Guidance Counsellor: Mrs Francie Morris, DipCouns, BCNZ, PG DipED (Guidance), MNZAC
Email: f.morris@kingscollege.school.nz

Welcome to the Counselling Office

King’s is a community within which much care and attention is given to the wellbeing of all its members. Pastoral Care is seen as a whole school issue with all staff taking a professional pro-active role in ensuring that all students are being given every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Francie Morris is the Guidance Counsellor at King’s College. She loves being a part of the King's community and finds it very satisfying assisting young people during their important adolescent years of development. Francie was a mother at home for 20 years before training as a counsellor and has worked in schools, social agencies, private practice and lectured in the tertiary sector over the past 13 years.

Along with this, Francie continues to study and her special interest is Human Development and Attachment Theory. She also enjoys walking the beaches, playing music and attending concerts, and spending quality time with good friends. "I am passionate about working with students and their families during these most important years. The energy and vibrancy that our young people have and their resilience to face what, at times, can be overwhelming experiences is inspiring to me. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of their lives for their time here at King’s College."

“The Glory of God is a fully alive Human Being.” St. Iraneaus

The counseling office is located in the top floor of the Centennial Centre. This provides close proximity to the study centre and careers office and enables students to access the service during study periods without disturbing lesson times and for careers appointments to be accessed easily. Students can make appointments by emailing Francie or by visiting her office and leaving a note.

The counseling/careers/chapel team work collaboratively when necessary to provide wholistic support for students and the wider college community. Students access this service for a variety of issues which include:

• Relationships
• Grief and Loss
• Homesickness
• Anxiety
• Identity
• Self esteem
• Depression
• Peer difficulties
• Life changing events
• Eating disorders

There are times for everyone, when for reasons that are beyond our control, things happen and we find ourselves needing help. Counselling can help. It can assist people to better understand their experience and explore ways of improving their lives. It can also provide resources via education, referral, and strategies to assist students in their development during the adolescent years.

Along with providing one to one personal counseling for students, Francie teaches in the Life Skills programme for Year 11 students covering topics such as identity formation, change grief and loss, alcohol and Drug issues, recognising anger and how to communicate effectively.

It is important that parents are supported in their role of parenting and to facilitate this, Francie is able to provide resources and networks to assist with any concerns that parents may have concerning their young person. aa

Services Available:

• One to one counseling of students
• Resource to parents
• Student advocacy
• Student and parent education referrals
• Social justice and advocacy assessment