Q and A
Mrs Ainsley Harmsen - Senior School Psychologist
1. What's your favourite part of your role at the College
I feel incredibly privileged to be able to talk with students one-on-one and hear their stories. We all have things happen in our lives that are beyond our control, and sometimes those things can make us feel stressed, worried or sad. The young people I meet with are courageous and mature, and them simply making the decision to talk about things with a trained adult tells me that they are stronger than they realise. I feel so grateful to be able to walk alongside them for a short while until they can make this realisation. Everyone has a story to tell and it is my genuine honour when students trust me enough to share theirs with me.
2. Do you have a favourite de-stress activity and what activities would you recommend to others?
My favourite de-stress activity has always been exercise-related and, whilst I used to be hard core in my younger days playing netball and training super hard for triathlons, over time I have learned to be more gentle with myself and that punishing myself is not a realistic expectation any more. However, I have also learned just how important it is to have a number of self-care or de-stress ‘go-to’ activities because your number one preference isn’t always available. I found this out many years ago when I got sick and wasn’t able to exercise at all for a lengthy period. When my stress levels got really high, I had to look into other ways to de-stress and it opened me up to a whole new understanding of self-care. I tried meditation, mindfulness and gratitude journalling, which seemed to have cumulative benefits. I also love baking, spending time with my children, binging on a new favourite Netflix series, treating myself to a warm bath with candles and, most importantly of all, playing music in the house as much as possible! Music for me is so uplifting and I love so many different types of music, but always upbeat. My main recommendation for de-stressing is just to have a variety of options and never stop experimenting, because you may be surprised at something you may have assumed would be a waste of time has now made it to your top 10 list of de-stressors! Be open and curious, and you will discover your own formula over time.
3. What's one thing you wish students knew about you?
I think the colour we wear affects our mood, so I always try to wear a bright coloured top for that reason, especially during winter when everyone around me is wearing grey or black, which can be a bit depressing. Colour makes me happy.
4. What four words would you use to describe yourself?
Kind, authentic, positive and quietly competitive.
5. What do you think the most beautiful thing in nature is and why?
Sometimes in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is just behind the clouds and you can see the silver lining of the clouds and the golden beams of light coming down to earth. That to me is the most beautiful sight in nature as it reminds me that God is always close by.
6. What's your favourite joke?
Q: Why did the toilet paper roll down the hill?
A: To get to the bottom
7. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Without doubt, my children. They have brought the most joy and meaning into my life. Ever.
Mrs Sue Wilson - Senior School Psychologist
1. What's your favourite part of your role at the College?
The very tip of the iceberg of the favourite part of my role at the College is when I am listening to a student and offering my support, and there is a shift in their thinking that allows them to see what they need to do that will help their situation. It is like a light bulb turns on, an “aha moment”, and I get such a good feeling. You don’t get any better job satisfaction than that!
2. Do you have a favourite de-stress activity and what activities would you recommend to others?
My favourite de-stress activity is to grab my earphones, choose some music that either lifts my mood or sometimes even matches it, and go for a walk with my dog along the river. My dog’s excitement to leave the front gate, music surrounding me as a I walk, and noticing the beauty around me is enough to lift my spirits.
Music is such a powerful tool and I recommend this to others. Whether it be Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” or Destiny’s Child “Survivor” or The Greatest Showman “This is Me”, I will turn up the volume, sing with passion and the stress sinks away.
3. What's one thing you wish students knew about you?
Well not about me personally, but I wish students knew that seeing a psychologist or counsellor is not something to feel embarrassed about or to feel any shame. My role is to be impartial, non-judgemental and to have a student’s best interests at heart whilst assisting them to problem solve the issue they are concerned about. What’s so weird about that?
4. What do you do for fun in your free time?
I am currently teaching myself the piano. Something that I learned in primary school and have completely forgotten. I began this challenge during the school holidays and isolation period, and am enjoying my slow but gradual progress. So I think there are many in my household who are tired of hearing “Ode to Joy” repeated…and repeated.
5. If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
To notice and accept life’s successes as well as its challenges. These experiences offer learning opportunities, even if they are very difficult at the time. I think I would tell myself, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. When I look back, I realise that some of these experiences shaped me into who I am today and therefore in many ways I am very grateful for them.
6. If you could have any superpower what would it be?
To fly. I used to have a lot of dreams about flying. If I flapped my arms hard enough, I was able to get away from things that were trying to get at me or be able to rescue people and soar through the air watching everyone below. Any dream interpreters out there? 😉
7. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
My family. A group of people that I am very proud of, support each other like an AFL team when times are tough and most importantly make me laugh!
Interviewed by Gabrielle Ho (Year 10) and Ruthie Ong (Year 8) respectively