Te Korowai ō te Tangata, Albany Senior High School.
Last Wednesday marked a deeply special moment in the life of Albany Senior High School – the launch of our newly reimagined Wellbeing Centre, now proudly named Te Korowai ō te Tangata.
Years in the making, this transformation has been guided with care and intention by Whaea Trish Ripi and Ronwyn Taylor, Director of Student Welfare. Fittingly, the event also served as Ronwyn’s farewell after 17 years of extraordinary service to ASHS – a legacy woven into the very fabric of the centre itself.
The name Te Korowai ō te Tangata holds powerful meaning. A korowai is a traditional Māori cloak – a garment of protection, warmth and status – wrapped around a person when they need it most. It symbolises care, dignity, mana and belonging. In many ways, it perfectly reflects the role of the Wellbeing Centre within our school: a place where young people are supported, uplifted and wrapped in compassion during moments of challenge, growth or uncertainty.
The launch ceremony was rich in meaning and tikanga. Through karakia and waiata, our community gathered to acknowledge both the past and the future of the space. A particularly moving moment was the formal passing of the korowai – beautifully crafted by Katriona Main – from Ronwyn to counsellor Catherine Thomson, who now becomes its guardian. The gesture symbolised continuity, trust and the ongoing commitment to nurturing and protecting our ākonga.
With the korowai now in her care, Catherine spoke of the deeper meaning behind the transformation.
“As a wellbeing team, we feel incredibly proud to have been part of this process. This is more than a physical space. It is a living expression of our commitment to ākonga, to hauora, and to the values that guide us as a kura.”
Te Korowai ō te Tangata is more than a name change. It represents the continued evolution of a space that provides holistic support for students – from counselling services that offer confidential, compassionate guidance, to our on-site Health Centre providing accessible medical care. Together, these services ensure that our young people can flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
As a school grounded in our values to Nurture, Inspire and Empower, Te Korowai ō te Tangata stands as a living expression of that commitment. It is a reminder that while achievement matters, wellbeing always comes first – and that every young person deserves to feel seen, supported and safe.
