Our Mission
Our missions is to provide free counselling for school students, to enable them to develop safe behaviours and positive thought processes, to navigate their learning journey, contribute to their classroom and their whānau at home.
Driven By Community Need
Providing outcomes for tamariki, their whānau, and their kura.
Community Need
In late 2019 a need for counselling was identified by teachers in the Rural and Roses cluster of schools in the Waipā, led by Te Awamutu Primary School Principal Sharon Griffiths. Through surveying each of the schools in the Rural and Roses cluster, it was found that 304 children, on average 10% of school attendees, required professional support for mental health challenges including, but not limited to, trauma, abuse, family breakups, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and an inability to manage emotions.
According to ‘Te Rau Hinengaro: New Zealand Mental Health Survey’ completed by the New Zealand Ministry of Health in 2006, about one-in-five adults meet diagnostic criteria for a common mental illness each year. Perhaps more concerning is that a 2018 survey by the Ministry of Health revealed that about 8% (or 57,000) of New Zealand’s tamariki experience significant difficulties with mental health. Our survey suggests that a significant number of our tamariki in the Rural and Roses cluster are experiencing mental and emotional impacts to their health above the listed national average. In particular, it is notable that Māori students make up a considerable percentage of children in need of professional support.
Expected Outcomes
Counselling in Schools was created with the expectation that we can provide outcomes for tamariki, their whānau, and their kura.
In particular, it is our intention that we will see many of the following outcomes in the lives of our tamariki:
- Students talking about problems instead of internalising them.
- Less evidence or self-harm and suicidal threats – happier children.
- Improvement in behaviour.
- Parents feeling supported in relation to their children’s emotional needs.
- Reduction in stand-downs for being a “dangerous example to themselves or to others”.
- Reduction in referrals to ICAMHS for counselling reasons, and therefore less pressure of external agencies.
- Empowering the voice of students.
Connecting Community Together
Engaging Professional Counsellors Into Local Schools To Support Their Community.
Our Services
Counselling in schools is a not-for-profit service administered by Zion Church Trust that has been providing access to mental health services for school aged children (year 1 – year 8) since 2019.
Schools are able to make referrals for counselling according to their assessment of their students’ needs. This will be done in consultation with the student and their family/whānau.
Each referred student receives personal counselling from a professional or student counsellor for up to 10 sessions of 45 minutes.
Our Counsellors
The counsellors on our team are made up of both fully qualified counsellors and counselling students in their second or third year of training. We have engaged students from Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC) and Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI).
All of our counsellors undergo Police vetting, provide a CV including current references, have supervision, and undergo an interview process to ensure they are a suitable addition to our team.
Our Schools
Te Pahu School
Waipā Christian School
Wharepapa South School
Kōrakonui School
Ngahinapouri School
Ōhaupō School
Pokuru School
Puahue School
Pukeatua School
Arohena School
Ngutunui School
St Patricks Catholic School
Pāterangi School
Pekapekerau School
Pirongia School
Rukuhia School
Te Awamutu Intermediate
Te Awamutu Primary School
Our Funders
Each year we apply to different local and national support funds to access the finances that pay for the Counselling in Schools Program.
The funds cover the costs of providing counselling and administration support. The funding we receive enables this program to achieve widespread outcomes.
The Lion Foundation
Te Tahua Hapai Tangata o Waipa – Waipa Recovery Fund
COGS – Community Organisation Grants Scheme
Lottery COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Fund
Ministry of Education via the Rural and Roses Community of Learning
Testimonials
Principle Testimonials
“Valued”
“We really value this programme and opportunity so thank you so much! We could seriously have a ‘Sara’ in our school full time!”
— Kelly Bicknell, Principal, Pirongia School
“Magnificent”
“I cannot thank you enough for your support with your counselling service. We have been so lucky with our counsellors as they have all been magnificent.”
— Sue McLocklan, Principal, Ohaupo School
“Benefit to everyone”
“The Counselling in Schools program is of benefit to everyone involved, with far-reaching benefits.”
— Pip Mears, Principal, Te Awamutu Intermediate School
“Grateful”
“We are so grateful to you for providing this opportunity for our tamariki.”
— Linda Hansen, Deputy Principal, St Patricks Catholic School
Counsellor Testimonials
“We have fun”
As a student counsellor working in primary schools, I see children ages 5-12 years old. There have been a wide range of reasons why parents have wanted their child to see me, including anxiety, anger, grief, past trauma, conflict at home, bullying, and friendship problems. These struggles can often manifest as behavioural issues at school or home and if not addressed while they are young, can affect their learning and their later mental well-being. There is such a need for children to be able to know how to regulate their emotions and communicate or express them in healthy ways. We have fun in our sessions while at the same time, I’m providing a safe, therapeutic environment for them to explore their feelings and experiences.
— Sara, 2nd Year Student Counsellor (2022)
In the interest of privacy we have chosen not to include personal testimony.
Community Acknowledgements
Support Us
Counselling in Schools would appreciate your support. If you would like to support us please contact us using the form below.