Cambridge High School (New Zealand)

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Cambridge High School

Motto	Fortiter et recte to have the strength to do the right thing
Type	State Co-ed Secondary (Year 9-13)
Year established	1883 (closed 1887 between 1902)
Address	Swaynes Road, Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand
Coordinates
Principal	Phil McCreery
School roll	1168
Socio-economic decile (10 is highest)	9^[1]
Ministry of Education Institution no.	142
Website	www.camhigh.school.nz

Cambridge High School is a state secondary school in the Waikato town of Cambridge. Otherwise unremarkable, it was thrust into national prominence during the tenure of principal Alison Annan.

1 Pre-Annan
2 100% success rate
3 Achievement Recovery Room
4 Inquiries and Departure
5 Post-Annan
6 Core Values
7 Notes
8 References

[edit] Pre-Annan

Many claim that Cambridge High School, in the 'pre-Annan' period, was a rough school, and had earned itself the nickname "Cannabis High". Many students in the region chose to bus to schools in Hamilton instead of their local high school.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 100% success rate

The school came under fire after it had maintained a 100% pass rate for two years in a row in NCEA (National Certificate in Educational Achievement) exams, and attracted a lot of media attention amid claims of teacher bullying and manipulation of the students' exam results.

[edit] Achievement Recovery Room

Close attention was paid to the so-called 'Achievement Recovery Room'. Students who were regarded as slow were pulled out of mainstream classes and put into Achievement Recovery. There they could catch up on work they missed, until they were up to speed with other pupils. The current affairs program '60 Minutes' highlighted claims that teachers who were put in charge of Achievement Recovery had written assessment answers on the board for students to copy.

[edit] Inquiries and Departure

Claims of teacher bullying and manipulation of school results led to an investigation by the Ministry of Education. The subsequent report revealed flaws in Mrs Annan's tactics and problems with the school such as poor facilities. After pressure from those in charge of the investigation, Mrs Annan announced her resignation as principal on Friday 13 August 2004.

[edit] Post-Annan

Since Mrs Annan's departure the school has seen several transformations. This includes the restoration of its library, which was dismantled only a couple of years before, and some changes to other school structures such as after school detentions for minor infringments.

[edit] Core Values

This section does not cite any references or sources. (February 2008)
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Respect: consideration and regard for the rights, values, beliefs and property of all people.
Responsibility: Being accountable for your actions.
Honesty: A willingness not to steal cheat or lie.
Kindness: Willingness to help, show concern for and be friendly to others.
Obedience: Willingness to do as one is told; to obey.
Compassion: Willingness to help, empathise with, or show mercy to those who suffer.
Duty: Willingness to do what is right or what a person ought to do.
Consideration: Willingness to be kind and consider the interests of others before self.