Information / Support & Guidance

Guidance

Guidance Counselling

At Orewa College we have three qualified counsellors serving our school community. Kerry Lee Needham, Pip Speedy and Yan Jin are all registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. Kerry Lee and Pip are also both qualified and registered teachers. Prior to obtaining her Masters Degree in Counselling, Yan enjoyed a career as a civil engineer.

We abide by the Code of Ethics of the NZAC which means that confidentiality is maintained unless there is an imminent risk to safety.

We are passionate about maintaining our students’ right to free and confidential counselling and guidance. We aim to work collaboratively within our strong pastoral team, helping students work toward reducing any barriers to their academic progress while also supporting them to develop skills to better manage their hauora.

English, Te Reo Māori and Mandarin are languages spoken in the Guidance Department

Our offices are in the Student Services Building, located down the main driveway entrance (Gate 2) and opposite the school’s main administration building.

Guidance Department hours are 8.30am - 3.30pm

If there is a need for urgent support outside of these hours please see the “After Hours Support” information further down this page.

Common challenges we are able to support students with include:

Abuse Advocacy Anxiety
Bullying and harassment Creating Change Depression / Low mood
Drugs and alcohol Emotional Regulation
Friendships
Goal Setting Holistic Well-being Identity
Loss and grief Relationships
Resilience Building
Self Esteem Sexuality Trauma

While supporting students is our primary focus we also work alongside school staff and whanau to ensure students’ wellbeing needs are met. When required, we liaise with external agencies who might provide additional support to students and their whanau.

Requesting An Appointment

We encourage students to self refer. When caregivers, friends and school staff feel a student has a counselling need and would like to request an appointment for them, it is our hope that, whenever possible, the student is consulted and involved in this process. Guidance staff welcome a call or email from anyone with concern for a student and unsure how to help them navigate the counselling process.

We now receive all requests for appointment via email. To request an appointment, students can email guidance@orewacollege.nz. or contact any of the counsellors directly by simply clicking on their email addresses below:

Ms Kerry-Lee Needham

Guidance Counsellor

Phone 09 427 3833 x244

k.needham@orewacollege.nz

Ms Kerry-Lee Needham

Guidance Counsellor

Ms Pip Speedy

Head of Guidance

Phone: 09 427 3833 x240

p.speedy@orewacollege.nz

Ms Pip Speedy

Head of Guidance

Ms Yan Jin

Guidance Counsellor

Phone: 09 427 3833 x239

y.jin@orewacollege.nz

Ms Yan Jin

Guidance Counsellor

Youth Workers

We are fortunate to have an enthusiastic team of youth workers from the 24/7 team also working under the Guidance umbrella to support our students.

Āki (School Support Dog)

Āki is our school support dog who works alongside Pip.

(click on Āki's picture to read more)

Āki (School Support Dog)

Āki is a 3 year old retired greyhound who is now enjoying life at a more relaxed pace. Āki is a quiet, gentle and sensitive soul who loves pats and affection from students.

Āki provides comfort and reassurance to students in times of overwhelm or distress, helping students to regulate their emotions. On request, he places himself near someone in need of comfort. He is also a great, non judgemental, listener. Simply put, he puts the Āki in Manaaki!

Āki spends most of his time in a gated office in the guidance department. There is plenty of dog-free space in our guidance department area so students who visit this area will only meet Āki if they wish to. Greyhounds have a very short coat, each hair they shed is unable to carry a large number of allergens - which is helpful for those with sensitivities.

Āki will always be on lead when out and about - he stands back and lets students approach him and won’t introduce himself without an invite.

Helpful websites

After Hours Support

If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger or facing imminent risk call 111 immediately.

Waitemata Crisis Team - Mental Health - 24/7 phone: - 09 486 8900

https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/mental-health-services/crisis-assessment-teams

You can also, always present at any A&E department for help with any urgent, health concerns - including mental health.

Helpful websites

Concern for Student’s Welfare

Sexuality

  • Rainbow Youth
  • Inside Out
  • Plus+Group (an LGBTQIA & Allies in-school group for any students who want to join - please email guidance for more details).