James Cook High School is a state co-ed

secondary school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' secondary education, lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) ...

in the

South Auckland South Auckland is an imprecisely defined urban area of Auckland, New Zealand, with a young population, a relatively large Polynesian and Māori demographic, and lower incomes than other parts of Auckland. The name ''South Auckland'', though not ...

suburb A suburb (more broadly suburban area) is an area within a metropolitan area, which may include commercial and mixed-use, that is primarily a residential area. A suburb can exist either as part of a larger city/urban area or as a separate ...

of Manurewa, New Zealand.

School structure

The school's colours are royal blue and gold.

History

James Cook High School was opened in February 1968. Like most New Zealand state secondary schools of the era, the school was constructed to the Nelson Two-Storey standard plan, characterised by its two-storey H-shaped classroom blocks.

ERO findings

As of 2017 the school is struggling to meet students' needs when it comes to learning. The Education Review Office (ERO) had suggested external intervention to override the obstacles the school is facing. Between 2014 and 2016, the National Certificates of Education Achievement (NCEA) had observed some declining in student enrollment and suggested external intervention method to ERO. In 2016, New Zealand Qualifications Authority suggested to improve student participation level to meet its quality standards.

Demographics

According to a 2017 ERO report, the school gender balance is even. The school's racial composition is 46%

Māori Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the C ...

, 22% Samoan, 7%

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

n, 4%

Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

, 1% Niue and 16% other.

Pākehā Pākehā (or Pakeha; ; ) is a Māori term for New Zealanders primarily of European descent. Pākehā is not a legal concept and has no definition under New Zealand law. The term can apply to fair-skinned persons, or to any non-Māori New Ze ...

and

Middle Eastern The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (European ...

make up 2% each.

Notable alumni

* Stephen Berry – politician and political commentator * Mavina Davis, Maybelle Galuvao, and Lavina Williams – singers, members of

Ma-V-Elle Ma-V-Elle is a three-piece New Zealand girl group best known for their top-40 singles in the New Zealand charts in the mid 1990s. The group consists of Lavina Williams, Marina Davis and Maybelle Galuvao. Background The group formed at James ...

Scott Dixon Scott Ronald Dixon (born 22 July 1980) is a professional racing driver from New Zealand, who competes in the NTT IndyCar Series for Chip Ganassi Racing. Dixon has won the IndyCar championship six times: in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 202 ...

– motor racing driver *

Joe Galuvao Joe Galuvao (born 8 July 1978) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s in the NRL. A Samoa and New Zealand international second row forward, he played for the Auckland Warriors, Parramatta Eel ...

– rugby league footballer *

Gustavia Lui Gustavia Nia Lui (born ) is a New Zealand businesswoman of Samoan and Tuvaluan descent. She is the founder and owner of Staavias, a footwear company specialising in plus-sized shoes for women. Early life Lui was born in Wellington and grew up in ...

– businesswoman *

Lelia Masaga Lelia Tony Corona Masaga (born 30 August 1986) is a New Zealand international rugby union player. He plays for Glasgow Warriors. Masaga plays on Wing. Rugby Union career Amateur career Masaga was drafted to Marr in the Scottish Premiership fo ...

– rugby union player * Joe Rokocoko – rugby union player * J Williams – singer and entertainer

References

External links

School website
Educational institutions established in 1968 Secondary schools in Auckland New Zealand secondary schools of Nelson plan construction 1968 establishments in New Zealand {{NewZealand-school-stub