The newly established Tereora College Student Support Centre enhances student wellbeing by providing essential resources and services, ultimately aiming to improve attendance and academic focus.

The Student Support Centre at Tereora College, established last year, is playing a vital role in promoting student health and wellbeing across the school. Thanks to generous contributions from CITC Supermarket and the Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI) Cook Islands women’s support centre, students now have access to snack packs, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies and first aid essentials.

Tereora College counsellor and centre manager Mark Henderson said the centre’s services help students attend school consistently and stay focused in class.

“We want to ensure students have what they need to be present and ready to learn,” Henderson said.

The centre also hosts visiting professionals from the Cook Islands Family Welfare Association (CIFWA) and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health, and operates an on-site Sick Bay and First Aid station.

Two key support programmes – Snack Packs and Feminine Hygiene – have been developed with assistance from CITC and their suppliers.

“CITC have always been a generous sponsor in the community, and we reached out to them to see if they could support the programme and the students. We appreciate them agreeing to setup a pilot programme,” Henderson said.

Students can distribute snack pack vouchers to students who may need an energy boost, and female students can discreetly access hygiene products from the centre or from any of the new First Aid stations around the college.

He also acknowledged with gratitude the kind donation from the Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI).

Sharon Kareroa, project coordinator for PTI, said they were pleased to be involved in the project.

“We’re happy these resources – including first aid kits, cleaning supplies, and bins – are helping create a comfortable, safe space for students,” Kareroa said.

Henderson also shared a guiding Cook Islands proverb: “Mei te poe pārau ta’au ‘anau. Me tiaki meitaki koe, ka mekameka kite ao nei – Your children are like pearls. When you care for them, they shine to the world,” attributed to Teina Lily Napa, 1968.

“We are grateful and appreciative of those in the community who are supporting the wellbeing of young people, and who understand that young people who are cared for and are healthy, are most likely to learn and succeed – and shine,” Henderson said.