St Andrew's College (Christchurch)

I cannot begin to even start here. I genuinely believe this school has the same level of education as a public school, if not worse. I have experienced bullying as many others have, and it never ends. The people here are toxic, including abusive and aggressive teachers as well as misogynistic + racist students. Diversity is NOT in any way encouraged, and the oppression in any alternative cultures is insane. The only good thing about this school is the music lessons, in which I probably could’ve got for cheaper out of school nonetheless. The music teacher used to throw things, and the other one publicly humiliates students and tells private information about students to other students.This school may be co-ed, but men here are encouraged to be misogynistic without punishment, as well as racist and ableist to students of different races or disabilities. Once the bullying got too much for me, I started going to counselling. They blamed me. Asked what I did wrong and that I should apologise when it was evident by my therapist that there was nothing my fault. During panic attacks the block is closed to anyone who doesn’t have a booking, so for those with anxiety disorders they only have the bathrooms to be. Messaging them on teams responds with being ignored, and when I attempted suicide they lied to my parents and said they have no ideas when the solid evidence was left on read. The students are uneducated on neurodiversity, and as one, I have had absolutely no help nor are any teachers even aware on how to teach alternatively, and rather use the “old school” writing on a board and yelling techniques. Many teachers made me behind in classes due to not allowing questions or refusing to help. They also have evident favourites which made me very unsafe. I have never felt more unsafe coming to school, knowing that there is no reprocussions for severe bullying, yet there is detentions for wearing uniform wrong. Sexual assaults have been hidden, they don’t allow for anybody to speak of things that may seem bad on their name. The boarders have complained to me about how horrible their food is, and we got yelled at during biology one time because somebody swabbed the cafeteria and it was dirty. The food looked inedible. Sports is alright, as much as it costs, but the team ethic is toxic and I received hate for existing. P.E. is compulsory even for those with physical disabilities, I had 3 different exemptions and they didn’t listen. They told me I was making excuses but I have a chronic disorder. Of course, I was bullied by team members for being slower than others due to inconsiderable students. Even my parents would complain about the uniforms, students were constantly sick and made to come to school so they wouldn’t miss time because the pricing and material of the uniforms were not in any way warm. There was never enough room for people to stay inside during cold days, as the “wet days” in which we were allowed inside tutor classrooms it had to be absolutely pouring. I don’t want anyone to go through what I had to. Please do your research, this place is horrible and should not even be open. This school is capitalist and narcissistic.

Extremely poor Educators at STAC. Requires a change of Board of Trustees and Principal. I would certainly recommend Rangi Ruru and Christ College.

Don't send your kids here.

Systemic bullying issues that have never been resolved. Racism and misogyny are standard.

I recall a pervasive culture of bullying, even including a tradition of hazing 3rd-formers. The only kids who ever got support from staff were those that the school could use for PR, such as the sporting or academic achievers - the rest were just a source of revenue, left to fend for themselves.

Despite numerous complaints, staff ignored it, until the Commissioner for Children launched a ministerial inquiry that resulting in a damning report, which is available publicly:

https://www.worldcat.org/title/report-of-the-commissioner-for-children-on-complaints-of-bullying-at-st-andrews-college-christchurch-december-1994/oclc/154162691

The Commissioner threatened to close the school unless it made certain changes, hence all the PR by the school in recent years.

It's cringe-worthy seeing them promoting diversity. I remember boys calling each other the N word, or "woman", if they were poor at sport.

Some more links of interest, which may give a hint as to the true culture of STAC (what I found after a quick google):

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/102645767/st-andrews-college-student-referred-to-youth-aid-after-sexual-complaint

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/private-school-staff-at-loggerheads/ACLF5CBCK4OYTOSCYC2EY4N55I/

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/418546/christchurch-school-investigating-after-black-lives-matter-posters-torn-down