Pastoral support

Wellbeing at the heart of the OBHS experience

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing at OBHS

At Otago Boys' High School, our guiding purpose is ‘Crafting men of Oak’, young men who are resilient, strong in character, and deeply rooted in our core values (Excellence, Respect, Courage, Honour and Perseverance). We challenge our boys to stretch themselves and rise to be ‘above the hoops’ in everything they do. However, we know that to reach these heights, a student must first feel a sense of belonging and brotherhood. That they are safe, supported, connected, and truly understood. Wellbeing sits at the absolute heart of the OBHS experience.

A Dedicated Network of Support

No boy walks his journey alone. We wrap a comprehensive layer of care around every student, ensuring he is known, valued and belongs throughout his time at the school.

Our pastoral team works cohesively to monitor and support student progress:

Deputy Rector: Nic Sullivan, oversight of School Culture and the Pastoral Team.

House Deans: Scott Manson, Kelvin McCrone, Mark Alderton and Dave Thomas, providing daily guidance, mentorship, support inside and outside the classroom and a consistent point of contact.

School Counsellors: James Howey and Rob Wither, offering free, confidential emotional and psychological support.

SENco (Special Educational Needs Coordinator): Lindy Marr, ensuring tailored learning support and inclusivity.

Form Teachers: A familiar face to support the boys, and are a daily contact throughout their whole time at Otago Boys’ High School.

Guidance, Counselling, and Whānau Partnership

We believe that standard-setting care relies on a strong partnership with families and whānau. Our experienced Form Teachers, Deans, counsellors, and learning support staff work alongside home support systems to provide a trusted safety net for our boys.

Our professional counselling services are free and confidential. We support boys through a variety of adolescent and life challenges, including:

• Stress and anxiety management
  
• Navigating friendships and peer relationships
  
• Addressing bullying, grief, and loss
  
• Family transitions and personal challenges
  

Where deeper or more specialised care is required, our team acts as a bridge, connecting students and families with trusted external support services.

Stymie: A Safe, Anonymous Voice

To maintain a safe environment where our boys can thrive, Otago Boys’ High School utilises Stymie which is an encrypted, anonymous online platform that gives students a safe and confidential way to speak up on their own behalf or for their peers.

Confidential Reporting: Stymie allows students to quietly report serious issues like bullying, self-harm, or harassment without fear of social repercussions.

Swift Response: The platform delivers real-time alerts directly to designated school staff, enabling our pastoral team to respond immediately and proactively.

Looking Out for Mates: 

This tool empowers our young men to look after one another, ensuring that no issue goes unnoticed.

Wellbeing in Action

At OBHS, character and belonging are woven into the very fabric of daily school life. We proactively foster resilience and school pride through a variety of initiatives:

Junior Wellbeing Days: Dedicated spaces for personal growth, reflection, and peer connection.

House Activities & Tū Mana (School Haka): Building a deep sense of brotherhood, loyalty, and cultural identity.

Service & Leadership: Encouraging boys to look outward and contribute to their community, have a ‘hand up not out’ mentality.

Careers Education: Equipping our young men with the practical tools and direction needed for the future.