Training

Auckland Welcoming Schools for Students from Refugee Backgrounds Workshops 2026

Refugees as Survivors NZ (RASNZ) would like to invite you to the Welcoming Schools for Students from Refugee Backgrounds Workshop: A trauma-informed, culturally competent approach to education at the RASNZ Community & Youth Services Office, Level 2, 173 Captain Springs Road, Onehunga, Auckland.

Cost: $250 inc GST

Lunch is included

You will learn about:

• Who are refugees?
• The refugee journey and resettlement in New Zealand
• How trauma impacts young people’s brains, body, memory, emotions, relationships, behaviour and capacity to learn
• How to respond to traumatised children and young people
• Activities and strategies that help children and young people heal from the impacts of trauma
• How to improve student’s behavioural and cognitive capacity
• Best practice through exploration of case scenarios
• Services and supports for schools/agencies

Parking

There is free parking in the streets around the RASNZ Community & Youth Services Office, Level 2, 173 Captain Springs Road, Onehunga, Auckland.

Abbi Scheepers, Youth Counsellor

Abbigail Scheepers is a dedicated youth counsellor and mental health professional with over four years of specialised experience supporting young people from refugee backgrounds. Currently serving as a Youth Counsellor for the RASNZ Youth Team, she provides comprehensive one-on-one counselling services across multiple settings including community centres, schools, and universities.

Abbi holds a Degree in Health Science majoring in Counselling and a Post Graduate Diploma in Violence and Trauma Studies. She achieved full membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) in May 2024. Her professional expertise encompasses psychoeducation, group therapy facilitation, and working with interpreters to support refugee and asylum-seeking youth. She has co-designed therapeutic programs specifically tailored for refugee background youth. Prior to her current role, Abbi served as a Youth Counsellor at Genesis Youth Trust. She has demonstrated leadership in program development, having facilitated the Incredible Years Parenting Programme and served as a Group Facilitator and Associate Lecturer at AUT. Abbi’s specialised training includes suicide prevention (Lifekeepers), parenting through separation workshops, and family mentorship programs, positioning her as a well-rounded practitioner in youth mental health and family support services.

Natasha Maswikiti, Clinical Psychologist

Kia ora everyone. My name is Natasha Maswikiti, and I’m a Clinical Psychologist with RASNZ. I have over 10 years of experience working in public health and secondary and tertiary mental health services across Botswana, South Africa, and New Zealand. Over the past 6.5 years in New Zealand, I have worked in community mental health services with adults, as well as in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), supporting children, young people, adults, and their families with a range of mental health needs. During my 2 and half years in CAMHS, I worked closely with schools, SENCOs, RTLBs, guidance counsellors, and other education professionals to support student wellbeing and coordinated care. I now bring this experience into my role at RASNZ, providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive psychological support to refugee-background young people, and families during their resettlement journey. I’m looking forward to working alongside you through the Welcoming Schools programme and sharing insights that support positive outcomes for refugee learners and their whānau.

Ágnes Tobias-Laszlovszky, Child and Adolescent Psychologist

Ágnes Tobias-Laszlovszky is a Registered Counselling Psychologist and trained provider in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), with over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young people across Hungary, Ireland, and New Zealand. Her clinical work has spanned state child welfare systems, disability services, and NGO-led programmes — including work with UNICEF and Serious Fun Children’s Network — with a consistent focus on young people who have experienced trauma. 

Currently working as a Child and Adolescent Psychologist with RASNZ at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre, Ágnes brings specialist expertise in trauma-informed practice to some of the most vulnerable young people in Aotearoa. Ágnes brings both professional expertise and lived understanding to her work with culturally diverse communities. She is passionate about equipping educators with practical, brain-based tools to better recognise and respond to trauma in the classroom. 

Belinda Tia, Youth Services Team Leader

Belinda Tia is a registered social worker and Youth Team Leader at the Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) Youth Service. With over 12 years of experience working alongside children, young people, and whānau, she has developed extensive expertise in youth development, mental health, wellbeing, and trauma-informed practice across community, education, and youth justice settings.

Belinda holds a Bachelor of Social Work and has extensive experience in complex case management, programme development, group facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration.

In her current role, Belinda leads a team supporting young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds as they navigate settlement, education, identity, and wellbeing challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her work focuses on creating safe, culturally responsive environments where young people and their families can build resilience, strengthen connections, and thrive within their new communities.

Passionate about education and advocacy, Belinda enjoys sharing practical insights that help teachers and professionals better understand the refugee journey, recognise the impact of trauma and displacement, and create inclusive learning environments where all students feel a sense of belonging and opportunity.

Welcoming Schools Training Videos 2023

RASNZ Welcoming Schools and Tertiary Organisations for Students from Refugee Backgrounds online videos 2023

Thank you to the universities, schools and resettlement agencies who participated in this training

Working with English Language Learners from Refugee Backgrounds 

Thank you to all ESOL Teachers who participated in this Training

Working with learners from refugee backgrounds for the Tertiary Education Sector

Thank you to all Tertiary Education Teachers who participated in this Training