Hauora/Wellbeing
Ōtaki College has a range of Counselling services available to support rangatahi.
We have a full time Counsellor who is a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
We also have an Arts Therapist and Alcohol and Drugs Counsellor (both available one day each week). Our students also have access to on site Counselling and Psychologist support through Kāpiti Youth Support (one day each week).
All staff are here to help students, especially their Homeroom/Kaiārahi Teachers, Deans and Counsellor. Students will be assigned to a class under the guidance of a Kaiārahi Teacher who has a special responsibility for the students in this class, their welfare and progress. Year levels are looked after by Deans, who meet regularly with Class Teachers and the Senior Leadership Team. The Deans also report to whānau and will consult with you over any particular concerns or difficulties.
The College has a Counsellor, Jo McInerney, who is available to assist students in any way possible. She can be reached on 364 8204, extension 716, or emailed on jmi@otakicollege.school.nz. Students may approach the Counsellor directly on any matter.
Advice on careers is available from the Careers Advisor, Steph Putt, spt@otakicollege.school.nz, who will also be prepared to assist students in providing information and advice.
We also have a range of outside providers available to support students and whānau. These services include Kāpiti Youth Support (KYS) - GP, nurse clinics (Tuesday and Thursday) and student mentoring. Counselling and psychologist support can also be accessed through KYS (Monday).
More extensive coverage of services and support options can be found on our Counselling Site.
The College also subscribes to SchoolTV, a website which provides regularly updated information on a wide range of health issues affecting youth.
Ōtaki College Counselling and Health Services 2022
Counselling staff:
Jo McInerney ext 716: Monday-Friday
Janine Moody- ext 714 Monday and Wednesday- Art Therapist
Alcohol and Drug Counselling staff:
Janelle Hing ext 714: Tuesday
Quit Smoking Coach:
Te Runanga O Raukawa- Jo McInerney will arrange appts as required.
Kāpiti Youth Support (KYS) School Health Clinic - C2
Monday Psychologist and Nurse Therapist 9am-3pm
Tuesday GP and nurse clinic - 9.00-10.30am, Psychologist 10.30am-3.00pm
Thursday GP and nurse clinic- 11.00am-3.00pm
Appointments are made through the Student Centre for all KYS services
Kāpiti Youth Support Ōtaki
This free health service is available for young people (11-25 years). The clinic is open each Tuesday 11am-4.30 pm and is located in Matene St. In school appointments are made through the school Counselling service. (With our own on site health centre we will endeavour where possible for student appointments to occur at college during the school day). Students may still choose to access the Matene St clinic after school hours.