cobham intermediate

ACHIEVING

LIFEFOR

CobhamI N T E R M E D I AT E

2013PROSPECTUS

2 C O B H A M I N T E R M E D I A T E P R O S P E C T U S

The design has a triple twist shape which

represents the 3 baskets of knowledge in

the Maori culture. The steps represent the

steps to higher learning, and the water shows

tranquillity and calmness. The Waimakariri is

represented, as are the Canterbury Plains.

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

shown with the long white cloud of New

Zealand/Aotearoa and the stars depict the

Southern Cross and the Pointers.

The fading of colours from dark to light, and

back to dark, represents the children entering

our school not really knowing what is in store

for them, then everything becomes clear.

They move back into darkness unsure of what

the future holds. Finally they move from the

tranquillity of the water to reach for the stars

and their dreams.

He Kahurangi to tangata me to pono.

(People of honesty and integrity).

The significance of the statement in Maori is

that it reflects the virtues of honesty, service

and endeavour of our school crest.

OUR CREST

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.

WELCOMEWelcome 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.

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.

In our brand new Prospectus

we aim to provide you and your

3C O B H A M I N T E R M E D I A T E P R O S P E C T U S

Scott Thelning Principal


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 LIFEIn order for our motto to become

a reality, it is our aim to have

each student reach their potential

through quality learning and

teaching with specialist teachers

who understand the unique needs

of early adolescents. Our sole focus

at Cobham is achieving this for this

specific age group. There are 3 key

aspects to this.

First, we place an emphasis

on individuals. It is important

to us that our students can be

themselves and develop in their

own unique ways. We value

students being known by teachers

within the teams they are

clustered in and by staff across

the school. This is necessary if we

are to meet their needs and allow

them to flourish and grow.

Secondly, we place an emphasis

on achievement. Our record in

local, regional, national and

international competitions and

events is outstanding. Students

are encouraged to achieve

personal goals, and to reach

the highest achievement levels

possible.

Thirdly, Cobham has a wide

variety of opportunities outside

the classroom. We are recognised

and well regarded for our music

programmes and the performing

arts in general, along with a history

of success in local, regional and

national sporting events.

OUR VISION


OUR CURRICULUM

At Cobham we recognise that

not all students are the same and

therefore do not all learn, think

and act in the same way. We

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,

Cobham offers a diversity of opportunities across

academic, cultural and sporting domains, a strength that

meets the educational needs of our multi-cultural intake

and provides rich experiences across the curriculum.


make greater allowance for

learning styles and put the

onus on students to take more

personal responsibility for their

learning. Parents and students

must register their interest for

these classes. Selection is not

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.

• English as a Second Language

programmes for students who

need English language assistance.

Cobham is committed to the delivery

of the New Zealand Curriculum,

including its stated vision, principles,

values and key competencies.

All students will experience the

full breadth and depth of the

curriculum as stipulated over

the page.

OUR SUBJECTS

All students will be placed in a

class with a homeroom teacher.

Generally students will remain

with this same class group and

homeroom teacher for both Year

7 and 8. Students, parents and/

or teachers may, for a variety of

reasons, opt for a change in the

second year. All are consulted prior

to changes being made.

All students study with homeroom

teachers:

• Literacy – oral, written and

visual English

• Outdoor Education

• Social Studies

• Health and Physical Education

• Social Skills

• Information Technology

(computers and multimedia)

All students study with specialist

teachers:

• Mathematics – ability groups

across both year groups

• Science

• Physical Education

• Sports

• Music

• Languages – Te Reo, French,

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.


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

SPORT

Success in the full spectrum of

sporting pursuits has traditionally

been a key feature of Cobham. In

both individual and team sports

our students have excelled at

local, regional and national levels.

For example, in 2011 we sent

48 students to participate in the

prestigious AIMS Games (national

competition for intermediate and

middle schools) in Tauranga. 46

students returned with a top

3 medal.

All students participate in sport

every Tuesday afternoon, either

at school or at another venue

representing Cobham against

other intermediate schools. Sports

available are: athletics, badminton,

basketball, cross country, cricket,

dance, football, hockey, netball,

rippa rugby, rollerblading, rugby

union, sailing, skiing, softball,

squash, swimming, table tennis,

touch rugby, volleyball and

water polo.

We value parental involvement

in supporting and enhancing our

sporting programmes.


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.


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

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.

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.


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).

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

EXTRA CURRICULAR


We have shared with you many of

the opportunities on offer outside

of the traditional classroom at

Cobham. We encourage students

to make the most of their time

with us and explore, discover and

put themselves forward for new

activities to enable any new talents

and passions to be discovered.

During their time at Cobham

students will participate in sailing,

skiing, tenting at Kaituna in Year 7

and other styles of camps in Year 8.

It is important we engage and not

enrage our students and allow them

to have a voice in our school. We

have introduced new leadership

roles for students and these have

been very well received. We have a

head and deputy head girl and boy,

24 house captains (4 for each house)

and are soon to announce student

leaders in the following areas:

technology, culture, environment,

sport, music, dance/drama and

arts. These enable us to foster and

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.

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. Siblings of current students2. Siblings of former students3. Children of former students4. Children of board employees or children of members of the board of the school5. 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, BurnsideP.O. Box 29411Christchurch Telephone: +64 3 351 6381Email: [email protected] www.cobham.school.nz

294 Ilam Road, Burnside

P.O. Box 29411

Christchurch

Telephone: +64 3 351 6381

Email: [email protected]

www.cobham.school.nz

CobhamI N T E R M E D I AT E

cobham intermediate

Documents

i n t e r

quality school

great school

quality learning

super students

safe learning

higher learning

cobham intermediate