The mother of two tells James Beech while the school's rural location means parents must devote time and money to take pupils to activities, the isolation creates a sense of family within the school.
Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Sarah Hickey: I am very interested in the management of the school and getting involved in the school since having one child in the junior class and another joining the school next year.
I have only just joined the board, since May this year.
I am also a trained primary teacher so have an insight into what life is like for teachers and want to contribute to the most important part of a child's start in life and the organisation which delivers it.
QT: What is the biggest issue facing Glenorchy School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
SH: The biggest issue is the isolation from out-of-school opportunities such as sports and performing arts.
Parents have to take the time and expense to transport children to Queenstown or further, although we have two teachers for musical instruments, and a swimming instructor here in town.
Bigger schools in cities would have more in-school activities such as choirs and orchestras, more children to make up teams for different sports, and more parents and teachers to coach these activities.
Here, if we want our children to take part, it's up to the parents to motivate and organise transportation.
QT: Will national standards improve a pupil's education at the school?
SH: I think the teachers already assessed children's progress well and planned for children accordingly.
I feel the national standards do not allow for individual differences.
However, I can see how, depending on the parent, some parents would endeavour to find out more about their child's learning and help more at home if they knew their child was not meeting the standards.
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
SH: I think our financial situation is satisfactory and budgets are managed well.
The PTFA seem to have to do endless fundraising for special purchases or maintenance, but special projects, for example, the new entrance and office and maintenance goals, appear to be met within their timeframes.
QT: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Glenorchy School's distance from Queenstown?
SH: What I like about our small school is the sense of family within the school.
Children from different ages and levels play together and girls and boys play together.
Each child knows each other well and older children look after the little guys.
There are wonderful opportunities for children to go on the many tramps and outdoor pursuits which are found right on our back door step, although it does depend on the parents to take them.
The disadvantage, as mentioned before, is the distance travelled to attend activities not offered in Glenorchy.
QT: How are pupils prepared for high school and are there more ways to familiarise them?
SH: Being new to the board and a parent of a child in year 1, I do not have direct knowledge of what is offered to year 7 and 8 students, but I am confident that the principal and teacher of the senior class are delivering a wide range of quality experiences to the best of their ability, to prepare them for high school.
QT: How can the community help Glenorchy School?
SH: The community is already supportive of the school, some helping out at fundraising ventures or contributing to the school programme if they have a particular skill or ability, or listening to budding readers.
I hope this continues, to ensure children of Glenorchy receive the best the community can offer.
