Newsletter
THIS MONTH AT
A GLANCE
Thursday 25 February
Athletics Day
Friday 26 February
All students finish at 1:30pm
Monday 7 March
Counties Manukau Athletics Champs
Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 March
Polyfest
Wednesday 23 to Thursday 24 March
Academic Mentoring for yrs 11-13
Students. School finishes at 12:30pm
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016
Kia ora koutou katoa
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you back to another year of learning
and student success at James Cook High School. I hope that the holiday
season allowed you to spend quality time with your whanau and that you have
had the chance to relax and recharge for the year ahead.
I would like to thank all of you that attended our Powhiri for year 9 students.
It was a fabulous turn out that reflects the importance placed on education in
our community. I want to acknowledge Mr Pomana and the fabulous team of
students and whanau from Puutake who always make such events so warm,
educational and rewarding. Thanks also to the dedicated staff and students
from James Cook High School who began back earlier than others to help set
things up, support younger students, engage with camps and learning
activities and generally get the ball rolling.
On the 1 February, I had the pleasure of joining a small group of
representatives from Puutake to share in the Powhiri for Mr Paul Green as he
began his Principalship at Makoura College in Masterton. Whilst a long day, it
was such a warm and memorable event and Mr Green asked that I pass he
best wishes back to all those who knew him well in his life at James Cook High
School.
It is with sadness that I will be finishing up my Principalship at James Cook High
School on Friday 26 February 2016 (please note that we are releasing students
at 1:30 on that day to allow for my farewell from staff). As many of you will
already know, I have accepted the Principal position at Papatoetoe High
School; a school that has played a key developmental role in the lives of my
siblings and me.
I would like to thank all of our staff, students, parents and community for the
support I have been given during my three and a half years as Principal at
James Cook High School. During my time here I have greatly enjoyed working
with our students to enhance their learning opportunities and achievements. I
am excited about what the future holds for James Cook High School and am
extremely confident that the dedicated team onsite will continue to do the
very best for the learning needs of your children.
Whaowhia te kete mātauranga
Vaughan Couillault
Congratulations to our new Student Leadership Team. The team will comprise our Head Students and four House
Leaders from our four Houses, as follows;
Melody Khamis (Head Girl), Sylvia Pritchard (Deputy Head Girl), George Kaisala-Hadfield (Head Boy) and
Riley Barton-Clerke (Deputy Head Boy),
Tangaroa House Leaders: Adrienne Saena, Raven Tawhara, Julius Harris-Scrivener, Sione Teao;
Ruaumoko House Leaders: Meliame Tuitavuki, Jack Kilgour, Tominiko Toleafoa, Tilali Tepa;
Tawhirimatea House Leaders: Rosemary Kiddie Vai, Saane Fakapulia, Jamal Henare, Fesuiai Fesuiai;
Tane Mahuta House Leaders: Taufau Feagaiga-Fagasa, Te Aroha Pi Tipoki, Axel Fuamatu, Sione Kanatea-Ofa;
School Athletics Day – will be held on Thursday 25 February. We would like all students to participate in the day’s
events, and support their fellow house members as well. If students are not intending on taking part then they will
be allowed to study at home. Please phone Mrs Kramer on 268 3950 ext 812 to advise if your child will be working
at home on Athletics Day, and she will enter a code on his/her attendance record that will not count as absence.
The Academic Mentoring sessions for Years 11 to 13 students is scheduled for Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24
March, commencing at 1:00pm. Further information will follow shortly. All students will be released at 12:30pm
on these days.
Warmest regards
Mr Vaughan Couillault
Principal
A reminder to all parents / caregivers about our JCHS app,
which you can access via any smartphone. The app is free
and includes important dates, a photo gallery, and links to
key pages on our website.
Our restructured website is now up and
running. For up to date information visit us
at www.jchs.school.nz
Keep up to date with important dates / events on our
James Cook High School facebook page.
SP
RTS
We had the awesome opportunity to have the Rugby World Cup at our school on Thursday 18
February 2016, along with Kevin Mealamu, to give a short Q & A, autographs, photographs and prizes.
Thank you to Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union for arranging this rugby promotion. We will
host a Rugby Skills Day open to all students on Tuesday 22 March at 3.30pm, on our school fields.
Thank you so much to our sport volunteers we’ve had so far. Without you, we cannot run sport. We
are still looking for managers for this summer season, and coaches and managers for our winter
season sporting codes, so please get in touch with us if you’re keen to help our students develop their
skills in sport.
SORE THROAT CLINIC
Kia ora, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Bula vinaka, Namaste,
Malo ni, Fakatalofa atu
A free sore throat clinic is being offered at our school’s health centre to help in the prevention of
Rheumatic Fever. Students can come to the health clinic if they have a sore throat and a throat swab will be
done.
Rheumatic Fever can be prevented by treating the germ that causes it, called
streptococcus (strep). This starts with a sore throat caused by the strep germ
and can cause rheumatic fever which may permanently damage your child’s
heart. Antibiotics are the best way to kill the strep germ and protect your child
from rheumatic fever.
Throat swabs are the only way to check for this germ. This is done using a
clean cotton bud rubbed gently along the back of the throat by the school
nurse.
If the student has Strep A the family will be contacted by the nurse to discuss treatment with antibiotics.
Please call the school nurse with any questions you may have on
Ph 268-3950 ext 855/856
Hi’s and Bye’s
Welcome back to all our students and whanau to a new year full of hopes and achievements!
In the Careers Department we have had some significant changes in our staff:
Farewells to:
 Ms Penina Tuunai-Ifopo, our Gateway Work Broker, finished at the end of 2015.
Ms Tuunai-Ifopo has done some excellent work with and for our Gateway students over the past
3 years, and we are extremely grateful to her, and wish her well in her future endeavours.
 Mrs Denise Rosenfeldt, our Careers Assistant, finished on the 17th February 2016.
Mrs Rosenfeldt has been a key member of our team for the past 10 years. She has helped
thousands of students to find and follow their career pathways. I am so grateful to her for all the
help and support she has given me over the past 8 years and we will miss her!
Welcome to:
 Mrs Leah-Lisa Tauti, our Gateway Co-ordinator, started in January 2016.
 We hope to appoint a new Careers Assistant within the next few weeks, so watch this space.
Joy Williams (Careers Advisor) ext 861 or (021) 873152 [email protected]
Leah-Lisa Tauti (Gateway Co-ordinator) ext 863 (021) 873928 [email protected]