Program Coordinator - Student Services
Brad Woodruff
Denmark Youth Outreach
The Student Service team has established a relationship with Denmark Youth Outreach. Denmark Youth Outreach provides early intervention support to young people to support their emotional and social well-being. Jake Utech, a social worker, will be available, to provide, on a case by case basis:
- Mentoring to enhance relationships with family and others
- Information and advocacy to enhance young people’s health and wellbeing
- Referrals and support to access specialist services
- Support to establish connections to activities and the community
Events in Student Service
Each fortnight, on a Thursday after school, students are invited to Student Services to enjoy food and the company of friends from across all year groups. All events have been very popular. A big thanks to Chris, the School Chaplain for his role in organising many of these events. Thanks also for the support of the kitchen staff in sharing their knowledge and experience in making these events so enjoyable for our students.
Advocacy
As the Student Service Team has been working on a whole school well-being plan, the importance of advocacy has been highlighted.
Advocacy is things we do in supporting and promoting the rights, needs, and well-being of students, families, or specific groups within the school community. It involves speaking up on behalf of individuals or groups to ensure that their concerns, interests, and rights are recognized, respected, and addressed. Advocacy plays a vital role in ensuring our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The College’s Student Leadership group is a prime example of a forum for students to learn advocacy skills.
At the College, we firmly believe that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed and be heard. Advocacy within Student Services and across the College, allows us to champion their needs and aspirations, fostering inclusive and empowering opportunities while at the College. Advocacy positively impacts our students in many ways including:
- Mental Health and Well-being: Advocacy within Student Services emphasizes the importance of mental health and well-being. By promoting awareness, destigmatizing mental health issues, and ensuring access to counselling and support services, we create an environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically.
- Inclusion and Diversity: Advocacy within Student Services encourages an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected. It fosters an atmosphere of acceptance, celebrating differences and promoting unity.
- Educational Opportunities: By advocating for our students, we aim to expand their educational opportunities. This can involve advocating for access to advanced courses, extracurricular activities, career guidance, and college counselling. We want to equip our students with the tools they need to excel beyond the classroom.
- Communication and Collaboration: Advocacy encourages open lines of communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, administrators, and students. By working together, we can address concerns, share insights, and collectively support our student’s academic experience.
- Skill Development - Building advocacy skills in students is an important aspect of their personal and academic development. Effective advocacy begins with strong communication skills. Students are coached to articulate their ideas clearly, listen actively, and engage in respectful dialogue. Self-advocacy and resilience are emphasised. Students are taught how to navigate challenges, setbacks, and obstacles they may encounter while advocating for their causes. We encourage them to persevere, adapt their strategies, and seek support when needed.
Parents’ and guardian involvement is invaluable in driving effective advocacy. It’s advisable to actively engage in discussions, attend parent-teacher meetings, and voice ideas and concerns. By working together, we can make a lasting impact on our students' lives and ensure their voices are heard.
Brad Woodruff
Program Coordinator - Student Services
WACOA - Denmark