Supporting wellbeing, resilience, and belonging.
At Albany Senior High School, student wellbeing is central to learning and success. Our Wellbeing team works alongside students and whānau to create a safe, supportive environment where young people feel cared for, heard, and empowered to thrive.
Wellbeing Support
Our Wellbeing Centre, located opposite 3A, provides a private and confidential space for students to access support.
Our aim is to support the wellbeing and safety of all students, helping them build resilience and make empowered decisions — particularly during challenging or distressing times that may impact their learning or wider life.
Our counsellors are professionally trained, registered members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), and work in accordance with the NZAC Code of Ethics. Confidentiality is always respected, except where there is a serious and imminent risk to safety.
Students can access wellbeing support by:
-
self‑referring, or
-
being referred by teachers, Senior Leaders, or parents/whānau.
Student Services Dogs
Meg, Tucker, and Mousse are an important part of the wraparound care offered through our Wellbeing team.
More than just friendly faces, our therapy dogs help create a calm, welcoming space where students and staff can feel safe and supported. Research shows that interacting with dogs can reduce stress, lower heart rate, and support emotional regulation – all of which can be especially helpful for rangatahi navigating the ups and downs of school life.
Whether supporting a student through a difficult conversation, helping to de‑escalate big emotions, or simply offering a moment of comfort in a busy day, our therapy dogs provide a gentle, non‑judgemental presence that beautifully complements the professional care of our counsellors.
Request or Book a Counselling appointment via this link or pop down to Wellbeing Centre and see Andrea
*Albany Senior High School account is required to access the form.
There are always times in your life when things happen and you are not sure what to do. At times like this it can help to talk to someone else. As counsellors we are trained to support you to explore any issue or concern to find new ideas or ways of coping to develop resilience and empowerment.
People might seek counselling for support for the following reasons:
- Difficulties at home/school
- Low self-esteem
- Bullying
- Abuse
- Grief and loss
- Anxiety
- Parents separated
- Sexuality
- Getting in trouble at school and want to change this
- Lonely
- Social media issues
- Feeling low
- Struggling with anger
- Stress management
- Alcohol or drug problems
- Friendship issues
A counsellor may also:
- Provide referrals to other agencies for specific help
- Facilitate/organise mediations to resolve conflict
- Facilitate restorative meetings where clear harm has been done
- Advocate for people who are disempowered
- See you on your own or with a support person
- Support you with your talking to your family/peers/teachers
In counselling you can talk in a safe, non-judgemental place with someone who supports you. A counsellor is someone who listens carefully and supports you to explore and discover new perspectives, ideas, and choices.
It can help you:
- Reduce stress
- Set goals and plans
- Get to know yourself better
- Improve relationships
- Get linked in with other agencies to support you
- Build a sense of resilience and self-identity
- Make a safety plan should you be at risk
You can expect your counsellor to:
- Listen to you carefully and sensitively
- Respect you and your whānau
- Support you in making the changes you choose to make
- Help decide when to include parents/caregivers
- Respect your confidentiality (with the exception of you or others being at serious risk of harm)
Our Student Wellbeing Team
Student Wellbeing Team
Ronwyn Taylor
Catherine Thomson
Suzie Young
Tim Jaffray
I began my career as a counsellor in 1990 and then spent the next 30 years in corporate, consulting, and academia—as a line manager, management consultant, professional teaching fellow, Case writer, and senior academic. I worked in the public and private sectors as well as large companies and small medium enterprises. In 2021, I returned to counselling. I’m blessed to call the paradise of Waiwera my home, where I live with my wonderful wife, Sam, and our son, Joe.
Andrea Hegan
Meg
Mousse
Tucker
Helplines
For you or a friend you are worried about
If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone you care for, call the Emergency Services on 111 for an immediate response.
Need to talk?
24/7 text or call 1737
Youthline:
text 234 or call 0800 376 633
https://www.youthline.co.nz/
Suicide Crisis Line:
0508 828 865
Depression Line:
0800 111 757
Alcohol and Drug Helpline:
0800 787 797
Family Violence info line:
0800 456 450
Health line:
0800 611 116
Lifeline Aotearoa nationwide:
0800 543 354
Victim Support:
0800 842 846
Outline: LGBTIQ- affirming support line and face to face counselling:
0800 688 5463
Sexual Abuse Help:
0800 044 334 (24hrs)
Anxiety phone line:
0800 269 4389
Need another Helpline? Find the one your need here:
https://findahelpline.com/
Wellbeing for Students
Resources to help you navigate some of the major areas that you and your friends may experience
Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug that slows down the brain and nervous system. It is the most widely used drug in New Zealand. The effect of alcohol varies greatly from person to person. It is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 18 years of age and it is also illegal to supply alcohol to anyone who is under 18. It is important that you know your legal position and the responsibilities that go with that.
Illegal Drugs
Illegal drugs include such things as marijuana, magic mushrooms, LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. Possession of any of these drugs is against the law and carries a penalty that may include imprisonment.
Vaping
Vaping is prohibited at all times in schools under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020.
Under this act it is an offence to sell nicotine vaping products to young people under 18.
Whilst the long term effects of vaping are not fully understood, breathing any product into your lungs unnecessarily is not ideal. There are many unpleasant side effects associated with vaping including headaches and shortness of breath.
Tobacco
In New Zealand it is illegal for any under 18 to purchase tobacco. It is also illegal to smoke tobacco under the age of 16. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug contained in all tobacco products. Nicotine affects the chemistry of the brain, regulating thinking and feelings. Early use of tobacco can predispose adolescents to depression which can lead to other drug use. Here are some useful links.
Altered High is CADS youth service for young people aged 13 – 19 and their family/whānau. We are a mobile community service and travel to see young people in an environment most suitable for them such as at school or at work.
Altered High (Youth) | CADS Auckland
Youthline – advice on Alcohol and Drugs
Useful website for more information
Mental Health Foundation – Wellbeing
Youthline Information and Advice
