Guidance and Counselling
Welcome to the Student Services at Auckland Grammar School. We have a wealth of experience between us as well as professional qualifications in Counselling with NZAC membership.
Your issues may be large or small, but do not wait for a crisis. If you are unsure, or have something that is troubling you, come and chat. The counsellors are here to help.
Team Members
G. Martin
Acting Head of Student Services
J. Doolan
Counsellor
E. Peacock
Counsellor
P. du Sart
Counsellor
S. van Deventer
Student Services Office Manager
Contact Details
J. Doolan – Counsellor
E. Peacock – Counsellor
P. du Sart – Counsellor
S. van Deventer – Student Services Office Manager
Phone: 09 623 5445
Book an Appointment
Alternatively you can pop into the Student Services centre to see us. We provide a safe, confidential environment for students, with the goal of supporting them to meet their full potential.
Working with a counsellor may include:
- Developing skills for living (e.g. problem solving, anger management, decision making, motivation, effective communication, identity/self discovery)
- Career guidance (See Careers Services)
- Assistance with alcohol/drug concerns, stress, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, coping with change, fear and anxiety or any other challenges
- Arrangement to interact with outside agencies if necessary.
Do you need help right now?
If you want to chat about how you’re feeling right this second, there are lots of helplines.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
- Depression Helpline: free call 0800 111 757 or text 5626 support from a trained counsellor (available 24/7)
- Lifeline: free call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (available 24/7)
- Anxiety Line: free call 0800 269 4389 – provides education and support around anxiety (available 24/7)
- Shine – Domestic Abuse Helpline: free call 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
- Safe to Talk – (support for sexual health or sexual harm concerns): free call 0800 044 334 or text 4334 (available 24/7)
If you are worried that you or someone you know is at risk of taking their life, you can call the Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (available 24/7).
Useful Information
Youthline – Info on the Mind
- Melon Health – Anxiety Activities
- Video – Fight or Flight Response
- Video – Free Yourself
Trouble Sleeping?
- Youthline – information on sleep
- Video – Sleep Hygiene
Mindfulness
- Click here to download the Auckland Grammar School Mindfulness booklet
Youthline – information on relationships
Friends – peer pressure
Family:
Sexuality:
Unhealthy Relationships
- Youthline – information on abuse
Self-Esteem
New to New Zealand?
- Nau Mai New Zealand
- Discover more on Māori culture
Experiencing racism at school?
Use the above form to book in a meeting with us and we will help solve the issue.
- The Lowdown
- Youthline – information on Mental Health
- Video – what is depression?
- Is someone making your life harder? If you or a friend is experiencing bullying at Auckland Grammar, use the above form to book in an appointment with a counsellor. We work with you and the deans to make sure our school is a safe and positive environment for you.
- Youthline – information on bullying
Cyber bullying – Netsafe
Youthline – information on abuse
Alcohol and other drugs:
- Does someone you know have a drinking problem?
- Youthline – information on drugs
Porn:
Gaming – Net Addiction
Information for parents – partnership for drug-free kids
Confidentiality
At Auckland Grammar, counsellors don’t share what you tell them, unless they are worried for your safety or somebody elses. As much as possible counsellors will keep you in the loop so there shouldn’t be any surprises. Counsellors work in the wider team with other staff, so deans, nurses, and headmasters get a list of the names of students who have attended counselling, so if issues come up for them they know which counsellor to talk to.
All of us benefit from being listened to. We see individuals on a daily basis for a whole range of reasons. Our rule of thumb is if a student cannot concentrate on their studies in school or at home because they are being consumed with an issue, then that is a good reason to come and see us.
We are qualified in problem solving and our commitment to you is that we will do our absolute best to ensure that all students can feel safe and enjoy studying as a valued member of our school community.
For more general information on what counselling is about, Massey University have created a very informative page which can be found here.
We are based in the Student Services department within the Vaughan Jones room of the School Library.
No. All students are welcome to drop into Student Services at anytime during the School day. They can self-refer directly via email to a member of our counselling team or parents / caregivers and staff can telephone the Student Services Team or email directly using the links above at any time during the School day to make an appointment.
We offer individual and group counselling, in order to provide for a safe and secure school for our students to thrive.
We abide by the Code of Ethics of NZAC which means that confidentiality is maintained at all times unless there is an imminent risk to safety. In this instance we would need to call upon external support to ensure your safety.
If you are concerned about your son, show your concern and just listen. Don’t try to fix the problem for them, but just assess what the problem is and let them speak.
Being there for your son, attending, being present and actively listening in a caring and non-judgmental way is often all they need and it enables your child to feel heard. Click here for a short video on the importance of empathy.
However, if it is a problem that you feel you are unable to guide them with, then don’t hesitate to contact the Student Services Team and we will be more than happy to assess the situation and work alongside your son to guide him in finding a solution to the issue(s) and in so doing build his resilience.
On occasions we may need extra support as the presenting issues may fall outside of our expertise and for the best interests of the student we may refer to external support agencies such as The Kari Centre (Greenlane Medical Clinic).