Student Well-Being

Welcome Sue Chapman

Sue grew up in country South Australia and studied secondary teaching at Underdale CAE. Sue began her teaching career in country Victoria in 1989, teaching at both Ouyen and Mt Beauty Secondary Colleges. After living in Victoria for 14 years, Sue and her family then returned to Adelaide. Sue has been married to Craig for 32 years and they have 3 adult children and one granddaughter.

 Sue began working as a Home Economics teacher at Murraylands Christian College at Strathalbyn (now Tyndale) in 2003 before teaching at Southern Vales Christian College at Morphett Vale. Whilst teaching in Adelaide, Sue returned to study and completed a Graduate Diploma in Social Science (Counselling Studies) at the University of SA in 2007/08 and a Grad Certificate in Counselling from Tabor University in 2009. She then worked for 7 ½ years at Emmaus Christian College as the Student Wellbeing Coordinator.

Sue is passionate about Social and Emotional Learning for young people and she is committed to working with others across the school to facilitate student wellbeing within school. Sue and Craig have recently begun worshipping at Coast and Vines Church in Willunga and in her spare time she likes to read, quilt and heads to the beach in summer when she can.

Jan Lonsdale

Director of Counselling

Anxiety - and how we can help

Anxiety is a normal response to something dangerous or stressful. Everyone feels some anxiety at different times in life. It’s the way our body tries to keep us out of dangerous situations and motivates us to solve problems. However, it becomes a problem when it gets in the way of everyday life.

If you’re worried about how anxiety is affecting your life and would like to talk about ways to manage it, or you think that someone you care about is struggling, you are welcome to get in touch with the Wellbeing Team.  We are happy to speak with students or their parents/caregivers about concerns, share resources and provide information about other support options. 

One resource which might be of interest is The BRAVE program. https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/   The BRAVE program is an online self-help program that contains both resources and information for children, teenagers and their parents. It is designed specifically to help young people with anxiety overcome their worries and improve the quality of their lives. There are different programs for three age groups: a newly released version for young children (age 3-7), children (age 8-12), teenagers (age 12-17). 

The BRAVE program was developed to help young people and their parents develop skills and coping strategies so worries and anxiety don’t stop them from doing the things they want or need to do.

The BRAVE program is an free online program that you can work through at your own speed in the privacy of your own home. Parents may also take part in the program on their own or with their child. 

There are interactive activities on:

• anxious body signs and relaxation
• activating helpful thoughts
• victory over your fears
• finding solutions to your problems
• rewarding yourself
• preparing for the future.

Further information about anxiety and strategies to manage can be found at:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/health-daily-care/mental-health/anxiety-in-children

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/anxiety

https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/understand-what's-going-on/anxiety

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/what-is-anxiety-and-the-effects-on-mental-health/

Warm regards,

Sue Chapman, Elona Koop and Graeme Klix

(Wellbeing Team)