James Cook High School under construction in January 1968
James Cook High School opened in February 1968. Like most New Zealand state secondary schools of the era, the school was constructed to the Nelson Two-Storey standard plan, characterised by its two-storey H-shaped classroom blocks.
The name chosen for the school was met with widespread interest and approval, as 1968 was the bicentennial of the commencement of Captain Cook's voyage on the Endeavour into the south seas of the Pacific.
The James Cook High School crest was originally a broad shield design with a gold heraldic ship with full white sails and red pennants in the centre. The ship is sailing through two waves. The four gold stars are in the form of the Southern Cross. The school's insignia and uniform were modernised in 2013 and 2014. Both the crest and motto were inspired by the name 'James Cook.'
The James Cook High School School colours are Royal Blue and Gold. The motto 'Endeavour' was the name of James Cook's ship. 'Endeavour' implies: a goal to be striven for, strength of character, a determined, unrelenting effort which never slackens in spite of initial failures, the hope and faith to face new challenges, to surmount new obstacles, and above all, the giving of our best in all the activities of life, whether they be moral, social, cultural or academic.
Demographics
According to a 2021 ERO report,[2] the school's ethnic composition includes over 40% who identify as Māori and 45% who are from Pacific heritage. Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands Māori students make up the largest Pacific nation groups.
