Acting as the big sister to younger students and providing a shoulder to lean on in times of need has garnered recognition for a Sacred Heart College student, much to her surprise. 

Lydia Healey, in year 13, won the College’s Upstander competition which asked students to write down the name of someone who they thought was an upstander and post their votes in the guidance counsellor’s office. 

Lydia says she was shocked to find out she had won and believes it was the Year 9 students in her tutor class who nominated her. 

“I thought it was really sweet. We always tell them that they can come to us if they need but they usually get too scared, so I think it’s quite cool that they see me that way,” Lydia said. 

“It’s good to know that I can make a positive difference in some way.” 

The Upstander competition was held as part of Wellness Week, which had a focus of anti-bullying and being someone who stands up for those bullied and/or stops bullying or gets help for victims of bullying. 

The initiative has been driven by the College’s Guidance Counsellor Tracey Pinfold and Deputy Principal (Pastoral) Rachel Read. 

Ms Read says they received more than one hundred entries from students for their peers who had been supportive and caring to others and who demonstrated the school's HEART (Hope, Equity, Aroha, Respect and Tenacity) values.   

The school has adopted Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, and each term focuses on one of the key tenants of that philosophy - taha tinana (physical wellbeing); taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing); taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing); taha whānau (family wellbeing). 

Ms Read says their students’ wellness is closely connected to how well they succeed at school.  “It is absolutely vital and at the centre of everything we do.” 

As last term’s focus was Te Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing), this term's focus is on taha tinana. 

“I thought with it being winter and cold and wet, often we hibernate and don’t get out to exercise as often and the pressure of assessments and approaching exams is prominent, so focusing on the physical at this time is appropriate,” Guidance Counsellor Tracey Pinfold says.

Principal Maria Neville-Foster said: “At Sacred Heart College we teach our girls the importance of caring for the vulnerable and those around us being marginalised”. 

“Our wellness week allows us to focus on what this looks like every day and gives students a chance to thank those who make a difference in their lives.”