St Andrew’s College has an ongoing commitment to support So They Can, a non‑profit organisation committed to empowering children living in poverty. During the month of March, the community got behind So They Can’s One Human Race Challenge, and through a variety of different initiatives, led by the Community Service team, raised a total of $6000.

Students were asked to get sponsorship from friends and family for a challenge around the number 85, which is the percentage of girls in Baringo County, Kenya, who suffer from genital cutting and child marriage. Students could choose something such as running/biking a total of 85km or doing 85 push-ups every day. The money raised by this initiative is going towards So They Can’s vital education and empowerment projects which support these girls.

A House competition in the Quad in early March kicked off the initiative. Each House had a rowing machine and a bike, with the aim of covering the most distance. It was a great competition, with lots of students cheering each other on, and excellent House spirit. Rutherford continued its great form in House events so far this year to take the win.

Other events run across the month included a House basketball shooting competition, and a Theme Day, when students were encouraged to wear green, black, white or red, the colours of the Kenyan flag. Rector, Christine Leighton, personally supported the campaign with a sponsored walk, surpassing her goal to walk 200km for the month, mostly walked on the treadmill at StACFit early each morning, with some weekend walks in the Port Hills or Hagley Park. “I congratulate Heads of Community Service, Guy Daniels and Jessie Logie (both Year 13), for their fantastic efforts in supporting So They Can with the One Human Race campaign,” said Christine.

St Andrew’s College Chaplain, Rev. Paul Morrow, says this initiative was a wonderful opportunity for staff, students, and families to gather in teams to practice kindness, look for the needs of others, and respond as we would want to be responded to. “By being generous we make room for the gifts of contentment, purpose, love, and hope to come to us – the things money cannot buy but the giving of it can.”