High aims, high achievements at St Andrew’s
The St Andrew’s College community has welcomed 2021 with great energy, and a sense of promise and anticipation.
The year started positively with students achieving outstanding results in the 2020 NCEA examinations, with a total of 271 Excellence endorsements, and 53 New Zealand Scholarships.
‘‘These results made 2020 the best academic year for St Andrew’s College in its history, and are among the very best in New Zealand,’’ says Rector Christine Leighton.
St Andrew’s is proudly traditional in its approach to NCEA, and strongly believes in the merits of the overarching NCEA framework, she says.
‘‘During their Level 1 studies, students figure out the NCEA system and how to make the most of it to reach their goals. ‘‘They develop resilience, experience success and failure, and figure out what works for them.
‘‘All of this is critical preparation for the big step up to NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 and future tertiary study.’’
Christine is the first female Rector at St Andrew’s College and has been in the position since 2007, following a long career as a teacher and in senior leadership roles.
She is a great believer in girls and boys being educated alongside one another.
‘‘I went to a co-educational school myself and believe it is the best way to prepare young people for their future.’’
St Andrew’s College is strongly committed to the holistic development of its students.
‘‘We recognise each student as an individual and, and with a multi-dimensional approach, support their personal development and wellbeing alongside a growth mindset for learning. We strive to ensure our students leave with not only a world-class education, but also the mental agility, emotional intelligence, and resilience to survive and flourish in life beyond secondary school.’’
Now halfway through implementing the college’s Strategic Vision, ‘Framing Our Future’, Christine says all members of the St Andrew’s College community strive to live the college values of Truth, Excellence, Faith, Creativity and Inclusivity.
‘‘These values mean so much more to us than words.
‘‘They are a tangible and visible guide to how we treat each other every day, and remind us of the importance of being aware of each other’s differences and needs.’’
Christine says in the challenging Covid-19 environment, the focus on student wellbeing at St Andrew’s College has perhaps never been more vital.
‘‘We have a full programme of wellbeing strategies in place, which help students to develop a broad set of character strengths, virtues and competencies – so important in this unprecedented time.’’