She has managed to find the mental will to turn the adversity of being diagnosed with a life-threatening and aggressive form of breast cancer into an inspirational life lesson for her pupils.
When she was diagnosed in March this year, Miss Bell said it would have been easy to curl up in a ball and shut the world out.
But instead, she decided to be a positive role model and share details of her illness, treatment and emotions with her pupils.
''I've been very open with the girls because they may experience it in later life, and I want to give them the tools to deal with it.
''I definitely want to be a good role model.''
While it was ''the diagnosis no-one wants to get'', she said she was coming to terms with the illness.
She has already had surgery and will today begin 18 weeks of chemotherapy, which will be followed by radiation therapy.
She is expected to make a full recovery and she hopes to return to full-time work in October. St Hilda's Collegiate student council chairwoman Annabelle Palmer (17) said in light of what was happening to Miss Bell, members of the student council had decided to show their support by running several pink ribbon events at school.
Yesterday, council members packaged pink hair ribbons which they hoped to sell to pupils, staff and members of the public this week, to raise funds for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
''We thought it was a very relevant initiative because of what's happening to Miss Bell,'' Annabelle said.
''I'm also quite passionate about it because in 2008, my mum had it as well. Mum is a survivor.
''I've seen first hand what the support of family and friends meant to my mum and how it helped her recovery.
''We wanted to do the same for Miss Bell.''
Miss Bell said she felt humbled by the support.
''I've had such tremendous support from the school. A lot of people came to me and told me about their experiences, which has been really reassuring.
''I feel like each girl here has done something in their own way, and I feel really humbled by the care the girls have shown - their willingness to go out of their way to look after me.
''I feel relatively lucky.
''There are some good things about cancer. It gives you gratitude for all the good things you take for granted in life.''
