Guidance

The name we are adopting, Te Marino, means peaceful and calm. This summarises our goal and  purpose: to support students, remove barriers to learning and encourage wellbeing across the school. We also support staff and whānau/families when students present with concerning/difficult behaviours. Therefore, we warmly welcome any contact from parents/carers if there are any concerns about a young person.

To get in touch please ring 982 0100 ext 822, email ig@linwoodcollege.school.nz or call in at the front office and ask for Sue Ingle.

The Guidance Department is made up of a team of qualified counsellors, two registered nurses, 24/7 Youth workers from Kāwai Rangatahi Trust, Social Worker in Schools, Mana Ake workers, a part time qualified social worker and a full time qualified social worker.

Our counsellors are Esther Dunstall (9820100 ext 820) who works full time, and Tina Hartwell (9820100 ext 820) Thursday and Friday. Vicki Tanner who also (9820100 ext 821) works full time.  All are fully registered teachers and counsellors with full NZAC membership.

Mason Malcolm, a registered social worker joined the team this year working with Years 7/8’s only, but has now left to work elsewhere. However, we welcomed in Rebekah Cooper, a permanent, Monday-Wednesday social worker. This year we also had Ella Tanoa-Kell a 4th year social work student from Ara for a term.

This gives students a wide opportunity to find a Guidance Department member that is the ‘best fit’ for the young person.

The Tautoko Hauora service supports students and their whānau/families to access primary health care and has replaced the PCW role.

Our Nurse Maude Registered nurses Bec Curtis, Laura Hills and Rosalie Richards are available on 982 0100 ext 805. The Nurses work closely alongside the students and their whanau/families and offers medical and emotional support.  They also carry out psychosocial assessments for all Year 9 students identifying any risk and protective factors.

We also have in our team enthusiastic 24/7 Youth Workers from Kāwai Rangatahi Trust lead by Sarah Miller. Sarah can be contacted on 03 379 8463.

Members of the Guidance Department maintain pastoral oversite of the students in Alternative Education.

There have been many great opportunities for students to experience success and learning outside of the class room with some of the local agency run programmes.

• Mana Ake is an initiative which Te Aratai College support Yr 7&8 students to help them engage in their learning and strengthen their wellbeing holistically.

• Ngā Maata Waka Whānau Ora workers walk alongside some families to offer extra support when needed.

• Waipuna run Adventure Therapy programmes on a termly basis. The students who attend these programmes experience our great outdoors, cold rivers, bush walks, rock climbing etc. They learn to understand themselves, to organise themselves, to communicate effectively, navigation skills, maths and journal every day.

• Coast to Coast Rangers are a group of sporty students who are training regularly with Jess Moffat with the view of the 16 year olds competing in the February Coast to Coast. This activity is heavily subsidised by a variety of generous sponsors and both Jess and her dad give of their time generously for Te Aratai College. 

• Positive Directions Trust also support our ākonga and their whānau. They work alongside to support and navigate positive growth.

• Purapura Whetu support some of our ākonga and run a programme called Te Māhuri, an outdoor adventure programme. They also mentor some of our rangatahi and help them navigate through life and develop confidence and trust.

We are very fortunate to have such a strong connection within the wider Linwood Community to these various supports for the students. We all count it a privilege to work in the lives of young people and their whānau/families and help them navigate through the teenage years.