Mana Ake
(for information in other languages, scroll to the bottom of this page)
Mana Ake offer individual support for children and whānau. Children are typically referred to Mana Ake for challenges with self-esteem, emotional regulation, social skills and parenting support. The time frame is generally 16 weeks or two terms but this can sometimes be flexible depending on the challenges. If this service isn’t appropriate or longer term support is needed, Mana Ake can work with the whānau to find the right service.
If you would like to make a Mana Ake referral for your child, or talk to them yourself, please:
Mana Ake offer a variety of groups, if you have a particular need in mind, we can sometimes tailor groups to the challenge or issue the tamariki are experiencing. Groups usually last for about 6 weeks with one 50 minute session per week. Our groups include:
Wellbeing groups:
Friendship/ Social skills group- A six week program to support children with identifying emotions in others, managing conflict, growth mindset and kindness & empathy. Can be changed depending on the children e.g. for children who are quite physical and don’t like book work we can do team building activities each week, or for children who enjoy chatting and like crafts, we can do a friendship bracelet making group for example. Up to 6x children per group.
Leadership group- A six week program that involves activities to support students in recognising their strengths and leadership qualities. Tamariki will practise problem solving work activities and work together on a project to benefit the kura. Up to 8x children per group.
Transitions group- A four week program to provide identified year 6 tamariki with the skills and confidence to facilitate transition from primary to intermediate school. Students will engage in activities and discussion that provide an opportunity for the Tamariki to explore their fears and concerns of moving to Intermediate and develop strategies to support themselves. Up to 15 children per group and includes input/ participation from year 7 leaders from the intermediate school.
Zones of regulation group- Using the zones of regulation framework this is a six week program for groups or class wide. Aimed at teaching students coping and self-regulation skills so that they can help themselves when they become anxious, sad or stressed.
Find out more:
https://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/104821161/schools-help-kids-deal-with-emotions-through-new-programme
Anxiety groups:
Feel Brave group- This is aimed at year 1-3, it is a 5x book series aimed at building on socio-emotional skills, the themes are change & grief, making relationships, finding calm & managing worries, self-confidence & self-awareness and anxiety & fears. We can do this class-wide or in smaller groups of 6x children, both over six weeks.
Brave brains group- This group is suitable for children aged 8-12 years old who are experiencing worries. Tamariki will learn about what anxiety is, what happens in our brain and body when we feel anxious and about the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Strategies are taught to help Tamariki challenge their worried thoughts and develop a coping plan. This is a five week program with an optional sixth session for children who have worries about world events and things out of their control.
Grief/ loss/ change programme:
Seasons for growth- A eight week program for participants ages 6-13 years. This is an innovative, evidence- based change, loss and grief education program that draws on the metaphor of the seasons to understand the experience of grief. It builds knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing following loss by exploring the impact of change and loss (ie. Natural disaster, friends come and go, parental separation, our family’s work life changes) and learning about effective ways to respond and adapt. Participants learn that they are not alone in their experience of change, loss and grief, and are able to build their communication, decision making and problem-solving skills within the context of a safe and supportive peer group learning environment.
Find out more:
https://www.goodgrief.org.au/seasons-for-growth
Whole class wellbeing programme:
“I am valued” group (developed by Te Whare Awhero)- A six week program suitable for Tamariki in years 5-6. It covers communication & boundaries, rumours & bullying, self-esteem, anxiety, change & resilience, anger and looking after yourself and others.
Zones of regulation group- Using the zones of regulation framework this is a six week program for groups or class wide. Aimed at teaching students coping and self-regulation skills so that they can help themselves when they become anxious, sad or stressed.
Find out more:
https://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/104821161/schools-help-kids-deal-with-emotions-through-new-programme
Cultural identity connection groups:
Practical skills to connect students to their culture (Mau Rakau, Taonga Tākaro, Te Reo, Whakairo, tikanga), mindfulness, patience and resilience. Reflective practices as well as appropriate group communication. Supporting students to address self-esteem, communication, and cultural identity.
Outcomes: ‘Mana resulting from strength of character’ - Improvement of Maori/Pasifika students in making a stronger connection with their culture and community, self-identity, self-responsibility as well as leadership skills.
Building Pasifika fanau- A eight week program suitable for years 3-8 in small groups of up to 8 participants. This program supports with building Pasifika identity, culture, self-esteem, language, migration knowledge, strengths, and values. Pasifika kaimahi will be able to draw from experiences, Pasifika language and cultural activities to support fanau in a relaxed and interactive environment.
Building toa Pasifika teine & tama- A eight week program suitable for years 7-8 in small groups of up to 8 participants. This focuses on identity, culture, self-esteem, strengths, and values, as well as helping them to navigate their dreams, purposes and responsibilities as young, strong, confident Pasifika leaders.
Teine: Designed to increase wellbeing and confidence in our young Pasifika teine, in a world that is surrounded by so much social media influence.
Tama: Designed to increase wellbeing and confidence in our young Pasifika tama. Providing a safe space that encourages and models how to have vulnerable conversations with each other, how to uplift, support one another in their areas of development, struggles and worries.
Parenting groups:
Mana Ake focuses on offering holistic support to the whole whānau.
Building awesome whanau- This course draws on the wisdom or mātauranga māori and offers a Kaupapa that is uniquely Aotearoa. The facilitator will draw on the wisdom and experiences in the group and weave this together with course content to support and encourage attendees to nurture and build their awesome whanau.
Find out more:
https://www.theparentingplace.com/building-awesome-whanau/
Mana Ake offer individual support for children and whānau. Children are typically referred to Mana Ake for challenges with self-esteem, emotional regulation, social skills and parenting support. The time frame is generally 16 weeks or two terms but this can sometimes be flexible depending on the challenges. If this service isn’t appropriate or longer term support is needed, Mana Ake can work with the whānau to find the right service.
If you would like to make a Mana Ake referral for your child, or talk to them yourself, please:
- Talk to your child's teacher
- Email Gretchen Cocks (DP / SENCo) at [email protected].
Mana Ake offer a variety of groups, if you have a particular need in mind, we can sometimes tailor groups to the challenge or issue the tamariki are experiencing. Groups usually last for about 6 weeks with one 50 minute session per week. Our groups include:
Wellbeing groups:
Friendship/ Social skills group- A six week program to support children with identifying emotions in others, managing conflict, growth mindset and kindness & empathy. Can be changed depending on the children e.g. for children who are quite physical and don’t like book work we can do team building activities each week, or for children who enjoy chatting and like crafts, we can do a friendship bracelet making group for example. Up to 6x children per group.
Leadership group- A six week program that involves activities to support students in recognising their strengths and leadership qualities. Tamariki will practise problem solving work activities and work together on a project to benefit the kura. Up to 8x children per group.
Transitions group- A four week program to provide identified year 6 tamariki with the skills and confidence to facilitate transition from primary to intermediate school. Students will engage in activities and discussion that provide an opportunity for the Tamariki to explore their fears and concerns of moving to Intermediate and develop strategies to support themselves. Up to 15 children per group and includes input/ participation from year 7 leaders from the intermediate school.
Zones of regulation group- Using the zones of regulation framework this is a six week program for groups or class wide. Aimed at teaching students coping and self-regulation skills so that they can help themselves when they become anxious, sad or stressed.
Find out more:
https://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/104821161/schools-help-kids-deal-with-emotions-through-new-programme
Anxiety groups:
Feel Brave group- This is aimed at year 1-3, it is a 5x book series aimed at building on socio-emotional skills, the themes are change & grief, making relationships, finding calm & managing worries, self-confidence & self-awareness and anxiety & fears. We can do this class-wide or in smaller groups of 6x children, both over six weeks.
Brave brains group- This group is suitable for children aged 8-12 years old who are experiencing worries. Tamariki will learn about what anxiety is, what happens in our brain and body when we feel anxious and about the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Strategies are taught to help Tamariki challenge their worried thoughts and develop a coping plan. This is a five week program with an optional sixth session for children who have worries about world events and things out of their control.
Grief/ loss/ change programme:
Seasons for growth- A eight week program for participants ages 6-13 years. This is an innovative, evidence- based change, loss and grief education program that draws on the metaphor of the seasons to understand the experience of grief. It builds knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing following loss by exploring the impact of change and loss (ie. Natural disaster, friends come and go, parental separation, our family’s work life changes) and learning about effective ways to respond and adapt. Participants learn that they are not alone in their experience of change, loss and grief, and are able to build their communication, decision making and problem-solving skills within the context of a safe and supportive peer group learning environment.
Find out more:
https://www.goodgrief.org.au/seasons-for-growth
Whole class wellbeing programme:
“I am valued” group (developed by Te Whare Awhero)- A six week program suitable for Tamariki in years 5-6. It covers communication & boundaries, rumours & bullying, self-esteem, anxiety, change & resilience, anger and looking after yourself and others.
Zones of regulation group- Using the zones of regulation framework this is a six week program for groups or class wide. Aimed at teaching students coping and self-regulation skills so that they can help themselves when they become anxious, sad or stressed.
Find out more:
https://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/104821161/schools-help-kids-deal-with-emotions-through-new-programme
Cultural identity connection groups:
Practical skills to connect students to their culture (Mau Rakau, Taonga Tākaro, Te Reo, Whakairo, tikanga), mindfulness, patience and resilience. Reflective practices as well as appropriate group communication. Supporting students to address self-esteem, communication, and cultural identity.
Outcomes: ‘Mana resulting from strength of character’ - Improvement of Maori/Pasifika students in making a stronger connection with their culture and community, self-identity, self-responsibility as well as leadership skills.
Building Pasifika fanau- A eight week program suitable for years 3-8 in small groups of up to 8 participants. This program supports with building Pasifika identity, culture, self-esteem, language, migration knowledge, strengths, and values. Pasifika kaimahi will be able to draw from experiences, Pasifika language and cultural activities to support fanau in a relaxed and interactive environment.
Building toa Pasifika teine & tama- A eight week program suitable for years 7-8 in small groups of up to 8 participants. This focuses on identity, culture, self-esteem, strengths, and values, as well as helping them to navigate their dreams, purposes and responsibilities as young, strong, confident Pasifika leaders.
Teine: Designed to increase wellbeing and confidence in our young Pasifika teine, in a world that is surrounded by so much social media influence.
Tama: Designed to increase wellbeing and confidence in our young Pasifika tama. Providing a safe space that encourages and models how to have vulnerable conversations with each other, how to uplift, support one another in their areas of development, struggles and worries.
Parenting groups:
Mana Ake focuses on offering holistic support to the whole whānau.
Building awesome whanau- This course draws on the wisdom or mātauranga māori and offers a Kaupapa that is uniquely Aotearoa. The facilitator will draw on the wisdom and experiences in the group and weave this together with course content to support and encourage attendees to nurture and build their awesome whanau.
Find out more:
https://www.theparentingplace.com/building-awesome-whanau/
| Māori.pdf |
| Farsi_.pdf |
| traditional_Chinese.pdf |
| Tagalog.pdf |
| Tongan.pdf |
| Arabic.pdf |
| Samoan.pdf |