Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Sue Buckenham: This is my fourth year on the Arrowtown board of trustees, so a second term for me.
I had been the staff representative before, at a previous school, and really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss school issues and provide a front-line perspective.
When I arrived at Arrowtown and the position was available, I was happy to join up.
QT: What is the biggest issue facing Arrowtown School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
SB: The speed with which we experience change these days and the fast pace of life.
It all means our students and the life that surrounds them is constantly on the go.
There is so much available in the Wakatipu area and our kids are involved in sports, music, drama, clubs and a plethora of after-school activity.
Students these days not only have to cope with the quick pace of life, but with the busy schedules of their parents and full time-tables of their own.
It is essential that we help them develop time and self-management skills, as well as adaptability.
QT: Will national standards improve a pupil's education at the school?
SB: I don't believe the national standards will improve student education.
Quality teaching, lower class sizes and well-resourced classrooms do.
National standards only attempt to measure a child's reading, writing and mathematics ability.
Our school already has a good picture of student ability and we already monitor and provide for those children that are struggling or in need of extra support.
On the whole, I think national standards will narrow primary teaching and do a disservice to all the other important primary curriculum areas such as sports, health, art, technology and languages.
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
SB: Schools are always in need of more money.
Education should be better funded.
It just doesn't seem right that we have to rely on cake stalls and sausage sizzles to keep on top of costs.
Being a high-decile school also means Arrowtown is not funded so well by the ministry and this is challenging.
Thank goodness for those parents who help at our fundraising events and to the community organisations that sponsor them.
QT: What needs to be done to cater for Arrowtown School's growing enrolment?
SB: Our school has definitely shifted from being perceived as a small-town school to one that is large, vibrant and thriving and yet still embraces community spirit.
We are so lucky to be on such a great site with room to develop.
As the local population grows, so too will our school and we are excited about meeting the needs of incoming students.
QT: How can the community help Arrowtown School?
SB: Our parents and our community are often involved in supporting the school and we are lucky and grateful for this.
Positive feedback from the parents about our school, our staff and/or our children is always appreciated and a real motivator.
The wider community can help by continuing to support school events and fundraising activities.
