Sunbury Downs Secondary College is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of students by providing a safe, respectful and caring environment.

We acknowledge the relationship between the physical and emotional wellbeing of students and their academic success in school and way of life.

The SDC Student Services Wellbeing Team’s focus is on supporting students to develop their social, emotional and physical health. The team provides individualised support, as well as assistance through college events and programs with a wellbeing focus. Students at SDC are able to grow as people and be supported in their holistic development through the support from Students Services Wellbeing Team members.

The Student Services Wellbeing Team utilise the Trauma Informed Care Practice (TICP) approach to student wellbeing. TICP is a strengths-based framework that is responsive to the impact of trauma, emphasising physical, psychological, and emotional safety for the students. We offer personal, holistic, supportive and therapeutic responses to student needs using this approach.  

WHO WE ARE:

Nick Livingston
Student Services Leader

Nick supports the Student Services Wellbeing and Learning Support Teams, and works to promote school wide wellbeing initiatives, including working closely with students, families and carers. The Student Services Leader works one on one with students as well as supporting community connections with outside services and agencies. The Student Services Leader works with School Leadership to maintain wellbeing support and access for students requiring a range of supports.

Nicky Gallus & Rob Nansen
School Chaplains

Nicky and Rob support students with individual needs and provides engagement support within the school and wider community. The Chaplains are also available to families for wider support and works closely with the Student Services Leader and the Student Services Wellbeing Team.

Chiara Arena
Youth Worker

Chiara provides engagement support through one on one work with students. The Youth Worker facilitates and supports programs that promote inclusion and engagement with the school. They also participate in co-curricular activities to build positive relationships with students.

Tamsyn Wymer
School Nurse

The School Nurse is appointed to the school through the Department of Education. Michelle attends the College two days a week and provides support to the school with health promotion initiatives, programs and activities. Michelle works closely with community agencies facilitating their engagement and participation in the college with their ongoing support of students.

Psychologist Services

The visiting Psychologist service provides specific support to students through one on one counselling. Students are able to access the Psychologist through direct referrals from Student Services Team. The student requires a Mental Health Care Plan and can access the psychologist through the Medicare rebate system at no cost to families.

Dr Alison Bailey (GP)

Louise Beer (Nurse)

Gabriele Cornish (Nurse)
Macedon Ranges Health Clinic – GP Clinic

The Macedon Ranges Health Clinic (MRHC) has partnered with Sunbury Downs College to provide Doctor’s Clinic services to students. The MRHC – GP Clinic Team specialise in adolescent health development and have extensive experience working with young people. The MRHC - GP Clinic Team provide holistic health and advice to students with a range of concerns. The MRHC - GP Clinic attends the College once a month on designated days, and provides support with health concerns and students can also create a ‘Mental Health Care Plan’ through this service which allows students to access psychology services through our visiting psychologist, Lauren Ryan or an external agency. Students can access medical services as part of this appointment service, students are encouraged to book through Student Services Wellbeing Team.

Website: https://www.mrh.org.au/

HOW WE CAN HELP

Life can sometimes be tough, especially if you have been sick or have personal or family problems. Sometimes personal issues can make it difficult for you to study and to get on with life. Having someone to listen can help lighten the load or ease the situation. Health and wellbeing are important for learning and developing and creating strong, supportive relationships. Schools provide a safe and inclusive environment for students to engage in their studies and learn what normal and desirable behaviour is.

The Student Services Wellbeing Team can work with you and support you with your concerns. We can also help resolve issues you may be having personally with friends, family or teachers/subjects. We can also refer you and connect you with other organisations and services specific to your needs.

There are a range of issues young people are faced with and can vary from social issues, family separation or loss, study or organisational difficulties, child abuse and mental health issues. By collaborating with local community services and agencies, the Student Services Wellbeing Team has developed an excellent network of local services for referral options for young people if necessary.

All services provided by Student Services Wellbeing staff are voluntary, i.e. students can choose whether they wish to attend our service and have the choice to withdraw from a service at any time.

Referral Process

Students can access Student Services Wellbeing Team support at school by making an appointment for themselves or through a referral from a staff member, friend or their family. They can also request support directly from any member of SDC staff, who can then make a referral.

Referral forms are available at Student Services Wellbeing Office, the Front Office and the Student Management Office and referrals need to be completed and returned to Student Services Wellbeing Team Office or through a scanned copy via email.

WELLBEING programs & EVENTS

• Tabletop Table Tennis
• Canine Comprehension
• African Drumming
• Girls Group – Go Girls
• Breakfast Club
• Mindfulness
• Mandala Rock Painting
• Teen Mental Health First Aid (Year 9 and 10 students)
• Peer Support / Mentoring
• RUOK Day
• IDAHOBIT Day
• A.R.T.Y.
• Headspace Parent Adolescent Mental Health

SERVICES & AGENCIES

• Breakthru
• Careworks
• Enrich
• Hume Youth Centre
• Macedon Ranges Health Clinic
• HeadSpace
• Navigator
• Reconnect
• ReGen
• School Funded Youth Service
• Sunbury Community Health Centre
• Youth Projects
• headspace Schools
• School Support Services
• Encounter Church

STUDENT Confidentiality & CONSENT

Student Services Wellbeing Team support is free and confidential which means anything you talk with us about will not be discussed with anyone without your permission. Should you be in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, your carer / guardian and the College Principal must be informed for your own safety, due to legal requirements. This will be done with your knowledge where possible, as we are here to support you.

Students accessing Student Services Wellbeing Team support will need to complete a consent form to provide permission to access Student Services support as well as potentially being referred to other services. Where possible, and with the student’s knowledge, parents / guardians are engaged in this process and informed of the students desire to receive support. There are circumstances where informing the family may put the student at risk and we use our professional judgment when making a decision to inform families of the student accessing our service.

We work hard to support our students and we recognise that families are one of the key supports for many young people. We always seek the permission of students and encourage them to discuss their concerns with their families, although some students find this extremely difficult. In the best interests of the student, it is not always possible for the Student Services Wellbeing Team to inform parents of the student accessing our services even though the student may consent to this.

FEEDBACK

We welcome feedback about the Student Services Wellbeing Team and the quality of our service. If you wish to provide relevant feedback you are encouraged to contact us directly with your concerns or alternatively the relevant Year Level Coordinator or the College Principal can be contacted to discuss your concerns.

Other services and supports

If students need counselling or support outside of school, there are a range of services offered throughout Sunbury and the Hume region, they include:

Sunbury Youth Centre: Phone – (03) 9744 2602

Sunbury Community Health Centre: Phone – (03) 9744 4455

Hume Youth Counselling Service: Phone – (03) 9205 2200

Headspace: Phone – (03) 9027 0100

Local GP: A local GP can be consulted for a mental health referral and mental health support.