Previous Page | Next Page Parents: Do you “stream” classes?
James H: No. Classes are “mixed ability” except for Mathematics, in which the more able children are regrouped into “extension” classes.
Parents: How many children in each class?
James H: About 30. Class sizes in the specialist subjects and in most Maths classes are smaller (about 25 children).
Parents: Is there any extra help for children in Reading?
James H: Yes, we have two special reading programmes. In the “LEAP” programme, specialist reading teachers take individuals one-on-one for reading. In the “BOOST”
programme, teachers work with small groups of children to boost their reading skills and build positive attitudes to reading. Teacher Aides also help with Reading in some
Parents: I want my child to get better at Maths. Is there any help available?
James H: Teachers take Before School Mathematics classes two mornings a week to help children with Maths. We also have small class sizes in many Maths classes and a teacher’s
aide to help in some classes.
Parents: Do you have a homework club?
James H: Yes, Our Homework Club meets once a week.
Parents: At my child’s primary school, we used to enter lots of competitions. Can we do that at James Hargest?
James H: Yes. Children can challenge themselves by entering competitions such as the Australian competitions, Speech Competitions, Southspell, the Kids Literature Quiz, Young Writers Competition, SMAC Maths, the Otago University Problem solving Competition, NIE Southland Times Current Events Quiz, Science Badges, Science Fair etc.
Parents: What do you do for really bright children?
James H: The “Minds Alive” programme focuses on thinking and inquiry skills for gifted and talented children. Also, in Maths, we group higher ability children together in extension classes to give these children a real challenge.
Parents: What sports can my child play?
James H: Lots. How about aerobics, archery, badminton, basketball, cross country, cycling, cricket, dodgeball, gymnastics, harriers, hockey, netball, orienteering, rugby, self defence, squash, swimming, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis, touch, underwater hockey, volleyball, walking and waterpolo?
We have our school sports programme on Friday afternoons. Then we have interclass competitions at lunchtimes. We enter teams in all local “after school” competitions. If children are really keen on sports they may be chosen for our sports exchanges with Oamaru Intermediate or Wakatipu High School. Our top teams go to the South Island Intermediate Schools’ Tournament in Christchurch each year.
Parents: Where do they go for camps?
James H: Year Sevens have a three day camp at Omaui at the start of the year. Year 8 classes have a four day camp at Deep Cove in Term One.
Parents: Are there any other trips?
James H: Yes. Year Seven classes visit Dunedin in the fourth term and stay overnight at the Museum. They sleep on the fl oor at Discovery World! We also have ski trips and a weekend trip to Stewart Island.
Parents: I’ve heard about the trip to America. Who can go on that?
James H: Year 8 children can be selected for our International Exchange with Meeker Middle School in America. We host American visitors early in the year and our selected “ambassadors” travel to Tacoma in September-October.
Parents: What cultural opportunities are there at the junior campus?
James H: We have a choir and an orchestra. We hold a production each year and that is an excellent chance for talented singers, actors and dancers to “do their thing”. We also have a kapa haka group which performs at special events. There are many examples of high achievement in sporting, cultural and community contexts. This refl ects the school’s focus on all round achievement. - ‘ERO June 2006’ |
