Public consultations on the new Shotover Primary School last week were deemed a success by the establishment board of trustees, with a ''community vision'' coming into focus.
Board chairwoman Sally Mingaye-Hall and trustees introduced themselves, outlined the school proposal and timeline, then invited feedback from about 35 residents in both morning and evening sessions in the Queenstown Events Centre.
The morning session was helped by the attendance of many children who will be old enough to attend the $14 million state-integrated school when it opens early in 2015.
Parents were asked for feedback on scenarios, such as their expectations on entering the school grounds in 2015, what values and aspirations they hold and what their children would say after eight years at Shotover Primary before they depart for high school.
Ms Mingaye-Hall said the consultation was both formal, via written questions and answers for the main expectations, and informal, by way of chatting at desks.
Feedback remained open as several said they would follow up after thinking about the scenarios, ''so the community will have ownership of the school's vision statement, where the mission statement and principal's direction will come from'', the chairwoman said.
Trustees were asked about the location, design logistics and materials, including play spaces and cladding, safety, zoning, opening dates, uniform, staff appointments and whether the opening would be staged.
At stage one, in early 2015, the school will have 20 classroom spaces, administration, library and multipurpose hall, accommodating about 450 pupils.
At stage two, eight more classrooms will be added, to accommodate about 650 pupils, with room to expand.
There was broad support for the formation of Jones Rd as a safe link between Shotover Country and Lakes Hayes Estate for pupils in walking buses and riding on scooters and bicycles, instead of using the busy state highway to travel between the suburbs.
School facilities, such as the hall, would be made available to the community after hours.
''We weren't able to answer some of the questions because we simply don't know the answers, but we understand that these reflect the issues that are interesting to the community,'' Ms Mingaye-Hall said.
''The thrust of this consultation process was to establish a community vision and understand expectations for the school's role in community, family and children's lives.''
The board will advertise for a principal for Shotover Primary School in the Education Gazette on December 9.
Closing date for applications is January 30.
The principal is expected to be appointed in term two, from May 5, next year.
