Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a WHS board member?
Lyn Cooper: "As principal of the high school, I have a place on the board of trustees, which enables me to work with the governance body to manage change to the best advantage of the school, students, staff, and community."
QT: What changes do you envision making to the way the school operates?
LC: "Once the school has an updated strategic plan we will have a greater awareness of where we want to be as a school and will have a plan as to how to get there."
QT: What is the biggest issue facing WHS pupils?
LC: "The biggest issue facing Wakatipu High School students is developing the disposition independent learners need to meet the expectations to become self-motivated, so they can raise their potential."
QT: What action do you want to see taken to tackle the issue?
LC: "There is an urgent need to develop a renewed strategic plan so students can work towards the school's vision, to become a community of independent learners who have a local, national and global perspective; to foster the desire to be lifelong learners who contribute to the world we live in."
QT: How is the structure of mixing age groups in classrooms working?
LC: "It is too soon to say yet conclusively, but students are motivated and the need for discipline has definitely reduced. Visitors comment on the obvious learning climate which exits this year."
QT: Where do you see the future location of the school? Where it is, or at Frankton and if so when?
LC: "The school is in an official state of transition, so will a move to a new site will be possible once land has been purchased and the use of this site has been exhausted."
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation?
LC: "Very tight. Being a decile 10 school by name only and the high percentage of monies owed to the school makes finances tight. We are very appreciative of the financial assistance the community provides which enables us to continue initiatives, such as Branches."
QT: What feedback have you had from the community regarding priorities to focus on?
LC: "Greater consultation with the community."
QT: Do you think the school communicates effectively with the community?
LC: "This is an area we have identified that needs to be refined and developed further which we would like to see improve and the board of trustees has set up an communications task force to this end."
• 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.
