Wellbeing

A Positive Start

By Anne Way Email this article

The College Psychologists extend a warm welcome to all families for the 2017 school year, particularly those who are new to the Mercedes College community this year.

We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Niamh O’Brien following her year’s leave. Niamh will be working predominantly with our Junior School students and staff two days each week initially and Anne Way will be continuing to work across the College on a fulltime basis. Our primary role is to provide confidential counselling support to students, liaise with parents and teachers and assist with external referrals where appropriate.

The foundations for wellbeing are laid in the development of positive relationships between staff, students and families, and these relationships are essential when concerns about student progress arise. We strongly encourage parents to initially raise relevant information with the Class or Home Group Teacher which may impact upon the academic progress, health and wellbeing of students such as changed family circumstances, student or family health issues, or emerging mental health concerns. Sensitive or personal matters may be directed to us.

We also encourage parents to provide Josi Labozzetta, Inclusive Education Co-ordinator with copies of Psychological and other professional assessment reports, which can better inform how we support student learning. Please be assured that this information is managed in a sensitive and confidential way, with respect for student and family privacy.

Given the size of our community and the diversity of needs, our priority focus will be on the provision of time-limited individual, confidential student counselling determined on a needs-basis. Older students may self-refer for this support and where indicated, parental consent will be obtained for support for younger students. Where more intensive support may be required we will assist families with accessing external providers.

Please be assured that counselling contact is managed in a sensitive and confidential way. Written records of contact with students are maintained for professional use and are kept in secure files. We work to ensure that students understand the confidential nature of the counselling relationship and the circumstances under which information must be shared with parents and relevant others.

This year we would like to use the Family Matters column to provide information to parents about a range of resources, programmes and services that can support the challenging role of parent. If there are particular topics or services that would be helpful to know more about, please feel free to send through an e-mail with your suggestion. To initiate this information flow, we refer your attention to the Peach Lifestyle Programme flyer attached to this edition of the Mercy Vine and the guided back to school Smiling Mind mediations available on this widely used app.

Anne Way   
Director of Wellbeing
College Psychologist (R - 12)

Niamh O’Brien
College Psychologist (R - 5)