In the first of our series of interviews with each member of the St Joseph's board, the second-term chairman tells James Beech the importance of life-long learning, why the proposed Speargrass Flat Rd campus will be praised in the future and that New Zealand part finances its future with sausage sizzles. The North Auckland-born and raised planning and survey companies director has lived in the Wakatipu since 1994. The public Catholic Integrated School has 148 pupils in years 0 to 8.
Queenstown Times: Why did you want to become a board member and how long have you been in the role?
Rene Kampman: "At the time I was approached to become the Proprietor's Representative, in early 2007, I had not considered joining the board.
"However, with two boys at St Joseph's School already and a third son about to start, I considered it a privilege to be asked to represent the proprietor - the Bishop of Dunedin.
"Also, it was an opportunity to become more involved with my boys' development and education in which I do have a strong vested interest."
QT: What is the biggest issue facing St Joseph's School pupils and what do you want done to tackle it?
RK: "The biggest issue facing St Joseph's and society in general is how do we teach and inspire our children to become life-long learners.
"We are preparing our children today for a future that we cannot yet foresee, for jobs and workplaces that do not yet exist.
"In my view, at St Joseph's we are very lucky to have an energetic principal and very good teaching staff whom are keeping up with current trends and practices in education."
QT: Will National Standards improve a pupil's education at the school?
RK: "My view as an employer of both graduates and others for well over 20 years is that the quality of education has been eroded with time.
"The education system has in part been about the boosting of children's self-esteem, not branding anyone with the tag of being a failure.
"The Government, in introducing National Standards, has put a stake in the ground, so to speak. This is raising the bar of where children should be in terms of their education."
QT: Is a Catholic education still relevant in today's society?
RK: "Yes - the Crown/Government has recognised the importance of the Catholic education in our society by partnering with the Catholic Proprietors around the country to provide for Catholic Integrated Schools.
"Also, the community and parents involved with St Joseph's School recognise the relevance and importance in the education of their children of our special character and the values of respect and honesty, together with a sense of family."
QT: How would you describe the school's financial situation and what needs to be done to improve it?
RK: "We, by nature of our location in Queenstown, are ranked as a decile 10 school by the Government, yet not all families with young children in the area are financially well off.
"This decile rating negatively affects the funding we receive.
"Like all schools locally, funding would have to be described as tight, and without the generous support from the local community, businesses, families and the PTA, for which we are grateful, we would struggle even more financially.
"My view is that the Government needs to review how it funds schools and where the monies allocated into the New Zealand education system actually go.
"The reality is that at the coal face, we are currently part financing our children's education - our country's future - by barbecues and sausage sizzles."
QT: What benefits will the proposed Speargrass Flat campus bring to St Joseph's pupils and the community?
RK: "The proposed Speargrass Flat campus will provide St Joseph's with space to expand and grow.
"The current site is at capacity and surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a tourist town.
"It will enable the introduction of modern facilities for the school into an environment that is more conducive for learning, with significantly more space for children to play outdoors.
"In my view, if the school goes ahead it will become one of the best school environments in the district for children's learning."
QT: What is your response to concerns by appellants the campus would increase traffic and noise and detrimentally affect the amenity?
RK: "The board has not engaged in the planning debate surrounding the exact location of the school as our primary function is to govern and manage the existing school.
"My personal view is that I would rather listen to the sound of children playing happily for one to two hours per day during the school term, as opposed to having a campervan park or hotel with associated restaurants and bars in the same street or next door.
"I believe in 10 to 15 years' time people will be praising the foresight of those responsible for locating the school on Speargrass Flat Rd.
"They will be praised for their vision as Queenstown, Arrowtown and Dalefield communities continue to grow."
QT: How can the community help St Joseph's School?
RK: "By parents continuing to be involved with their children's education, and through the wider community watching out for our students and continuing with their generous support for us that we already receive."
Ask the board
Do you have questions for St Joseph's School board of trustees, or have issues you want to raise? Email your queries, with "Ask the Board" in the subject heading, to news@queenstowntimes.co.nz.
Send them, or drop them off, with the address Ask the Board, Otago Daily Times, PO Box 774, Queenstown. 9348.
