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.
2025 Deans
Counselling Services
Ms Sarah Taylor
Sarah has a background working as a counsellor in secondary schools. She takes a person-centred approach and works pluralistically, drawing on creative arts therapies. Her aim is to create a supportive, non-judgmental space for rangatahi to connect, feel valued and grow personal agency.
In school: 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: Monday & Tuesday
Ms Kerry Reddy
As an Emerging Creative Arts Therapist, Kerry brings a blend of educational experience and artistic passion to her practice. Guided by a Person-Centred approach and diverse artistic mediums, she creates a safe, nurturing space where individuals can explore and process complex emotions that are often challenging to articulate. Kerry aims to help students find their unique voice and develop the emotional tools they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
In school 3 days per week: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Ms Kirsten Edie
Kirsten has worked in secondary schools as a teacher and more recently as a
counsellor. She has a Narrative Therapy approach to counselling. This means that
she is interested in people’s stories and how these stories have shaped their lives.
She aims to work with young people to find distance between them and the problems
they are facing, and to learn about the preferences they have for their life.
In school 2 days a week: Monday and Tuesday
Our nurse is Naomi Barnett.
Naomi works 8:30am to 2:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during term time. Naomi has many years experience in hospitals, including working with paediatrics and patients on haemodialysis.
She can be found in the Wellbeing Hub which is in the prefabs closest to Murphy Street (R03).
Visits to the nurse are by booked appointments only.
Naomi is happy to see students for their wide ranging health needs. If further assessment or referral is required Naomi will liaise with the students’ 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.
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.
Helplines
For you or a friend you are worried about
Need to talk?
text or call 1737
Youthline:
text 234 or call 0800 376 633
Suicide Crisis Line:
0508 828 865
In an emergency:
call 111. They can advise you
Youthline:
0800 376 633 or text 234
Te Haika triage:
0800 745 477
Anxious/depressed:
text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor 24/7
Depression Line:
0800 111 757
Alcohol and Drug Helpline:
0800 787 797
.Family Violence info line:
0800 456 450
Health line:
0800 611 116
Lifeline Aotearoa nationwide:
0800 543 354
Warmline (Mental Health Peer Support):
0800 200 207
Victim Support:
0800 842 846
Outline: LGBTIQ- affirming support line and face to face counselling:
0800 688 5463
Suicide crisis helpline:
0508 828 865
Anxiety phone line:
0800 269 4389
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.
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 maria.moran@wgc.school.nz
This information, Dealing with Sexual Assault was made by the WGC Student Council 2023 in collaboration with NZ Police. Counsellors are available to support you.
Kim Fraser our school nurse is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm. Please make an appointment at the student office, or go to the drop in clinic during lunchtime. Kim can advise on sexual health and pregnancy, as well as a range of other medical issues.
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
External Website Resources
Principal's Message
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