Well-being | Guidance Counsellors | Christchurch Boys' High School

Meet our Counsellors together with helpful information

Justin Makinson – Head of Counselling
Ext. 282 – Mobile : 021 468 826
MNZAC, MCounc., BEd(PE)., GradDipTchgln (sec.)

Justin has been developing and delivering community-based youth work for more than 20 years. Most recently teaching in Alternative Education here in Ōtautahi. He thrives on building meaningful positive relationships and seeing people empowering themselves to develop their lives and communities. He journeys with people from a strengths perspective that facilitates discovery and exploration, with hope that people will achieve their goals and realise their dreams. When whānau commitments allow, he enjoys mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking and sea kayaking.

Aaron Powley – Counsellor
Ext. 281 – Mobile : 021 468 823
BCouns. NZAC (Student Member)

Aaron is a full-time counsellor here at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Aaron finished his degree in counselling after almost a decade of working as a youth worker within some of the schools and communities around Christchurch. He loves working with rangatahi and the challenges and opportunities that come with it, he is passionate about supporting our young people and wants them to know there is always someone available no matter the issue. He will always be interested in journeying alongside our fine young men here at Christchurch Boys’ High, and he hopes that he will see the boys thrive. When he is not spending time with his wife and daughter Aaron likes to be out playing ice hockey, golf or gaming at home.

Contact us on counselling@cbhs.nz

We want to let you know that counsellors are available for you to see at any time you wish during school hours, regarding any matter. The school encourages you to speak to them at any time about any concerns or problems that may be on your mind.

So, what happens in counselling?

In counselling you can talk about anything you want, such as questions, wonderings, problems, concerns, hopes, future plans in a safe place, with someone who will support you in a collaborative process.

Counsellors are people who:

You can trust and be open with.
Listen to you with compassion.
Are non-judgmental, they will not blame you for the problem.
Will assist you with finding strategies to help improve the situation.
Will support you in your positive changes you decide to make.
Will assist you in finding more help if required, for example, from a G.P., another counsellor or psychologist.

And what about privacy/confidentiality?

All counsellors at CBHS are trained professionals who are bound by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors Code of Ethics. A part of that code is confidentiality which means that they will not talk to anyone about what you have discussed unless you asked them to, or there are concerns over your or others safety.

In a safe and friendly, confidential and professional environment you can expect to construct your own unique ways of;