Meet the board

Integrating Southern Lakes Christian School (SLCS) with the state education system by the start of the next school year will make Christian values-based education more accessible and affordable to the community, board trustee Hine Marchand tells James Beech.

Strong ethics and morals better equip children to succeed in life, though peer pressure may challenge their beliefs when they grow older, Southern Lakes Christian School board of trustees chairman Roland Lemaire-Sicre says. In the first of our new series interviewing the members of the board, Mr Lemaire-Sicre tells James Beech the school's refit and rebranding will benefit the Wakatipu community.

Keeping enrolment up, providing a well-rounded education and making sure children have broad social horizons are vital, Glenorchy School board of trustees parent representative Rodney Moore tells James Beech.

National Standards are an unnecessary hindrance to teachers in the pursuit of their work, Glenorchy School board of trustees parent representative Yvonne Gollop tells James Beech.

Glenorchy School board of trustees staff representative Esther Hamilton tells James Beech that the she does not believe National Standards will directly impact Glenorchy pupils, as the school already sets goals, monitors performance and keeps parents informed.

Distance from sports and cultural events for pupils and professional development opportunities for staff are the biggest issues Glenorchy School faces, principal Mary Lou Grant says.

High-quality teaching, smaller classes and well-resourced classrooms improve a child's education, not national standards, and education should be better funded, Arrowtown School board of trustees staff representative Sue Buckenham tells James Beech.

Arrowtown School principal Robin Harris believes National Standards have a place in the school system, but, as he tells James Beech, Minister of Education Anne Tolley needs to listen to teachers.

Keeping pupils and staff up to date in the ever-changing world of technology and maintaining a high level of support within the community are two of the biggest challenges facing the Arrowtown School board of trustees. James Beech talks to board deputy chairman Don Hazlett.

St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative James Lynch tells James Beech that the Government's efforts to implement National Standards means it will have to provide more support and funding for schools.

The proposed Speargrass Flat Rd campus would allow for the growth of Catholic education in the Arrowtown area, St Joseph's School board of trustees proprietor's representative Fr Tony Harrison tells James Beech.

St Joseph's School assistant principal Kirsten Moore says teaching in London for four years has given her "perspective on the fact we are lucky with what resources we have and we should be encouraged to use the environment for education outside the classroom."

Teaching Christian values benefits New Zealand society, St Joseph's School board of trustees proprietor's representative Margaret Young believes. The former teacher's aid for special needs children tells James Beech that National Standards are only one method of assessing education.

St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative Michelle Bradley tells James Beech she is "unconvinced" of National Standards' ability to enhance New Zealand's education standards.

New mathematics teacher Oded Nathan brings nine years' experience to Wakatipu High School, both its classrooms and its board of trustees. Already in charge of basketball at the school, Mr Nathan tells James Beech he is ready to do whatever it takes to make WHS the best school it can be.

Wakatipu High School principal Lyn Cooper says the new school board of trustees needs to update its strategic plan, although the need for discipline "has definitely reduced" as a result of mixed age classrooms.

Property developer and Wakatipu High School Board trustee Wayne Foley says the school has "stuffed up" its mixed age classroom policy at the start of the year and while it has worked hard to correct the issue, he is still concerned about the approach. The father of four tells James Beech pride must be restored to the school.