Counsellors

Michal Horton: BA, BMus, MCouns (Hons), MNZAC Head of Department/Full Time Phone: 521 9611 or 521 9610 ext 655 Email: hortonm@selwyn.school.nz	Lisa Teng Student counsellor (Tuesdays only, Mandarin speaker) Kate McLennan-White Student counsellor (Wednesdays only) Ruth Evans Student counsellor (Fridays only)

Parents/caregivers are welcome to phone and make an appointment with one of the counsellors. The Counselling Department Office number is 521 9611. If we are not available, please leave a message on the answer phone and we will call you back as soon as possible. Because we make every attempt to work transparently with students in the interests of building a trusting relationship, we would prefer that you discuss the fact that you have called with your son or daughter.

Introduction

Selwyn College has an active and vibrant Counselling Department and all students are encouraged to approach the counsellors when they have concerns about any aspects of their lives. Visiting the counsellors is regarded as a proactive and positive way for students to take some responsibility for their own psychological and emotional health. Support staff, teaching staff, Heads of Houses and Senior Leadership are very supportive of the work done in the department and often work in collaboration with the counsellors to support the students and their families. All of these people share a commitment to maintaining an emotionally and socially safe, healthy school. They also recognise that students are much more likely to achieve well when they are settled at school and can access strategies and support to cope with some of the difficulties that may arise. We have one full-time counsellors and three students on placement. The school counsellor holds post-graduate counselling qualifications and she is a full member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. All counsellors in the department abide by this organisation’s Code of Ethics which includes maintaining confidentiality except in cases of imminent and serious risk. Our counsellors have regular supervision outside the department and are committed to ongoing professional development.

Most years we undertake to supervise a counselling student on placement from a tertiary training provider. The student counsellors usually work for one day a week and help out with a number of departmental activities, as well as working on a one-to-one basis with students. The placement students are closely supervised by the HOD and spend some time observing the counsellor at work and participating in group work.  

The counsellors work with individuals, groups, couples, parents or other family combinations. We have established close links with key outside agencies, some of which have representatives who visit the school regularly. These include Kari Centre (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), Altered High (Youth branch of Community Alcohol and Drug Services), CYF (Child, Youth and Family) and Sexual Abuse Help Foundation.

Michal and the Heads of House meet regularly to ensure that students who may be experiencing difficulties are not overlooked. There are also weekly case management meetings which involve the SLT member who oversees a particular year group, Head of House, Michal and any other staff who may be involved, e.g. School Nurse, Careers Advisor, Director of Student Pathways.

Particular care is taken to minimise the possibility of bullying throughout the school. Strategies currently in place include:

• Students are encouraged to notify a Counsellor, Mentor Teacher or Head of House if they are being bullied so that the issue can be talked through and a way found of addressing the problem.
• Members of the Student Mediation Team are available during class time or breaks to meet with students and help them find a way through existing or potential conflict. They visit junior classes, explain the benefits of mediation, what it involves and how to contact one of the mediators.
• Michal Horton and Clare Linzey (Director ICT and Learning) liaise regularly to ensure that the risk of cyber bullying is minimised. Links are posted on this website to various organisations that can help with bullying and other issues.
• The school has established links with Netsafe and can consult with this organisation when issues arise.