To make an appointment with Support Staff:
- Phone the school on 4637 1371 and choose Option 2 (Student Centre).
- Book in-person at the Student Centre
- The Student Centre also manages:
- First Aid and Sick Bay
- Student Medication
- Late and Leave Passes
- Lost Property
- Payments (School Accounts)
Guidance Officers
Diana Ruhle (Years 7 - 9) Dirk Martil (Years 10 - 12)
Our Guidance officers are specialist teachers who deliver a broad range of services to school community members. They contribute to the development of a comprehensive student support and wellbeing program that is responsive to the needs of the school community. Guidance officers may work directly with students in addition to working with a student's teachers, school support personnel, family, other specialists or external support providers.
Support offered by our guidance officers includes providing advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues. Psychoeducational assessments and career development also form an important part of the work guidance officers undertake to enhance positive educational outcomes and career pathways for all students.
Additionally, our Guidance officers provide leadership, support and case management in responding to some of the most complex and challenging of circumstances including student protection matters, critical incidents, mental health issues, and suicide prevention and postvention support.
Email Diana Ruhle
Email Dirk Martil
Head of Diverse Learning
Jen Durand
Email Jen Durand
School-based Youth Health Nurse
Sharon Drews
Our Youth Health Nurse is available to speak to about health and well-being.
• General Health – nutrition, physical activity, sleep, self-care, medical conditions
• Mental and Emotional Health – feeling sad, worried, anxious or angry
• Relationships - difficulties with family members, friends or peers
• Risk taking behaviours – smoking, alcohol, and drug use, harming behaviours, harm reduction
• Sexual Health – infections, contraception, pregnancy
• Personal problems - anything can impact upon a young person's health, which can in turn impact upon learning.
Our School Based Youth Health Nurse is available Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays.
Confidentiality
Young people have a right to confidentiality when accessing health services. As a health service provider, the Youth Health Nurse respects this but there are some things which the nurse must refer or act upon. Please discuss what can be expected regarding confidentiality with the Youth Health Nurse.
Email Sharon Drews
Industry Placement Officer
Jane Horchner
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
• Promote Vocational Education
• Promote school-based traineeships and apprenticeships as a career pathway for students
• Manage school-based traineeships and apprenticeships
• Work with Training Organisations and students to deliver training for courses.
• Work with employers and industry for opportunities for students
• Assist students to develop the induction and work readiness for work and work experience
• TAFE – promote courses, enrol students, manage students in their courses and their attendance at TAFE
• Manage QATSIF scholarship funding for Indigenous Students
• Verify USI numbers onto the One School System and help gain USI for students
Email Jane Horchner
Youth Support Coordinator
Andrea Sullivan
Supports retention of young people who have disengaged or are at risk of disengaging. Refer at-risk students to appropriate agencies and support services that will assist in overcoming barriers to education and training. Provide individual support, case management, family and transition support.
Email Andrea Sullivan
Student Wellbeing Social Worker
Bec Ropiha
- provide therapeutic interventions and support for students with mild to moderate mental health presentations.
- Support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing for students, with a focus on facilitating successful learning outcomes through the relief of distress, removal of barriers, and the development of safe and inclusive schools and communities.
- Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed lens, complete biopsychosocial assessments with students to understand the factors that may be impacting on their social and emotional wellbeing and engagement with schooling and develop tailored therapeutic treatment plans to address areas of concern and foster new narratives and growth.
- Work with families and carers of students to understand student needs and strengthen home-school partnerships.
- Facilitate communication between families, carers, teachers, support staff, internal and external agencies to ensure cohesive care.
- School staff identify need for support and referrals into the student wellbeing social work service are completed by deputy principals and/or guidance officers. Parents and or guardians will be contacted to seek informed consent. However, if a student is considered a mature minor, assessment can be undertaken to obtain informed consent directly from the student.