Our Campus

St Andrew's College Pre-school, established in 2018, offers a modern and vibrant learning environment where children explore individual interests with the guidance of caring teachers. Our well-equipped facility includes bespoke playgrounds, a love for nature, and a dedicated space for numeracy and literacy development. Our warm and supportive teachers foster a genuine love for learning, and close ties with the Preparatory School ensure a seamless transition for our students to the next stage of their education.

Our Stewart Junior Centre, with a bespoke playground for Years 1–3, was opened at the start of 2018.

An exciting addition to the Junior School is a discovery room, which provides options for art, cooking and other activities. The Junior School also has a three-quarter sized court, artificial grass, and performance stage.

Opened in 2012, the Preparatory School Learning Centre offers a student-centric design for Year 4–8 students, featuring 16 classrooms with sliding door access, specialist facilities for various subjects, and flexible spaces promoting student ownership of learning. The facility boasts a robust wireless network, supporting learning both indoors and outdoors, with recreational spaces such as a courtyard, multi-purpose turf, basketball court, and playground equipment.

The Middle School Centre, situated at the base of the Arts Block, serves as a central hub for Year 9–11 students, offering academic and personal support. With an 'open door' policy, Year 9–11 Deans are easily accessible, while friendly administrative staff assist with daily needs and inquiries. The Centre also houses the Head and Assistant Head of Middle School.

The Senior College, designed for Year 12–13 students, cultivates independence and social responsibility in preparation for life beyond school. With privileges and freedoms, students enjoy separate facilities, including a welcoming atrium, split-level design, and a dedicated Student Centre offering a spacious common room seating up to 80 people.

The Green Library and Innovation Centre, opened in June 2018, serves as a focal point for student learning, emphasising inspiration, innovation, and collaboration. Featuring an 'Information' space with a mezzanine for studying, research, and book displays, along with dedicated 'Innovation' spaces, including a design area and a 'maker' space equipped with 3D printers and laser cutters. The Centre hosts coding clubs and the College boasts a robust robotics programme, while younger students engage in Lego Mindstorm, supported by the University of Canterbury.

The family culture and spirit that makes boarding so special at St Andrew’s College is reflected in our bright, modern boarding houses, which are a real home away from home for our boarders.

We have three boarding houses on the campus, Thompson and Rutherford, (three-storey buildings which opened in 2013), and MacGibbon. Students share twin or quad rooms, divided into semi-private spaces encompassing a comfortable bed, desk, wardrobe and storage facilities.

Each house has communal spaces where students can relax and socialise, with day lounges on each floor of Thompson and Rutherford Houses. Television is available with limited SKY options in all boarding houses, along with free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.

The 750-seat Centennial Chapel at St Andrew’s College was opened in October 2016 and serves as a versatile space for worship, celebrations, assemblies, and musical events. Featuring striking modern architecture with pitched rooflines and expansive glass, the chapel pays homage to the decommissioned Memorial Chapel, incorporating original stonework, stained glass windows, oak doors, and other elements. Awards, including the New Zealand Architecture 2018 John Scott Award for Public Architecture, recognise its unique design and contribution to the renewal of Christchurch, marking a momentous milestone in St Andrew’s College history.

Gym 1 is a full-sized gymnasium, which is regularly utilised as a recreation facility. In 2016 the interior and exterior of Gym 1 were modernised, with the addition of the new High Performance Fitness Centre, and new sports offices, with further enhancements made with the new Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre which opened in 2024. Gym 1 has full AV capability and is the venue for many school assemblies and special events.

Opened in 2016, Gym 2 is a purpose-built gymnasium featuring a spacious competition-standard main floor for various sports. The facility includes team bench alcoves, staff offices, changing rooms, and classrooms with projectors. The spectator gallery showcases the Centenary Sports Wall, commemorating 88 students and staff with national or international recognition in sports over the College's 100-year history, including three gold-medal winning Olympians.

In 2021, our state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, StACFit, opened, benefiting the entire College community by promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The 308-square-metre facility supports holistic health, provides preparation space for sports teams, and adheres to high health and safety standards. With a spacious layout, a 24-metre exercise strip, and extensive fitness equipment, the Fitness Centre is open to all students and staff.

Opened early in 2024 as part of Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre, our state-of-the-art Lesley Johnston Ballet and Dance Studio provide world-class facilities for dancers of all ages and abilities. Architecturally designed, both spaces are expansive and contain the full suite of professional amenities: ballet flooring with sprung floors, double-height barres, studio mirrors, quality audio, air conditioning, projection capability, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Used primarily by our own on-site Ballet Academy (with programmes running from Pre-school to Year 13), it also accommodates other popular programmes such as the co-Curricular Dance Programme and Highland dancing. Located within our Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre, our Lesley Johnston Ballet and Dance Studio provides an ideal teaching environment for dance enthusiasts.

St Andrew’s College boasts a rich sporting tradition, complemented by impressive facilities, including three rugby/cricket fields, a football field, two artificial hockey turfs, and six cricket training nets. The top field, Number 3, underwent a comprehensive upgrade in 2016, featuring improved drainage, re-levelling, and a new sand-based carpet. The Ager Cricket Pavilion, constructed in 1996, supports the main field with a 30-person capacity, equipped with a kitchenette and toilets.

Music plays a central role at St Andrew's College, offering students access to over 25 diverse music groups, including choral, instrumental, jazz, and rock ensembles. The facility, designed in collaboration with Marshall Day Acoustics, houses a recording room and mixing room featuring custom made acoustic panels, making it one of the finest music facilities in New Zealand, complementing the impressive array of instruments and musical equipment available to students.

Some Music Suite facilities are available for hire to small music groups and choirs.

St Andrew’s College houses the only fully professional television and digital media studio in a New Zealand secondary school, offering exciting production and performance opportunities. The four-camera studio, replicating industry standards, includes on-site mentoring from professionals, allowing students to run 'outside broadcasts' at major events and create content for online platforms.

The College's well-equipped field production unit is utilised for class projects and other College events, including the annual Film Festival. Around 300 students from Years 9–13 benefit from this facility each year, nurturing their passion for performance and production, with many alumni achieving success in the industry both in New Zealand and abroad.

In 2016, St Andrew’s College celebrated its rich cultural and sporting traditions with the opening of the Askin Pipe Band Centre. This purpose-built facility serves as the home to the highly successful Pipe Band, which has grown to 125 students. The original Askin Band Room, opened in 1969, was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 earthquakes. The new Askin Pipe Band Centre, officially opened in March 2016, commemorates the legacy of the Askin family and Richard Askin, the Pipe Major in 1964. The plaque from the original Band Room holds a place of honor on the walls of the Askin Pipe Band Centre.

Our onsite Health Centre prioritises the comprehensive health and well-being of our students, focusing on minimising barriers to learning and individual development. Staffed by a Registered Nurse during school hours, the Centre offers confidential support for students dealing with illness, emotional challenges, or injuries.

With a six-bed sickbay, clinic, and office, the well-resourced Centre provides first aid supplies and emergency kits for specific illnesses. Counselling and physiotherapy services are available onsite, while boarding students receive 24/7 care from dedicated staff. The Registered Nurse collaborates with healthcare professionals and, if necessary, arranges further medical attention in consultation with parents/caregivers.

The College Shop – Thistles, located by the Normans Road carpark, supplies all College and sports uniforms (except shoes), stationery, and various general items and services, including dry cleaning, alterations, postal services, and StAC branded merchandise. Open on weekdays during term time with specific hours, the shop also offers uniform fitting bookings for new students. Payments can be made using EFTPOS or credit card.

During term time, the College Shop operates on weekdays from 7.45am–9.45am and 12.00pm–4.30pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) and from 7.45am–9.45am and 12.00pm–3.30pm on Wednesday. During term breaks, the College Shop opens on Monday of the first week of holidays from 11.30am–3.30pm, and Friday of the last week of holidays from 11.30am–3.30pm. Christmas break (December/January) hours are confirmed later in the year.

Located beside the College Shop, next to the Normans Road carpark, the Second-hand Uniform Shop is run by the PTA and operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3.00pm to 4.30pm during term time. Items of second-hand uniform available include blazers, jerseys, cardigans, vests, trousers and shorts, blouses, pinafores and skirts and tracksuits.

Exploring the outdoors is an intrinsic part of life in New Zealand, and at St Andrew’s College, students enjoy a top-quality Outdoor Education programme in award winning facilities at Castle Hill, in the spectacular Canterbury High Country. The Alistair Sidey Mountain Lodge, rebuilt in 2008, accommodates 42 people and serves as a state-of-the-art centre for outdoor and leadership programmes. Activities, overseen by qualified instructors, include problem-solving games, abseiling, skiing, snow-caving, tramping, camping, kayaking and environmental projects including wilding pines, stoat trapping and a wasp control programme. Students in Years 7–10 benefit from annual excursions, while Senior College leaders undergo specialised training at Castle Hill. Recognised for its high quality, the Outdoor programme also extends its facilities to other schools in the Christchurch area.

Ngā Toi – Performing Arts Centre, opened in 2024, is a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster creativity, learning, and artistic expression. It features dedicated spaces for specific artistic disciplines:

Gough Family Theatre: a premier performance space with sophisticated acoustic design, advanced lighting capabilities, and seating for 266. This space is poised to host a wide range of productions and events, it is a hub for artistic exploration and community engagement, and it offers fantastic teaching and learning opportunities.

Lesley Johnston Ballet Studio: Equipped with cutting-edge facilities, the Lesley Johnston Ballet Studio supports the College’s exceptional Ballet Academy and co-curricular Dance students. Here, talent can flourish and students can showcase their skills.

Fife Dance and Drama Studio: Adjacent to the Lesley Johnston Ballet Studio, the Fife Dance and Drama Studio provides an intimate and immersive performance space. It hosts dance classes and other creative activities.

Blair Gough Drama Studio: Designed for Drama classes at all year levels, the Blair Gough Drama Studio accommodates up to 50 people. Its intimate setting encourages powerful performances.

Technology and Backstage Operations: Media students at St Andrew’s College benefit from the Theatre's advanced technology. The new overhead gantry system allows creative use of theatrical lighting, giving students hands-on experience in lighting design and setup.