At Shirley Boys’ High School, we have an extensive Student Support team consisting of School Counsellors, 24/7 Youthworkers, Learning Support Department, Careers Education Department and our Deans of House. Our extensive Student Support team provide wrap-around support for your son during his time at Shirley Boys’ High School.
Form Class Tutors
Within each house group, students are divided into vertical form classes made up of students from each year level 9-13. Form Class Tutors are the first point of contact for pastoral matters as they see students regularly, and in most cases students have the same Form Class Tutor for their five years at Shirley. Form Class Tutors monitor their student’s attendance and uniform, as well as complete weekly reports on their attitude and course work.
Dean of house
Deans are responsible for overall well-being of students in their house group, including welcoming of new students, timetable construction/changes and course selections. Deans also monitor students who are not achieving to their potential or who are engaging in unacceptable behaviours, ensuring appropriate action is taken when required.
The Guidance team
The Guidance Team includes School Counsellors, a Learning Support Department and a Careers Education Department who are available to assist students with personal, social, educational and vocational guidance.
School Counsellors
Shirley Boys’ High School has qualified School Counsellors who ensure students receive information to assist them to make positive, informed and appropriate decisions about their future. The Counsellors are also available if students have specific concerns about anything at school or home.
24/7 Youthworkers
24/7 Youth workers can be present throughout the lunch hour running lunchtime activities, joining in with sport or simply hanging out with students. The remaining hours spent in school may involve mentoring prefects, attending school production practices, one-on-one mentoring, helping with school trips, coaching sport teams, etc.
Learning Support Department
At Shirley Boys’ High School, we have two full-time Learning Support Co-ordinators to ensure that our students with disabilities, neurodiverse learning patterns or behavioural challenges get the help needed to thrive.
Our LSCs can help to facilitate a good partnership between parents, teachers and the student, and also make referrals for specialist support when needed.
Screening for learning difficulties is sometimes completed to help identify the support needed. A Special Assessment Conditions Co-ordinator completes NZQA applications for students needing support with NCEA assessments.
A team of trained Teacher Aides provide extra support in class for students with significant needs.
The Learning Support team work closely with other pastoral student support services within the school.
Careers Education Department
As well as providing careers information and options to students, the HOD of Careers is responsible for managing the Careers Education Department, the schools’ Gateway and Canterbury Tertiary College (CTC) programmes. There are a number of trade training and work experience opportunities available for students in Year 12 and 13 through the STAR and Gateway programmes, which are co-ordinated by the Gateway and Transition Co-ordinator.
The Learning Support team work closely with other pastoral