We know that students succeed when they feel safe and supported. Our wellbeing approach focuses on nurturing the whole child — socially, emotionally, and academically — so every student can grow with confidence.
Whether students are settling into a new country, learning a new language, navigating friendships, or preparing for exams, our team works closely with students, families, and staff to offer a range of support to meet their individual needs.
Counselling Services
ISZL Counsellors offer personalised support through individual sessions, small groups, and whole-class activities. We help students navigate topics such as friendship skills, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and life transitions. Our dedicated counselling team also partners with families, providing guidance and resources to help parents and guardians support their child’s wellbeing.
Our approach is proactive, collaborative, and focused on solutions, always considering the developmental needs of each student.
Our counsellors help with
- Building positive, inclusive communities
- Supporting transitions for students and families
- Developing skills for independence
- Running parent workshops
- Supporting with social and emotional development
- Supporting students in crisis
- Leading workshops on personal, social, and health topics
Nursing Services
ISZL has qualified nurses on-call throughout the day, offering care and promoting health education. The nurses:
- Assess and treat illness and injury, and refer to doctors or hospitals when needed
- Offer health education and counselling to students and families
- Connect students with outside medical services as needed
- Provide medication to students during the day, as directed by families or doctors
- Keep health records and maintain Individual Health and Care Plans (IPCs)
- Track immunisation status
- Ensure students with special health needs are supported and teachers are informed
- Collaborate with teachers and counsellors to coordinate services for students
Therapy Dog
In August 2024, we welcomed Nikau, a calm and gentle Labrador Retriever, to our Zug Campus as our official school therapy dog. The idea came from our Grade 5 students during their 2023–24 Exhibition of Learning, where they proposed the concept to School Leadership. After thoughtful discussion and overwhelming support from our community, Nikau became part of ISZL life.
Nikau is no ordinary dog. He began his career in New Zealand as a trained guide dog and has been working full-time in a primary school setting since 2019. His friendly, steady nature and professional background make him an ideal companion for students and staff alike.
Why a Therapy Dog?
Positive Benefits
There is growing research on the positive impact of therapy dogs in schools, and our own experience supports this. Benefits include:
- Creating a calming presence, particularly for students experiencing anxiety or stress
- Supporting students with learning or behavioural needs
- Encouraging participation from quieter or more withdrawn children
- Building empathy, confidence, and a sense of responsibility
- Providing emotional support during challenging times
- Supporting literacy and language development by motivating reading and communication
- Helping students who are fearful of dogs learn to manage and overcome that fear in a safe, supported environment
Nikau’s Role at School
Nikau the therapy dog, spends most of his day in the Primary Principal’s office, where he has a secure and quiet space to rest. Students are able to visit him at set times under supervision. He is available to work with any student who may benefit from his presence, including those facing emotional challenges, experiencing grief, or simply in need of a moment of calm.
He also supports students and adults who may be anxious around dogs. With time and care, Nikau helps build trust and confidence in these individuals, always at their own pace.
Caring for Nikau
Nikau is legally owned and cared for by our Primary School Principal, Melissa Bland, who adopted him in 2018. Mel brings years of experience in therapy dog work, including training and running outreach programmes in New Zealand where dogs visited schools, hospitals, and aged care facilities. She has also completed canine temperament assessment training and worked with Outreach Therapy Pets in Auckland.
