Ruawai College Northland

Guidance Counsellor

We are seeking a dedicated professional to join our pastoral team and support our diverse, multicultural school community. This role focuses on relationship-based wellbeing and restorative practice to support our ākonga (students) and resolve conflict in constructive and restorative ways.

We are flexible in how this position is structured and welcome applications for permanent full time or part time arrangements. There is also potential for a co-leadership model depending on the strengths of the successful applicant.

The role

The successful candidate will work within a collaborative pastoral team to provide high quality counselling and wellbeing support. Key responsibilities include:

• Upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice
• Providing restorative, relationship-based support for young people
• Creating safe, inclusive and culturally responsive environments for ākonga
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, whānau and external agencies
• Supporting positive behaviour, wellbeing and conflict resolution within the school community.

Requirements

• NZAC registration (or working towards registration) and a commitment to the NZAC Code of Ethics
• Experience or a strong background in restorative practice
• An understanding of the New Zealand educational and social context
• Strong critical thinking and professional judgement
• Experience in a secondary school environment or a current teaching registration is an advantage but not essential

Due to the nature of the position and our isolation index staffing entitlement, a full time (1.0 FTTE) position will include some teaching. Applicants seeking a full time role should therefore indicate their teaching subject area.

We are also open to negotiating work hours and FTTE loading.

We are looking for an ethically grounded practitioner who can confidently navigate both the wider school environment and the confidential setting of the counselling room with professionalism, integrity and care.