Rosie Manins talks to those responsible for the project.
Schools are using computer technology more than ever, and those in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes are ahead of most following an upgrade spearheaded by a $2.1 million Central Lakes Trust grant.
All 24 schools within the trust's geographic area have received an upgrade of existing information and communication technology (ICT) facilities as well as connection to a high-speed wireless network.
Mt Aspiring College and Logan Park High School are also involved in a trial to connect schools with a centralised computer server in Dunedin which would connect all schools targeted by the project.
Central Lakes Trust chief executive officer Paul Allison said the project started about three years ago when the trust formed a vision to see schools in its patch use the best computer technology.
"We didn't want our schools to be disadvantaged," he said.
The trust committed $2.1 million to realising that vision, the largest grant made for a single project in the trust's eight-year history and its first in excess of $2 million.
Funding was allocated in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years.
Most went to upgrading school facilities, with $1.5 million for new and improved equipment and a further $300,000 for wireless installation and connection.
Collectively, the schools involved contributed about $400,000 for the upgrade.
The balance is being used for a professional development programme to train teachers and school staff in how to best use the technology, as well as for investment in the server trial.
Mr Allison said the trust's vision extended to seeing upgrades utilised, which was where the trial came in.
Government funding for upgraded ICT in rural schools throughout New Zealand had not been fast enough for the trust, he said.
"We were not prepared to wait on what might emerge from government funding over the next few years. We wanted to try and make sure that schools could access and receive the benefits of ICT upgrades immediately."
This week, the Government announced a $300 million rural broadband project which would see 93% of rural schools receive fibre in the next six years, although funding has yet to be committed to the project.
Entering the field of cutting-edge technology meant the trust had to seek advice.
Former principal Charles Newton was chosen as a mentor because of his long-term involvement in schools and the upgrading of ICT.
Mr Newton, of Nelson, was responsible for an award-winning computer technology network at Nayland College, as well as the establishment of a regional fibre-optic loop which gave Nelson and Marlborough schools access to shared resources.
The Nelson Loop paved the way for the Central Lakes Trust's inspired network in Otago.
The Nelson Loop relied on community-owned fibre which is not available in Otago, and therefore the trust's trial is breaking new ground by incorporating commercial fibre.
Mr Newton said Telecom, which owns the Otago fibre, was a partner in the trial.
"What we are trying to find out is whether there is an economic model for a loop using commercial fibre. Most rural users aren't going to have the luxury of access to community fibre, so if this model works, it certainly could be a significant precedent," he said.
Individual schools struggled to afford the basics, let alone continually evolving ICT technology.
A reason for exploring the concept of centralised servers and shared networks was to make it easier and more cost effective for schools to harness the latest technology and online learning resources.
Strengthened bonds between schools also created benefits in terms of shared knowledge.
"By collaborating and sharing resources, schools are able to access a higher-quality server and professional support. Underlining everything in this project is to see schools collaborating more and working more closely together to share resources and to access shared services," Mr Newton said.
He said Central Otago schools were "poised and ready" to take advantage of broadband, but for them to be able to do that effectively there needed to be models which allowed them to access services rather than have to buy them individually.
Eventually, a national system could link schools throughout the country, and those in this upgrade would be the first to benefit, he said.
"There's a strong push, being led in part by this region, for a national education network that will be able to provide a lot of the materials required before schools can really capitalise on connecting to fibre.
The trust has raised Central Otago in a healthy position to make the most of broadband if the Government confirms that proposal," he said.
Mr Newton said a national education network was "critical", and the Otago project a vital step in the right direction.
"It's such a powerful use of broadband connectivity," he said.
Comments by school staff on the project:
> "I'm rapt. . . ; as a brand new school, the one thing which has been holding us back so far has been the infrastructure - so we are thrilled." - Holy Family School principal Barbara Perry.
> "This extra injection of cash lowers the whole stress for schools. It's going to make a big difference to our kids and to Central Otago as it will become a beacon area." - Cromwell Primary School principal Wendy Brooks.
> ". . . it's going to make it better for us with all the schools being on the same level and having equity." - Wanaka Primary School deputy principal Kerry Guise.
> "Being so isolated, we need reliability, connectivity, and stability - which is exactly what this initiative will give us." - Glenorchy School principal Mary Lou Grant.
> "We're very excited that the spotlight has come back on to infrastructure, and it's exciting that connectivity is still on the radar. Clyde school is so grateful this is available - it's pretty visionary. - Clyde Primary School principal Doug White.
> "Brilliant! She's a great idea . . . it's just fantastic these things are happening, especially when you are out in the middle of nowhere things like this make a difference." - Poolburn School principal Simon Waymouth.
