Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Russell Engelke: I was asked to join the board in early 2010.
Four of my children, Abby (13), Joel (11), Jubilee (9) and Adam (6), attend the school.
As a proactive parent, I have enjoyed participating in many aspects of the school, from sharing at assemblies to facilitating the annual ski lessons, coaching the odd swimming lesson and helping out with athletics, ice skating and other fun outdoor activities, such as the school camps.
My wife and I have enjoyed the "family feel" of SLCS and giving back to the school by serving with the board in pioneering for future generations seemed the right thing to do.
QT: What is the biggest issue facing Southern Lakes Christian School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
RE: All children in New Zealand are faced with the pressures of a society that has few boundaries and little or no consequences for wrong actions.
At SLCS, we desire to partner with parents to raise, equip and empower their children for a successful life.
Values and life skills are taught and imparted to the children, which we trust will serve them well throughout life.
We support the Ministry of Education in its implementation of national standards.
We too acknowledge that it is not a set of tests that will raise the standard of a pupil's education, but rather through good teachers and parents who are dedicated enough to motivate pupils to achieve their unique potential.
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
RE: The school has survived thanks to the generosity of several local benefactors, other associated schools, the wonderful staff and volunteers of the school and many others who have sowed in time and resources.
Integration will significantly improve the financial situation by supplementing the school resources, improving the facilities and making the school accessible to many other families.
QT: Is a Christian education still relevant in today's society?
RE: Absolutely. One only needs to look at other large Christian schools around the country that are producing some of the finest achievers and leaders in all sectors of society.
I believe that the values instilled by the parents, and reinforced by the school, lead to children who know who they are and what they want to achieve in life.
QT: What benefits will the school's transformation from a private school to a private integrated school bring to pupils and the community?
RE: The State will now finance the school staff and operational costs.
This, in turn, will lower school fees, making SLCS another option for parents in the Wakatipu, one of New Zealand's fastest-growing communities.
