Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Hine Marchand: I have been a member of the board for six years.
I'm very passionate about values-based education and helping to provide a positive environment in which children can be encouraged and nurtured to reach their full potential.
Developing good character is just as important as academic achievement.
QT: What is the biggest issue facing Southern Lakes Christian School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
HM: I don't think I would call them issues, but life's challenges, and those challenges are the same all over.
I think pupils everywhere these days struggle with peer pressure, pressure in their homes, pressure at school etc.
I think we are tackling these challenges at SLCS by providing them with an all-round education and so are preparing them for future life out in the workforce.
We need to focus on academic growth while at the same time instilling in them faith, character, integrity and the like.
QT: Will national standards improve a pupil's education at the school?
HM: I believe that our special character matches well with the national standards in that we want our pupils to do their very best irrespective of their actual academic abilities.
With integration before us, the financial burden will be eased for the school and that can only open doors of opportunities so we can continue to grow in an excellent delivery of an all-round education and make that more affordable for the community.
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
HM: While we have been incredibly challenged financially at times, it has at the same time been an amazing journey - one of perseverance, commitment and hard work from many people.
We have experienced many amazing miracles, with doors opening when we were in seemingly impossible financial circumstances.
We are very grateful to have integration before us, with plans well advanced for a new school.
We have had wonderful support from Middleton Grange School, Christchurch, Kingsway School, Auckland, and many other Christian schools throughout New Zealand.
Significant local support to us in Queenstown has come from Olive Hutchins.
Her unwavering support and financial help to the school has shown us what a woman of true vision she is.
Thank you, Olive.
Bainfield Trust, Invercargill, has been another unwavering support to the school, helping with bursaries for families.
We are so grateful to the trust.
QT: Is a Christian education still relevant in today's society?
HM: Most definitely.
Where integrity, honesty, reliability, etc were once our society's values, these are being watered down, or even completely forgotten.
Our kids are watching us as parents and mentors.
Whatever we believe and action, we are passing on down.
I think a Christian values-based education has been, and always will be, relevant.
As parents seek to raise their children with these same values, we want to support that within the school, as well as strive for academic excellence.
QT: What benefits will the school's transformation from a private school to a private integrated school bring to pupils and the community?
HM: The new school's integrated status will mean that our teachers' salaries and our running costs will be paid for by the Ministry of Education.
With the release of this financial burden, the new school can focus even more on delivering an excellent education to our pupils as well as making the school more financially affordable for many more families in our community.
What we had desired, as a board and as people who are passionate about education, has moved from being just a dream to a reality that will be a blessing to our pupils and also to this wonderful community.
