Student Health & Wellbeing

Stay well this Winter

Influenza (flu) can be serious, especially for children.

Choose to protect yourself and your loved ones with an annual flu vaccine. The earlier you and your family get vaccinated, the better your protection heading into winter.

KEEPING OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY WELL

We encourage parents and carers and students to:

wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching your face
cough or sneeze into your elbow
stay home if unwell and consult your GP or Nurse-on-Call as needed
stay up to date with your flu vaccinations.

FLU VACCINATIONS

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Some people are more at risk of severe illness from flu, especially babies and toddlers. They can get a free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

You can book a flu vaccine through your GP or pharmacy, or find a flu vaccine near you.

RSV VACCINATIONS FOR MOTHERS AND BABIES

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common virus that causes colds and ear infections. In babies, it can cause severe illness like bronchiolitis.

The RSV vaccine is available for pregnant women as part of the National Immunisation Program. In Victoria, eligible babies can also get the RSV vaccine until Wednesday 30 September 2026.

You can speak with your GP or midwife about the vaccine.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information about staying well this winter, refer to:

your GP, pharmacist or midwife
the Better Health Channel – Don’t risk the flu campaign, including information about flu and other vaccines. This information is available in different languages
the Better Health Channel – RSV vaccine for mothers and infants
the Raising Children Network – influenza, COVID-19, bronchiolitis and helping your child prepare for vaccination.

Community Mental Health Forum

Doctors at Secondary Schools Program

Pakenham Secondary College is part of the Doctors at Secondary Schools Program. As part of the program, Dr Patrick Halton, a Headspace adolescent-trained GP, will be at the school every Tuesday from 9:30am until 12:30pm, as well as Nurse June, a Headspace adolescent-trained nurse, to provide free access to primary health care for secondary students at our school.

You are welcome to attend consultations with them, if/when required.

Why is it 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.

What will the GP do?

The GP will provide students with the same services as the kind normally provided by GPs in the community, including seeing students about their physical and mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues.

GPs may also make referrals to other health services as required. The GP will bulk bill consultations through Medicare, so there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for this service for your family.

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 schools hours, and encourage health care access to those students without an existing relationship with a GP.

The program is intended to provide better access to primary care for secondary school students. Therefore, parents, carers, guardians and other family members are not able to use this service at this time. All GPs in this program adolescent health training and will understand the health and wellbeing needs of teenagers.

Accessing the GP

The school GP office is located behind the Gym, next to the Log Cabin.

Please click on the below image to book an appointment.

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
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.