A Christchurch high school is pioneering a new approach to student wellbeing with a nature-inspired space designed to help students regulate and reset.
Christchurch parents Anna and Kent Gibbons founded the Lighthouse Trust following the loss of their 17-year-old son Lucca to his battle with mental health in 2024. In their grief, they sought the kind of support that might help another young person before things become too overwhelming. The answer emerged as Te Whare Rama Pods.
The Gibbons spoke at a full assembly at St Thomas of Canterbury College this morning to announce its opening.
"There are no words for what it is to lose a child and i would not wish it on another mother another father another family," Anna Gibbons said, becoming emotional as she remembered their son.
"The world couldn't give our Lucca a space like this when he needed it the most, so now we are giving it to the world. Our hope is it will help all the other Luccas out there to calm their thoughts and maybe even avoid another family from going through the devastating pain that our family has endured.”
'Helping young people flourish'
New Zealand ranks last of 36 OECD nations for child and youth mental health. Too often, young people's struggles remain hidden until they reach crisis point.
Dr Emma-Jayne Brown, a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury, said that mental health support needs to be woven into everyday settings where young people spend their time, including schools, sports clubs, homes and community spaces.
"The earlier we recognise distress and strengthen connection, belonging, and resilience, the less likely young people are to reach crisis point," Brown said.
The principal of St Thomas of Canterbury College, Steve Hart, said schools are increasingly providing support for young people with a variety of social, emotional and wellbeing needs.
"On top of their grief, they have put the boys at our school above that and young people in the mental health space," he said of the Gibbons.
"The pod means that we can provide timely support, minimise disruption to learning, and ensure students receive the assistance they need. Wellbeing and achievement are not separate goals, they are deeply connected, and the pod strengthens our ability to help young people flourish.”
Former student Arthur Walsh has been trained to teach students how to self-regulate when they enter the pod.
"I'm really excited to just crack on and really help the boys and give back to the school that did so much for me," he said.
Student James Murphy was quick to try out a weighted blanket in the serene cocoon-like space.
"It's a nice, calm place away from all the external noise and just a nice escape from the outside world," he said.
The Lighthouse Trust is embracing the pilot as an opportunity to gather research and refine the model ahead of the goal to expand to schools across New Zealand. The next pod is set to open at Belfast Primary School in Christchurch next year.
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