Guidance and Counselling
Our aim is to support the wellbeing and safety of all students at Macleans College to enable our young people to achieve their full potential. We are professionally trained counsellors, registered members of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and we work according to the ‘NZAC Code of Ethics’. We maintain confidentiality unless there is a serious and imminent risk to safety.
What counsellors do;
- Provide a safe, confidential environment for students.
- Listen to concerns.
- Assist students to make the changes they want.
- Teach skills for living (e.g. anger management, problem solving, decision making, motivation, effective communication).
- Assist with alcohol/drug concerns, stress, plan and set goals, family break-up, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, coping with change, fear and anxiety, or any other concern.
- Act as advocate for the student at stand down or suspension hearings.
- Arrange for outside agencies if necessary.
Issues may be large or small! Don't wait for a crisis. If unsure, come and chat. The counsellors are here to help.
Resource for Parents - SchoolTV
Macleans College is now proud to be to utilising SchoolTV (an online wellbeing platform).
The resource contains clear, relevant and fact-based information around raising safe, happy and resilient young people. Covering topics such as: youth anxiety, depression, self-harm, drug and alcohol use, cyberbullying and many others.
Helplines
Emergencies
Youthline
Lifeline
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Whatsup
Support for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Depression Helpline
Need to Talk?
KIDSLINE
Online Resources
Taunaki (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
Depression
Drinking and drugs out of control?
Domestic violence
Trauma, Loss and Grief
Support and Information re Sexual Identity/Orientation
Parenting place
Asian family services
Internet or Gaming Addiction
Chinese Family Services
Shakti
Contact Us
Where to Find Us

How to Contact Staff
Student Appointments Students can make appointments with staff, either:
- Through the Faculty Secretary at the SAS centre before school, interval, lunchtime or after school.
- By leaving a note in the appropriate staff member's post box (inside the front door of the SAS centre).
- By filling out an online referral (links can be found at the top of this page)
Parent Appointments The staff can be contacted by telephone or emailing [email protected] and they are available for appointments with parents between 8.00 am and 3.30 pm during the school weeks. Feel free to phone the school office on 535 2620 ext 857 for a booking.
Counselling Team
Mr Ben Coaton
HOD Guidance and Counselling
M. Counselling - Hons, P.G. Dip (Counselling), B. Ed (Teaching), Member NZAC. Registered Teacher.

Email: [email protected]
Phone ext # 694
Ms Sarah Milne
B.A. Dip Teaching, Dip Counselling, Dip Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Distinction, Member NZAC. Registered Teacher.

Email: [email protected]
Phone ext # 824
Mr Boon Han Ng (Gorgan)
M. Counselling, P.G. Dip (Counselling), P.G. Dip Art (Psychology), B. Psychology, Member NZAC. Certified Geek Therapist.

Email: [email protected]
Phone ext # 830
Ms Rui Ling Chen
M. Ed Counselling, P.G. Dip (Counselling), P.G. Cert (Prof Supervision) B. Ed (ECE Teaching), Member NZAC. Registered Teacher.

Email: [email protected]
Phone ext # 679
Mrs Alex Green
M. Counselling – Hons, P.G. Dip (Counselling), Dip Positive Psychology & Wellbeing, P.G. Cert Education, BSc Chemistry and Environmental Science, Member NZAC. Registered Teacher.

Email: [email protected]
Phone ext # 679
Mrs Joyce Lum
International Counsellor
B. Counselling, Dip Counselling, Provisional Member NZAC.

Email: [email protected]
Phone ext # 851