Student Health & Wellbeing
Our Wellbeing Dog
We are fortunate to have our wellbeing dog, Max, at Pakenham Secondary College. Max is at the College on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be seen around the school both in our classrooms and outside in the yard at various times during the day.
Wellbeing dogs in schools promote overall mental health by providing a calming environment and reduce stress and anxiety.
Please remember to follow the four expectations when Max visits the College.
- We say hello to the person, not to Max.
- We give lots of space when we pass Max.
- We keep moving (we don't stand around and stare).
- Please don't make loud noises around Max.
See the Doctor at PSC
Pakenham Secondary College have been selected to participate in the Victorian Government's Doctors in Secondary Schools (DiSS) program.
The objectives of this initiative are to:
- make primary health care more accessible to students
- assist young people to identify and address any health problems early
- reduce the pressure on working parents
ABOUT THE DiSS PROGRAM
As part of this program, Dr Zaman Bhuiyan, an adolescent-trained GP from the Pakenham Medial Clinic, will be at the College, along with Nurse Cassie, on Wednesdays from 11:30am until 3:30pm during term time. They will provide free access to primary health care for secondary students at our school.
Parents/Carers can support the success of this program by talking to your child about the initiative and encouraging them to access the GP if they need primary health care.
Secure and confidential bookings can be made online at pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au/doctor (by parents/carers or the student). Parents/carers are welcome to attend consultations with the student, if/when required.
WHY IS THIS PROGRAM NEEDED?
We know that teenagers are the least likely of all age groups to seek health care, but we also know that many health problems that can have consequences into adulthood start at this time of life. This program seeks to address this issue.
The program complements existing student wellbeing programs aimed at improving health literacy and encouraging preventive health.
This program is not designed to replace any existing medical arrangements your family may have in place. The GP in the school can provide a convenient alternative to primary care within school hours, and encourage health care access to those students without an existing relationship with a GP.
ABOUT DR ZAMAN BHUIYAN
We are very pleased that Dr Zaman Bhuiyan from the Pakenham Medical Clinic is our designated GP.
Over the past decade, Dr Zaman (MBBS, DTM&H, FRACGP, AMA), has been deeply involved in delivering quality healthcare services to the Casey and Cardinia area communities.
Dr Zaman's clinical interests include "listening to patients - listening is the best healer of many illnesses", Children's Health, Family Medicine, Mental and Sexual Health, Comprehensive Health Checks, Immunisation and Vaccinations and much more.
We are also thrilled that Dr Zaman is accompanied every Wednesday by Nurse Cassie, who many of our students and staff have had the pleasure of seeing previously for immunisations and other medical needs.
MAKE A BOOKING
To make a secure and confidential booking, please visit our website at:
Parenting Program
Tuning in to Teens helps guide parents through a five stage emotional coaching program. This program offers parents an alternative parenting style to help improve communication and emotional awareness.
Throughout the program they will be covering a range of topics, including:
- Improving conversations with your teen
- Helping prevent behavioural challenges through emotional coaching
- Managing adolescent emotions, worries and anxieties
- Encouraging emotional intelligence to help deal with conflict and improve relationships
| Cost | Free |
| Date | Every Thursday 2nd May to 13th June* *No group 16th May |
| Time | 10am until 12:30pm Light refreshments will be served |
| Venue | Uniting 53-55 Webb Street Narre Warren VIC 3805 |
| Get in Touch | Bookings Essential Please call the Group Workers on 5990 8400 to register or email: groupwork.south@vt.uniting.org
|
Support Services
If you feel like you could do with the support of a professional, help is always available.
- MyPlace - Cardinia - 1800 496 884
- Youth Counselling and Support Service - Casey - 9792 7279
- Coronavirus Health Information Line · 1800 020 080 · Call if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- LifeLine - 13 11 14 - Provides counselling, information and referrals for people experiencing a personal crisis. Click here for the link.
- Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 - Provides advice and support for people experiencing depression and anxiety. Click here for the link
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 - Provides free counselling for anyone (15 years+) who is suicidal or affected by suicide.
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - Provides free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling services specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. Click here for the link.
- E-HeadSpace - Provides free online or telephone support with a clinician via an online chat. This service is available for 12–25-year-olds, Click here for the link.
- Reachout - Click here for the link.