Wellbeing
Our People – Aitken’s Student Wellbeing Team
Whilst definitions of student wellbeing are multifaceted and diverse, the research and literature focusing on wellbeing in schools portray a universal message: student wellbeing is integral for learning, engagement, achievement and positive long-term life outcomes. Aitken College recognises the importance of student wellbeing and has established a multidisciplinary team through which students in both the primary and secondary schools can access short-term counselling and support. Students who require more intensive and ongoing intervention are supported by the Wellbeing Team to identify appropriate external professionals and services.
Aitken’s Student Wellbeing Team has recently welcomed a number of new members, making it an opportune time to properly introduce the team to the school community.
Elisha Baera,
Counsellor
What inspired you to want to support young people within a school context?
In high school, I went through my own mental health issues and would never have made it through without my School Counsellor. I figured that if I could have even half the impact they had on me, I would love my job and be so content.
What did you study?
I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Master of Counselling at Swinburne University.
What is important to you when working with young people?
Because of my own experiences with mental health practitioners, I prioritise making young people feel safe and comfortable. Building rapport before anything else and placing an emphasis on “connection before correction” always stuck with me. I adore learning about young people’s interests and highlighting their personal strengths.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’m a book nerd and I enjoy reading psychology and counselling textbooks, as well as mystery or horror/thriller novels. I also enjoy going for nature walks with my doggo, Chico the Kelpie.
Maria Moscatelli,
Counsellor
What inspired you to want to work in the area of wellbeing?
The acute awareness that every human experiences challenges in everyday life. I’m inspired by the possibility of being and/or making the difference for another human, in whatever given environment. I have to listen and be present for them, without judgement.
What did you study?
I’ve studied in the areas of Counselling, Pastoral Care, Early Education and Care, Community and Care, and Chaplaincy. I love learning and always remain a student myself.
What is important to you when working with young people?
I am passionate about providing an opportunity for students to disclose personal impressions and their experiences in a safe space. I facilitate communication skills to assist the student to identify areas of concern and current need. I prioritise areas of immediate and longer-term action and discuss workable strategies to address their priority areas. If required, I involve parents and education staff for a better understanding of the next steps.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I love going for beach walks with friends, but also walk alone, in a state of gratefulness to our Creator, while observing nature and the world I live in. I like reading faith building material. I often spend my spare time praying with and for people.
Paul Scott-Williams,
Counsellor
What inspired you to become a counsellor?
After working with so many amazing humans in music and the arts, and watching them transform, about 12 years ago I followed up on a long-held interest in learning about how people think and respond. I wanted to learn about how the kind of changes I was seeing were happening and try to understand them better.
What did you study?
I did a Master of Counselling at Monash University and loved every single part of it! I was so anxious about going back to university after so many years, so when I got a High Distinction for my first assignment I actually cried with relief!
What is important to you when working with young people?
First and foremost, I want to help my clients help themselves. It’s not about me coming in with all the solutions. I like to take clients on a bit of a personal exploration, kind of like a mental bush walk, learn along the way, talk about the bugs and creatures we meet, and see where we end up.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I have an awesome e-bike and I ride it regularly during the warmer months. I’ve also become a real runner and walker, which I wish I had started in my 30s! I regularly walk or run up to 40 kilometres a week.
Natalie Abdilla
Student Youth Worker
(completing a Youth Work Industry Placement at Aitken College during Term 4)
What inspired you to become a youth worker?
I was inspired to become a youth worker as I love to help young people navigate their way through the challenge that is adolescence. Youth work also allows me to work with people from many diverse backgrounds, allowing me to meet and interact with amazing people from all over the world.
What did you study?
I’m currently studying my Bachelor of Youth Work and Criminal Justice at Victoria University.
What is important to you when working with young people?
My main approach is a strengths-based approach, really just understanding and acknowledging that every young person has strengths and positives that can help them thrive into the future. I also like to focus on the skill of helping young people recognise their emotions and then giving them the knowledge and skills to manage their emotions in a beneficial way.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my free time I have quite a few hobbies, which include yoga, baking and cooking (absolutely anything). I just love to cook and I also love spending time with my dogs, Ruby and Stella.
Ms Natalia Smith
Director of Wellbeing/Psychologist
What inspired you to want to support young people within a school context?
From a young age I knew I wanted to help others. At first I thought that I would work with adults, but during the course of my work as a Disability Employment Services Consultant I noticed that I was connecting with younger adult clients. Given this experience, when I had to a decide on a second placement for my Master of Social Work course, I requested to undertake my next practicum within a school setting. I was then given the opportunity to work in an alternative setting, which catered predominantly to neurodivergent students who had disengaged from the mainstream schools they had previously attended. Working with these young people, and seeing what they could achieve in an environment that was better suited to their needs, brought me so much joy, and it made me realise that working with children and adolescents was what would make my life rich and meaningful.
What did you study?
I completed a Bachelor Science (Honours), Master of Social Work and Master of Educational Psychology at the University of Melbourne. I was at university for 8 years!
What is important to you when working with young people?
For me it is incredibly important to have unconditional positive regard for the young people I work with as without this it is not possible to establish a relationship in which there is trust or a feeling of safety and security. A major change factor when working with clients is not the type of therapy that is used, but the relationship that the client has with their therapist. What’s more, when possible, I try to work with a young person’s parents or guardians as family inclusive practices tend to contribute to better outcomes.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love being outdoors, whether it’s gardening at home, going for a walk with my three dogs or attempting an adventurous hike. My friends often comment that I am “always” doing activities. I really do enjoy getting out of the house and trying new things. Travelling and exploring different cultures is also something I value.