As we go into another phase of Covid 19 restrictions, the Counselling and Learning Support Teams (Learning Enhancement Department) want to let you know we are all here to support our students and families.
Contacts:
HOD (and Counsellor)
Linda Clouston, lclouston@westlakegirls.school.nz 027 381 8379
Counsellors
Fleur Piper fpiper@westlakegirls.school.nz 027 380 4578
Siew Lee Foo sfoo@westlakegirls.school.nz 027 381 1323
Barbara Mackay bmackay@westlakegirls.school.nz 027 381 4294
Learning Support Co-ordinator, Julie Mulcahy, jmulcahy@westlakegirls.school.nz
Julie Mulcahy will be working on Zoom and Google meetings with parents, instead of face to face meetings, and the team of Teacher Aides will be contacting the students they work with, if necessary
If you would like to talk to a counsellor, please email or text one of the counselling team, and organise a time to talk between 8.30 am and 3.30pm, weekdays. If you need to talk to someone urgently, and it is outside of ‘school’ hours please ring the national number 1737 to talk to another qualified counsellor.
As counsellors, we suggest that your daughter’s mental health through the COVID 19 lockdown needs to be a priority. In this way, they can bring balance to their situation, and be able to attend to the routines that will keep them well.
We know from the first lockdown, that students who did well over that time, had balance and were able to keep in contact with friends, got a good amount of sleep, did some fun, energetic or creative activities, and attended to their school work. This balance can be different for individuals, and also different in various families.
Students will no doubt be spending time on social media, and watching news broadcasts as well. It is important to talk with your family about any worries and concerns, and also discuss routines with them.
Parents and caregivers, we have found a great web site to start you off, if you and your teens are feeling worried or anxious about the current situation:
How to help children feel calm during a global crisis- Talking to kids and teens about Covid-19 and other global trauma: https://www.heysigmund.com/?s=COVID
Stay safe, and be kind to yourself, and others.
