Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a WHS board member?
Greg Turner: "I have always believed that education was the foundation of a healthy society. It seemed apparent that the high school was grappling with a number of issues that were affecting its ability to achieve its potential in serving the community.
"When I looked at my own circumstances, I concluded that I had a range of skills and experience that could contribute to making the future look better than the past."
QT: What changes do you see being made to the way the school operates?
GT: "It's a little soon to answer that question with any precision. However, I see the board's role as providing the strategic direction and operational platform for the delivery of its core function - enhanced student achievement."
QT: What is the biggest issue facing WHS pupils?
GT: "I doubt that our students' problems are any different from most. We live in a quickly changing environment and Queenstown is more dynamic than most."
QT: What action do you want to see happen to tackle the issue?
GT: "Our focus is on developing a new strategic plan and as that process develops, and the data and associated information is gathered to inform that process, more specific issue-related initiatives will evolve.
"I am personally determined that we will be outcome focused, setting clear and measurable goals. But it is important to have gathered all of the relevant data before setting those specific goals."
QT: How is the structure of mixing age groups in class rooms working?
GT: "I have not yet formed an opinion on the specifics of this initiative at WHS. However, philosophically, I personally have no issue with it. The traditional method of progressing youngsters simply according to their age has allowed us, as a society, to ignore the reality that they develop - emotionally, physically and intellectually - at different rates anyway.
"It seems to me that this initiative allows greater opportunity to react to that reality. The operational difficulties that this approach creates are another matter and one that we will be following closely."
QT: Where do you see the future location of the school - where it is, or at Frankton and, if so, when?
GT: "I think that we as a board are very much focused on the short-medium term at present. We'll place more attention on this once we have dealt with the present."
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation?
GT: "As with many schools, I suspect we are dealing with the realities of a funding level that does not allow us to do all that we would like. This will be an ongoing focus but again, speaking personally, I believe it is one that we can overcome."
QT: What feedback have you heard from the community regarding priorities to focus on?
GT: "Clearly communication has been signalled as a priority and we have already put in place a task force to tackle this issue. The face of the school, its physical presence and the culture that this informs are all areas to address."
QT: Are they your priorities?
GT: "Yes."
QT: Do you think the school communicates effectively with the community? GT: "I think there can be considerable improvements in all areas of communication."
QT: How can the community assist the school?
GT: "I believe that if we can present a coherent strategy for improving the outcomes that the school delivers then the community will support us in whatever way is required. I think that there is a recognition that a vibrant, successful school delivers not only to those directly affected - students, parents, grandparents - but also to local business, through their ability to attract the right employees, and therefore the community as a whole."
ASK THE BOARD
Do you have questions for the new Wakatipu High School board of trustees or have issues you want to raise?
Email your queries, with "Ask the Board" in the subject line to news@queenstowntimes.co.nz or post them, or drop them off, to Ask the Board, Queenstown Times, PO Box 774, Queenstown, 9348.
