Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a WHS board member?
Wayne Foley: "My wife, Julia and I have four children and in 2009 all four of them were at WHS from years 7 to 13. Because of the spread and the fact that the older children had been at the school longer, we had an appreciation of what was happening at various teaching levels.
"What our experiences have told us is that the high school is not just a place where you drop your child off and then collect at the end of the day, as if it were a daycare centre. The process of educating our teenagers is actually a partnership between the school, the parents and the kids.
"Everyone has to contribute in some form and making sure your child is getting what they need from the education process is as much about the parents making sure the school is providing what the parents want as it is the school ensuring it is proving a quality and quantity of learning.
"I know a lot of the kids throughout the school age groups and through seeing them participate in many of the sports and arts in the area. The kids in this region are exceptional in so many ways and I will get a huge amount of personal satisfaction from seeing the school provide them with everything they need to be the best they can be.
"But above all of this, I wanted to become a board member because I am concerned about the new curriculum, how this curriculum is being interpreted and delivered and the effects it is having on the wider school community, including the teachers, students and parents.
"WHS is the only school in area, so it needs to be an excellent one."
QT: What changes do you see making to the way the school operates?
WF: "I want to see the school integrate far more into the community. Our community generally is very supportive of the school and I want the school to reach out to those people and organisations that can contribute to making the school a better place for the kids to come and to want to be part of.
"I want to see the new extensions and renovations that have been promised for some time under way. The additional areas are desperately needed.
"Most importantly, I want to be part of a board that the teachers are proud to work with and for. If the board can deliver in key areas, then the teachers will benefit and this will lead to better outcomes all round.
"The board looks after the teachers, the teachers look after the students."
QT: What is the biggest issue facing WHS pupils?
WF: "Two issues: The new curriculum and how it is interpreted and supported by the school.
"[The other issue] the aggregation effect of parents electing to send their kids out of the area for their education and the distorting effect on the structure of classes and distribution of talent in the school."
QT: What action do you want to see happen to tackle the issue?
WF: "I want us to review how other select schools, selected on their performance as excellent providers, are doing things and critically review why we should take a different approach, if in fact we are different, in curriculum areas."
QT: How is the structure of mixing age groups in classrooms working?
WF: "I think the school stuffed up at the start of 2010 and then worked hard to correct the mixing issue. This will change in 2011, as there will be no year 8s. I'm still concerned about the mixing approach.
"In general terms, I'm in favour of kids being in their age/peer groups and streamed as to ability in English and maths and then fitting everything else around that. That way, teachers stand a chance of teaching to everyone at a level, rather than being all things to a spectrum of skill levels.
"There are and will be exceptions, such as those in the Angelo programme, where they are being accelerated."
QT: Where do you see the future location of the school - where it is, or at Frankton, and if so when?
WF: "The future is at Frankton, where the community facilities are, and it needs to happen as soon as the politicians get their act together. The issue is out of our hands, so I'm not wasting any time on thinking about it."
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation?
WF: "The school gets by, but it needs the financial support of the community. It is rated a decile 10 school, so its funding is minimal and at the same time Queenstown is probably the most expensive place in New Zealand to live. Many families are struggling.
"I know we can get [and do need] the support of the business community but only once we, as a board, have a plan for excellence in what we do and a clear strategy to achieve it."
QT: What feedback have you heard from the community regarding priorities to focus on?
WF: "Getting the students into correct classes and structured learning to give them the best shot at academic achievement. Improving the appearance of students and restoring pride in the school."
QT: Are they your priorities?
WF: "My priorities are the new building works we have planned first and, once that's under way, curriculum issues."
QT: Do you think the school communicates effectively with the community?
WF: "It is starting to, and we will get much better at this as our communication strategy becomes more effective with time."
QT: How can the community assist the school?
WF: "Parents, participate. Become more involved in what and how your child is being taught and what the school and teachers need to do the best job they can do.
"The board has received huge encouragement from the community and what the community can do right now is continue to provide us with support and understanding that things will improve, but not overnight."
ASK THE BOARD
Do you have questions for the Wakatipu High School board of trustees, or have issues you want to raise? Email your queries, with "Ask the Board" in the subject heading, to news@queenstowntimes.co.nz.
Send them, or drop them off, with the address Ask the Board, Otago Daily Times, PO Box 774, Queenstown 9348.
