HEALTH & 

WELLBEING CENTRE

The College Health and Wellbeing Centre (HWBC) comprises our nurses and counsellor.

Mrs Sacha Donaldson serves as the College’s registered nurse from Monday to Thursday. With 28 years of paediatric nursing experience, Sacha brings a wealth of expertise from her time at the Royal Children’s Hospital Brisbane, the Marist Brothers Ashgrove Health Centre, the Cairns Hospital Paediatric Ward, and, most recently, the Department of Education. Her extensive skills, deep knowledge and genuine care for young people allow her to provide exceptional support for our students’ physical wellbeing.

On Fridays, Mr Blake Patch is the nurse on duty. Blake also has 28 years of clinical nursing experience from major hospitals, including Royal North Shore and Cairns Base Hospital. His background as a school nurse, combined with his warm and approachable manner, makes him a highly valued member of our Health and Wellbeing Centre team.

At St Augustine’s, our nurses play a vital role in supporting student wellbeing. Their primary focus is providing emergency and first-aid care for students experiencing sudden illness or injury during the school day. They also manage the administration of regular medications for both boarding and day students and offer ongoing support for those with chronic or complex medical conditions, including diabetes and epilepsy.

Some beginning-of-the-year reminders from our nurses:

• Families are encouraged to complete any recommended return-to-school health checks.
• Please ensure all medical conditions have current management/action plans on file with the school (e.g. asthma, allergies, anaphylaxis, diabetes).
• Check that vaccinations are up to date in line with Queensland Health recommendations.
• Parents and carers of new students should ensure all health information, consent forms and emergency contacts have been provided.
• As routines resume, encourage healthy habits such as adequate sleep,  nutritious food, regular physical activity and  good hygiene. Staying well hydrated is also particularly important in the Cairns' climate.

Ms Marijke (ma-ray-ka) Keller is our dedicated counsellor. A registered psychologist for 27 years, she has spent 22 of those years in schools. Marijke brings exceptional insight and compassion to her work with young people. She is available every weekday.

Marijke is particularly skilled in adolescent mental health, sports psychology, helping students understand how their brains work, and guiding those navigating emotional highs and lows.

What does a counsellor in a secondary school do?

Our school counsellor plays a vital role within the pastoral care team. She provides a safe, confidential space where students can share concerns, work through challenges and access support without fear of judgement. Importantly, the counsellor is not part of the College’s disciplinary processes.

What issues do school counsellors commonly support?

They work with students across the full spectrum of adolescent experiences, including:

• Friendship and peer challenges.
• Everyday anxieties.
• Adjusting to a larger school.
• Homework or study-related worries.
• Sadness, separation and homesickness (especially for boarders).
• Grief, family separation or community loss.
• Self-worth and confidence.
• Decision-making and identity development.

• Health and wellbeing concerns.

   

How can my son or I arrange a meeting with the counsellor?

To get started, simply:

• Call: 07 4052 9111 and ask to speak with Marijke or your son's head of year.
• Email: mkeller@cns.catholic.edu.au, or

• Send her a TEAMS message.

   

All counselling conversations remain confidential in accordance with the Privacy and Consent form signed by each student.