SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST OR COUNSELLOR Full time Permanent position Applications Close: 8 am, Monday 18 October 2021 Marlborough Girls’ College are seeking an experienced School Psychologist or Counsellor to provide knowledge, skills and opportunities to enable our students to make healthy and appropriate choices for themselves. They will work with staff to create conditions in which students can develop to their full potential and achieve a personal sense of worth.

Who are Marlborough Girls’ College?

We are an innovative decile 7 girls school of 950 students, based in sunny Blenheim, in the beautiful Marlborough region. Our vision is to develop rangatahi who are independent learners with the skills and attributes to tackle existing and future challenges, to make our community, our nation and our world a better place. The school community works together to challenge and empower everyone to learn and achieve their personal best.

Our Values

Our values are Kotahitanga, Whanaungatanga and Manaakitanga. The expectation of all staff is to role model and support our values in action and enact the school’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Key purpose of role

Provide a professional and confidential counselling and guidance service for the school, and for the school community as appropriate, in all educational and personal matters, working within the relevant professional agencies Code of Ethics for their professional role at all times, either:

New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB); or

New Zealand Association of Counsellors.

See attached Job Description for full outline of role and responsibilities

The School Psychologist / Counsellor will: Have empathy with our school vision and values

Enjoy working with Rangatahi in a confidential and safe environment

Be skilled in helping Rangatahi explore problems and identify changes they wish to make and which they can implement for themselves

Be experienced in counselling both adolescents and adults, empowering them to make their own decisions

Show professional leadership and initiative

Provide ongoing training and support for pastoral roles such as whānau teacher and deans

Provide professional, effective, empathetic, ongoing support for both students and staff as necessary

Be familiar with suitable resources and agencies to meet the needs of those requiring support outside the school

Work effectively and supportively in a collegial context

Demonstrate organizational and administrative skills

Be competent in the use of computer technology

Be an active member of relevant professional groups

Attend supervision and training courses as required

Be positive and pragmatic about change

How to Apply

All queries and applications should be forwarded to the Principal’s PA on vacancy@mgc.school.nz. Please forward include your CV, cover letter, completed application form and any supporting information.

Applications close on 8 am, Monday 18 October 2021. Applications will be acknowledged and further correspondence may be by email.

For more information

Have a look through the information and links below for details on Marlborough Girl’s College and this career opportunity.

Recruitment Process and Timeline

Applications close: 8 am, 18 October 2021

Shortlisting: After 18 October 2021

Interviews: As soon as possible

Information on the role and our college

Job Description and Information Letter – available on Education Gazette listing or on request from vacancy@mgc.school.nz.

MGC Charter https://www.mgc.school.nz/images/2020/Useful_Information/Annual_Plan_2020_website.pdf

Colocation - https://www.marlboroughcolleges.co.nz/

Students are at the heart of our work and our decisions. The whānau structure, house system, the pastoral curriculum and the pastoral care system are designed to provide ongoing support and guidance to students. Emphasis is placed on students’ well-being, achievement and developing a strong sense of responsibility and respect.

Marlborough Girls’ College has a history of being one of the top performing schools in the region. The school’s curriculum is very broad and designed to meet the needs of individual students. Marlborough Girls’ College is a member of the Piritahi Kāhui Ako, our focus being on accelerating progress in writing for our Māori Learners. Spiral of Inquiry is at the heart of teachers’ work and is a key part of our weekly programme.

Why locate to Marlborough?

There are many reasons to locate to Blenheim in Marlborough – find out more on the links below:

http://www.newzealand.com/int/marlborough/

http://www.discovermarlborough.co.nz/

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST OR COUNSELLOR

Job Description LAST UPDATED: OCTOBER 2021

School Values At Marlborough Girls’ College our values are Kotahitanga, Whanaungatanga and Manaakitanga. The expectation of all staff is to role model and support our values in action and support the schools commitment to Tiriti o Waitangi.

Key Objectives The key objective of this position is to to provide knowledge, skills and opportunities to enable our students to make healthy and appropriate choices for themselves. The School Psychologist / Counsellor will work with staff to create conditions in which students can develop to their full potential and achieve a personal sense of worth.

Accountability The School Psychologist / Counsellor will report and be accountable to the Head of Guidance and Principal.

Qualifications Guidance Counsellor or Psychologist qualifications required. Familiar with secondary education and needs of teenagers preferable.

Functional relationships The School Psychologist / Counsellor will develop, foster and maintain relationships with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, students, whānau, staff, community and support agencies and other external parties as appropriate to the role.

Hours/Tenure Permanent full time position

Responsibilities specific to this role To provide a professional and confidential counselling and guidance service for the school, and for the school community as appropriate, in all educational and personal matters, working within the relevant professional agencies Code of Ethics (NZPB New Zealand Psychologists Board or NZAC New Zealand Association of Counsellors).

Provide a confidential and professional counselling service for students, whānau and staff within the school, ensuring that: o Students, staff and whānau are well informed regarding services available o An established system for making appointments is in place o Appropriate and confidential records are kept and appointment details are recorded in calendar

for future reference o All referrals are followed through and follow up reports sent to referrers

o An appropriate and professional response is provided to all people who consult the service o The safety of people is maintained through the provision of a secure counselling environment, the

only exception being when the safety of others is compromised, with the NZAC or NZPB Code of Ethics and policy on confidentially adhered to at all times

o Advocacy requirements are met appropriately and effectively o Limitations of counselling are recognised and appropriate referrals to alternative persons or

agencies are made when required o The effectiveness of counselling and related services is monitored through regular surveys of

students, whānau and staff.

Provide support and leadership for all staff in the school including o Offering leadership in the field of human relationships, with awareness of and respect for culture

and other differences o Being available to all staff as required for personal/professional counselling and support o Providing support as required to new staff members during orientation and induction, liaising with

the SLT member with oversight for Teaching & Learning

Actively participate in the school’s Crisis Management Team and contribute to the regular review and updating of the Crisis and Emergency Management Policy

Assist in making the school a safe and harmonious place for all members of the school community. o Ensuring that appropriate policies, procedures and practices are in place and regularly reviewed

and updated, training and information provided to all staff and appropriate behaviours modelled and reinforced throughout the school.

o Provide input into relevant staff and student education regarding rights and responsibilities.

Communication and Community Networking To ensure that the students, staff and school community are kept well informed of the counselling and guidance function within the school and act as a strong advocate for MGC guidance services.

Maintain regular and open communication as appropriate between Guidance team, Principal, Senior Leadership Team and other staff as required

Establish a positive working relationship with local community groups and agencies, utilising these outside agencies and resources as necessary to assist students, whānau and staff to find appropriate information and help

Actively participate in Guidance team meetings to enable effective sharing of information and discussion of relevant issues.

General Performance Areas Demonstrate belief in and commitment to the MGC core values of Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga and

Whanaungatanga and supporting the MGC vision.

Display positive and effective communication skills and work cooperatively with others to achieve common goals

Collaborate to ensure MGC is a healthy and safe place to work, observing safe work practices and adhering to all school health and safety requirements

Carry out any additional duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required to meet the demands of the school operation and activities.

Professional Development and Personal Health & Safety

The Staff member will set professional goals and participate in the MGC Appraisal System. The staff member agrees to take all reasonable care to avoid damage to themselves or any other person or school property through any action, inaction or instruction given by myself while representing MGC or using the school property.

Signed: Dated:

School Psychologist/Counsellor