Health Consultation:

Thank you for your responses.

Our first question asked if you are happy with the Health Education programme we provide at Western Heights. 82% said Yes, 17.3% were Not Sure and 1 person said No.

This is a very encouraging outcome, but it is also an indication we can improve our information sharing so that those 17.3% have a better understanding of what our Health Education programme provides and involves.

In terms of which areas you would like to see more emphasis, Mental Health was a priority for a third of Year 1 to 3 parents, and 56% of Year 4 to 6 parents.

We see this as a mandate to build on the current programmes, and as of 2022 are introducing the Sir John Kirwan Foundation 'Building Mitey Children' programme.

I will share lots more about this separately, but a brief summary is:

• Mitey is an evidence based, school wide approach to teaching mental health education which is built around the New Zealand Curriculum.
• Mitey targets New Zealand children from Years 1-8 to help them build the necessary and age appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding they need to nurture their own emotional wellbeing and those of others.
• Mitey aligns to the New Zealand Curriculum and is woven into everyday teaching to spark and stimulate new learning. This integration of Mitey extends school wide to tailored strategies that staff, family and the community can use to extend and promote overall wellbeing in the school setting.
• Schools and teachers are not alone when they work with Mitey. A dedicated, free coach is there with us every step of the way offering guidance and ongoing professional development.
• As children work through the different levels of Mitey, the learning builds. Mitey aims to increase knowledge and understanding of those experiencing difficulties, remove any misconceptions and replace them with an atmosphere of positivity and acceptance.

The information you provided will be really valuable and useful as we review our Health Education programmes and also review how we share and communicate them to your community.

Responses to Feedback:

Thank you for the really useful and helpful points made. A number of things shared really made me stop and think and reflect.

One really good example is the feedback shared about a post I made when writing about the Christchurch Mosque shootings that really made me reflect - 

The respondent noted that earlier in the year in our school newsletter I talked about the man convicted of the Christchurch Mosque attack as being mentally ill.

As they pointed out, there is no evidence that he is/was mentally ill. 

I was gently reminded of the need to be careful not to continue with negative stereotypes of mental illness. 

There will be many of our young people living with whānau who have mental illness, and some of them will be experiencing it themselves. It was wrong to suggest that only the mentally ill have such beliefs or commit such crimes. 

Sadly I do not know who provided the feedback that caused me to reflect on this but I am so grateful this parent shared their thoughts. In writing what I did in the newsletter I guess I was trying to make it more explainable for our children, and maybe reduce their worries this could easily happen.

But I was wrong to say the shooter was mentally ill, and I sincerely apologise. I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn and grow as a result of this parental response.