Guidance
Mission Statement:
To provide support and assistance to the students at Auckland Grammar School to enable them to lead full and successful lives and to help them to achieve their academic potential.
Staff:
Terry McKain M.A. (Hons), M.Ed. Hons (Counselling), Dip Tchg, MNZAC
Prior to becoming Director of Guidance, Terry McKain was a History/Social Studies teacher and a Dean at Auckland Grammar. His role is to liaise with the Deans, the Executive, Learning Support, Careers and Transition. Teachers can also refer students directly, as can parents.
Contact Details:
ph: 623 5443
email: t.mckain@ags.school.nz
Students can also contact Mr McKain directly.
Brian O’Neill B.Sc., H Dip. Ed, Dip TEFL, P Dip. Ed (Counselling)
Assistant Counsellor. Teacher at Grammar since April 2004 teaching in the Maths and Spanish Departments.
Contact Details:
ph: 623 5402 ext 551
email: b.oneill@ags.school.nz
Barriers to Learning:
The Guidance Department works for the removal of such barriers to learning as:
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of study skills
- Inability to concentrate
- Low self esteem
- Bullying and harassment
- Drugs and alcohol
- Loss and grief
- Behavioural issues
- Depression
- Anxiety
How To Refer:
The Guidance Counsellors Offices are located in the Careers/Guidance Block, near the Centennial Theatre. The office is open from 8.30 a.m. until after school on school days.
If neither counsellor is available, a note can be left under the door. Contact will be made and confidentiality will be maintained at all stages. Contact can also be made by phone/email or through the Deans, Executive or teachers.
Special Programme: Travellers
This is a small group programme that runs over 8 weeks and is aimed at students who have undergone a significant degree of loss or change in the preceding 3 years. The programme aims to equip them with the skills to deal with these events and issues and make them more resilient.
All students would benefit from this programme but funding, staffing and time precludes this happening. Students are invited into the programme and these invitations are based on a survey completed by all Third Formers at the beginning of the year. Participation is voluntary. However, a large number of students now enrol during the year and miss this opportunity, which is available only in the Third Form.
If a parent feels that their child would benefit from the programme and should have the opportunity to participate, they should contact Terry McKain ph: 623 5443
Helpful Sites:
There are many helpful sites for advice and information on teenage issues.
General:
Help for Parents:
Parents can also contact Youthline at 376 6633 or parenttalk@youthline.co.nz
Drugs:
Depression:
Grief:
http://www.skylight.org.nz/young-people/video-clips-of-kiwi-youth-talking-about-tough-times.aspx
These links connect to websites outside of www.ags.school.nz. Auckland Grammar School is not responsible for the information provided by these websites.