Founders’ Day and Highland Games

All the best Scottish traditions were on display as St Andrew’s celebrated its 107th Founders’ Day in March. The day is always a highlight on the St Andrew’s calendar and was another great community occasion, bringing together students, staff, parents, guests, and around 60 Old Collegians who returned for their 60 Years On Reunion, together honouring the Presbyterian founders of the College and its formation in 1917.

Highlights of the Founders’ Day Assembly included a dramatic and entertaining performance of Address to a Haggis by Year 13 student, Matthew Lee, the orchestra’s rendition of Dance of the Tumblers by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and Secondary School choir, Staccoro, accompanied by the string orchestra, singing an original piece composed by Sea-am Thompson (Year 13).

Soloist, Noah Fanene (Year 12), sang a beautiful rendition of the traditional favourite, Loch Lomond, to honour the 2024 Robert Burns Scholars, Jack Elvidge and Olivia Bloom (both Year 12), announced at the assembly, who will represent St Andrew’s on a three-week trip to Scotland in the September holidays, visiting a number of Scottish schools.

Guest speaker was Juliette Newman, Head Girl of 2019, who is in her fifth year of Medical School, currently at the University of Otago Christchurch campus. Juliette spoke about the importance of enjoying the journey and the place of failure in creating a memorable life.

A number of awards were also presented at the assembly, including two special Old Collegian Awards, which are traditionally presented each Founders’ Day. James McIver (Year 13) won the GAM Hilson Memorial Accounting/ Economics Award, and Joseph Ryan (Year 13) won the Henry Dowling Memorial French Award.

The day wrapped up with the Highland Games, which was another great occasion of noise, colour, chants, games, songs, and House spirit. The whole school, including the Pre-school and Preparatory School, joined on the lawn outside Strowan House to enjoy the competitive fun, taking part in everything from wheat sheaf tossing, to medicine ball throwing, and Highland dancing.

The afternoon wrapped up most appropriately with a wonderful display from the Pipe Band. Founders’ Day was another great community celebration of 107 remarkable years of St Andrew’s College.