We honestly cannot remember the last time we saw this kind of expertise together in one powerhouse of a panel! Let alone here in Selwyn!

It gives us huge pleasure to host this showcase event as part of Selwyn Parenting Week. We have brought together a multi disciplined team of professionals to connect and share their knowledge experience and advice on many of the tough issues that parents, caregivers and families face with strong willed, independent adolescents and teens finding their way into adulthood.

Our panel will discuss the challenges we face as parents, caregivers, mentors, and family influencers, including the tough topics such as Drugs, Alcohol, Anger, Risky Behaviours and so much more.

Expect this evening to raise some hot parenting topics. The evening will begin with short introductions from our Panelist along with the sharing of topical slides / examples . We will then open the evening to the floor in a “Question Time” format to allow our audience to raise their questions and get the panel to address theses challenges faced by so many. Our aim is to empower you with interventions that can potentially help you, and provide a framework around what actions you can take as a Parent.

There are times when our authority as a parent / caregiver / adult just doesn’t feel like it’s enough. There are times when we may question “what do I do next” ?

We love them undoubtedly, but if your adolescent or teenagers behaviour has escalated to the point of physical abuse, assault, destruction of property… or they are engaging in risky or dangerous behaviour then getting the right help and some early intervention is critical.

About our panel members:

Bruce Ward: Youth Aid Officer, Selwyn. Big-hearted Bruce Ward knows he is making a difference in the lives of youth who have had a rough start; a troubled journey or who are challenging the boundaries as they navigate their way into adulthood.

A police Senior Constable, Bruce has spent the last 13+ years working as a Youth Aid Officer and has also been a volunteer with Blue Light for almost two decades, organising events for young people who have been abused or who are troubled by domestic violence.

Karen Campbell: Founder, Child Behaviour Service. Karen is passionate about providing effective support to parents, teachers and professionals to facilitate positive behaviour change in children and young people.

With familiarity with Autism, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, ODD, Sensory Issues, Developmental Delay and many other traits that can bring about some behaviour challenges, Karen’s methods are well researched. Her many family clients benefit from her extensive experience and specific training in the area of child behaviour change, including post-graduate papers in Applied Behaviour Analysis and a Master of Education degree that includes study in the area of child psychology and counselling.

Catherine Gallagher: Registered Clinical Psychologist, MNZCCP, MA(Hons) Catherine is a clinical psychologist who has worked over the last 20 years in both the public and private sectors. Although she has worked across different age groups, her particular focus has been children and young people. She is currently the Clinical Practice Manager at START (a community based agency that supports children, youth and adults who have experienced sexual harm) alongside a private practice where she offers individual and family therapy with people of all ages, community education, and supervision. We are delighted to welcome her back to Selwyn following her hugely popular “Anxiety in Teens & Tweens” presentation to Selwyn parents just last year.

Steve Hart: Principal, St.Thomas of Canterbury. Many may know Steve from his roles at St.Thomas of Canterbury including being their Principal for the past 4 years. He also has boys (and one daughter) and is passionate about boys’ education and sport…”for me it is all about character and ensuring that we do our best in turning boys into the right type of man.”

St Thomas of Canterbury College is a state : integrated single sex secondary (year 7-15) boys school located in Sockburn. However around 50% of those attending St.Thomas’ are from Selwyn. The decile 8 school serves Years 7 to 15 (age 10 to 20) , and has 670 students as of 2022.

Senior Constable Tony Beaumont: Selwyn Family Intervention Team. Tony has been with the Police for over 22 years, undertaking a wide range of duties within. He spent 14 years as rural officer in Darfield, and the past two years as a Family Harm specialist in Selwyn. We’re part of the New Zealand Government’s commitment to reducing family violence – our Family Harm approach aims to drive down the significant harm experienced by families in New Zealand.

For Tony, Family Harm encapsulates a broader, more holistic view of the issues occurring within a family. “When Police attend a Family Harm Investigation they do so with “eyes wide open”, which means working to understand the wider dynamics of family harm, the patterns of harm and the adverse circumstances in which they occur.”

This free event is proudly brought to you by Selwyn Parenting Network Inc. as part of our pilot initiative: Selwyn Parenting Week 2022. It is made possible through partnership with our funding providers: The Rātā Foundation, Lotteries, COGS and Selwyn District Council.

Offering this free event within our community is something we are immensely proud of. There is absolutely no expectation but any donation you may wish to make to our registered charity: Selwyn Parenting Network Inc (CC48577) would be hugely welcomed on the night and very much appreciated- we will have a donation box available. All donations made to Selwyn Parenting Network Inc. are used towards our ongoing charitable work to help empower parents, caregivers and families here in Selwyn.

Your ticket provides free entry to this event as part of Selwyn Parenting Week. All we ask is if you are unable to attend for any reason, please let us know so that we can release your ticket to someone else.

We will be operating under the current Government COVID Orange Alert Guidelines - for all up to date information please visit: https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/life-at-orange

As this is an organised community event the wearing of masks is not compulsory. We kindly do ask that if you are feeling unwell that you stay at home, but please release your ticket to provide those on any waiting list with the opportunity to attend.