strathspey/Reel, D Grade Aggregate;

• Hunter Morrow (Year 9): first Novice Drum;

• James Laurenson (Year 7): first Novice Drum Pad;

Tenor Drumming

• Madelyn Harding (Year 8): first Novice Tenor;

• Tane Claxton (Year 11): first Intermediate and Novice Bass Drumming.

Otago Centre King’s Birthday Solo Piping Competition

A group of 16 St Andrew’s pipers competed at the Otago Centre King’s Birthday Solo Piping Competition, one of the five major solo piping events on the calendar. Placegetters were:

• Sam Foote (Year 11): U21 Champion, U16 Champion, second B Grade 2/4 March, first U21 2/4 March, second Strathspey/Reel, C Grade Most Points Overall, first Piobaireachd, third 2/4 March, second Strathspey/Reel, first Hornpipe/Jig, first 6/8 March;

• Maggie McConnochie (Year 10): second B Grade Silver Medal Piobaireachd, second Hornpipe/ Jig, third 6/8 March, second U21 2/4 March, third C Grade Piobaireachd, second 2/4 March, second 6/8 March;

• Cooper Gallagher (Year 12): third B Grade Silver Medal Piobaireachd;

• Tayla Eagle (Year 12): third U21 Strathspey/Reel;

• Anthony Song (Year 9): first C Grade Strathspey/Reel, third Hornpipe/Jig;

• Charlie Gregg (Year 9): third C Grade 6/8 March;

• Lachlan Sneddon (Year 9): D Grade Most Points Overall, second third Piobaireachd, second 2/4 March, second Strathspey/Reel;

• Alice Glover (Year 8): Most Points D Grade Lady Piper, third Strathspey/Reel, third 6/8 March;

• Finlay Trewinnard (Year 9): first D Grade Piobaireachd;

• Hamish Bilton (Year 9): first D Grade Strathspey/Reel;

• Ryley Medland (Year 11): first D Grade 6/8 March.

Ōtautahi Solo Drumming Championship and Oceania Solo Drumming Championships

St Andrew’s hosted both the Ōtautahi Solo Drumming Championship and the Oceania Solo Drumming Championships, with the following students achieving top results:

Snare Drumming

• Hayden Lam (Year 13): fourth Juvenile Section 5 (16 – 18 years) Oceania Solo Drumming Championship;

• Ethan Higgs (Year 12): third B Grade March, Strathspey and Reel;

• Konnor Chamberlain (Year 12: second C Grade March, Strathspey and Reel, Compound March and second C Grade Aggregate;

• Edward Park (Year 8): first D Grade March first D Grade Aggregate;

• Hunter Donnithorne (Year 7): first D Grade Strathspey/Reel, second D Grade Aggregate;

• Femke McLean (Year 10): third D Grade March, third D Grade Aggregate;

• Lee Patterson (Year 11): second D Grade March;

• Max Yandle (Year 6): first Drum pad, first Drum.

Tenor Drumming

• Harrison Justice (Year 13): third Open March, Strathspey and Reel, Hornpipe and Jig, and third Open Aggregate;

• Dara Ballard (Year 13): first Intermediate March, Strathspey and Reel, Hornpipe and Jig, and first Intermediate Aggregate;

• Annie Young (Year 11): second Intermediate March Strathspey and Reel, second Hornpipe and Jig, second Intermediate Aggregate, first Novice;

• RuoLin (Lauren) Li (Year 10): third Intermediate March, Strathspey and Reel, second Novice;

• Madelyn Harding (Year 8): third Novice.

Preparatory School Music Concert

On Tuesday 2 July, the Preparatory School presented a concert of music items in the Centennial Chapel, featuring the Junior Choir (Years 3–5), Cantare Choir (Years 6–8), Preparatory School Orchestra, chamber group trio, and solo items by the Year 8 music scholars, Ethan Waines and Tony Chen. The performers supported each other with enthusiastic applause and the concert was very well received by a supportive audience of parents and families.

Pride Month

St Andrew’s enjoyed a colourful celebration of Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa 2024, led by our Rainbow Group. A rainbow flag flew proudly on the main flagpole and The Green Library and Innovation Centre celebrated with a book display titled Out on the Shelves. Staff and students wore colourful accessories, and the Rainbow Group members and prefects provided hot chocolates to start the week. Thursday’s chapel message was delivered by Assistant Chaplain, Ben Hughes, who spoke of the need to widen our circle and embrace diversity. Prefects and the Rainbow Group led a ‘dance it out’ session in the Quad at lunchtime to end the week.

Samoan Language Week

St Andrew’s celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week with various activities, including using Samoan greetings or phrases, and ula lole (lolly necklace) making. Students acknowledged the week with a tatalo (prayer) and pese (hymn) during chapel. The Pre-school also celebrated Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa in a variety of ways, including listening to Samoan music, learning to count to sefulu (10), exploring motifs used in traditional Samoan art forms, and tasting some popular Samoan foods, pani popo (coconut buns) and koko alaisa (chocolate rice).

Speech and Drama

A group of 13 Preparatory School students competed in the Speech and Drama Section of the Oamaru Performing Arts Festival. Highlights included Aaron Yu (Year 7) taking top honours with the Most Points Overall, beating competitors in the U14, U16 and Open classes as well as winning the 12 and Under class, in which Ben McKendry (Year 7) was second. Riona McKendry (Year 5) was awarded Most Points 10 and Under, Violet Winterbourn was awarded Most Points Under 8, and Watson Winterbourn (Year 1) won Most Points for Under 6.

Co-Head of the Sustainability Council, Katherine Simcock (Year 12), gave an exceptional speech to a large audience at Tūranga as part of the Speaking 4 the Planet (S4P) series. Katherine spoke of the urgent need for everyone to make choices that will result in protection of New Zealand’s unique biophysical environment.

Vocal Concert

In May, the Staccoro and Stacchorus choirs, two barbershops, as well as a new Senior Quartet, performed at a lunch-hour choral concert at St Mary’s, which St Andrew’s College puts on each year. A piano trio was included, and all the items were well received by an appreciative audience. The concert finished with a combined item of the two choirs singing The Water is Wide with Bring Me a Little Water, Sylvie.