Our holistic approach to hauora is underpinned by Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, recognising the interconnected dimensions of wellbeing.

Our approach is intentionally whole-school, embedded and connected. We want our students to feel safe, supported and equipped with the skills they need to thrive — academically, socially and emotionally.

Our Hauora Framework

Wellbeing support at Marsden is provided through four connected tiers, each designed to meet the differing needs of students at various stages of their schooling.

Tier 1 – School-Wide Pastoral Care

Proactive and responsive support across the whole school

Every student is supported through a network of adults including:

• Deans
• Form teachers and tutors
• Classroom teachers and coaches
• The School Nurse
• The Chaplain
• The School Counsellors

This team works together to provide guidance, care, wellbeing education and early support — ensuring students are known, supported and guided throughout their school journey.

Tier 2 – Awhi

Wellbeing education embedded into school life

Awhi (meaning “to nurture, care for and embrace”) is Marsden’s structured wellbeing education programme.

Embedded within the school timetable, Awhi equips students with the knowledge and strategies to manage their hauora at each stage of development. Sessions are delivered by form teachers, year level Deans and student leaders, ensuring strong relational continuity and leadership modelling.

Through Awhi, students engage in age-appropriate learning that supports:

• emotional literacy
• healthy relationships
• personal responsibility
• resilience and coping strategies
• decision-making skills.

Awhi ensures wellbeing learning is part of everyday school life — not something that only happens in response to challenges.

Tier 3 – Lunchtime Wellbeing Programmes

Structured, skill-based learning in small groups

Our school counsellors, Kaye Wilmshurst and Sarah Richards, facilitate Lunchtime Wellbeing Programmes throughout the year.

These are six-week, structured programmes delivered in weekly lunchtime sessions. They provide targeted learning in areas such as:

• understanding and managing stress
• strengthening emotional awareness
• building confidence and assertive communication
• developing healthy boundaries.

Delivered in small groups, these programmes complement our school-wide pastoral care and Awhi wellbeing education, providing additional opportunities for students to build practical skills in supportive peer settings.

Tier 4 – Individual Counselling

Confidential one-to-one support

Our qualified counsellors provide confidential individual counselling for students who would benefit from personalised support.

This space allows students to:

• explore personal challenges
• develop coping strategies
• strengthen emotional understanding
• navigate change or difficulty.

Individual counselling is available when a student or family requests support, or when referred by staff where appropriate.

A Layered Approach to Wellbeing

Our four-tier framework ensures that wellbeing support is both proactive and responsive.

Students experience wellbeing education through Awhi, relational care through pastoral structures, skill-building through Lunchtime Wellbeing Programmes, and personalised support when needed through individual counselling.

Wellbeing at Marsden is not an add-on — it is an intentional and integrated part of the educational journey.

See for yourself

To find out more about Marsden's approach to hauora/wellbeing, you are warmly invited to come to our next open event or a personal tour, or to have a conversation about your child’s wellbeing and learning. Your daughter is also invited to spend a day in class, to join in with activities and meet other students. Just contact Enrolment Registrar (04) 476 8707 or email enrolmentregistrar@marsden.school.nz to organise this. We look forward to meeting you and your whānau.