Cobham Intermediate

ACHIEVING FOR

LIFE Cobham I N T E R M E D I AT E

PROSPECTUS

2013

OUR CREST The design has a triple twist shape which

our school not really knowing what is in store

represents the 3 baskets of knowledge in

for them, then everything becomes clear.

the Maori culture. The steps represent the

They move back into darkness unsure of what

steps to higher learning, and the water shows

the future holds. Finally they move from the

tranquillity and calmness. The Waimakariri is

tranquillity of the water to reach for the stars

represented, as are the Canterbury Plains.

and their dreams.

A mountain (Mt Cook/Aorangi/Aoraki) is also

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shown with the long white cloud of New

He Kahurangi to tangata me to pono.

Zealand/Aotearoa and the stars depict the

(People of honesty and integrity).

Southern Cross and the Pointers.

The significance of the statement in Maori is

The fading of colours from dark to light, and

that it reflects the virtues of honesty, service

back to dark, represents the children entering

and endeavour of our school crest.

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WELCOME Welcome to the Cobham Intermediate Prospectus, the aim of which is to provide an insight into our great school and the amazing array of opportunities on offer.

Scott Thelning Principal

I am honoured to be principal at Cobham and feel very fortunate to work in such a talent rich environment. We are very proud of our positive reputation as a quality school and are excited about the steps we have taken to enhance and enrich this over the past year along with the developments planned for the future.

child(ren) with a sample of what we have to offer in our specialised setting for what is recognised as a key stage in human development.

I encourage you to visit our website for further information, talk to people associated with our school and to come and have a chat with me and see our super students and staff in action.

We welcome and appreciate your interest and look forward to assisting you in any way we can.

Enjoy what we have to offer and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting with you.

In our brand new Prospectus we aim to provide you and your

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OUR VISION A specialised school for Year 7 and 8 students where they become empowered, actively involved life-long learners who develop the skills to build positive relationships and enjoy successes through being in a stimulating, safe learning environment.

OUR MOTTO

ACHIEVING FOR LIFE

In order for our motto to become

own unique ways. We value

the highest achievement levels

a reality, it is our aim to have

students being known by teachers

possible.

each student reach their potential

within the teams they are

through quality learning and

clustered in and by staff across

Thirdly, Cobham has a wide

teaching with specialist teachers

the school. This is necessary if we

variety of opportunities outside

who understand the unique needs

are to meet their needs and allow

the classroom. We are recognised

of early adolescents. Our sole focus

them to flourish and grow.

and well regarded for our music

at Cobham is achieving this for this

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programmes and the performing

specific age group. There are 3 key

Secondly, we place an emphasis

arts in general, along with a history

aspects to this.

on achievement. Our record in

of success in local, regional and

local, regional, national and

national sporting events.

First, we place an emphasis

international competitions and

on individuals. It is important

events is outstanding. Students

to us that our students can be

are encouraged to achieve

themselves and develop in their

personal goals, and to reach

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OUR CURRICULUM Cobham offers a diversity of opportunities across academic, cultural and sporting domains, a strength that

At Cobham we recognise that not all students are the same and therefore do not all learn, think

meets the educational needs of our multi-cultural intake

and act in the same way. We

and provides rich experiences across the curriculum.

cater for these unique differences by utilising our large roll size to generate multiple options and opportunities across the school.

This, coupled with a thorough and robust class placement process, allows us to carefully place each student in a class and with a homeroom teacher who might best meet the particular needs, learning styles and interests of each student.

At Cobham we provide the following class options to meet the diverse needs of our students: • Broad-banded classes of students with the complete range of abilities reflecting the norms of New Zealand schools.

• Classes for students who we believe are suited to accelerated learning.

• Inquiry learning based classes – these classes enable students to have a major input into what and how they learn,

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make greater allowance for

• English as a Second Language

values and key competencies.

learning styles and put the

programmes for students who

All students will experience the

onus on students to take more

need English language assistance.

full breadth and depth of the

personal responsibility for their

curriculum as stipulated over

learning. Parents and students

Cobham is committed to the delivery

must register their interest for

of the New Zealand Curriculum,

these classes. Selection is not

including its stated vision, principles,

the page.

guaranteed. • Extension groups/classes for students with aptitude and faster learning rates in mathematics and some strands of English. • Learning support for all students with identified specific needs through individual or small group teaching.

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OUR SUBJECTS All students will be placed in a

All students study with homeroom

All students study with specialist

class with a homeroom teacher.

teachers:

teachers:

Generally students will remain

• Literacy – oral, written and

• Mathematics – ability groups

with this same class group and

visual English

across both year groups

homeroom teacher for both Year

• Outdoor Education

• Science

7 and 8. Students, parents and/

• Social Studies

• Physical Education

or teachers may, for a variety of

• Health and Physical Education

• Sports

reasons, opt for a change in the

• Social Skills

• Music

second year. All are consulted prior

• Information Technology

• Languages – Te Reo, French,

to changes being made.

(computers and multimedia)

Spanish, Japanese • Visual Art • Hard Materials – Metal, Plastics, Glass, Wood Technology • Soft Materials – Clothing • Food Technology

The values of respect, excellence, diversity and integrity underpin all that we do and are infused throughout our learning and teaching programmes. It is expected that everyone within our school community takes ownership of, accepts responsibility for and embraces these values.

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Optional areas for students to study: • Instrumental Music - including orchestral, chamber group, rock band, itinerant and private tuition • Kapa Haka • Choral Music – choir and chorale • Drama/Dance Specialist facilities include: • Science and Technology Centre • Performing Arts Centre • Hayley Westenra Music Centre • Art room • Haberfield Hall/Gymnasium • Library • Learning Centre • Learning support rooms • ESOL teaching rooms • Food Technology room • Clothing Technology room • Metal/Plastics/Glass Technology room • Wood Technology room • Canteen

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SPORT Success in the full spectrum of

All students participate in sport

sporting pursuits has traditionally

every Tuesday afternoon, either

been a key feature of Cobham. In

at school or at another venue

both individual and team sports

representing Cobham against

our students have excelled at

other intermediate schools. Sports

local, regional and national levels.

available are: athletics, badminton,

For example, in 2011 we sent

basketball, cross country, cricket,

48 students to participate in the

dance, football, hockey, netball,

prestigious AIMS Games (national

rippa rugby, rollerblading, rugby

competition for intermediate and

union, sailing, skiing, softball,

middle schools) in Tauranga. 46

squash, swimming, table tennis,

students returned with a top

touch rugby, volleyball and

3 medal.

water polo.

We value parental involvement in supporting and enhancing our sporting programmes.

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MUSIC & CULTURE Cobham is highly regarded for the quality music programmes it offers and this provides a significant attraction for many students.

In 2012 we have a 60 member orchestra, 15 member chamber orchestra, 80 member choir, 80 member chorale and a newly formed rock band. We consistently have a significant number of students who successfully audition for the Christchurch Schools Music Festival.

In addition to the groups above we have 11 itinerant and private tutors who provide specialist tuition in a wide variety of instruments. These cater for students across the spectrum of experience. Tuition is offered in: clarinet, saxophone, flute, violin, piano, drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, voice, cello and brass.

Performing arts are also very well catered for at Cobham. We recently wowed parents with an outstanding performance at J Rock, have multiple dance groups and produce outstanding (recognised as to a secondary school level) major productions every two years. Our strong Kapa Haka group perform with distinction at the annual Christchurch Cultural Festival.

At Cobham we are proud to accommodate the needs of 25 different ethnic backgrounds.

We are a sought after institution for international education with one of the highest number of long term enrolments in the primary and intermediate sector in Christchurch.

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ACHIEVEMENTS & SUCCESSES The achievements of Cobham students are a reflection of the broad range of activities available and extremely talented staff that facilitate these opportunities for success.

Cobham has a strong history of high achievement and success across the curriculum, whether it be local, regional, national or international events. We value high performance and are very proud of the attainments of our students.

One of the benefits of a large school is the range of talents on offer from the staff due to this increased pool. We have talented, motivated and dedicated staff.

These, along with targeted specialists from outside of our school, are used effectively to facilitate high achievement.

Future Problem Solving (FPS) thrives at Cobham. A highlight for us was gaining 5th place at the FPS

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RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS Future Problem Solving – 2010 Year 8 1st in New Zealand, Year 7 2nd in New Zealand; 2011 5th in the World Finals in United States of America.

Literature Quiz – 2011 1st in Canterbury, 5th in New Zealand; 2012 1st in Canterbury, 3rd in New Zealand.

Cantamaths – traditionally very successful and regularly in the top 4.

Chess – 2011 1st in Canterbury and South Island finals.

New Zealand Association for Intermediate and Middle Schools Games – 46 of 48 Cobham students achieved a top 3 placing medal at this national sporting event.

Regular and consistent success at local and regional sporting tournaments.

Canterbury Science Fair – traditionally very successful. 2010 32 prizes, 2011 35 prizes which equated to approximately 1/3 of the total prizes. Included two Cobham students gaining 1st = Year 7 Science, another gaining 1st in Year 8 Technology, 2nd in Year 8 Science and two students getting 2nd and 3rd Best in Fair (including secondary school entries).

World Finals in the United States of America in 2011 (1st place in the Drama Section). Cobham also receives a disproportionate number of awards at the Canterbury Science Fairs. In 2011 Cobham on its own secured over 1/3 of the prizes on offer, including second and third Best in Fair, which is open to secondary schools. Cantamaths, Literature Quiz, chess, sports, music and academic competitions are other areas that Cobham is renowned for success.

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EXTRA CURRICULAR We have shared with you many of

It is important we engage and not

the opportunities on offer outside

enrage our students and allow them

of the traditional classroom at

to have a voice in our school. We

Cobham. We encourage students

have introduced new leadership

to make the most of their time

roles for students and these have

with us and explore, discover and

been very well received. We have a

put themselves forward for new

head and deputy head girl and boy,

activities to enable any new talents

24 house captains (4 for each house)

and passions to be discovered.

and are soon to announce student leaders in the following areas:

During their time at Cobham

technology, culture, environment,

students will participate in sailing,

sport, music, dance/drama and

skiing, tenting at Kaituna in Year 7

arts. These enable us to foster and

and other styles of camps in Year 8.

grow leadership and provide a voice for, and an opportunity for development in these areas. In addition to these we have a student council led by the four head and deputy head students. These four also work with the principal on developing their leadership skills and school and community projects.

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ENROLMENT DETAILS Cobham Intermediate School has an enrolment scheme to limit the roll and prevent overcrowding. Students who live within our enrolment zone are entitled to enrol at our school. If you live outside our enrolment zone you are entitled to apply for enrolment. The number of places available for these students will be determined by the number of both in-zone and out-of-zone enrolments. Should the number of applications exceed the number of places available, a supervised ballot will be held with the following priority groups being allocated places in order until the available places are filled.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Siblings of current students Siblings of former students Children of former students Children of board employees or children of members of the board of the school 5. All other applicants We request that all in and out of zone enrolments be submitted to us by Friday 31 August.

For full details of this process, including a copy of our enrolment zone, dates and timelines please either visit our website or contact our team in the office.

Full details regarding class placements, entrance testing, uniform, key dates, stationery and other associated information will be provided on confirmation of enrolment. This is also available on our website.

CONTACT US For further information or to request an enrolment pack contact: 294 Ilam Road, Burnside P.O. Box 29411 Christchurch Telephone: +64 3 351 6381 Email: office@cobham.school.nz www.cobham.school.nz

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Cobham I N T E R M E D I AT E

294 Ilam Road, Burnside P.O. Box 29411 Christchurch Telephone: +64 3 351 6381 Email: office@cobham.school.nz www.cobham.school.nz