Clyde Primary School is one of eight schools to participate in the pilot programme. Principal, Stephanie Kitto catches up with Central Otago REAP education co-ordinator, Mandy Greer.
REAP Central Otago is pleased to announce a new wellbeing initiative over the next two years with a pilot ‘Counsellor in Schools’ programme being added to its services.
Central Otago REAP provides diverse and extensive educational opportunities in our rural communities, implementing a life-long learning approach. The overall purpose of Central Otago REAP is to provide educational support and assistance across all sectors including early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult education.
Central Otago REAP Education co-ordinator, Mandy Greer explains that this ‘Counsellor in Schools’ programme will become an important part of the educational outreach we can offer.
“We know children face barriers to participation, being present at school and their ability to retain information can be severely compromised when their mental health and wellbeing is not cared for.”
We know the pastoral care of children, their whānau and teachers globally supports better outcomes for learning. We have seen an increase in threats to wellbeing, in recent times, as people navigate world changes and the effects on our way of life from the COVID pandemic. For some, the effect is life changing, said Greer.
“As a result, we wish to focus more on improving Wellbeing for our local tāmariki.”
Central Otago REAP Manager, Bernice Lepper explains that the ‘Counsellor in Schools’ programme is a new initiative and hopefully an important part of the educational outreach we can offer in a partnership framework with eight pilot schools.
“Our programme will offer opportunities for children from eight schools to engage with a Counsellor during their school day to learn ways to navigate times of challenge.”
“We believe building strong and connected communities will in turn create more equitable outcomes for our rural learners, their families and whānau, and our tāmariki.”
To run the variety of programmes we do and to extend programmes across Central Otago we are very grateful for ongoing support of the Central Lakes Trust and Otago Community Trust, said Lepper.
Central Lakes Trust confirmed in May a grant for the next two years of $30,000 annually to support the establishment of the programme.
This initiative comes on the back of a Ministry of Education Counsellor in Schools programme being delivered across Aotearoa in 141 primary, intermediate, area and small secondary schools for around 24,290 of the country’s most vulnerable learners. CO Reap believe there is a need in our region as well,” says Trust chief executive Susan Finlay.
“It is hoped that the two year pilot will provide the data to show the need within our community to support future engagement with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Oranga Tāmariki so they may host Counsellors for all schools in our region in the future.”