Wellness Programmes at Waterford Kamhlaba

The Wellness Programmes at Waterford Kamhlaba seeks to empower students to make healthy choices through educational activities, strong relationships with adults and ultimately appealing young adult to think and discuss before they act.

How to Get Help?

Tutors: All students are assigned tutors, who work as the first official point of contact for them. The tutor aims to find a balance between supporting and challenging students.

Tutors get to know students as individuals, establishing a rapport with them which encourages them to seek help and support where needed. In addition, tutors are responsible for any disciplinary action required. Tutor groups meet weekly, in timetabled slots.

The Residence Staff: The staff who work in residence in the school are there to offer support to the students. There is always at least one staff member on duty to assist with anything, and the Heads and Deputy Heads of residence are a crucial part of student life at Waterford for boarders. Residential life can be challenging, and we encourage students to communicate with staff if they are feeling unwell or unhappy and need some support.

The School Nurse: The school nurse, Nomvula Mavuso, is the first point of call for any physical healthcare related concern. As a registered healthcare professional, the nurse is able to provide basic primary health care, including psychiatric care, and make decisions regarding any necessary referrals. In addition to the daily service that is offered on campus by Sister Nomvula Mavuso, a doctor visits campus once a week and bookings can be made to see her. Various doctors at the Mbabane Clinic are available to see students at other times. All bookings and queries for medical assistance must be made through Sister Nomvula.

The School Counsellor: The school counsellor, Carla Cabrita, is a trained professional, who is well-equipped to provide individual and group therapy sessions across all school years. Her focus is on optimising functioning in terms of human development, and in areas of learning. She is committed to providing support for students both in terms of their emotional and educational lives.

The Peer Supporters: This is a specially selected team of IB1 students. These students are selected to provide support of their fellow students from midway through their IB1 year, to midway through their IB2 year. These students are allocated an age group (except for a few students who are allocated all the day students, regardless of age) which will fall under their care. This care is proactive (in the form of weekly meetings with their groups, where games/activities/workshops may be offered) and responsive, where they provide a safe place should any of their allocated students wish to have some face-time.

Safeguarding: Waterford Kamhlaba has a comprehensive Safeguarding programme to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students. The school is committed to providing students and staff with a safe, productive and supportive school environment. Members of the community are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity. Furthermore the school has noted the 2018 amendments to the eSwatini Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Act and is committed to compliance with the law. To underscore this, the school has recently reviewed and amended its Safeguarding policy which is published on the College website. From the start of 2019 we have introduced training for all employed at the College, which will be repeated on an annual basis. The policy includes a number of other measures including safe staff recruitment to ensure the safety of all, especially our students. There is also a “Safeguarding Report Form” available for any wishing to report a breach of the policy.

The Deputy Principal: pastoral is the College Safeguarding Officer and can be contacted at safeguarding@waterford.sz. We also have a Deputy Safeguarding Officer, Lisa Simelane, and her email address is safeguardingdeputy@waterford.sz. Any current or former community members may raise any concerns related to their own experience here at the College with the Deputy Principal: pastoral or Lisa Simelane. In terms of the law in Eswatini any such concerns are to be reported to the authorities. The College is committed to assisting anyone who wishes to make such a report. Furthermore, if you'd rather your name not be mentioned to the school, you can use the reporting channels provided by UWC International: www.uwc.org/safeguarding-reporting