Kia ora whānau,
My name is Emma Northway, and I am the Youth Health Nurse at Rutherford College, part of the Health New Zealand school-based health service. My role is to provide youth-focused health care to support the well-being of all students at Rutherford College.
We are pleased to offer a comprehensive Health Check/Assessment for year 9 students, which includes a physical health assessment and a well-being survey called YouthChat. This service is free, confidential, and delivered on-site at school, aiming to provide a safe and accessible way for your rangatahi (young person) to discuss their health needs and concerns.
This initiative is part of a nationwide program funded by the government to enhance the health and well-being of young people across New Zealand.
All information collected during the health check, and any subsequent follow-up, will be kept strictly confidential, unless there are concerns for the safety of the young person or others. In such cases, we may need to involve other services and whānau/family members.
For more information https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/clinical-guidance/specific-life-stage-health-information/youth-health/school-based-health-services/
If you do not wish for your child to participate, you may opt out by contacting the school nurse directly within two weeks of the date of this communication. If we do not hear from you by then, your child will be offered a health assessment.
Emma Northway
Youth Health Nurse
