Shotover Jet Accelerates E-xcellerate

A high school ‘e-learning’ system touted as the future of education has been accelerated thanks to the generosity of Queenstown’s Shotover Jet and local supporters.

Wakatipu High School’s ‘E-xcellerate’ programme has been given the green-light as a result of Shotover Jet’s generous donation of $11,747 -- raised as a result of their most successful Local’s Day ever, and the hugely successful Shotover Jet Christmas Spectacular.

Shotover Jet general manager Clark Scott presented the cheque to Wakatipu High’s principal Steve Hall at the Spectacular event.

Mr Hall said he was extremely grateful for the donation, which would enable a critical next step in education.

“This is the crucial seed money we need to get the e-learning scheme ‘E-xcellerate’ up and running,” he said. “Now we not only have the broadband width needed and the software research completed, but we have the much-needed funds to get the programme started and gain momentum.”

E-xcellerate is a high speed e-learning system which will enable WHS to initiate a pilot scheme for the first two terms of 2013. Mr Hall said the system required an entire raft of new learning, up-skilling teachers and students.

“This is an important path in education, now and in the future,” he said. “Wakatipu High is extremely fortunate to have the funds to kick start this programme. It will be of tremendous benefit to all our students, inspiring and accelerating learning across all subject areas.”

Mr Scott said Shotover Jet was very proud to support local community projects such as E-xcellerate.

“Wakatipu High School is a cornerstone of our community, and we’re extremely proud that Shotover Jet is in a position to support education programmes such as this. It might seem a cliché, but these students will be at the helm here in less than ten years."