The Clyde born and bred trustee and parent has lived in Queenstown since 1987.
The BNZ senior partner tells James Beech "respect, family and community" values are taken with pupils when they leave the public Catholic integrated school and the new campus helps answer the Wakatipu's population growth.
Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Chris Chandler: I joined the board in 2007 at which stage my son had been at St Joseph's for six years and my daughter for four.
At that time I was nearing the end of my involvement with Wakatipu Junior Rugby and I was keen to continue some form of community involvement.
A position on the board allowed this, while at the same time provided me with the opportunity to learn more about our education system and to get involved with something related to our children's learning and development.
QT: What is the biggest issue facing St Joseph's School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
CC: As parents, schools and as a community we need to ensure our children embrace the sporting, cultural and recreational opportunities available, while at the same time ensuring this is balanced with the best possible learning opportunities that can be provided.
I believe St Joseph's provides this balance and sets our children up to face our rapidly and continually changing world.
QT: Will national standards improve a pupil's education at the school?
CC: I believe that national standards will draw a line in the sand as to where we want our children to be with their learning at different stages.
At St Joseph's, we have always closely monitored our students' learning and development and I believe this will benefit us as national standards come into play.
It is evident that some basic educational fundamentals have slipped over past decades and I believe it is timely that this be addressed.
I do, however, believe that we need to tread carefully to ensure our children's educational standards are continually improving and that all children are being appropriately measured and catered for.
QT: Is a Catholic education still relevant in today's society?
CC: With my children having completed 14 and a-half years between them at St Joseph's, I believe there is real value in Catholic education.
St Joseph's has a very special character and our children truly understand and embrace this character and the associated values such as respect, family and community.
I believe that these values continue with our children after they leave St Joseph's and benefit them and their communities throughout life.
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
CC: There is little doubt that the decile 10 rating that comes with our location is challenging and disadvantageous.
I believe a fair proportion of families in this area are no better off, and perhaps worse off, than what they would be if they lived in one of our major cities, where a lower decile rating may apply.
While decile 10 is inappropriate, given there is little chance that the decile rating system will be changed, we do need to accept the position and aim to achieve the best possible learning opportunities for our children.
We are extremely lucky and grateful to have such a dedicated PTA and a community which provides considerable ongoing financial support to the running of our school.
QT: What benefits will the proposed Speargrass Flat campus bring to St Joseph's pupils and the community? CC: The new campus will provide the space to allow expansion and will bring benefits such as expanded outdoor areas for our children to develop in and enjoy.
The current economic state aside, there is little doubt that the Wakatipu will continue to grow rapidly and development of increased educational facilities needs to be well considered as part of this growth.
QT: What is your response to concerns by appellants the campus would increase traffic and noise and detrimentally affect the amenity?
CC: My own personal view is that I could think of a much worse neighbour than a primary school.
School is largely a six or seven-hour operation for only five days of the week and buildings on the site would, I believe, be of low impact relative to the amount of land involved.
We do live in a growing and developing area and certain developments will not always suit everyone.
I do, however, believe that there is always a way forward providing that all involved are prepared to understand one another's priorities and allow some compromise.
QT: How can the community help St Joseph's School?
CC: Community to me means not only our own school community, but the wider residential and business communities.
All parents need to be fully engaged with their children's learning and families need to be involved with the school and with the community as a whole.
We receive fantastic support from the very giving and generous community which we live in, and long may this continue.
