Student Wellbeing
The health and well being of our students is really important to all of us and at the Rangimarie Centre you will find a range of staff who can offer additional, specialist support to that of the Learning Coaches, Deans and senior staff.
The staff are available at various times listed below. Additionally, a dental team provide regular sessions and check ups for students in Years 1-8.
Pastoral Care & Kura Wellbeing Team
There is a clearly defined guidance network in the school. This is centered on our class and KAURI Coaches, our staff, our Deans, our Assistant Principals (Primary, Middle and Senior Years) and our Deputy Principals (Primary, Middle and Senior Years) as well as our Principal. The Class Teachers for Years 1-6 students and KAURI Coaches for Y7-13 students are usually the first people to consult if your child is experiencing difficulties. Our Kura Wellbeing Team are specialists who provide further support where needed. In this team we have two School Counsellors, a School Health Nurse, a Youth Mentor, and an Attendance & Wellbeing Officer, as well as a visiting Doctor.
Dental Team
MBAS Dental Service is delivered to students in year 1-8 in a Mobile Dental Unit staffed by Christine Duff, Dental Therapist and Kirsty Smith, Dental Assistant. The mobile clinic covers schools between Opoutere and Mercury Bay. The Dental Clinic has new hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8.00am – 4.20pm.
Students in years 9-13 can access free dental services at Lumino Dentists in Whitianga.
Dental Therapist, WDHB
Christine Duff Phone: (021) 356 292
Families can still leave messages on the above mobile numbers on the days they are not operating and will be contacted the following Monday.
Counsellors / Youth Mentors / Kaiarahi
Carolyn Gibbs - Counsellor, and Head of Kura Wellbeing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nicky Pretorius - Psychotherapist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Students can email at the above addresses, make an appointment on a walk-in basis, or through their teacher or Dean. We are available for all students and their whanau, as well as staff.
Doctor
Dr Jennie Hemmes Wednesdays 9.15 - 10.00am, make an appointment through the school nurse in person or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or walk-in service
Nurse / Tapuhi
Shaz Iseli is an experienced youth health nurses who provide a school based nursing service Monday to Thursday for year 9 to 13 students. She sees students for any health needs such as injuries / skin infections and sore throats. She also offers a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL contraception and sexual health service for students. She is able to provide services directly from the school clinic. If you would like to see her you can just pop in to clinic, phone or text on 027 327 3945 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cyber Safety
We have a number of protocols in place at MBAS to ensure digital security for our school community.
We also encourage parents and young people to consider how they can keep themselves safe while online. During the year we offer workshop opportunities to hear from professionals about current thinking. We will include any useful resources and materials in this area of our website.
Resources available from School Counsellor, issued on a library system:
- DVD: At a Distance; Standing up to Cyber Bullying. More suitable to Primary Years students.
- DVD: Lets' Fight it Together. What we can all do to prevent cyber bullying. Suitable for Y8-12 and includes lesson plans.
- Also available: Information sheet re text and cyber harassment; Information sheet re helpful websites and Information sheet re keeping kids safe in cyberspace.
- Please note that students watch both the above DVDs as part of their computing curriculum.
