Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow was established in March 2018 to promote wellbeing and positive mental health for children in Years 1-8 across Canterbury. It was the result of additional funding provided by the government in response to the ongoing effects on children of the Canterbury earthquakes.

The initiative aims to provide early intervention and support for teachers, families and whanau when children are experiencing ongoing issues that impact their wellbeing. The service can support individual children and groups of children and provide advice, guidance and support for teachers and parents/whanau.

This term our school, along with other schools in our South West Cluster (Oaklands, Rowley, Hillmorton, Knights Stream, Hoon Hay, Spreydon) will be working together to develop systems for this resource. We will have a team of four dedicated “kaimahi” workers, who come from a range of NGO (Non Government Organisation) backgrounds involved in supporting mental health and wellbeing of children and families. These kaimahi will begin working with children and families across the cluster in the next few weeks.