Head of Student Services Mrs Ainslie Duncan (nee Savage) Head of Student Services Originally from Koromiko, Marlborough, I have been living and teaching in Westport since April 2009. I originally started out teaching Health and PE and after 10 years of teaching, I had a career shift. I am now working as the SENCO and Guidance Counsellor at Buller High School. I have a 'Post Graduate Diploma of Education Counselling' through Massey University and provisional membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.
Confidentiality is vital in my position. I understand the fact that we live in a small community and therefore it is essential that student privacy and confidentiality must be respected and upheld.
I am not a ‘one woman band’ – there are many outside agencies that work alongside the school.
The following people/services work from our agency room on a regular basis.
Monday: Hannah Green - Youth Worker: Buller REAP Tuesday:Pana Leontiadu - Social Worker in Schools: Home-builders Wednesday: Denise Murphy – PHO (Primary Health Organisation) Thursday:Pana Leontiadu - Social Worker in Schools: Home-builders Friday:Lynley Pratt - Public Health Nurse – who does Year 10 HEEADSSS (Home, Education, Eating, Activities, Drugs and Alcohol, Sexuality, Suicide and Depression, Safety) Assessment which allows for early identification of mental health, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) issues and other information to assist young people in their development. Note: Lynley also has a lunch time drop-in clinic.
Referrals for any agencies can be via myself or self-referral. For those under 16, parental consent must be given.
If students would like to see me, I am also available. Some of the issues I can help with are:
Relationship problems - family, school and friends
Struggling with education
Loneliness and isolation
Paying for school essentials (uniform, stationery, fees)
Mental and emotional well-being
Sexual Health: Pregnancy/STI/Contraception/Sexuality identity questions
I can be approached directly through the contact details below, or outside of my office there are some green slips that can be filled in and put under my door. ainslie.duncan@buller.ac.nz (03) 789 7299 ext 836
Other people at school who you can ask for help:
Your House Teacher
Your Dean
Careers Team
Deputy/Assistant Principal
A Senior Student - Prefect, Peer Support Leader, Student Representative
