James Hargest College, Invercargill

Key facts

About James Hargest College

James Hargest College is a state secondary school in New Zealand catering to students from Year 7 through to Year 13. It operates across two campuses: a dedicated Junior Campus for Year 7 and 8 students, and a Senior Campus for older year groups.

The school is named after Brigadier James Hargest, a local and national figure who died during World War II and is buried in Normandy. The school's emblem, a Normandy Lion known as "Leo," reflects this connection. The school's stated mission is to equip students to create the best possible future for themselves and their world.

The school's character is shaped by a framework called The Hargest Way, which emphasises shared values, personal identity, and hauora. The school's vision draws on the principles of manaakitanga and ako, and places emphasis on participation, connectedness, and whanaungatanga through service, cultural, sporting, and leadership opportunities. The school also enrols international students and maintains a dedicated international student programme.

Curriculum and Subjects

James Hargest College offers subjects across Years 7–8, Years 9–10, Year 11, NCEA Level 2, and NCEA Level 3, though not every subject is available at every level.

Social Sciences

The following subjects are offered within the Social Sciences learning area:

• Accounting — covers general principles of business finance and personal accounting
• Business Studies — covers business planning, management, production, marketing, and finance
• Classical Studies — focuses on the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome
• Economics — covers cost-benefit analysis and its application to business, politics, and environmental issues
• Geography — examines human and environmental interactions
• History — covers research, analysis, and presentation skills alongside historical content
• Media Studies — includes critical analysis of media and practical short film production
• Tourism — covers national and international tourism industries and travel management

In Years 7–8, Social Sciences content focuses on belonging and participating in society.

Languages

The following languages are offered:

• French — includes a reciprocal exchange to a French-speaking country and participation in events such as the Alliance Française Oral Competition and the French Film Festival (both in Dunedin)
• Japanese — Year 9 includes learning the Hiragana alphabet; students must complete Japanese A before progressing to Japanese B
• Te Reo Māori — covers te reo Māori me ōna tikanga (language, traditions, and protocol)
• Spanish

In Years 7–8, all four languages are explored through language and culture. In Year 9 French, students choose between two sequential courses: French A and French B, with French A required before French B.

Co-Curricular Activities

The following named sporting activities are listed for the Junior Campus:

• Cycling — offered year-round; students require their own bike and a school cycling suit. Entry fees are set by Cycling NZ. Events include the South Island School Track Championships at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome in Invercargill and the South Island School MTB Championships held in Methven, covering cross country, cross country relay, downhill, and enduro events.
• Golf — Town Zone Southland Primary Schools Festival of Golf, held at Queens Park Golf Club, Invercargill. Teams of four play six holes of Ambrose golf plus skills activities including chipping, putting, pitching, and chuck and putt. Entry fee is $20 per team.
• GymSports — Southland 2026 School GymSport Festival, held at Southland Gymnasium, Glengarry, Invercargill. Disciplines include Women's Artistic, Men's Artistic (Springers, Twisters, or Flyers), and Group Display. Entry fee is $10 per participant.

Student Support and Pastoral Care Services

James Hargest College provides a range of named pastoral care and student support services across its Junior and Senior campuses.

• Guidance Team: Works with students and their families to identify and address problems. Offers one-to-one counselling and coordinates with external agencies. The team is led by a qualified counsellor and includes additional counselling staff.
• Student Support Centre (SSC): A purpose-built facility for students who need extra assistance to meet their learning potential. Offers smaller class sizes, teacher aide support in mainstream classes, level-appropriate numeracy and literacy, and practice of post-school life skills.
• Deans: At the Senior Campus, each of the four Houses — Hamilton, Menzies, Thomson and Watson — has a Head of House, a Senior Dean (Years 11–13), and a Junior Dean (Years 9–10). At the Junior Campus, one dean is assigned per year level. Deans oversee student welfare and progress and provide academic and pastoral support.
• Junior Campus Homeroom Teachers: Students spend the majority of their day with their homeroom teacher, who provides pastoral and academic support and liaises with parents and caregivers.
• Senior Campus Form Teachers: Meet with their form class twice a week and remain with the same group throughout students' time at the Senior Campus.
• Peer Support: Pairs small groups of Year 9 students with a Year 13 buddy. Students follow a programme of orientation and initiative activities, with contact continuing throughout the year.
• Mentoring: Selected Year 9 students receive additional support from Year 13 mentors, focusing on motivation and goal setting.
• Health Nurse: Available at the Senior Campus on Mondays (10:30am–11:15am) and at the Junior Campus every second Thursday.
• Onsite Physiotherapy – SportsMed Southland: Available at the Senior Campus to students from both campuses. No charge for ACC-covered treatment. A signed parental consent form is required before an appointment can be made.

Facilities

James Hargest College operates library facilities across two campuses.

• Senior Campus Library — open Monday to Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm, with a Study Centre available on Tuesdays from 3:30–5:00pm
• Junior Campus Library — open Monday and Thursday 8:30am–3:30pm, and Friday 8:30am–2:00pm

Both libraries provide access to eBooks through the Wheelers platform, borrowable remotely using school network credentials.