Interested in online counselling? Here are the things you need to know:

Your supports at SIS

At SIS, every single student has a team of people who can support them.

The Pastoral Team

Tutor

If you need an adult to talk to, your tutor is someone you can turn to.

Tutors can listen and support you if you are experiencing challenges. They can help you explore what you're dealing with, what might help, and any extra support in school that you might find helpful.

They can help reach out to your Head of House, or explain the counselling services to you. If you want an appointment with a school social workers or the school counsellor, your tutor can help set that up.

Head of House

Your Head of House is one of your key supports at school. If you're experiencing a challenge and feel unsure of what to do, your Heads of House are happy to help.

Cheuk
To

Bahay

Ian
Brown

Casa

Georgia
Noonan

Kuca

Gemma
Mackintosh

Maison

Nat
Webster

Namas

Gwillym
Cornes

Shtepi

The Counselling Team

School Social Workers and School Counsellor

Counselling is open to students of all ages and backgrounds. SIS has three mental health professionals that are here to support you. All of them are trained in counselling and young people's mental wellbeing.

Issues you might explore in counselling:

School and studying
Friendships and relationships
Stress, anxiety, depression
Self-esteem, self-image
Family relationships
Body issues, identity issues
Life issues (grief, adolescence)

Click to read Q&A about counselling

The Higher Education (HE) and Careers Team

If you have questions about higher education, you are welcome to visit the Careers Centre and the Higher Education team. They can offer you advice on programme and subject options, and support you in researching and applying to higher education institutions.

The Careers Centre is located in the Diploma Centre on 6/F of Block D.

At the Careers Centre, you can talk about:

Higher education options
Careers options
Higher education applications

More about HE & Careers

Lauren
Sharman

Head of Higher Education & Careers

Nuri
Maharaj

Higher Education Counsellor

Chris
Nyathi

Higher Education Counsellor

Other key wellbeing supports

Vice Principal (Guidance & Wellbeing) and Child Protection Officer

Lucie Purves

Vice Principal
(Guidance & Well-Being) &
Whole School Child Protection Officer

A message to students from Ms. Purves

"I am one of the Vice Principals at South Island School and one of my key responsibilities is to ensure that we have excellent systems in place to support student well-being.

At South Island, we want well-being to be at the heart of everything that we do. We want our school to be healthy, inclusive and supportive so that it enables our community to thrive.

We aim to promote positive mental health and well-being for our whole school community and recognise how important it is in our lives, in just the same way as good physical health.

If you are struggling or need some advice, we want you to come and speak with us. You will see from this website that we have lots of experienced staff who can help you in all sorts of ways. So, please speak with your tutor, Head of Year/House, or one of our counsellors if you have any concerns or questions.

I also want to point out that every student in the school can play a part in cultivating a compassionate community. Being part of SIS means we have all made a pledge to “Make a Difference.” This means we are all here to help support one another. What is the most important thing you can do as a SIS student? Be kind to others!

Finally but importantly, I am also the Child Protection Officer for South Island School. We believe that it is every child’s right to learn and live in conditions which protect them from harm and that provide the optimum development of their intellectual, physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

If someone is at risk of harm, staff and students at SIS have a responsibility to talk to a trusted adult at school. Teachers have a responsibility to inform me if anyone’s safety is at risk. I will then help to coordinate appropriate support for the student."

– Ms. Purves