Whilst reflecting on the past year, in many ways we were extremely fortunate to experience all that we did. We watched the rest of the world contending with COVID-19 outbreaks, while we were relatively untouched and continued participating in our everyday lives. For many people, particularly in certain regions and professions, COVID has had a monumental impact. What we would like to acknowledge is the resilience and adaptability that many people have shown in these times.

In January Mr Coyle accompanied me to the Leadership camp in Ngaruawahia, where we joined forces with Mrs Ross. We facilitated workshops on research related to the adolescent brain, along with common behaviours and emotions one might experience at this time. Students were reminded of all the available supports for them should they require them, both in school and externally. A key message delivered was that this was a crucial time for them to set themselves up for ‘living well’ for the rest of their lives.

The HBHS Guidance Department has seen much change this year. Ben Gillette, our drug and alcohol counsellor from Intact left in May to a position with Kainga Ora. Unfortunately, Intact has not been able to fill this position with another counsellor, but we are hopeful for another practitioner in 2022.

Philip Coyle also left HBHS at the end of Term 2 and has been a huge loss for both the Guidance Department and HBHS community. Philip began at HBHS in 2015 and has supported many people over the years. He was involved with many other facets of school life including Mathematics teaching, running the photography club and the LGBTQ + group. Philip managed a cricket team and went on some exciting endeavours including sailing on the Spirit of Adventure and a school camp to Western Samoa. We wish Philip well in his new position at Rototuna High School. He wanted to share this message... “I would like to thank the students, parents and staff I have worked with at HBHS over the last 6 years. It has been a pleasure being a counsellor at the school.” As yet, we have not found a replacement counsellor.

Ms Clarke is in her second year of counselling at HBHS on Fridays and is an invaluable member of our department, as well as coaching rowing at HBHS. Michelle Atgar (ex Cambridge High School counsellor) has been in relief counselling for some days in Terms 3 and 4. Michelle’s experience and care has been much appreciated in the department. We wish her well for 2022 as she embarks in some further education in play therapy and supervision.

Mrs Bower and Miss Van der Toorn have enjoyed facilitating for the fourth year running the group HEART. This was the former Chapters programme and is a student driven group whose goal is to promote unity, diversity and wellbeing at HBHS. This year's HEART has been extremely proactive and influential in many positive changes in the school in regards to wellbeing. We look forward to watching these ‘change makers’ move into their respective chosen fields within our community. Other staff that have been very involved and supportive of this group are Ms Moffitt and Mr Killian. We look forward to further progression in 2022, with some passionate and capable people on board.

Like 2021, many professional development opportunities were cancelled this year. However, Mr Coyle and Mrs Bower did attend a workshop in the area of Youth and Pornograhy. Jo Robertson shared the new landscape of pornograghy that technology has provided, current statistics related to youth and best practice questions to use when working alongside youth. Mrs Bower and Mr Coyle felt this information was too useful to keep to themselves, so ran a workshop for the PE staff and the school nurses. In August Mrs Bower was lucky enough to attend Sir Mason Durie’s professional development - Mauri Ora. This was a massive event held at Claudelands and highlighted best practice when working alongside Māori.

With the large HBHS community, we rely greatly on outside agencies to provide care. We refer students to the Midlands PHO to access free counselling, Ngā Ringa Awhina for assessment of more serious mental health challenges, Oranga Tamariki for care and protection, Diversity Counselling and private practice counsellors, to name a few. We have definitely noticed wait times for external mental health services have increased.

Mrs Bower, with the support of HBHS, is excited about studying (part time) in 2022 for a Postgraduate certificate in Professional Supervision. Like most people, Mrs Bower and Ms Clarke are hoping for a more settled year in 2022 for everyone. We also look forward to finding a passionate and capable counselling colleague, promoting self-care practices and contributing to positive mental health for all members in our HBHS community.

Bon voyage!

Mr Coyle, Mr Ben Gillette

(Guidance counsellor) (Intact drug and alcohol counsellor)

Our staff

Mrs Bower, Ms Clarke

(HOD Guidance Department) (Guidance counsellor Fri)