Pastoral Care
The Bystander Effect
Compassion is one of the fundamental pillars of our ethos and charism here at Brigidine. While we foster an empathetic worldview through our Pastoral Care program, the unfortunate reality is that some of our girls will be faced with, or witness, behaviours that undermine our values. Often in these situations, the victim of this behaviour is powerless; this is when our students are encouraged to embrace our pillar of Courage to report such situations to their Pastoral Care Coordinators. This provides us with the opportunity to provide support to the affected, and intervene in these negative behaviours, per policy. By empowering our students to not only acknowledge treatment they feel ‘isn’t right’, but actively seek assistance to stop it, we can ensure the College remains a safe and nurturing space for all of our students. If you or your daughter have any concerns, or would like support in this space, please do not hesitate to contact your daughter’s Pastoral Care Coordinator or myself, and please encourage your daughter to embrace being a BRAVE Brigidine student, following a pathway of strength and gentleness in standing up for what is just and true.
Access to counselling
At Brigidine we are extremely fortunate to have a full-time counsellor from CatholicCare, Ms Sophia See, available to all of our students. In addition to grief and less support, Sophia also assists students with emotional regulation, and coping skills for anxiety and stress (particularly regarding academics), and can also refer to external services for more long-term and/or specialised support. Please contact your Pastoral Care Coordinator if you would like to arrange access to this invaluable service for your daughter.
External resources
We are extremely fortunate to have a variety of free mental health support services available in the Eastern Suburbs and nationwide:
SafeHaven (02) 9113 2981
- Free drop-in centre at Prince of Wales Randwick. When you visit the SafeHaven you will be greeted by a Peer Worker with their own personal lived experience of suicidal distress. You can choose to chat with their team, have a tea or coffee, join in an activity or sit in a quiet spot and listen to music. They can assist you to find out about other services that meet your immediate or longer-term needs. You choose what is right for you.
- We are available:
Monday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tuesday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- We are available:
Headspace (Bondi Junction)
- Headspace centres are located throughout Australia and provide mental health and well-being support to young people aged to 25 years
- eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, 9:00 am – 1:00 am AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email
- Headspace also provides work and study support
WAYS Youth and Family (Bondi Junction)
- Free counselling and casework support for young people
1800 551 800
- Free 24/7 telephone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25 years
- Online mental health service for young people under the age of 25 years and their parents/carers
Kylie Bordignon-Hock
Director of Pastoral Care