Student Support | Pakuranga College

Whānau

The transition to high school is a big one – more students, more staff, a bigger campus – students can find themselves asking “where do I fit?”. To help establish those critical relationships with peers and staff early on, Pakuranga College has a Whānau system to support students during this transition.

Whānau unity and belonging is an important part of settling into school. Your child’s Whānau will be their compass point for finding new friends, seeking support from staff and student leaders, and learning about college life.

We have six Whānau, each headed by a Whānau Leader and Assistant Whānau Leader. Within each Whānau students belong to a Whānau Group with other students from Year 9-13. The vertical structure of our Whānau Groups gives students continuity as they progress through the college, with the same Whānau Group Teacher supporting them throughout.

Whānau enjoy friendly rivalry, competing for Whānau Cup glory at our annual Athletics Day, Swimming Sports, and Whānau Arts Challenge events. There is also healthy competition within Whānau, as Whānau Groups compete for bragging rights in their annual benchball and trivia competitions.

Student support - student Whānau leaders

Peer Support

Student support - students talking outdoors at lunchtime

Having a buddy to help smooth the transition to high school is essential and our more than 150 Peer Support Leaders are on-hand to do just that. Each Whānau Group has dedicated Peer Support Leaders to help students find their way, answer questions, and show what it means to be a Pakuranga College student.

During Term 1, Year 9 students will meet with the Peer Support Leaders from their Whānau Group and one other, every Friday. This weekly meeting helps to foster new friendships with peers and gives Year 9 students an insight into our college values and the numerous activities available beyond the classroom.

Our 3-day Peer Support Camp is a fantastic way for Year 9 students to start their time at the college. Heading off-campus for fun and bonding with the Whānau Leaders, Peer Support Leaders and other Year 9 students from their Whānau is a great way to break the ice and find new friends.

Peer Support isn’t just a wellbeing programme for Year 9 students, it also offers wonderful leadership opportunities for students in Year 11 and above, who relish the chance to share their knowledge of the college with our newest students.

Careers

Student support - students and teacher discussing career opportunities

Our Careers Department is experienced in supporting students to achieve their goals. Students meet with a Careers Advisor once a year from Year 9, and will continue to be guided throughout their schooling.

Careers Advisors can suggest career pathways based on your child’s strengths and passions. If your child already has a career in mind, our Careers Advisors can help them to work backwards from this point to identify tertiary education, training, or school subject requirements.

As students progress through the college, they will meet with the Careers Advisors more regularly and will be able to attend presentations by universities and training providers.

The Careers Department is also able to assist students with applications for further study, CV preparation, interview skills, and work experience.

Guidance and Counselling

Student support - students and youth worker play Uno

We have a dedicated Guidance Department staffed by counsellors and youth workers, which operates out of the cosy and safe space of Waiora House on campus. The role of our guidance team is to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for students while helping them to develop a clear sense of identity and life purpose.

Youth Workers

Our youth workers are a trusted adult for students in the college to discuss friendship issues, difficulties with classes, and general adolescent concerns. They work with students to create a sense of connection and belonging within the college, acting as mentors and helping students navigate their teenage years. Where appropriate they will refer students to the college counsellors.

Counsellors

Talking with a counsellor at Pakuranga College is seen as a normal thing to do. Our counsellors have contact with approximately 650 students each year. Most students self-refer, but others are referred by school staff or parents. Parents are welcome to contact our counsellors to seek advice or support for their child.

Our counsellors provide brief interventions, with a focus on tools and solutions that will allow students to self-manage issues moving forward. Where necessary, they will also refer students and their whānau to appropriate external support networks. Counselling is a confidential service and our counsellors abide by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors Code of Ethics.

Wellbeing Check

All Year 9 students take part in a digital wellbeing survey. Those identified as needing additional support are invited to participate in Pū Whakarahi, our wellbeing programme run by the college youth workers. New students starting at different year levels will meet with our youth workers for a ‘check and connect’ session.

Health

Student support - a student visiting the nurse

The college Health Centre is available for all students and staff, providing a drop-in service if students are unwell or suffering from acute injuries.

Students who suffer an injury can make an appointment with our on-site physio, available 9am – 3pm on Tuesdays.

Twice a year mobile dental clinic, The Tooth Group, is on-site to attend to the dental needs of our students. Treatment is free for under-18s and includes a yearly check-up with x-rays, any preventive treatment required such as a clean or fluoride, and restorative work as needed.

Student Testimonials

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LachlanYear 13
“I knew that I wanted to get into a trade early on and the college has really supported me to achieve that. Next year I’m going to be taking part in a Gateway programme organised by the Careers Department that lets me gain work experience while earning NCEA credits.

I want to get into aeronautical engineering and my teachers are very helpful in supporting learning related to that. I’m able to focus on my own projects once my schoolwork is complete and they always have good advice and insights.”

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JasmineYear 13
“The Whānau Leaders and Whānau Group Teachers in Mataī regularly check up on students and make sure we are okay during our time in school. They are also aware of recognising our talents and try to push us to pursue them in the best way possible. That’s how I became a Peer Support Leader.

It felt great to be recognised by my Whānau with a leadership role and it’s given me one of my most memorable Whānau experiences at Peer Support Camp. It was amazing to be a person that made the experience fun for Year 9s and inspired them to come back to camp as a Peer Support Leader one day.”

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CallumYear 13
“The Whānau system really makes our Junior students feel at home. As a Student Whānau Leader, I like helping them make friendships in their ‘scary’ years of first starting high school. Our Whānau work hard to build student connections through social activities like Whānau Group sports and the Peer Support Camp, and these connections stay with you for all five years of high school and even after that!”

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CallumYear 13
“I can always rely on my Whānau Group Teacher and Whānau Leader to give me advice in all parts of school such as subject choices, involvement with clubs, or career options. I feel comfortable discussing anything with them because they are always friendly to me and always offer help whenever needed.”

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BaileyYear 13
“The Whānau system definitely encourages a bit of healthy competition at our college sports and arts events. It’s exciting to compete against the other Whānau and unite all Nīkau students to take part and give things a go, even if we don’t often finish on the podium. We try to approach everything we do as a Whānau with kindness and caring.”

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RubyYear 10
“Peer Support made the transition to high school easier because I got to meet new people and it made finding my classes much simpler. I enjoyed the different activities we did in our Peer Support group, like the respect and trust exercise, it was nice to share my thoughts and ideas with others.

I still have contact with my Peer Support Leaders and when I see them around the school we stop and have a little talk. I would definitely like to be a Peer Support Leader in the future because it is a great opportunity to meet new people and help them be comfortable at school, like how my Peer Support Leaders did for me.”

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AmeliaYear 11
“Having a small group to talk to and form bonds with helped make starting high school less intimidating and stressful. Peer Support was a great introduction to the college and one of the best takeaways was the information about all the extra activities I could get involved in.

I really enjoyed going on the Peer Support Camp, even if it was condensed. So many of my school camps had been cancelled due to Covid; it was awesome that I finally got to do some camp activities! I would like to be a Peer Support Leader in the future, I really enjoy being engaged in the college, and I’d like to go on camp again as well!”

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ZehraYear 13
“I wasn’t sure what field I wanted to work in when I started school, so I gave myself some time to think about it and studied broad subjects. I found that I was interested in Science, Maths and helping people, so I decided to study medicine.

It’s a difficult course to get into, but the Careers Department has supported my ambitions. To learn more about the industry I would go to them and ask questions and they always gave me accurate information and lots of advice. They are extremely positive and really believe that I can achieve anything.”

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EulaYear 13
“My Whānau has given me a sense of belonging at school. I’ve built so many new friendships and when I have questions or concerns my Whānau Group Teacher and Whānau Leader help me address them.

My most memorable Whānau experiences have been Peer Support Camp (as a Year 9 student and a Peer Support Leader), and our annual Athletics Day. These events ignite Whānau spirit and bring out proud Pōhutukawa supporters, plus we have fun going head-to-head with other Whānau in a bit of friendly competition.”

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CallumYear 13
“My Whānau has given me some of my most memorable experiences at Pakuranga College. Whānau Group sports is always fun, and it was great to be part of the team that collected 450 cans for the Auckland City Mission foodbank this winter, but the best would have to be winning the Whānau Arts Challenge for the first time since 2011. I had the privilege of leading the Nīkau band to first place and it was some of the most fun I've had jamming and performing. It was also nice to see my Whānau Leader, Mrs Mackay, celebrate first place, she deserves one!”

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EmilyYear 10
“Peer Support has made the transition to college so much easier because I made a lot of new friendships. I was able to share how my college experience was going with the group, and it was good to know that most of the Year 9 students were going through similar things.

I still stay in touch with my Peer Support Leaders through different groups I’ve joined, like Dance Academy. If I see them around the college I often have a little conversation with them. I’m definitely inspired to become a Peer Support Leader so I can help future Year 9s with the transition to high school.”

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BaileyYear 13
“My most memorable Whānau experiences are the annual Benchball tournaments for Nīkau. It’s a fun competition where you get to play other groups in your Whānau and go up against your friends, which is a laugh. There’s a prize for the winning Whānau Group, plus bragging rights, so everybody gives it 100%. I look forward to it each year.”

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RubyYear 10
“My Peer Support Camp experience was so much fun and I got to make so many more connections and relationships with other Year 9s and Peer Support Leaders. I learnt more about myself and was more confident.”

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XanderYear 13
“When I started at the college I had an idea of the career path I wanted to take, but had some doubt too. Talking to the Careers Department was very helpful as they were able to suggest lots of options that fit with my aspirations and personality traits. I now feel confident in the path I’m taking.

We all have doubts but the Careers Department is great at lifting us up. The best piece of advice they gave me was that once you put your mind to something and you are willing to give everything to achieve it, it is easy to achieve.”

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JasmineYear 13
“Our Whānau system instantly gives students a connection to others and lots of friendships are formed simply by being in the same Whānau. This is significant in our junior years as we have most of our core classes with other students in our Whānau.

The connection is even stronger at Whānau events, like Swimming Sports, Athletics Day, and the Whānau Arts Challenge. Our Student Whānau Leaders put in loads of effort to bring everyone together, with lots of practice of the Whānau chant. You know you chanted really well when the next day your throat hurts a little, it’s worth it though!”

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EmilyYear 10
“I loved Peer Support Camp so much! I built a bunch of new relationships and the Peer Support Leaders were so nice. During the activities at camp, they helped me along the way and if I had a problem, they would always solve it with me.”

Weekly Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm

Phone: (09) 5347159
Fax: (09) 5342365
Email: info@pakuranga.school.nz

Physical Address
Pigeon Mountain Road
Half Moon Bay
Auckland 2012

Postal Address
PO Box 82090
Highland Park
Auckland 2143