Pastoral Care & Well-Being
We are here to support you and your family
The College has a wonderful Pastoral Care Team available to our students and we continually strive to provide a range of support services to care for and support our students and their families.
During this time of transition, as students return to school from their time of offsite learning, we would like to offer support to parents and carers with any concerns you may have. We would encourage you to make contact with your child's class teacher or Home Group Teacher initially, however you may also wish to make contact with our Student Welfare Officer, Chantal Mortimer.
The role of the Student Welfare Officer is to provide support, assessment and advice in relation to student well-being, across the College from Prep–Year 12. This also includes working alongside other support staff to provide pastoral care and support for staff, parents and carers of the College Community. Teachers and other staff members may also refer a student for additional support due to escalating or significant concerns.
It should be clarified that the role of the Student Welfare Officer is not as a ‘school counsellor’ and that as a College, we are unable to provide ongoing counselling support.
The Student Welfare Officer may provide support to students over a designated period of time, however, if a student requires ongoing and extensive support, the Student Welfare Officer will liaise with external agencies for further assistance as necessary.
If you wish to make an appointment with our Student Welfare Officer you can book online for a suitable day and time. You can also contact Chantal via email if you would prefer to arrange a time to speak over the phone.
Please regularly check the College Website and Parent Portal for further information to assist with coping strategies and well-being tips particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Useful links
Government and Health information and updates; support and information articles and advice:
Emerging from COVID-19 Restrictions
- Caring for your family's emotional and mental health as restrictions ease
- Re-setting friendships: What Parents Need to Know About the Return Back to School
- I'm not ready to go back to normal: Videos and articles to reassure young people that it's okay to not feel okay
Counselling Support
- Beyond Blue Support Service
- Beyond Blue - Looking After Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak
- Kids Helpline
- Lifeline Support Service
- NQ Connect - Free Online & Phone Counselling & Support Services for North Queensland Families
- Queensland Government Mental Well-being Support
Communicating with Children About the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Child Mind Institute - Talking to Kids About The Coronavirus
- Coping with Challenges with Coronavirus (video for children aged 4 - 11 years)
- Parentline - Supporting Children Through the Coronavirus
- Talking to Kids About Scary Stuff (video)
Parent & Carer Resources
- Black Dog Institute - Coronavirus: Anxiety, Stress & Wellbeing
- Department of Health - Mental health and COVID-19
- eSafety - Key Issues with COVID-19
- eSafety Commissioner - COVID-19: An Online Safety Kit for Parents and Carers
- Federal Government Launches Coronavirus Australia app and WhatsApp feature
- Headspace - How to Cope With Stress Related to Coronavirus
- Mindspot - 10 Psychological Tips for Coping With Coronavirus
- My Child is Struggling Because Everything is Cancelled
- Parent Expert, Maggie Dent - Calming Anxiety & Fear in Children
- Queensland Health - Activities for a stronger mental wellbeing
- Queensland Health - Sign up for regular wellbeing tips
- Queensland Health - How to look after your mental wellbeing in a crisis
- Seasons of Growth Program - Self-Care & Wellbeing: During Times of Uncertainty
- World Health Organisation - Helping Children Cope With Stress During COVID-19
Wheel of Well-being - ideas, actions and activities designed to keep you happy and well during difficult times