Student Support

The student support personnel include two trained counsellors and a transition coordinator.

Their responsibilities include personal and family counselling, career counselling, career education, transition education.

Students and parents are welcome to use the school's counselling services. Parents should contact one of the counsellors if there are home matters which may have a bearing on school performance, or if there are issues with which you need assistance. Counsellors may contact or visit the home for the welfare of the student.

The counsellors also make referrals to community agencies and maintain a close liaison with Special Education Service, Children and Young Persons Services, Youth Aid, Whanau Support and other helping agencies.

The public health nurse and family planning nurse visit our school on a regular basis. Appointments can be made at student support.

Careers
Students are encouraged to think about career choice early in their secondary education. Emphasis is placed on career education through specialist courses as students progress.

Through the student support department, students have access to careers counselling and careers information through printed material and on-line access to nation wide careers data bases. Parents may make appointments with student support staff and attend with their children for assistance in course and career planning.

Pukekohe High School has had a long established House System which was introduced in 1924. There are five houses - Blake, Day, Jellicoe, Perkins, and Massey. The houses have traditionally been a focus for competition in sporting activities. In 2000, the house system was used as a base to introduce a new pastoral care network. This has resulted in an increased student participation and involvement in the house shield activities.

House vertical forms were introduced in 2000. A vertical form is made up of students from all year levels. Form classes meet each morning with their form teacher (who is also a member of the same house). The form teacher has responsibility for the care and overview of the students in their form. Students will belong to the same vertical form as they move through the school each year. The form teacher will also stay with the form. The form teacher keeps in touch with parents through reports and parent evenings held during the year and may also make contact at other times, if there is a need.

House deans - Each house has a dean who monitors student achievement and conduct, responds to student and staff concerns as they arise, and is responsible for the administrative requirements of students. They co-ordinate the work of the vertical form teachers and have an overview of the performance of students within their house. We welcome parents to contact the house dean or form teachers if they have a concern.

House placement - students are placed into a house on enrolment. If the student has a brother or sister attending the school at the time of entry, they will be placed in the same house, should they wish to be.

Senior Management
The Principal and Assistant Principals will become involved when particular difficulties arise.