COUNSELLING CONNECTIONS

A heartfelt farewell to Dr Omar Khan after six years of care and compassion

After six wonderful years, our beloved boarding school GP, Dr Omar Khan, is stepping away from his role — a role he has performed not as a job, but as a true labour of love. During his time at Saints, Dr Omar has become an integral part of our boarding community, offering not only his extensive medical expertise but also his genuine care, warmth and respect for every student who crossed his path.

Dr Omar brought to our health centre a refreshing and holistic approach to medicine. He reminded us that not every problem could or should be fixed with a pill, teaching students and staff alike the value of balanced, thoughtful healthcare. He always encouraged shared decision-making, empowering students to be active participants in staying healthy. Whether through collaboration with other health professionals or simply taking the time to explain the latest medical advice, Dr Omar showed us what compassionate care truly looks like.

One of his greatest strengths has been his humility and honesty. He was not afraid to admit when he was unsure about something, and that openness deepened the trust we all had in him. It’s a rare quality in any professional and one that has endeared him to students and staff alike.

Over the years, he has cared for many hundreds of our boarding students, always treating them with respect and kindness. His ability to connect, listen and provide comfort during stressful or vulnerable moments has left a lasting impact. Students have often spoken of how comfortable they felt under Dr Omar’s care — a testament to the humanity he brought to his work.

As we bid farewell, we extend our deepest gratitude to Dr Omar for his dedication, compassion and unwavering support. While we will deeply miss his presence, his legacy of care and kindness will continue to inspire our community.

Dr Omar, on behalf of the entire school, thank you for six incredible years. We wish you the very best in your next chapter and hope you carry with you the same warmth and joy you have given to our boarding community. You will always have a special place in the heart of our school.

With heartfelt appreciation from St Augustine’s Health and Wellbeing team, boarding students and extended community.

Supporting a young person's mental health

Sometimes there is a mistaken belief that "they’re on holidays so everything is OK". Yet it is well documented that long holidays can be very stressful for adolescents who can be:

• Isolated from the daily contact with school friends.
• Alone a lot, not only if parents are working.
• Feel some loss of boundaries and expectations by being alone even if they claim to like that.
• Challenged by online activities of gaming or social media that chew up their energies and self-esteem. (See the link below for information about peer abuse. This relates to abuse in primary schools but is also relevant to high schools.) 

• Generally out of routine and the comfortably known.  

Allied to these is holiday time disruption of sleep patterns: staying up later and sleeping in later.

What can parents and carers do in these holidays?

Some simple suggestions include:

1. Help your son plan his days. Don't default to a position of "he’ll work it out for himself". Make sure he increases his physical exercise, his out-of-doors time and his interaction-with-others time.
2. Help him plan social times with friends whom you approve of in activities and at places you trust.
3. Plan extra family activities; the links below might help this planning.
4. Each evening discuss with your son what his day was like.
5. Monitor his mood and energy levels and take action earlier rather than later.
6. Access support services sooner rather than later. See the documents below, Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Services and Digital Mental Health Resources for Adolescents, for some suggestions.

The Positive Choices website also has some excellent resources for supporting your son’s mental health over the holidays.

Possible holiday activities

These suggestions have come from other places, so they are for your attention without the endorsement that we have done them 😉

Family & Kids Activities | Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

From Tropical North Queensland

Top things to do in Cairns with kids

A good family time in Cairns.

Events Listings

From Cairns Safer Streets

Mental health and wellbeing support services

St Augustine’s College is committed to supporting our Saints community. During term all school wellbeing staff, particularly heads of year and homeroom teachers, are available to provide support to you and your child. 

You can also call us, the college counsellors: Br Roger Vallance on 4052 9133 and Ms Marijke Keller on 4052 9134, or email us sac.counsellors@cns.catholic.edu.au.  In addition to our staff, the documents above contain a list of out-of-hours and outside-term-time services for when someone you know or a family member is experiencing mental health, wellbeing or relationship difficulties. A good first step is to consult your family GP.

 We suggest that you print these sheets and put them on the fridge or somewhere equally accessible.