Director of Counselling - Jane Kay

My name is Jane Kay and I have been the Director of Guidance at Pāpāmoa College for the past 15 years.

I grew up in Te Puke and trained to be a teacher in Hamilton when I left school. I completed my Masters in Counselling and Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision at the Auckland University.

I am married to Andy and we have three adult children and three granddaughters.

My main role is to support the mental health and emotional well-being of our students so that they can achieve their best possible educational and social outcomes. This role involves providing counselling support and pastoral care for students, whānau and staff.

Our team includes counsellors Nicola Simpson and Maggie Anderson, trainee counsellor Adam Moffitt alongside our wider pastoral team of school nurses, Learning support staff, deans and a broad range of external agencies that support our school community.

E| jkay@papamoa.school.nz

Counsellor - Maggie Anderson

My name is Maggie Anderson, and I’ve been a counsellor at Pāpāmoa College for the past three and a half years.

Before that, I worked in Auckland for about 30 years, supporting students across five different schools, which gave me a lot of experience working with a wide range of young people.

I really enjoy helping students figure out who they are and recognise the strengths they already have. I work alongside them as they build confidence, learn ways to manage their emotions, and develop skills to handle challenges and navigate change.

E| manderson@papamoacollege.school.nz

Counsellor - Nicola Simpson

I am a Pāpāmoa local with an extensive background in teaching and community-based support and counselling.I recently completed a Master of Counselling through Waikato University, specialising in Narrative Therapy. Previously, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Teaching.

I really care about creating a space where people can experience comfort and support and where they can share their stories in their own time. I’m interested in how those stories shape who we are, and I like helping people gently reconnect with the stories they’d rather live by.

I especially enjoy working with rangatahi, supporting them to rediscover who they are and the strengths they already have. I walk alongside young people as they build confidence, develop emotional tools, and learn how to handle challenges and to thrive.

E| nsimpson@papamoacollege.school.nz

Counsellor - Adam Moffit

I’m a father of three and have recently moved to Tauranga from the Manawatū–Rangitīkei region. I’ve spent much of my career in education, teaching English, History, and Media Studies, and working in a range of pastoral roles including deaning and careers guidance. I’ve also had the opportunity to live and work overseas in Qatar, Bahrain, Brunei, and China.

Through my work with young people, I developed a strong interest in supporting students beyond the classroom, which led me into counselling. I aim to provide a supportive space where students feel heard, understood, and able to navigate challenges.

I’ve recently joined Pāpāmoa College and am looking forward to working alongside students and whānau here, and being part of the vibrant, sunny Tauranga community.

E| amoffit@papamoacollege.school.nz