GPS: Guiding Pathways and Strategies Symposium

St Hilda's Collegiate School is thrilled to invite you to attend the GPS: Guiding Pathways and Strategies Symposium - Navigating the Teenage Years.

The Symposium brings together a number of experts, specialists and academics who will share their expertise, research and practical advice on a range of topics relating to the health and well-being of our young people. This event is aimed at parents/caregivers and educators who want to understand how best to support the young people in their lives.

On Friday August 18th, the Symposium will open with a cocktail function in the Chapel featuring broadcaster Stacey Morrison who will talk on the following topic: Cultural Shift and Healing from Our Generation to Our Kids.

Saturday August 19 will be a full day of keynotes and seminars, featuring the following guest speakers:

Keynote: Katherine Rich - Former National MP; Former Chief Executive of the Food & Grocery Council; Former Member of the National Advisory Council for the Employment of Women. Keynote: Fall down seven times, get up eight. Personal reflections on parenting under pressure and helping teens navigate "the tunnel" to adulthood. Five strategies that worked for our family, plus a few that didn't. 

Anna Baker - Managing Director of ReThink, Children’s Therapy. Seminar: Understand Me, Support My Unique Needs. 

Dr Melanie Beres - Associate Professor in Sociology, Otago University. Seminar: Critical Conversations - Young People, Sex & Relationships.

Caroline Black - Director of Wellbeing Education at Christ’s College. Seminar: Strengthening the Bond: Nurturing the Parent-Teen Relationship Through Communication & Connection.

Dee Copland - Naturopath and nutritionist. Seminar: Teen Nutrition.

Kim Gotlieb - Tūturu Lead, Whakaata Tohu Tohu/Mirror Services, Ōtepoti. Seminar: The Intersection of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Education and Whānau.

Dr Olivia Harrison - Rutherford Discovery Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer, Otago University. Seminar: Breathing & Anxiety: The Miscommunication Between Brain & Body.

Carrie Hobson - CEO Hobson Leavy Recruitment. Seminar: Future Employment - Supporting Young People In Their Career & Into The Workforce.

Carmel Leslie - Programme Manager, Otago Academy of Sport. Seminar: The Importance of Creating a Holistic Talent Development Environment.

Marcelle Nader-Turner - Doctoral Candidate; Counsellor and Neuropsychotherapist. Seminar: 'They Want To Train You Up To Be A Porn Star' - When Sex Means You're Not Afraid Of Doing Anything.

Ange Rathbone - Masters Candidate; PGDip Guidance and Education, Counselling; Director of Boarding. Seminar: A Real-life Story of Developing a Courageous Workplace Culture. 

Dr Gillian Townsley, St Hilda's Collegiate School Chaplain. Seminar: "There's a Hole in My Well-Being": Taha Wairua - What's Missing Can Make Us Whole Again.

Bex Twemlow - Managing Director of Firebrand, a Marketing and Digital Transformation Agency; Founder of Hail; CMO for GetHomeSafe; Lead Programme Strategist for Youth Employment Success. Seminar: Navigating the Digital Terrain: Online Safety, Cyberbullying, and Our Digital Footprints.

Dr Marc Wilson - Professor and Associate Dean of Psychology, Victoria University; columnist in The New Zealand Listener. Seminar: Who'd Be A Young Person? Perfectionism, Body Image and Self Harm.

We have not shied away from the tough topics. Our speakers will be covering the following topics: neurodiversity and learning challenges; self-harm; cultural identity; pornography; body image; nutrition and hormones; sport; sexual relationships; cyberbullying; resilience; brain development; alcohol and drug use; employment and career development and building a courage culture.

The purpose of the GPS Symposium is to inform, inspire and educate our attendees so that they can support the young people in their lives. This is an opportunity to connect with experts, specialists and fellow parents/caregivers and educators, and to fill your kete with the tools and information needed to navigate the teenage years. We are excited to welcome you to St Hilda's and share our community with you.