Meet the Working Group

Working Group

Education Kaikōura- Planning for the Future is a community led process where the community provides advice directly to the Minister of Education about education needs in Kaikōura over the next fifteen years. The process is directed by the Education Working Group, and supported by an independent facilitation team.

The working group was set up in the latter part of 2007 and is made up of people nominated from within the community. Its task is to create and lead the wider community consultation process. The working group has completed a "Consultation Plan" for the whole process. The programme is designed to provide everyone in the Kaikōura Community - from the Woodbank area around the Clarence River in the north, to the Lynton Downs area in the south - with opportunities to have their views heard.

Meet the Working Group

Linda Craig - I am employed by the Canterbury District Health Board as the Public Health nurse in Kaikōura, a role which encompasses the Well Child Service for the 0-5 age group and also a service to each school in Kaikōura. I am pleased to be part of the education working party as I feel I have an understanding of the district, and an overview of how things are at present. I hope that from the review we will be able to have an education system that is tailored to the needs of the Kaikōura people.

Joanie Throssell - I farm with my husband at the northern end of the district. Having four sons, I have always been interested in education and have at times Home Schooled my children.  I am on the BOT at Woodbank School and have also been on the Boards of Ward School and a primary school in the UK. I am passionate about communities, particularly rural ones.

Danny Smith - I was born in Kaikoura where all but one year of all my education took place. My wife and I have also had our 4 children educated here in Kaikoura. Having been involved in many community organizations including BOTs over the last 40 years has given me a good back ground and understanding of the needs of the community.

The review should show us what the wishes (if any) are of the community towards local education.

Other working group members are:

• Brett Cowan
• Darlene Morgan
• Leena Kerei Keepa
• Benita Wakefield
• Rachel Manawatu

Members nominated by the Education Professionals Group are:

• Jo Fissenden (Kaikoura High School)
• Diane St Claire (Hapuku School)
• Dawn Calvert/Carol Cumpstone (Early Childhood Education sector)

The purpose of the Education Kaikōura Working Group is to inspire the Kaikōura community to continually develop outstanding educational opportunities for all.

The initial role of the Working Group has been as communicators. Each working group member has a portfolio of individuals, community groups, organisations and schools to talk to. They are in the process of carrying out extensive consultation through a range of different methods. Some of the working group have held meetings, while others have made presentations and carried out interviews. This phase of the process involves informing the community about Education Kaikōura. It seeks to have people express their opinions to help shape the final community plan.

Working group members are also involved in the series of events being run in Kaikōura at the end of March. Again, people are being asked to voice their views, and help shape a truly community vision.

In the next phase of the process, the Working Group role will change to that of analysts. With the help of the facilitation team, they will be sorting through all of the information gathered in the consultation phase. They will look for themes seen as important in the community and will reflect what they have heard in developing strategic outcomes.

The role of working group members' role will then change again to become planners. Each theme will be expanded into a series of actions. The working group will create outcomes and strategies that they think the community would like to see for education in Kaikōura. This planning phase will lead to the strategic plan that will go to the community for formal submissions and comments before being presented to the Minister of Education.