8
The Sun
one on one with the Sun
Wednesday August 10, 2016
Huge challenges for new college principal Earlier this year, the-then Queen Charlotte College principal, Tom Parsons, left Picton for an educational consultancy role in Auckland. His replacement and former deputy, Betty Whyte, picks up the leadership at a testing time in secondary education, she tells Glenise Dreaver. There are, says new principal Betty Whyte, “dramatic” changes in the way children are being encouraged to learn “and we at QCC have to navigate our way through that”. Change is rapid, as children are coming from primary schools used to student-driven enquirybased learning. Secondary schools had lagged behind these changes, but that is no longer an option she says. So staff are very quickly adopting a new role as teachers of learning how to learn, instead of focussing on content. While they still have the challenge of preparing children for NCEA qualifications, instead of starting with content areas they might start with a broad theme such as “culture”. “Students create small groups or work on their own to select a country for example. “Then their teacher will guide them in their information search. “ Despite the increased focus on using technology, the days of learning the skills in expensively fitted-out computing suites have gone. “These days students bring their own technological tools to school.” “They know far more about using it, and the software and apps available, than their teachers. So everyone learns from each other.”
Another new direction will be much more focus on community citizenship. “We will have increased involvement in such groups as rest homes and charities, and including conservation initiatives like the Kaipupu Point sanctuary and beach clean-ups .” They are also, she says, developing a “fabulous” relationship with the local marae which includes using it as an off-site campus for art and craft and other activities. Her new role has meant some painful personal changes, including handing over her responsibility for aquaculture training to Michael Stewart. “It was my baby. But he has a wealth of practical experience, and the scheme is doing so well. “ She is excited that in September the school will have its first drama production for several years. ‘Mai Tohi’ has been written by Fairlie Atkinson and directed by Gillian Allot, both teachers at QCC Despite the new initiatives, she sees her appointment as continuing the college’s previous direction under Tom Parson’s leadership. “We’d worked closely together.” One vindication of that has come with the recent results of an online and anonymous Ministry of Education school wellness survey. QCC levels of bullying were compared
Queen Charlotte College principal Betty Whyte.
with national levels. “There were very few problems. Staff were more concerned than students and we were mostly below the national average.”
It hasn’t been a totally straight forward journey towards her new role. Nine years ago Betty had to take a month off work, was on restricted duties for four months.
That was a lesson she says, in taking the moment and enjoying it. “I just thought ‘I’m not going to let this take me down’. I’m a bit of a fighter.
OUR TOP FIVE BEST VALUE BUYS!
2008 Suzuki SX4 GLXFA2 Hatchback 110,000 kms. Great wee ‘town and around’ car. Very comfortable and roomy vehicle on the open road. Very easy to get in and out. Packed with features, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, power windows, fog lights. NZ New.
2007 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV 146,484kms. 7 seater, 4wd, very versatile family vehicle packed with features including airbags, auto lights, auto wipers, paddle shift, reversing camera, CD Player, bluetooth, alloys, Great family car ideal for around town and for adventures away.
$9,990
$13,990
2002 Volkswagen Passat Sedan 2010 Toyota Aurion 3.5P Sedan A great looking car packed with many feaStunning in racy red with tures for your $. Air Bag(s), ABS, Alloys,Air spoiler, alloys and towbar. Drives well conditioning, Climate Control, Cruise with many features. Airbags, electric seats, Control, Heated Electric Leather Seats windows, and mirrors. CD stacker, cruise with memory settings, Electric Windows, control, bluetooth, ABS, aircon, alarm, Electric mirrors, Parking Sensors, Remote central locking, power steering. Very Locking, Traction Control, Paddle shifts. roomy & comfortable for long trips.
SPECIAL $8,990
MOTOR GROUP NELSON/MARLBOROUGH
SPECIAL $6,490
Mandy Roughton Sales
Kelston Swete Sales Manager
2013 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback 19,773kms. New Zealand new with one Nelson owner! Great little commuter cars which are comfortable on the open road as well. FEATURES: Power steering, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Active stability control, Air bags, 5 star ANCAP, ABS brakes.
$11,990 Houston Mitsubishi 42 Scott Street, Blenheim Tel: 03 577 2240 www.houstons.co.nz