From the Counselling Team
- Strengthening Student Support at St Pius X College
- College Counselling Team
Strengthening Student Support at St Pius X College - “Connectedness through Engagement”
St Pius X College actively promotes and practises the National School’s Mental Health Initiative – ‘BE YOU’ through the implementation of our voluntary Student Support Program – aptly named ‘The Buddies’. Senior students, in Years 11 & 12 volunteer their services after having successfully completed their training in the ‘Peer Support’ program, to individually support and care for a younger student in Year 5, 6 or 7 and agree to mentor this student by meeting regularly with him on a weekly basis to sit down, listen and encourage their younger buddy by providing friendship, care and support.
The Buddies Program, now in its 11th year at the College, has been a huge success, as now, well over 100 students are involved in strengthening connections amongst the student community through the voluntary pastoral care displayed by our senior student body .
Connectedness, engagement and the promotion of positive self-help skills amongst the students are the core skills which are embedded through the implementation of this program. In my opinion, mentoring is a significant protective factor in strengthening student to student relationships across the Year groups, and it provides the opportunity to give our senior students a chance to ‘give back’ voluntarily to the younger students, who in turn will hopefully return the favour when they grow into fine young senior mentors in the years ahead.
As well as the individual, one on one, weekly sessions where the boys meet, the program also includes a ‘team gathering’ once a term for a special morning tea, and additionally a fun activity such as rock climbing, bush walking, kayaking and a beach swim to finish off the year.
The College Counselling team is pleased to provide you with further information on this program and can be contacted through the details listed below.
St Pius X College is proud of this ‘student led’ initiative which seeks to provide positive, caring, fun-filled friendship through its voluntary Pastoral Care Program.
Mr Rick Russo - College Counsellor
College Counselling Team
The College Counselling Team are available to provide confidential emotional and social support and guidance for your son and family. For reference our College Counselling Team contact details are shown below.
Mr Rick Russo
Counsellor (Full time Monday to Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: rrusso@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4359
School Mobile (in case of emergency): 0418 438 325
Ms Joe McCarthy
Psychologist (2 days per week: Tuesday and Thursday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jmccarthy@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4322
Mrs Judy Gill
Psychologist (2 days per week: Wednesday and Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jgill@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4315
The Counselling Team, together with the Learning Support Team, look forward to providing CONFIDENTIAL support to assist your son to build his SELF CONFIDENCE / SELF ESTEEM AND RESILIENCE within a caring, supportive Catholic school community. Please do not hesitate to make contact with any of the above team should the need arise.
Mr Rick Russo - College Counsellor/Chaplaincy Services