STUDENT WELLBEING
Georgie McIlvenny
Social Worker/Student Wellbeing
Coordinator (SWC), Team Leader
Tina Doyle
Social Worker/Student Wellbeing
Trish Guy
Mental Health Practitioner (MHP)
Bridgette Van Der Zee
Student Wellbeing Assistant
Krizza Salugsugan
Student Wellbeing
Student Wellbeing Services
The Student Wellbeing Hub is in "A" Block next to the Junior Sub School Office. The Student Wellbeing Team provides initial support and referrals to external services for students and their families. As well as individual support for students, the team offers lunch time activities, small group work and participates in whole school events. Student Wellbeing facilitate several different external professionals who come onsite and can also support students who may need to have an OT/Speech Pathologist/Psychologist appointment at school.
Additionally, we have Catholic Care Youth Refugee Case Manager Nestor Estampa who is based in the SW Hub on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Nestor supports EAL students with pathways and facilitates the CALD Women’s Group, in partnership with Student Wellbeing.
Sammy-Jo Spencer is our Secondary School Nurse and is based in Student Wellbeing on Thursdays and Fridays. Sammy-Jo’s role is predominantly focused on health promotion and support across various aspects of school. Sammy-Jo is also available to see students who may have health related questions. Students can contact Student Wellbeing or drop down to the Wellbeing Hub on these days.
Students can self-refer to Student Wellbeing as needed. Parents/Carers can contact Student Wellbeing by calling the Main Office on 5240 5800.
Doctors in Secondary Schools
The Doctors in Secondary Schools (DiSS) program is still operating at NGSC each Thursday. Students can see the nurse or doctor for a wide range of reasons and referrals can be made online https://bch.org.au/contact/youth-referral/ or by contacting one of the Student Wellbeing Coordinators. Parents/carers can also contact Student Wellbeing for enquiries.
How to support a young person with diverse sexuality
Please scan the QR code or visit:
https://goshare.realtimehealth.com/b1hN1kxL9H7ieLHBBKV7rNxJCvowrenQ4MQtNrqj
This health content is brought to you by Doctors in Secondary School (DiSS).
For further discussions about this topic, or to make an appointment please contact the DiSS GP and Nurse at your school.
Student Wellbeing upcoming events in Term 3:
During Term 3 at NGSC the Student Wellbeing team will be working alongside our student leaders and some of our partnering community service agencies to run lunchtime activities for the following whole school events:
- The National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence: is being acknowledged at NGSC on Fri 16th August. This year’s theme is “Everybody Belongs” meaning we all have a role in preventing bullying and are encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected.
- Wear it Purple Day: to be celebrated at NGSC on Wed 28th August. The theme for 2024 is "Your Passion, Your Pride" and is all about encouraging our LGBTIQA+ youth to express their true selves to the world and chase their dreams.
- R U OK Day: will be celebrated at NGSC on Thurs 12th September. This year’s theme is “Ask R U OK? Any Day” and encourages us all to start conversations about mental health, not just on R U OK Day, but every day.
How to help a young person experiencing bullying
Please scan the QR code above or visit:
https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/bullying/
How to reduce stress and prepare for exams
To help reduce stress and ensure that you're as organised as you can be, learn more about planning and looking after yourself and about staying focused in order to be as ready for the exam as you can be.
Please scan the QR code above or visit How To Prepare for Exams and Reduce Stress | headspace
This health content is brought to you by Doctors in Secondary School (DiSS).
For further discussions about this topic, or to make an appointment please contact the DiSS GP and Nurse at your school.
Understanding adolescence – for families
Young people undergo many different changes as they go through adolescence and increasingly take on adult roles and responsibilities.
This health content is brought to you by Doctors in Secondary School (DiSS).
For further discussions about this topic, or to make an appointment please contact the DiSS GP and Nurse at your school.
The Geelong Project
The Geelong Project (TGP) is a program ran by Barwon Child Youth and Family (BCYF) that is focused on early intervention and supporting young people to remain engaged in education. NGSC are supported by youth workers who come in multiple days across the week. Referrals to the Geelong Project are provided through the SW Team.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is supported by volunteers and is held in B Wing each morning from 8:00 am. All students are welcome to attend for a social breakfast with their friends. There is no cost involved.
Lunchtime Activities
Lunch time groups offer a variety of activities for students, free of charge. Please check the Student Wellbeing noticeboard and Compass for what is on each day. Students are invited to make suggestions for lunch time activities that they would like. Lunch time groups are a great opportunity to build peer connections and have positive experiences at school. These groups are facilitated by a member of the Student Wellbeing Team or teaching staff.
Some of these groups include Dungeons & Dragons, Anime Club, Mindfulness, Arts/Crafts, Jewellery Making, Karaoke, Cultural Appreciation Club and Chess Club. We also have an art lunch time group on Fridays and an LGBTQIA Support Group each Tuesday at lunchtime. Students can see a member of the Wellbeing Team if they have any questions.
Financial Support
Second-hand School Supplies
All families are encouraged to contact Second-hand School Supplies. They have used uniform items and textbooks at reasonable prices.
Stock changes frequently so if they do not have what you need check with them again as it may have come in. Address: 9 Star Street, Geelong
Uniform Support
Student Wellbeing provides uniform support through the State Schools Relief program. Please contact the team if you need assistance or students can come down to Wellbeing and see a staff member.
Food Assistance
The Student Wellbeing Team can be contacted if you need urgent food assistance or to talk about other support options.
Good Shepherd No Interest Loans
No Interest Loans (NILs) for individuals and families on low incomes allows access to safe, fair and affordable credit. Loans are available for essential goods and services such as fridges, washing machines, car repairs and medical procedures for up to $1,500. Repayments are set at an affordable amount over 12 to 18 months.
NILs is offered by 170 local community organisations in over 600 locations across Australia. Chances are there will be a local NILS provider near you or one who can help over the phone. For more information, please go to https://goodshep.org.au/services/nils/
Some local NILS providers:
Salvation Army - Corio & Northern Suburbs Community Support Service
92 Cox Road, Corio
Vinnies NILS Geelong
(St Vincent De Paul Society)
Pakington Street, Geelong West
Uniting Care
272 Torquay Road, Grovedale
03 4210 1108
Accessing Centrelink
Accessing Centrelink can be difficult. Below are a couple of links that will help.
The first link is to information about Youth Allowance for students:
The links below provides information for those who have been affected by Covid-19:https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19
Centrelink can be very difficult for people to navigate, particularly if English is not your first language. Students who would like to access the Centrelink Interpreter Service can call 131 202 and will need to state their preferred language twice. They will then be transferred to an interpreter who will assist them with their inquiry. This service can also provide students with their CRN (customer reference number) over the phone which will enable them to apply for payments.
This service is available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Key Support Contacts
Youth Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Family Violence: 1800 015 188
Lifeline: 13 11 14
13Yarnsafe: 13 92 76
eHeadspace: headspace.org.au/eheadspace
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub (North Geelong)
Address: 12-14 Thompson Road North Geelong Website: https://www.ermha.org/wellbeinghub/Contact: 0498 566 674
A free service that offers one-on-one and group support for people in the community and to build strengths within themselves. Areas include:
- connection to the community
- the benefits of healthy routines and choices
- developing skills to cope with uncertainty and change
- explore alternatives to substance use
- practical support for changes in employment
- general mental health and wellbeing
- linkage to local services, and a whole lot of self-care
NGSC Website
We invite you to visit the Student Health and Wellbeing webpage, on the NGSC Website, to look around and explore its contents. Go to https://ngsc.vic.edu.au, from the main menu select 'About' and then select 'Student Health and Wellbeing'.
Information within the Student Health and Wellbeing portal outlines services we provide here at NGSC to support student Health and Wellbeing. There are also 'Resource Rooms', for parents and students. Within these rooms, there is a host of links to relevant websites, supportive services, and popular free Apps to try.
The NGSC Student Health and Wellbeing webpage includes Barwon Health's 24/7 support line for young people and families. This triage service is for mental health crises and can be accessed by calling 1300 094 187. The Barwon Health Triage Team is equipped to deal with emergencies and to facilitate referrals to appropriate services for ongoing support.
Of course, our site also lists online supports, phone numbers and recommended apps to further support students and families during times of difficulty.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS
FUND (CSEF)
School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are a part of a healthy curriculum.
CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
The annual CSEF amount per student is:
- $150 for primary school students
- $250 for secondary school students
HOW TO APPLY
New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the website below.
If you applied for CSEF at your child's school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
- new student enrolments: your child has started or changed schools this year.
- changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.
Check with the school office if you are unsure.
Financial Support - Uniting Barwon
Uniting Barwon are keen to assist eligible NGSC families with their child/children’s 2024 education costs and are awaiting your call.
If you are a Health Care Card holder and would like assistance, please contact:
Uniting Barwon
Ph: 4210 1100
Call between 9:30am - 11:45am Monday to Friday to book an appointment.
If you do not hold a Health Care Card but require assistance, please contact the Student Wellbeing team on Ph: 5240 5800