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Kamo High School was established in 1960. It is situated close to the northern boundary of Whangarei and serves the Whau Valley - Kamo area as well as the rural districts to the north, west and north east. These extend as far as Ngaiotonga-Bland Bay, Purua and Whananaki. Fifty percent of the school's students must travel by bus.
The school has a catchment of over 10,000 people. Approximately twenty-five percent of the population is Maori and twenty-five percent of the population is under the age of twenty five. Less than 2% of the population is Pacifica. Some sectors in this community currently has one of the highest unemployment rates in New Zealand.
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Kamo High School is a co-educational, multi-course, Year 9 – 13+ school with nine hectares of grounds providing a pleasant, attractive environment.
The school is arranged in five whanau - Moana, Kaha, Rangi, Tapere and Waima. Each whanau is made up of a group of vertical forms. Each form consists of approximately 27 students from Year Nine to Year Thirteen plus. This encourages students to mix widely and provides a family group for their support. Where practical, students remain in the same vertical form with the same teacher while they are at school.
Kamo High School has a senior management team comprising the Principal, three Senior Managers and Executive Officer. Every teacher is responsible for ensuring appropriate learning and behaviour in their classes. Where assistance is required the Dean system is the heart of the school’s discipline and also complements the pastoral support services provided by the Student Support Centre. Every subject has a Head of Department who is responsible for the preparation and delivery of the curriculum, the organisation of appropriate equipment and resources and the support of teachers in maximising student progress. There is a strong student support ethos, with extensive guidance available from a modern Student Support Centre.
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| The school has been fortunate that many of its buildings have been upgraded and extended recently. Special facilities exist for the teaching of computing, word processing, computer graphics and multimedia productions. As well, there is a state of the art Science block; a Technology block which includes design rooms; two gymnasiums, one of which was opened in 2003; a new Arts block opened in 2004, providing the most modern facilities for the wide range of “Arts” subjects offered at the school; a swimming pool; a library; a stationery shop; a canteen, three major sports fields and a new sports astro-turf. |
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Innovative
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Passion for learning
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High personal expectations
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Respect and consideration
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Citizenship
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Loyalty and pride
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Positive learning environment
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| A high priority is given to keeping all classes as small as possible. Opportunities are being offered for students to work at a pace appropriate to their achievement so that some senior students study one or two subjects at a year level in advance of their other subjects. Extensive research has lead to significant changes being introduced into the junior programme. From an organisational perspective, this has resulted in a reduction in the number of teachers responsible for the core programmes of the Year 9 and 10 classes which have been introduced into the innovation. Students and teachers are far better able to know each other, and teachers therefore able to more effectively cater for the individual needs of their students. Of equal significance has been the emphasis placed on programmes which promote student thinking and independence in their learning. There is an opportunity for programmes to be cross-curricular, and an expectation that as much importance is placed on the process of learning as on the contact and product of that learning An emphasis on the use of technologies is also central to the approach expected. This approach is consistent with the requirements placed on the school to give particular attention to numeracy and literacy. |
| Kamo High School hosts students from a wide range of countries around the world. The International Student Programme was established in 2001 and is currently working through our second “three-year business plan”. The students study a full academic programme and are able to participate in an extensive range of activities outside the classroom. Their time at Kamo High School allows them a unique opportunity to study, play and live in a typical New Zealand environment. The international staff are committed to the well-being of students and as a signatory of the Ministry of Education Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of International Students, ensure that all requirements are met. |
| Regular communication with the home is seen as an important feature of the school. Approximately twelve school newsletters are published each year, and distributed in accordance with a schedule published in the first communication with our families, posted annually in January each year. Additional newsletters are also sent home to keep caregivers informed of special occasions and events. The annual posting forwarded to all families during January includes vital information for reference throughout the year, such as the school calendar, qualifications and assessment details, and matters of an administrative nature. |
| All students (except Year 13+) must wear correct uniform at all times. Every endeavour has been made to adopt a uniform which is fair, practical, inexpensive and suitable for the school. It is reviewed regularly by a committee chaired by the Senior Manager – Students, and includes parent, Board, student and staff representatives. |
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The Parent Contribution is a donation towards covering part of the cost of sports equipment, magazine, educational, cultural and sports activities for which Government funds are not available.
Charges are also made to cover part of the cost of project materials used in some subjects, such as specialist Technology, Art and Photography.
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| Extra-Curricular Activities |
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| Students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of sporting, cultural, leadership and social activities, as well as a variety of opportunities to provide service to others. Assistance from interested parents is welcomed and valued. |
| Aerobics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Board Sailing, Cricket, Cross Country, Cycling, Diving – scuba and snorkelling, Duathlon, Equestrian, Golf, Hockey, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Netball, Orienteering, Outrigger Canoe, Rugby, Rugby League, Sailing, Shooting, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Touch, Tramping, Trap Shooting, Triathlon, Volleyball, |
| Debating, Christian Fellowship, Chess. |
| Students have the opportunity to learn to play instruments or join singing groups. Some instruments can be hired from the school. There is a variety of choirs and instrumental groups. |
| The Performing Arts department produces evening performances as part of their curriculum programme. There is a school production every second year. |
| Prefects, Ambassadors, Arts Council, Sports Council. |
| Environment Committee, Kiwi Buddies, MUNA, SADD, STAB, Welcoming Committee. |
| A student leadership committee arranges socials, and the School Ball. |
| The school provides an opportunity for a variety of cultural activities including a strong Kapa Haka group. Language week highlights the uniqueness of the many diverse cultures we have in our school. |
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Students have achieved national success in the Young Enterprise Scheme, which is now an integral part of the Enterprise Certificate of Management course at Years 11 and 12, and we have been one of the few schools participating in the Young Entrepreneur Programme, an international first in this area of student business opportunity.
Students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of sporting, cultural and social activities. Assistance from interested parents is welcomed and valued.
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| The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a non-competitive programme of activities designed to challenge the individuals taking part. There are three main levels, Gold, Silver and Bronze with each level having sections on: Expedition, Service, Skills and Physical Recreation. There are a wide range of different activities offered for the expedition including Mountain Biking, Horse Trekking, Cycling, Kayaking, Boating, Tramping and many more. |
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