HIGH SCHOOL

ENDEAVOUR

CARE CONTRIBUTE ENDEAVOUR LEARN

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WELCOMENAU MAI HAERE MAIJames Cook High School is a diverse and vibrant learning community committed to doing the very best for our students.We welcome your interest in our school and are confident that we can support your child’s learning in a way that meets their individual learning needs and encourages them to become better learners, contributors to the community and to have the personal motivation to try new things, to set high expectations, to endeavour.

We have a team of committed teachers and support staff who will do all in their power to make your child’s time at James Cook High School both memorable and academically enriching. We look forward to your whanau becoming part of the James Cook High School whanau as we embark on this learning journey together.

HISTORYThe school was opened in 1968 by Commander D.C. Bamfield of HMNZS “Endeavour”on the Saturday nearest to the 201st anniversary of James Cook’s sailing from Plymouth.

The school motto, “Endeavour”, is in recognition of the way Captain Cook and his crew persevered through whatever obstacle in order to meet their outstanding goal. Today and throughout history, James Cook High School’s students and staff safeguard this motto as their own lodestar of success. Endeavouring to do one’s best is the focus for all members of the school – both in the classroom and in the extensive sporting, cultural and leadership opportunities offered within the school.

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VISION FOR OUR STUDENTS“Quality education that develops the personal excellence of every student.”

At James Cook High School we value:• excellence in personal performance • high quality teaching and learning • continuous improvement, progress and

innovation • high standards of behaviour • honesty and integrity • the richness of our different cultures • tolerance and respect for others • the unique contribution each individual

makes to the school

At James Cook High School we strive to:• motivate students to be active and

successful learners • emphasise high quality teaching practices• show initiative in meeting the learning

needs of our students • develop the skills and experiences that

will enable life-long learning • develop pride in individual and group

achievement • have quality systems of management and

accountability • encourage participation in a wide range

of co- curricular activities • maintain a safe and supportive

environment • strengthen the partnership between

family and school • gain total commitment to the vision and

values of James Cook High School

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTJames Cook High School is totally committed to providing a safe, modern learning environment for students and staff. We have high expectations of students in the way in which they engage with peers and staff and are guided by the following four simple expected learning behaviours.We focus on rewarding good behaviour, encouraging all to improve how they engage with others and the environment. In consultation with staff and students, our school created 4 behavioural expectations that we expect all members of our community to live up to.

These behavioural expectations are:• We care• We contribute• We endeavour• We learn

NCEAEach year we will set individual NCEA achievement targets for the students studying at NCEA level. These targets will then be used as a basis for learning conversations with students and families, through our academic mentoring and home school partnership meeting processes. More detail on academic mentoring and home school partnerships can be found online and in our student diary

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PROGRAMMESWe take great pride in the special character programmes that we have designed at James Cook High School.

Each of these programmes provides a unique opportunity to learn in an environment that is authentic, comprehensive and pushes students to go that little bit further.

PUUTAKEPuutake is the name of our Wahanga Maori at James Cook High School. It is the learning space that is home to our Marae. Te Pou Herenga Waka (our Wharenui) is its spiritual source and main point of focus. Puutake promotes all the values of whanau as the guiding principles which are enhanced as

ways to deliver and teach. All the core areas of the curriculum are taught within the Puutake environment.

SERVICES ACADEMYThis academy is designed for those who wish to advance into a career in the services, be that military, police, fire service or other similar organisations. The programme is led by a team with military experience and prides itself on its hunger for ‘results, not excuses’. Numerous opportunities are provided to members of the academy to experience first-hand what a service career involves, and the Services Academy is also heavily involved in undertaking community service opportunities whenever possible.

O LE TUPU’AGAO le Tupu’aga is the name of our Samoan Language Unit. We deliver a holistic curriculum that embraces each student and encourages them to achieve the best individual results. Year 9 and 10 students are taught most of their subjects as a core class, and have as many bilingual teachers as possible. Students in Year 11, 12 and 13 continue to study the Samoan language within Tupu’aga and act as excellent role models for the younger students. Teaching centres on the school’s vision: quality education that develops the personal excellence of every student. Students in Tupu’aga are both academically and culturally challenged towards achieving at the highest level.

HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMYThis course provides for students who wish to have a career in the health sector. Students receive a comprehensive science programme with a strong health focus. Students receive mentoring, study skills training, CPR and first aid certificate courses, access to guest lecturers and opportunities to participate in a range of sector-relevant field trips. Successful Year 13 graduates are eligible for scholarships towards their tertiary study in appropriate health science courses.

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LEARNING PATHWAYSLearning at our school is about having choices. Right from the start, students get chances to try out different types of learning in different situations. By the end of Year 10, students will have had opportunities to experience their choice of:• music or dance performance• computer-based design• working with wood or metal in technology

workshops• food preparation• junior military training

Alongside these options are the core subjects:• English• Mathematics• Science• Social Studies

• Health• Physical Education• Information

Technology

Each subject caters for a range of different learning styles and interests and ability levels.Students who want to choose to focus on Te Reo, kapa haka, and tikanga Maori can join our Puutake unit, and study their core subjects in a whanau and marae-based learning environment. For students who want to focus on gagana Samoa, there is a Samoan unit which, like Puutake, runs all the way through to Year 13. If students need extra help with their reading and mathematics skills, we have our Junior Integrated Programme unit, which offers intensive support in a home-room-based learning area. Those students whose second or third language is English can also get part or

full-time specialist help in our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) unit. At Year 11, the choices open up as students begin to make serious decisions about their future directions. Now it’s three options from a selection of 25, plus English and Mathematics. This is when pathways begin to become clear. Aiming at university or the trades – or a combination of both? We offer a mix of academic and vocational courses, always adapted to suit the needs of the students and always geared towards achievement and success.

There are plenty of chances for field trips and work experience, and opportunities to check carefully on progress through the Academic Mentoring programme and careers counselling. In Years 12 and 13, there are over 70 different subject classes available to give our students maximum choice about where they want to go and how they want to get there. Whether the intention is degree or diploma, certificate or apprenticeship, the teachers and support staff are fully committed to helping the young people of our community enjoy the best possible learning experience to move them forward in life.

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LEADERSHIP & STUDENT SUPPORT

STUDENT LEADERSHIPOne of the most rewarding aspects of teachers’ work is to watch the growth of new Year 9 students into superb leaders in Year 13. There are ample opportunities for acknowledging the leadership skills of our Year 13 students: in consultation with staff and students, we select the school leaders, Head and Deputy Head girl and boy; each House appoints four students as House Prefects for the year (two boys and two girls), and the Sports Department selects a Code Captain to manage each of Sporting Codes entering into regional competition.

HOUSES AND HOUSE COMPETITIONEach student is put into one of four Houses (Tawhirimatea, Ruaumoko, Tane Mahuta, Tangaroa) when they enter school.Competition amongst the Houses is fierce as students work to get their House to the top and take out the House trophy for the year. There are a wide range of events and competitions, ranging from sports (soccer, volleyball, athletics, etc) to academic (including Mathex, Speech and Spelling Bee). Houses also compete to be the best-attending House, in the term-by-term attendance competition to have the most students in the House meeting the annual goal of 90% or better.

STUDENT SUPPORTOn entry, students are put into a Tutor Group, and they remain in that Tutor Group as they move from Year 9 through to Year 13, keeping the same Tutor every year as far as this is possible.The Tutor is the first person parents should contact if there are any questions or concerns about the student. The Tutor’s job is to get to know each student in their group and take care of all aspects of their welfare at school. Tutors will also keep in touch with parents regularly, via phone or text and at Home School Partnership meetings in which the student’s progress is discussed.

There are two Deans at each of Year 9, 10 and 11, and one each at Year 12 and 13, whose job is to oversee the work of the Tutors and work with students as well, to make sure all welfare matters are being looked after. Parents are encouraged to get in touch with the Tutor or Dean whenever there is a concern.

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CO-CURRICULAR LEARNINGARTS, CULTURAL AND SPORTSThe school encourages all students to lead a healthy life style and participate in co-curricular activities.

Participation and enjoyment are highly valued. Students benefit from the self discipline and teamwork required for co-curricular activities and it balances the mental discipline of the classroom.A wide range of sporting activities is available within the school and these encourage physical challenge and promote teamwork and leadership skills. A Sports Coordinator

is employed by the school to assist in developing sport and sporting events and to encourage participation by students. The Sports Coordinator works closely with all our staff. Inter-house competitions and in-school tournaments are popular and well supported. Our sports teams represent the school in a large number of events and we are proud of the success they achieve. They receive coaching at school and many of our participants go on to further their careers in a sporting context.

ARTSOpportunities abound for students interested in the Arts. Within school, the annual Arts Evening showcases our very best talent in the visual, performing and culinary arts. Regional participation includes: Dance students performing at the Smokefree Stage Challenge, the choir performing in local concerts as well as in the massed choir accompanying the NZ Pops Orchestra concert in the Auckland Town Hall, the Jazz Band enters the NZ Secondary Schools’ KBB Music Festival and students studying the Visual Arts have painted several murals in the Manurewa community, exhibited their work in local Art Galleries and have created amazing entries into the Manukau Beautification Trust Wearable Arts Competition.

CULTURALCultural activities are a major part of life at James Cook High School and the musical and dramatic talents of our students find expression at the ASB Polyfest. We enjoy considerable success at the Maori and Pasifika stages at this major cultural event which reflects the richness of our community and of our students.Our kapahaka group, Te Kapunga, has regularly represented the school and Auckland at the National Kapahaka Championships.

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SPORTSAt James Cook High School we offer a range of sports that cater for all types of student interests and abilities.

Ranging from 1st XV rugby to Table Tennis, we offer different codes for both male and female students to ensure all are getting the best opportunities. For the summer seasons we offer Touch Rugby, Softball, Tag, Ki-o-Rahi, Waka Ama and more. In winter, sporting activities include Rugby Union, Rugby League, Netball, Soccer, Table Tennis, Badminton, Basketball and many more codes available for students to enjoy.Alongside the extra-curricular codes we also work with the students to run House Events such as Athletics, Cross-Country, Spelling Bee, Master House, as well as running an

Activity Day for the Junior School at the end of the year.We are very passionate about sports here at James Cook High School and aim to provide the best opportunities for our students.

CONTACT USPlease get in touch with us whenever you have a question or concern about any aspect of your child’s school life.It is our firm belief that the partnership between home and school provides the best conditions for success at James Cook High School.

09 268 3950

JAMES COOK STUDENTS ARE CONFIDENT, QUALIFIED AND

CULTURALLY COMPETENT

HIGH SCHOOL

ENDEAVOUR

Dr Pickering Avenue, Manurewa, Auckland 2102Phone 09 268 3950 | Fax 09 268 3951admin@jchs.school.nzwww.jchs.school.nz