Schools

The beginning of a "truly Remarkable story" was celebrated when Remarkables Primary School was officially opened to the community on Friday.

The quality and passion of teachers improve a pupil's education, not assessment, Arrowtown School board of trustees parent representative Grant McCulloch says.

National standards will have little impact on Arrowtown School as it already widely assesses its education practices to the highest standard, board of trustees chairwoman Tracey Gieck says.

St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative Pauline Copland is concerned science, technology and the arts will have less focus in the future of national education.

Children's author Kyle Mewburn, of Millers Flat, (left), next to principal Debbie Dickson, reads from his new book to Remarkables Primary School pupils, after he officially opened their new information centre and library on Friday.

Rural resorts cause more impact on countryside amenity than the proposed Speargrass Flat campus will, St Joseph's School board of trustees proprietor's representative Phil Wilson says. In the latest interview with all members of the board, the father of five and solicitor tells James Beech the new school will take pressure off the Queenstown school and offer a Catholic education to Arrowtown, Lakes Hayes Estate and Frankton.

Dunedin mother Jennifer Evans is looking forward to next year and the start of a new programme for gifted and talented children.

St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative Michelle Bradley tells James Beech she is "unconvinced" of National Standards' ability to enhance New Zealand's education standards.

National standards will draw a line in the sand as to where we want our children to be with their learning, St Joseph's School board parent representative Chris Chandler says.

The smiles said it all at the official opening of the Arrowtown Early Learning Centre on Friday, the result of five years of research, lobbying, planning and applying for funding.

While many secondary schools continue to applaud the University of Otago for raising the entry level for its programmes, one educator has criticised the timing of the new criteria's introduction.

Otago secondary schools are advising pupils to improve their NCEA grades if they want guaranteed entry to university courses next year.

St Joseph's School board chairman Rene Kampman says National Standards are one way of pushing the boundaries of learning in New Zealand.

Two Balclutha primary school principals back from a week in Singapore believe developing strong education links with Asia will flow into strong business links with the economic powerhouse.