James Cook High School

File:James Cook High School, Manurewa, 1968.jpg

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.

According to a 2021 ERO report,{{Cite web |title=ERO Reports On Our School |url=https://www.jchs.school.nz/ero-reports/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=James Cook High School |language=en-NZ}} 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 {{NZ school roll data|3=y}}, James Cook High School has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|100|y}} students, of which {{NZ school roll data|100m|y}} ({{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ school roll data|100m|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ school roll data|100|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%) identify as Māori.{{NZ school roll data|4=y}}

As of {{NZ school equity index data|203||y|||}}, the school has an Equity Index of {{NZ school equity index data|100|y||||}},{{NZ school equity index data|28|||y||}} placing it amongst schools whose students have the {{NZ school equity index data|100b|y||||}} socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to deciles 1 and 2 under the former socio-economic decile system).{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=School Equity Index Bands and Groups |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/data-services/guidelines/school-equity-index-bands-and-groups |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.educationcounts.govt.nz |language=en-NZ}}

{{main category|People educated at James Cook High School}}

• Stephen Berry – politician and political commentator{{cite news |last1=Berry |first1=Stephen |title=Manurewa-Papakura Ward: An Absolutely Biased Guide to Auckland Local Elections |url=https://thebfd.co.nz/2019/09/21/manurewa-papakura-ward-an-absolutely-biased-guide-to-auckland-local-elections/ |access-date=22 March 2021 |publisher=The BFD |date=21 September 2019}}
• 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{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/2537947/Masaga-runs-for-Mum|author=Richard Knowler|title=Masaga runs for Mum|website=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Fairfax NZ|date=10 July 2009|access-date=24 June 2018}}
• Joe Rokocoko – rugby union player
• J Williams – singer and entertainer

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.jchs.school.nz School website]

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{{Schools in Auckland}}

{{Manurewa Local Board Area}}

Category:Educational institutions established in 1968

Category:Secondary schools in Auckland

Category:New Zealand secondary schools of Nelson plan construction

Category:1968 establishments in New Zealand

Category:Manurewa Local Board Area

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