Courses of Study

At James Cook High School we have a series of study programmes which are carefully planned to meet the needs of individual students.  They give a broad, balanced education that will prepare students for future learning and will enable them to take their place in New Zealand society.  All our courses meet statutory requirements.

Junior School Courses

At years 9 and 10 courses are designed to have students concentrate on gaining a firm foundation in the core areas of literacy and numeracy.  Year 9 also sample a range of specialist subjects in modules throughout the year.  In years 10 and 11 they begin to specialise.  Students are regularly assessed against common criteria and the marks they gain go towards their Junior Diploma which is awarded at the end of Year 9 and 10.  Success comes at achieved, merit and excellence levels and gives students the skills needed for successful study in the senior school.

Senior School Courses

Students select from a range of programmes catering for all future educational and career needs.  All students and parents are urged to aim for the best possible qualifications during these vital years.  We offer expert guidance in selecting the most appropriate qualifications for each student.

From Year 11 onwards students work towards their NCEA and are able to build up credits towards specific National Certificates as well as the general NCEA at levels 1, 2 and 3.  Academic programmes at Year 12 and 13 offer a full range of University Entrance subjects.  These are assessed by achievement or unit standards and allow students to aim for the merit and excellence grades required to enter specialist academic degree programmes at University.

All our programmes of study are designed with these entry requirements in mind.  Regular monitoring and careers interviews ensure students are fully informed of their progress towards gaining the qualifications needed for their chosen tertiary training course.

We offer a number of specialist vocational programmes for students aiming for Polytechnics, apprenticeships or the armed forces.  Some are taught in conjunction with tertiary institutes and successful course completion can lead to priority entrance into relevant courses.  Assessment is by Unit and Achievement Standards which qualify for NCEA level 1, 2 or 3 as appropriate.

Learning Support

A feature of James Cook High School is the provision of courses appropriate for all students.  This has been noted by The Education Review Office and other independent audits such as Investors In People.  In order for students to work at their best capacity there are a range of groupings for instruction, including Maori (Puutake) and Samoan courses.

Te Kotahitanga

This programme developed by Professor Russell Bishop from the University of Waikato is designed to raise the achievement of Maori students by teachers delivering lessons in a style that engages Maori learners.  We have been involved in this programme since 2004 and our teachers receive ongoing training and support from specially trained facilitators.  We were one of the first schools to commit to this programme which has helped to produce outstanding results for our students.

Literacy

Our highly qualified Literacy Coordinator works with teachers in every subject area to ensure that literacy skills are taught and student competency increases.

Numeracy

Our Mathematics teachers have been involved in the National Secondary Numeracy Project.  We build on the excellent work done in our local primary schools.

Manurewa Literacy and Numeracy Clusters

We are a pivotal school in this Ministry of Education initiative.  Bry fostering common practices across our primary, intermediate and secondary schools we provide a stable learning environment for our learners from Year 1 through to Year 13.

Year 13 Opportunities

All Year 13 students carry responsibility and influence in school. They undertake special roles including supervision duties, linking with Year 9 students in peer support programmes, tutoring, life skills, peer mediation and community leadership training. Selected students are chosen as school prefects to lead the student body. The combination of all these initiatives has brought unprecedented improvement in levels of achievement of our students. We enjoy student performance at a level that is higher than any similar school in New Zealand.

Services Academy

In the senior school a specialist course provides for students who have a career in the Armed Forces in mind. A qualified Physical Training Instructor from the New Zealand Armed Forces delivers this programme within the school under the management of our Senior Staff.

Puutake

Puutake is the name of our Wahanga Maori, James Cook High School. It is the learning venue that has our Marae Te Pou Herenga Waka as its spiritual sourse and main point of focus. Puutake promotes all the values of whanau as the guiding principles which are enhanced as ways to deliver and teacher. All the main areas of the curriculum are taught onsite within Puutake.

Vocational Programmes

STAR, Gateway and Youth Apprenticeship Pilot programmes are used by our careers staff in supporting and guiding students. Students are assisted in discovering their aptitudes and our transition programmes provide work experience as students are able to sample a diverse range of employment options. James Cook High School fosters links with our tertiary providers and it is our aim to find a suitable training programme or employment for every student who leaves school.

ESOL Programmes

Our students from non-English speaking backgrounds receive extensive instruction and support. They graduate into the mainstream programmes quickly whilst still receiving specialist language support during their time in school.

Junior Integrated Programme

For some students at Year 9 and Year 10 we offer an integrated curriculum which is delivered using a thematic approach. There is a strong focus on literacy and numeracy skills and results indicate sucess for students who have come to us with learning difficulties.

Extension Programmes

Our more able and talented students are given an enriched and enhanced programme which continues from Year 9 to Year 13. They are designed to extend those students of high ability.