Health, Well-being and Safety

Supporting Parent Wellbeing

At our school, we know that raising a child with diverse needs can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly demanding. The energy, time, and emotional resilience it takes are significant—and often, parents and caregivers place their own wellbeing last on the list.

We want to acknowledge the vital role you play—not just in your child’s life, but as part of our wider school whānau. Your health and wellbeing matter. When you’re supported, resourced, and cared for, it has a positive impact on your child’s learning, confidence, and sense of belonging.

Wellbeing doesn’t always mean big changes. Sometimes it’s about the small, regular moments:

• Taking time for rest or reflection.

• Connecting with others who understand your journey.

• Accessing supports—whether through school, your GP, or community services.

• Saying yes to help, or no when you need to.
  
  

If you're ever feeling stretched, please know you’re not alone. Our team is here to work with you and for you. Whether it’s through communication, flexibility, or simply listening, we're here to support the whole whānau. 

Together, we can make sure that everyone—ākonga and caregivers alike—feels valued, seen, and supported.

Pouwhirinaki - 

We are very fortunate to have secured a whānau support role for this year. The position is referred to as a ‘pouwhirinaki’, meaning ‘lean on me person’. We are thrilled to have Jane Sinclair move from her teaching position into this role. 

This is an introduction to Jane, for those who do not know her:

With over 25 years’ experience in the disability sector, I’ve worked across teacher education, disability services leadership, social work, and classroom teaching. These roles have helped to shape my understanding of how best to support tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau. At Waitaha, my role is to be a compassionate and dedicated link between home and school, helping families to assess needs, design support, and advocate for access to vital resources and services they are entitled to. I aim to encourage families to prioritise their wellbeing to support their young people better. I work alongside service providers and community agencies to ensure open communication, effective case management, and crisis intervention where needed. My focus is always on creating safe, supportive, and healthy environments for our tamariki and their whānau.