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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.

2024 Deans

2024 Senior Academic Advisors

Please email counsellors@wgc.school.nz for an appointment and the first available counsellor will respond to you. If your request is urgent, please state this in your email.

Counselling Services

Video For Parents

Ms Sarah Richardson – HOD Counselling team

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: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri

Ms Courtney Bardsley

Courtney has a background working in secondary schools as a youth worker and counsellor. Her approach is based on Narrative Therapy, which supports an interest in the stories of a person’s life. She aims to work with young people to find space between themselves and the problems they are facing. This space can be used to explore what else a young person may know or come to know that supports the preferences they have for life.
In school 2 days a week: Wednesday & Thursday

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 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

Where Counselling can help

  • If you are having problems and you want to talk to someone
  • If you are struggling and you don’t know why
  • If you feel consistently hopeless
  • If you feel you are being bullied
  • If you want help with friendships or relationships that aren’t going well
  • If school is getting too hard and you feel you are not coping
  • If you want someone to speak on your behalf
  • If you have been out of school for any reason and need help settling back in

Some of those solutions might be

  • Together finding out what is troubling you then finding what solutions can help
  • Together, if necessary, finding out who else to talk to who can support you
  • Understanding and finding ways of healing from past hurt and sadness
  • Understanding and adapting to grief and loss – yours and others
  • Finding better ways of managing relationships
  • Understanding and better managing stress, depression and anxiety
  • Developing practical strategies to make school easier
  • Supporting wellness

You can expect your Counsellor to

  • Listen to you carefully and sensitively
  • Respect you and your whānau
  • Support you in making the changes you choose to make
  • Help decide when to include parents/caregivers
  • Respect your confidentiality (with the exception of you or others being at serious risk of harm)

The Counsellors are not medical professionals, so are unable to diagnose or prescribe. They are specialised education professionals.

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.

How to Help a Teenager Deal With Anxiety
Grounding techniques
Zentangles
Teenagers, Anxiety Can Be Your Friend

PDF Resources

Young peoples’ rights on Instagram
Young peoples’ rights on Instagram
Young peoples’ rights on Facebook
Young peoples’ rights on Facebook
What to do about group chats
What to do about group chats
Netsafe - Keeping People Safe Online
Netsafe - Keeping People Safe Online
Tools and advice to help you 'keep it real online' with your children and young people.
Tools and advice to help you 'keep it real online' with your children and young people.

External Website Resources

The Light Project
The Light Project
Info, help and tips on porn and online sexual stuff
Info, help and tips on porn and online sexual stuff
Having nudes online is scary,
but there is hope to get it taken down.
Having nudes online is scary, but there is hope to get it taken down.
Eating Disorders Clinic
Connecting to professional counsellors
Eating disorder support services
EDANZ
F.E.A.S.T

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

Alcohol Quick Facts
Alcohol Quick Facts
Commonly abused drugs and their effects
Commonly abused drugs and their effects

External Website Resources

The Alcohol Drug Helpline provides friendly, non-judgmental, professional help and advice.
The Alcohol Drug Helpline provides friendly, non-judgmental, professional help and advice.
Thinking about your drug use can help you decide whether it's time to make a change.
Thinking about your drug use can help you decide whether it's time to make a change.
Friendly, confidential drugs advice - The highs, the lows and everything inbetween
Friendly, confidential drugs advice - The highs, the lows and everything inbetween
Teen Corner - A place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism.
Teen Corner - A place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism.
Drug Foundation Conversation Planner
Drug Foundation Conversation Planner
How much do you really know about e-cigarettes, vapes and juices, and are they as safe as you think?
How much do you really know about e-cigarettes, vapes and juices, and are they as safe as you think?

To request peer mediation please email maria.moran@wgc.school.nz

How to Start a Conversation with Your Friend About Their Wellness
How to Start a Conversation with Your Friend About Their Wellness
How to Make Smalltalk
Genderbread Person
Rainbow Youth
Inside Out
Outer Spaces
Trevor Project
5 ways to support transgender people
Glossary of terms
Tips for a healthy headspace.
Why is my brain making me angry?
Stand Firm
Tips to reduce stress
Overcome stress and overwhelm
What is Mental Health
Tips for a healthy headspace.
Technology & Sleep
Move Past Anxiety
Reducing Stress
Spring Clean Your Life
Panic Attacks
Self Help Strategies
Gender Identity
Immediate help for you or a friend
Healthy habits and key routines for health
Letting go of blame
Te whare tapa whā and wellbeing
Information on Diagnosis and Medication for Mental Health Conditions
OCD Information

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.
Family planning
EVOLVE
Sexual health help
Teenage Sleep
Mental health advice for coping after a traumatic event

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

Happiness and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor talked about his research of (mostly unhappy) Harvard students.
Happiness and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor talked about his research of (mostly unhappy) Harvard students.
EAP Services Limited Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provides professional strategies and interventions for personal and workplace support.
EAP Services Limited Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provides professional strategies and interventions for personal and workplace support.
PPTA is the professional association representing teachers and principals in secondary and area schools, and teachers in intermediates, technicraft centres, and community education
PPTA is the professional association representing teachers and principals in secondary and area schools, and teachers in intermediates, technicraft centres, and community education

PDF Resources

Anouk Kelling examines the role that leaders play in increasing organisational wellbeing.
Anouk Kelling examines the role that leaders play in increasing organisational wellbeing.
Can we be highly productive at work without sacrificing our health and well-being?
Can we be highly productive at work without sacrificing our health and well-being?

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