The James Cook Satellite Class is located at the James Cook High School, 5 minutes drive from the BLENNZ Homai Campus School. The blind and low vision students work on a varied and individualized programme and are taught by two teachers and supported by two teacher aides. The students work in mainstream classes, satellite group learning activities and intensive one to one instruction.
The class have access to the facilities and expertise at Homai Campus school and the high school. These include the pool, gym, music teachers, therapists and guidance counselor at the Homai Campus. At James Cook High School the students have access to the sports fields, gymnasium drama dance and music studios, cultural and sporting events specialist subject teachers and pastoral care.
The aim of the programme is to prepare students to become active engaged participators in life. The programme is designed to meet individual goals arising from the IEP process and general academic requirements such as NCEA qualifications.
There is an emphasis on social cooperative skills, goal setting and personal growth particularly relating to the challenges of adolescent life.
Students develop independence through Orientation and Mobility instruction, Education Outside the Classroom and Daily Living Skills programmes.
The students receive intensive Braille instruction, assistive technology training and the supply of adapted material in the students preferred format. The satellite class teachers deliver the majority of the curriculum content and individual coaching supporting the mainstream content.
