Wellbeing at WGC
Important School Contacts
The Deans provide pastoral support to students and whānau, to ensure that young people at WGC get the support they need. Deans are classroom teachers who have responsibility for a cohort of students. Deans focus on student wellbeing: they help students manage social issues; offer academic guidance; and support students to build resilience. Deans liase with teachers, external agencies and guidance staff where appropriate. Each Dean is supported by a Deputy Principal.
2021 Deans
Ms Sally Kendall
Counselling/ therapy training working with adolescents and using the arts
In school 2 days a week: Tuesday and Wednesday
Ms Adri Van Lith
Adri’s background is in teaching and the Arts, before training in Narrative Therapy. She utilises the art of mining the stories young people tell, to make more available the hidden gems and knowledges they can harness, to reduce the hold of the adversities they experience.
In school full time: Monday to Friday
Ms Sarah Richardson
Sarah’s background is as an educational psychologist and teacher. She has an eclectic, creative approach to counselling based on Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Brief Solution Based Therapy. Her aim is to support young people to recognise their goals and values and to move towards a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to them.
In school full time: Monday to Friday
Ms Hayley Familton
Hayley’s background is a counsellor for children and adolescents as well as a primary teacher. She has a pluralistic approach to counselling based on Person/Child Centred Therapy (including play) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her aim is to support young people to recognise their values and strengths while making sense of their world so that they can be their true self in a range of contexts.
In school part-time: Thursday
Ms Pat Hay
Pat is a qualified and registered arts therapist who works collaboratively with students, adapting her way of working to suit their particular needs. Trained to work therapeutically using the expressive arts (drawing, writing, painting, collage, movement, clay) she draws on counselling skills, psychoeducation, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Positive Psychology. Using creative activities alongside various psychotherapeutic techniques, students can be helped to process difficult experiences while finding new perspectives, developing emotional strength, increased resiliency and improved overall well-being.
In school part-time: Fridays for Term 2
Our Nurse is Kim Fraser.
Kim works Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm during term time. Kim has many years of experience as a practice nurse, in hospitals, and in operating theatres.
She can be found in the Wellbeing Hub which is in the prefabs closest to Murphy Street (RO3).
The clinic will have an open door policy at lunchtime and 20 minute appointments can be booked via the Student Office.
Kim is happy to see students for their wide ranging health needs. If further assessment or referral is required Kim will liaise with the student’s caregivers as appropriate.
What students talk about is confidential unless student safety, or the safety of others is at risk or they wish to share information.
We have a small team of Year 12 students trained in mediation. This service is aimed at supporting Year 9 & 10 students who are experiencing friendship issues. The mediation service is supervised by a counsellor.
To make an appointment email adri.vanlith@wgc.school.nz
Our PHYSIO is Kirsten Davie
· Sprained ankle? back pain? sore knees? painful shoulder? Kirsten works on site to ensure you can recover from injury
· Clinic times are Monday and Thursday, school hours
· Bookings are made at the Student Office
· Assessment is free of charge
· For follow-up appointments – payments are outlined in information sent home
As part of Wellington Girls’ College Wellness focus, this page has been established to support our students, staff and parents. It is a work in progress and we will continue to add useful links and resources.
Introduction
Since 2013, WGC has done a lot of work gathering information about student and staff wellbeing and we have made changes each year to try and make things better. We all know that you can’t concentrate on work if you aren’t well. That applies to students as well as adults.
The interesting thing is that we were once a lone voice with this work – now we’re part of a national discussion and we have more places to go for advice and support.
We now look at all initiatives in the school through a wellbeing lens – is this activity going to help or hinder wellbeing for our staff and students?
We have made several changes as a result of this information – additional counsellors; a school nurse; Wellbeing days; programmes during wānanga time that aim to build resilience; tutorials in the senior school; no set homework; a school dog; common goals across our Kāhui Ako regarding student wellbeing …and every year we try and tweak things further.
This site is another of those changes. You asked for resources and articles to help you understand and learn about wellness issues. We have started collecting. We take no responsibility for the information contained in them – we believe they are sound and we know they have been used in other educational settings, but if you have specific concerns we’d always recommend that you consult your GP or another health professional.
Julia Davidson
Principal
Wellbeing for Students
The journey between childhood and becoming an adult isn’t always easy. There are lots of new things to think about and make choices around. Here are some useful resources to help you navigate some of the of the major areas that you and your friends may experience.
During the COVID-19 students sent in questions about wellbeing during lockdown. Our counsellors and nurse have answered these. You can watch the full discussion video or dip into the areas that interest you. Please note that information and advice about anxiety runs through all the topics.
PDF Resources
External Website Resources
Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug that slows down the brain and nervous system. It is the most widely used drug in New Zealand. The effect of alcohol varies greatly from person to person. It is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 18 years of age and it is also illegal to supply alcohol to anyone who is under 18. It is important that you know your legal position and the responsibilities that go with that.
Illegal Drugs
Illegal drugs include such things as marijuana, magic mushrooms, LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. Possession of any of these drugs is against the law and carries at penalty that may include imprisonment.
Vaping
Vaping is prohibited at all times in schools under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020.
Under this act it is an offence to sell nicotine vaping products to young people under 18.
Whilst the long term effects of vaping are not fully understood, breathing any product into your lungs unnecessarily is not ideal. There are many unpleasant side effects associated with vaping including headaches and shortness of breath.
Tobacco
In New Zealand it is illegal for any under 18 to purchase tobacco. It is also illegal to smoke tobacco under the age of 16. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug contained in all tobacco products. Nicotine affects the chemistry of the brain, regulating thinking and feelings. Early use of tobacco can predispose adolescents to depression which can lead to other drug use. Here are some useful links.
PDF Resources
External Website Resources
To request peer mediation please email adri.vanlith@wgc.school.nz
Wellbeing for Staff
Below are a number of useful and informative resources and websites which should assist you on your wellness journey.
PDF Resources
External Website Resources
PDF Resources
