Special Learning Opportunities
A feature of James Cook High School is our provision of appropriate courses for all students. The Education Review Office comments very highly on our ability to meet the full range of student learning needs.
To enable all students to work at their best capacity, we offer a range of groupings for instruction.These provide appropriate courses for each group to extend students of high ability, challenge the average student and stimulate the struggling student.
Extension Programmes
These programmes are designed to extend the student of high ability.The more able and gifted students are given an enriched and extended programme which starts at Year 9, and continues through to Year 13.The results of such an extended course have been excellent at James Cook High, which has pioneered several successful courses for these talented students.
Advanced Learning Skills
For our very able students we add opportunities to experience academic extension through a special an Advanced Learning Skills programme run in conjunction with core subjects and complementary to these programmes.
Students have sessions with a specialist teacher and follow a training programme designed for gifted learners.
In addition, they undertake an enrichment programme that provides direct experience within both the professional business world and the tertiary academic world. We aim to develop the knowledge, skills and experience of extension students that will allow them to achieve at the highest academic level in all national examinations and certificates.
JUNIOR PUUTAKE
Puutake, the Ingoa Tapu, is a course of study that is based on our marae in James Cook High School. It is taught with all the values of whanau as the guiding principles. All the national curriculum areas are taught. Entry to the programme is by invitation.
Junior Integrated Studies
An integrated curriculum approach operates with selected Year 9 classes. There is a strong focus on developing higher level literacy and numeracy skills through a thematic delivery of the National Curriculum objectives. Results indicate success for many students who have had learning difficulties at primary and intermediate school.
ESOL Programmes
Extensive instruction and support is provided for students from non-English speaking backgrounds. Students who know very little English enter the Reception class for intensive language learning, and they quickly graduate into the mainstream of programmes. All ESOL students from Year 9 to 13 continue to receive specialist language support as they follow mainstream programmes throughout the year.
Senior Integrated Programmes
LINK, STAR, GATEWAY and other transitional programmes are highly developed within the school Careers and Qualification Faculty. The Careers Department provides technologically advanced processes for students to discover their aptitudes.
James Cook High School fosters links with tertiary providers and industries to help students decide on their future paths with confidence.
Senior Integrated Programmes provide Y12 and 13 students with foundation learning and qualifications for a range of careers, including Tourism, Hospitality, Office Technologies, Carpentry, Engineering, Design, Performing Arts, Recreation and Sport and Transistion. Many are run in conjunction with the Polytechnics. The school participates in the Curriculum Alignment Project with Manukau Institute of Technology.
Year 13 Opportunities
All Year 13 students carry considerable responsibility and influence in the school. They undertake special roles, including supervision duties, linking with Y9 (in the Peer Support programme), tutoring, life-skills and Peer Mediation courses, community leadership training, as well as other leadership work. Selected students are chosen as school prefects, who lead the student body.