Guidance counselling provides an opportunity for students to talk about problems and concerns in a safe place. The role of a guidance counsellor is to listen without judging or criticising, to help find out the cause of problems and to help students move forward from the situation they may find themselves in. We regularly play a key role in planning and implementing programmes and services to enhance student wellbeing and work towards reducing barriers to a student’s progress.
Counsellors are able to work alongside families towards supporting our students and work closely at times with external agencies, to ensure families and students are able to access the resources available within our community.
Students and the counsellor can negotiate how frequently you attend appointments and for how many sessions. You can also bring a support person or friend if you wish.
Common issues our counsellors are able to support students and whānau with include:
Confidentiality
There are a number of guidelines relating to confidentiality and practice that the Guidance Counsellors must adhere to.
Counsellors may need to talk through how best to support students. At times this could include involving someone else, but this will only occur with the student’s knowledge and permission. However, when a student or someone else is at risk, counsellors may not keep confidentiality, because their duty is to prevent harm. If at all possible they will talk this through with the student before acting.
Counsellors are able to work alongside families towards supporting our students and work closely at times with external agencies, to ensure families and students are able to access the resources available within our community.
Students and the counsellor can negotiate how frequently you attend appointments and for how many sessions. You can also bring a support person or friend if you wish.
Common issues our counsellors are able to support students and whānau with include:
- Stress
- Inability to concentrate
- Low self esteem
- Bullying and harassment
- Loss and grief
- Behavioural issues
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Friendships
- Relationships
- Sexuality
- Trauma
- Lack of motivation/goal setting
- Drugs and alcohol
- Issues at home
Confidentiality
There are a number of guidelines relating to confidentiality and practice that the Guidance Counsellors must adhere to.
Counsellors may need to talk through how best to support students. At times this could include involving someone else, but this will only occur with the student’s knowledge and permission. However, when a student or someone else is at risk, counsellors may not keep confidentiality, because their duty is to prevent harm. If at all possible they will talk this through with the student before acting.
Appointments
There are three main ways you can see a counsellor:
1. If it is urgent, students can go to Student Services and ask to see a counsellor at any time.
2. Students can fill out the self-referral form below to make an appointment, or talk to a teacher or dean, who can then make a referral.
3. A parent/ caregiver can contact the guidance counsellors directly by emailing [email protected]
There are three main ways you can see a counsellor:
1. If it is urgent, students can go to Student Services and ask to see a counsellor at any time.
2. Students can fill out the self-referral form below to make an appointment, or talk to a teacher or dean, who can then make a referral.
3. A parent/ caregiver can contact the guidance counsellors directly by emailing [email protected]
(Left to right) Vicki Patton, Kat Denniston, Lucy Ford and Cara Ferris
Our Team
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Vicki Patton
I have been a school Guidance Counsellor for quite a few years both at Wakatipu High School and at Cromwell College. I was a teacher before that. I have two teenage children who have attended WHS. I love yoga and being in the outdoors, either walking or riding. I really appreciate the beautiful place we live in here. I am full time here at school. I really enjoy the variety of all that comes from working in a high school. It is a privilege to work with, and be trusted by, our young people at school, their whānau and the community. Lucy Ford
I am an ex-Wakatipu High School student and ex-English teacher - so I understand our school well. I am a firm believer that 'counsellors are like shoes - it is not a one size fits all approach', so I seek to build strong, trusting relationships and to work alongside the students I support. As a guidance counsellor, it is my privilege to be able to work collaboratively with students to identify their strengths and build on them, while also exploring areas where they may want to make changes. My aim is to provide a supportive, safe and non-judgmental space where we can explore emotions, overcome problems and set and work towards goals, one step at a time. I also work alongside the Wellbeing Council to support schoolwide wellbeing. To relax, you will find me at the beach or out for a walk in this beautiful place we call home, or on a rainy day, with my nose in a good book. |
Kat Denniston
I've been working part time at Wakatipu High for a few years now, but I have been working as a counsellor for a really long time. I am at WHS on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and still work as a counsellor in private practice the rest of the week. Before moving to Queenstown, I worked in the drug and alcohol and general mental health field, and did some work in the prisons. I am loving being part of the school community (as both a staff member and a parent) and I really enjoy working alongside our rangatahi as they negotiate their way through the, sometimes tricky, high school years. Cara Ferris
Being a young person in Aotearoa today brings many reasons to be grateful and a unique set of challenges. It is a privilege for me to be part of the team at Wakatipu High School who get to work alongside our young adults. My perspective on counselling is that there are many paths to a great outcome - let's explore and see what is right for you. In addition to my work with the high school, I work in a small private practice and support tertiary students who are also based here in the Wakatipu basin. This region is home to me, and I appreciate being part of a community where I can have a meaningful impact. Coming from a combined background of education, corporate leadership, and a lifelong habit of learning I bring WHS a complimentary set of skills to the well-established Guidance Team. |
Health Nurses
Students also have free access to a registered Health Nurse who visits the school every Monday at Ako time/Tuesday at Break 2, in one of the meeting rooms opposite the sickbay. No booking is required and students can come and wait to see the nurse.
SASH - Students Against Sexual Harm.
Click here for more information about what SASH is and links to support.
Helplines, Websites and Apps
See the QLDC website for a list of local health and social services.
To talk to someone:
Students also have free access to a registered Health Nurse who visits the school every Monday at Ako time/Tuesday at Break 2, in one of the meeting rooms opposite the sickbay. No booking is required and students can come and wait to see the nurse.
SASH - Students Against Sexual Harm.
Click here for more information about what SASH is and links to support.
Helplines, Websites and Apps
See the QLDC website for a list of local health and social services.
To talk to someone:
- Freecall or text 1737, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for support from trained counsellors.
- Freecall Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email [email protected] or online chat.
- Freecall What's Up 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 1pm–10pm and weekends, 3pm–10pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.
- Freecall Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
- To get help from a registered nurse 24/7, call Healthline free 0800 611 116.
- Contact your GP
- If you feel depressed or anxious, talk to a trained counsellor 24/7 call the Depression helpline 0800 111 757.
- If you are having thoughts about harming yourself, call the Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOK0)
- For sexuality or gender identity issues call OUTLine NZ 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE) 9 am–9 pm weekdays and 6–8 pm weekends.
- If you are dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem call Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 10 am–10 pm.
- For support after rape or sexual assault, call Rape Crisis 0800 883 300.
Websites:
Mental Health Foundation contains tools and support to build and sustain wellbeing
Allright provides practical ideas on looking after yourself and your whānau
The Lowdown is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. Free-text service: text number 5626.
Apps
For a list of useful apps, click here.
Mental Health Foundation contains tools and support to build and sustain wellbeing
Allright provides practical ideas on looking after yourself and your whānau
The Lowdown is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. Free-text service: text number 5626.
Apps
For a list of useful apps, click here.
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