Thursday, 10 September 2026
Strategies When Dealing with Modern Adolescents
- Increases in mental health issues
- Triggers
- Trauma-informed practices
- Building resilience : what is expected of teachers
Presented by Catherine Schuler, Head of Counselling at Te Aroha College
Chair
Tim Fox, Deputy Principal, Hutt Valley High School
Description
Attend and earn 1 PLD/CPD Hour
This Session is included in the Te Mahere Whanake Tumuaki Principal Development Plan list of Courses and Programmes on the Education Workforce website.
Learning objectives:
- Understand key challenges affecting modern adolescents, including mental health concerns, common triggers and the impact of trauma on behaviour and learning
- Apply practical trauma-informed strategies to support student wellbeing, build resilience and understand the role and expectations of teachers and school leaders
Presenters
Tim Fox, Deputy Principal, Hutt Valley High SchoolTim Fox is the Deputy Principal of Operations & Community Relationships at Hutt Valley High School in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. He leads discussions on discipline, often balancing punitive and restorative responses to ensure students are treated fairly. He also chairs the Health and Safety committee, where he investigates issues and recommends improvements to practices.
Catherine Schuler, Head of Counselling, Te Aroha College
Catherine Schuler (M.Couns., B.Teach., Dip.Teach., Full Member NZCCA) is a primary-trained educator, counsellor and narrative therapist with extensive experience across secondary, alternative and tertiary education. Currently Head of Department and Guidance Counsellor at Te Aroha College, her work brings together student wellbeing, education and therapeutic practice. Her expertise spans trauma-informed and restorative practice, student safeguarding, professional supervision, and supporting diverse learners. Catherine is the founder of the Piako-Hauraki Guidance Counsellor Support Network and has lectured in Bachelor of Counselling and postgraduate trauma programmes, contributed to NZQA panels, and supported the professional development of emerging counsellors. Central to Catherine’s philosophy is the understanding that learning, wellbeing and behaviour are deeply interconnected. Her therapeutic practice is innovative, client-centred and responsive, integrating narrative, relational, strengths-based, bicultural and mindfulness-informed approaches to foster connection, enhance wellbeing, and create opportunities for growth and transformation. At the Legalwise Education Law Conference 2026, Catherine presents Strategies When Dealing with Modern Adolescents, offering practical, relational and trauma-informed perspectives for understanding and responding to young people in contemporary school environments.
