Community Support

SWIS - Social Worker in schools

Our school is exceptionally fortunate in having had a social worker based on the school site since 2001. This has made a very real difference for families and students in our school zone.

Our social worker has built strong links with the many agencies who support our families. She has been able to support families in areas of housing, benefit applications, medical issues and counselling to name a few. Our school social worker is a very visiable person in our school community. Most of her referrals come from the community members, rather than from school referral.

She is very much part of all our school activities, both EOTC (education outside the classroom) and in classrooms. She runs a number of programmes in the school such as the Friendship Club, Grief, Loss and Change programme.

Dental Clinic

We do not have a permanent Dental Clinic at our school. Each year, a Dental Caravan is based at the school for a term. All students are checked and given follow up treatments where appropriate. For any other dental treatment needed, our nearest Dental Clinics are based at Rowandale School, Manurewa Intermediate and Finlayson Park School.

Public Health Nurse

Our school receives weekly visits from a Public Health Nurse. Both parents and teachers can make referrals for students who are causing concern. Our Nurse makes follow up home visits where necessary and supports our families with medical advice and guidance. Within our school, the Public Health Nurses runs information sessions for staff and parents on topics such as Epipen use, management of anaphalaxis, CPR etc.

Through our Public Health Nurse, our students have access to all medical doctors, specialists they may need to keep them healthy and well.