James Cook High School
| James Cook High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
Dr Pickering Avenue, Manurewa, Manukau, New Zealand 2102 | |
| Coordinates | 37°02′09″S 174°53′08″E / 37.0358°S 174.8856°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State, co-educational, secondary (Years 9–13) |
| Motto | Endeavour |
| Established | 1968 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 100 |
| Principal | Ms Tina Filipo |
| School roll | 1,689[1] (March 2025) |
| Houses |
|
| Color(s) | Blue and Gold |
| Website | jchs.school.nz |
James Cook High School is a state co-ed secondary school in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa, New Zealand.
History
[edit]
James Cook High School 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.
The name chosen for the school was met with widespread interest and approval, as 1968 was the bicentennial of the commencement of Captain Cook's voyage on the Endeavour into the south seas of the Pacific.
The James Cook High School crest was originally a broad shield design with a gold heraldic ship with full white sails and red pennants in the centre. The ship is sailing through two waves. The four gold stars are in the form of the Southern Cross. The school's insignia and uniform were modernised in 2013 and 2014. Both the crest and motto were inspired by the name 'James Cook.'
The James Cook High School School colours are Royal Blue and Gold. The motto 'Endeavour' was the name of James Cook's ship. 'Endeavour' implies: a goal to be striven for, strength of character, a determined, unrelenting effort which never slackens in spite of initial failures, the hope and faith to face new challenges, to surmount new obstacles, and above all, the giving of our best in all the activities of life, whether they be moral, social, cultural or academic.
Enrolment
[edit]According to a 2021 ERO report,[2] the school's ethnic composition includes over 40% who identify as Māori and 45% who are from Pacific heritage. Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands Māori students make up the largest Pacific nation groups.
As of March 2025, James Cook High School has a roll of 1,689 students, of which 650 (38.5%) identify as Māori.[1]
As of 2025, the school has an Equity Index of 532,[3] placing it amongst schools whose students have the most socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 1 and 2 under the former socio-economic decile system).[4]
History of Principals
[edit]| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. Tina Filipo | January 2024 | Present |
| Mr Grant McMillan | May 2016 | October 2023 |
| Mr Vaughan Couillault | June 2012 | February 2016 |
| Mr Bryan Smith | 1994 | 2012 |
Notable alumni
[edit]- Stephen Berry – politician and political commentator[5]
- Mavina Davis, Maybelle Galuvao, and Lavina Williams – singers, members of Ma-V-Elle
- Scott Dixon – motor racing driver
- Joe Galuvao – rugby league footballer
- Gustavia Lui – businesswoman
- Lelia Masaga – rugby union player[6]
- Joe Rokocoko – rugby union player[6]
- J Williams – singer and entertainer
References
[edit]- ^ a b "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "ERO Reports On Our School". James Cook High School. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand Equity Index". New Zealand Ministry of Education.
- ^ "School Equity Index Bands and Groups". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ Berry, Stephen (21 September 2019). "Manurewa-Papakura Ward: An Absolutely Biased Guide to Auckland Local Elections". The BFD. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b Richard Knowler (10 July 2009). "Masaga runs for Mum". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
External links
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