The Learning Enhancement Department’s commitment is to remove barriers to learning for our students. We use a flexible approach to identifying barriers to learning and wellbeing based on the individual students’ strengths and needs. We work alongside our learners, their families and teachers to develop plans to empower our students to understand more about their learning styles and potential.
Some of the support available includes subject tuition, specialist literacy programmes such as Steps, online learning support and offering a supported learning space for those students who benefit from extra curriculum support timetabled into their day. We continue to offer Special Assessment Conditions for assessment and exams with a skilled team available as Exam Assistants.
Led by Mrs Julie Mulcahy, the department is supported our team of 6 teacher aides, and a SAC coordinator who books and organises readers and writers for students special assessment conditions.
Students with questions about their learning should talk to their form teachers, subject teachers and their Deans in the first instance. These conversations are often helpful in finding solutions for a particular subject area. However, if the concerns are ongoing or across a number of subjects then students can make an appointment with Mrs Julie Mulcahy, through the WGHS app under the student services tab.
Mrs Julie Mulcahy, Head of Department Learning Enhancement and SENCo – [email protected].
We have a team of six trained counsellors to address the variety of needs of our students. Our Counsellors are registered members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (www.nzac.org.nz) and abide by the NZAC code of ethics. All counselling provided is private and confidential. Students most often self-refer, but can also be referred by teachers, House Deans, Senior Management, or parents.
Counselling in school can help students reach their full potential and can help change how they feel about themselves and challenging situations, by exploring thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This can then open new options, goals and directions. Counselling can also help improve relationships and increase self-understanding.
If you need to talk to someone when you’re not at school, we’d especially recommend Youthline or a new service called Need to talk? Need to talk? is a free service. Call or text 1737 anytime, 24 hours a day. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor.
Online help or phone counselling is available free 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Youthline.
At times, one of our counsellors may suggest a referral to an outside agency e.g. Marinoto Adolescent Mental Health Service which is part of the North Shore Hospital. Parents are welcome to contact counsellors for advice and information about our service here, or other agencies for young people.
| Dr Alison Burke | Head of Counselling (Monday – Thursday) | PhD, MEd(Hons)-Couns, DipTchng (Sec), BA, MNZAC |  |
| Ms Charlotte Anderson | Counsellor (Monday – Friday) | MS Psychology, Dip Tchg | |
| Ms Linda Clouston | Counsellor (Thursday and Friday) | MEd (Hons), Dip Ed(Tch), PG Dip Ed (SNRT) , PG Dip Counselling, MNZAC | |
| Ms Francis Farmer | Counsellor (Wednesday and Thursday) | MSc (Hons) Envi Sci, PGCE Sec Geo, PGDip Counselling | |
| Ms Fleur Piper | Counsellor (Monday – Wednesday) | MMgt (Dist), BA, PGDip Counselling, MNZAC | |
| Ms Miriam Robinson | Counsellor (Monday, Tuesday and Friday) | BA/BSc (Psychology and Statistics), Dip Tchg, PGDip Counselling (Dist), Provisional Member Registered with NZAC |
The Lowdown
The Lowdown is a New Zealand website which provides information for young people on how to recognise, understand and cope with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The Lowdown offers a webpage text service, and counsellors respond to texts to 5626 and emails 24 hours a day/7days a week. (facebook.com/TheLowdownNZ)
These articles on depression are from the Hey Sigmund website recommended by our team:
Understanding the reasons why we can feel anxious, and also what happens in our brain and body with these feelings is really helpful. These articles, also from Hey Sigmund, provide really helpful ideas for developing new ways of coping:
Online fantasy game SPARX
SPARX is an online fantasy computer game developed by the University of Auckland to help young people deal with mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
Breathe App
The Breathe app is free and helpful for helping to calm the body and mind.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is also a great way of growing feelings of calm in our lives. Smiling Mind is an Australian website designed to teach mindfulness in a fun and clear way. Doing one brief session a day is enough to start making a difference in the beginning to settle the mind and emotions. The Smiling Mind app is free and can be downloaded from the App store or from Google Play.
These animated YouTube clips also introduce mindfulness:
Articles on mindfulness:
To report an online incident (e.g. scams, online bullying, harassment or abuse) or to get advice, contact Netsafe. The Netsafe contact centre is available to help from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am- 5pm on weekends.
If you have any concerns about bullying behaviour of any kind, please make an appointment with one of our counsellors to get help and support.
Rainbow Youth provides support and information for gay and gender diverse young people in New Zealand. Here at Westlake we have a Diversity Group which meets each Wednesday lunchtime. Both gay and straight people come along to this safe, welcoming and accepting group.
Family Violence it’s not okay. This website provides help, information and support for anyone affected by, or concerned about family violence. Free phone 0800 456 450 9am-11pm every day of the week. Or email: [email protected]
Shakti provides free support services for women, children and families of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin. They specialise in the area of women’s development, empowerment and domestic/family violence intervention, prevention and awareness.
The Shakti website has information on how Shakti can help if you, or someone you know, is in a situation of domestic violence.
Altered High
Altered High is a group of health professionals help young people with concerns about their own, or someone else’s, alcohol or drug use.
Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 is available 24 hours a day, every day.
EDANZ
The EDANZ website provides information on eating disorders, and also treatment and recovery in New Zealand. Eating Disorder treatment is provided by a range of providers – public, private, specialist and general, in-patient or day based. Finding the right treatment usually starts with a visit to your family doctor. They will be able to refer you to the appropriate service, and treatment will follow from there.
Common Ground
The Common Ground website is a helpful New Zealand website for family and friends to learn about useful ways to support themselves, and teenagers with mental health issues. It includes videos of families learning as they go through tough times and has a space to share ideas, or to ask for advice.
If you would like advice about helping a young person you’re concerned about, Common Ground suggests you contact Youthline on 0800 376 633, or send a free text to 234. Support packs are available on request, and information from Mental Health New Zealand can also be accessed.
The Parenting Place
The Parenting Place offers a range of programmes and resources designed to encourage and equip families to thrive.
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education website has Information on Mental Help which provides useful tools and resources for parents and caregivers to support their children’s wellbeing.
Self harm
Reducing Stress
Getting enough sleep
Property Emergencies (After Hours)
Heta Witika 021 153 9579
International Student Emergencies
+64 (0) 27 414 7707 (24 hours)
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