At Whangaparāoa College, hauora is embedded as one of our strategic priorities. We know that when people are not well in themselves, learning and engagement suffer. Since wellbeing has many facets, improving learner wellbeing in schools requires a whole-school approach that takes into account physical, emotional, social and societal needs.
Pastoral care
Kaiārahi are teachers who lead a class of learners through their journey at the College. They meet with their rōpū whānau class every day, with Wednesday period 3 dedicated to this time. Kaiārahi provide both pastoral and academic care through checking in with each child, and supporting their goals with academic tracking sheets and guidance. They also follow up on attendance and ensure learners know what is happening at the school through notices.
Deans oversee the pastoral and academic care of their year group and have regular meetings with the year group kaiārahi. They have significantly less teaching time so they can meet with learners who need support, who are not meeting behavioural standards, or who are concerned about anything. Senior Deans also work with learners and our Careers Department to support learners' future plans and goals. Both Deans and kaiārahi communicate with parents and teachers to ensure learners feel well at school.
School health clinic: To minimise disruptions to learning, encourage healthy choices and support class attendance, the health clinic will be open for learners to self present before school, during interval and lunch time.
If a learner is injured or becomes quite unwell during class time and can not wait until a break, the teacher will contact the nurse and provide a learner leaving class slip for the learner to attend the health clinic during class time.
Whenever possible the teacher will encourage learners to wait until break times to visit the health clinic.
The school has a duty of care. If learners are feeling unwell at school, they must go to the health clinic where nursing staff will assess learners and provide support to remain at school. The nurses will contact parents/ caregivers if the learner is unable to remain at school.
This process helps keep everything organised and learners safe.
Parents/ caregivers can help by
- Directing your child to the health clinic if they contact you by email ( Learners shouldn't be using phones at school)
- Ensure your child is eating breakfast and bringing lunch to school
- Ensure your child brings a drink bottle
- Liaise with the kaiarahi if there are barriers to attendance.
We appreciate whanau supporting this process.
Nurse and counsellors are based in Te Whare Hauora (The Wellness Centre).We have registered nurses and a wellbeing manager/ attendance dean who addresses/ helps navigate barriers to attendance. Our nurses are trained to complete assessments for ADHD, concussion, mental health and disordered eating The nurse is available during school hours for any learner who has any ailment. She will treat and triage as required, contacting parents as necessary.
Learners can make appointments with one of our dedicated counsellors, or referrals will be made alongside the learner or their whanau.
Counselling referrals can be made on the school bridge portal. Both the nurses and counsellors have access to outside agencies when required, and can help navigate these resources.