Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Esther Hamilton: I was keen to become a board of trustees member as it is an opportunity to become actively involved with another aspect of school. Also, it being a small school of two classes, being the staff representative is another part of the job. It has been good getting to know the other board members and working alongside them.
QT: What is the biggest issue facing Glenorchy School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
EH: Like many pupils in New Zealand, there are a number of issues facing our students, such as e-learning. However, the biggest issue our pupils face is the distance we have to travel to be involved in things both during school and also outside school hours, such as for sports teams, dancing, music.
We are able to manage this well at school with the support of our parents who are willing to give up their time and provide transportation which enables us to attend and be involved in a number of activities.
QT: Will National Standards improve a pupil's education at the school?
EH: I don't believe the National Standards will directly impact our pupils' education. Prior to the introduction of the standards, Glenorchy School has always made goal-setting a priority for each pupil, as well as careful monitoring of where individual pupils are with regards to their learning in all curriculum areas, and strive to keep parents informed.
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
EH: Like any school, finances are always on the mind of the board. I think our school is in a good situation and that our board concentrates not only on the current financial situation but also looks to the future. We also have a great PTFA which fundraises and financially supports the school.
QT: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Glenorchy School's distance from Queenstown?
EH: The distance between Glenorchy and Queenstown means that when we want to go on a trip anywhere or be involved in sporting events, we need parent support for transportation.
The positive side to this is it helps foster relationships between home and school. It also means that any meetings or professional development we want to attend often involves a lot of travel and time.
QT: How are pupils prepared for high school and are there more ways to familiarise them?
EH: At Glenorchy School, we provide programmes such as Dare, a technology programme, Tracks to Success and an Outdoor Education programme which all help our year 7 and 8 pupils to develop their learning skills and independence.
We also carefully monitor their academic progress, ensuring that they are ready for high school and give them opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
QT: How can the community help Glenorchy School?
EH: We are fortunate to have a very supportive community here in Glenorchy where we all work together for the benefit of our students and our school.
