Academic successes

Late 2022 Successes*

Creative Writing

In the Secondary School Creative Writing Competition, William Russell (Year 12), was awarded first in prose and the overall winner of the competition with his piece, Honey Toast. William received the Kerrin P Sharpe Cup for Promise in Creative Writing at Prizegiving. Runnerup in the prose section was Daniel Robertson (Year 12) with Chaotic United Symphony. First place in poetry was Vivien Kuziel (Year 12) with Motherland, with runner-up Anisha Chand (Year 10) with An Insult examination, designed to offer a high-level qualification in the language to those wishing to use French for professional or study purposes. This is an excellent achievement for a Year 13 student.

Emma Geddes (Year 8) was presented with the 2022 Elsie Locke Writing Prize and $250 awarded by The Elsie Locke Memorial Trust for her story, The Boy and Grasshopper. The Trust asked young writers aged 5 to 13 to develop a piece of writing inspired by New Zealand history or Elsie Locke’s work for peace, the environment, women’s issues, and her community.

Future Problem Solving

St Andrew’s students once again achieved outstanding results at the Future Problem Solving National Finals, including two New Zealand titles and a second placing. All members of the College’s squad of 20 national finalists achieved a top 10 place at the competition. The top three placegetters were:

• Years 5–6 team: Benjamin Edward, Louis Hyland, Emmett Lawler (all Year 6) and Rhys Seath (Year 5) won the New Zealand title for their division and also placed third for their Presentation of Action Plan;

* Please note the use of 2022 year groups.

Neuroscience Mentoring Programme

Under the umbrella of the ACEE (Academic Extension and Enrichment) programme, St Andrew’s College now has a Neuroscience Mentoring programme, courtesy of the University of Otago. A group of 25 Year 9–10 students meet with one of three university academics on a regular basis to explore neuroscience concepts, theories, and case studies. In 2023 there will be opportunities for senior students to join as well. A group of 25 Year 9–10 students enjoyed their first online neuroscience lecture with Dr Xiao-Wen Yu in late November.

VEX Robotics

2023 Successes

French Patrick Ryan (Year 13) passed the International DELF B2 French Canterbury Kids’ Lit Quiz

The Preparatory School Team 2, comprising Harry Sibson, Emmett Lawler (both Year 7), Matilda Atkins and Zoe Bostock (both Year 8), was first in the Canterbury Kids’ Lit Quiz and have qualified for the national finals later in the year.

Creative Writing

In the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Essay Competition 2022, James Anthony (Year 11) won a Silver Award for his essay about Sir Edmund Hillary, and Rylee McBride (Year 11) won a Bronze Award for her essay about Princess Diana.

In the UK Poetry Society’s, Your name is a poem: a translation challenge competition, Hanxi (Cicy) Chen (Year 9) was longlisted for her poem, The Meanings of my Name

Two students had their writing selected for publication in Toitoi 31: Cooper

• RuoLin (Lauren) Li (Year 8) was the New Zealand Junior Individual Champion. Lauren will travel to the United States in June 2023 to compete in the International Conference.

St Andrew’s fielded one team of Year 7 students, Alexander Allan, Matilda Atkins, Zoe Bostock, and Charlotte Withers, into the Elementary section of the 2022 VEX IQ Nationals. In the skills section, they finished tenth, and won the Inspire Award, which recognises passion for the competition and positivity at the event.

Fleming (Year 10) with his story Long Nights, and Charlotte Galvan (Year 10) with her poem My Koro’s tangi

Five students received awards from Environment Canterbury’s Seaweek Poetry Competition 2023: ‘Poetry for the Sea’.

• Years 9–10 Category: Heidi Smith (Year 9) was first with her poem, My wahine. Charlotte Galvan (Year 10) and Scarlett Oulsnam (Year 9) Highly Commended for their poems, Mahia and My Blue Eyes;

• Years 11–13 Category: William Russell (Year 13) first for his poem, I search for the pods and schools. Saskia Wells (Year 12) Highly Commended for her poem, One with the surge

Debating

The StAC White debating team, comprising Emily Keith, Luke Wylie (both Year 13) and James Hart (Year 12), won the Canterbury Regionals Debating Competition. James Hart was named in the New Zealand Development team, and Luke Wylie was named in the Regional team.

Science Olympaid

Gemma Lewis (Year 13) attended the New Zealand Olympiad in Informatics Summer Camp.

VEX Robotics

Five VEX Robotics teams from St Andrew’s College qualified to compete at the VEX Robotics National Competition in Auckland in February, after the completion of their final regional scrimmage. The Year 10 team, Super Series Squabblers, made it to the top eight, but were knocked out in their semi-final. They finished as the top South Island team.