Working together to support our students return to onsite learning!

Maffra Secondary College would like to say a big thankyou to Woolworths Maffra for providing our students with delicious Fresh Fruit every Tuesday!

By the donation of this fresh fruit Woolworths is helping our student to make healthier food choices.

Maffra Secondary College Wellbeing Team

Student wellbeing is a professional support service provided to the whole school community. This consists of, but not limited to; one-on-one counselling, working with families, teaching staff, support staff and outside agencies to provide the best possible outcomes for students and staff.

How to access Wellbeing: Students can access Wellbeing by making an appointment with a member of the Wellbeing Team. Staff can refer students who they have concerns for, and parents can call and request an appointment for their young person.

Common problems Wellbeing can support students with:

Anxiety – social, general

Low mood/depression

Stress – related to school, work, family, other

Bullying issues – prevention & intervention

Health related problems – sexual health, nutrition advice

Friendship problems

Difficulties with social skills and interpersonal effectiveness

Behavioural Issues

Other Supports Wellbeing can provide students:

Support and encouragement to engage with extra-curricular activities within the school community.

Support with their involvement in social issues, health promotion and awareness initiatives (e.g., R U OK Day)

Emily Boyle: Wellbeing Leader

My role is to lead the Wellbeing team and be a lead contact for external support services such as our Doctors in schools program, Headspace, Royal Flying Doctors and Youth In-search. I lead School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) and Respectful Relationships alongside the Assistant Principal to embed and strengthen the SWPBS framework and the Respectful Relationships initiative across the College. I provide individual counselling to students and facilitate initiatives and programs aimed at improving student wellbeing and attitudes towards school. I have been a member of the Wellbeing team since 2010 with a short secondment to DET in the Respectful Relationships Liaison Officer role. As a registered teacher and enjoy working with staff to promote health and wellbeing within the classroom.

Available Monday and Tuesday

Megan Kenny: Mental Health Practitioner

My role is to provide individual counselling to students experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress) using evidenced based psychotherapy frameworks (e.g., cognitive behaviour therapy). I also develop and run group therapy programs that promote mental health and adaptive coping strategies for students, and help facilitate preventative approaches within the school to improve the overall wellbeing of the school community. I have been a member of the Wellbeing team since mid 2020. I am a registered psychologist and also work part-time in a private practice psychology clinic in Sale. I enjoy facilitating group therapy sessions, have a particular interest in personality and eating disorders, and working with young people.

Available Monday, Tuesday (AM ONLY) and Wednesday

Karen Tenkate: Student Counsellor

My role is to provide individual counselling to students and provide complex interventions for students and their wellbeing concerns. I develop and implement proactive programs to promote positive wellbeing and to enhance our students’ sense of belonging and connectedness to Maffra Secondary College.

For most of my working life I have had the privilege of championing the next generation from the sideline in a range of different settings, from working with our communities most vulnerable young people through to working with our countries emerging young athletes. It is my belief that every young person be afforded the opportunity to be the best version of themselves, to know their strengths, and strive for their highest potential.”

Available Tuesday – Friday

Gerard Abdoo: Chaplain

Chaplains support the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community. They work closely with wellbeing and allied health staff in schools to support students and their educational outcomes, staff, families and the wider school community.

Gerard facilitates small groups and works with students individually to increase their connection to school and build student's self and social awareness.

Available Monday and Tuesday

We would like to welcome back Rochelle Salerman! Rochelle is a member of the Wellbeing Team and will be available on a Monday and Thursday. If you would like to make an appointment to see Rochelle, please visit the Wellbeing Office at recess or lunch to make an appointment.

External Support Services at MSC

Youth Insearch is accessible to youth aged between 14 – 20 and is young people helping young people to turn their disadvantages into advantages. Youth who are referred have the opportunity to engage in Youth Insearch programs including: foundations workshop, weekly support groups, virtual support groups, weekend workshops, case management, individualized care and a leadership program.

Joseph McKeddie: Royal Flying Doctors Service

Joseph is a registered psychologist who has experience in the assessment and treatment of mild to moderate mental illness across the lifespan. He specialises in the management of depressive and anxiety disorders, using a person-centred approach with his clients. Joseph has also trained in family therapy and enjoys working with adolescents and the family system. Joseph joined RFDS in 2019 as a Senior Clinician, providing clinical and operational support to the Flying Doctor Wellbeing Team. Joseph is passionate about reducing the stigma of mental illness, particularly in rural and remote communities and ensuring that all persons not only have access to mental health support, but are proud to acknowledge their individual journey to improved mental health and wellbeing.

Joseph is available for Telehealth appointments only.

Free counselling is available for students and parents during COVID-19

Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria (RFDS) continues to deliver mental health and wellbeing services to students of Maffra Secondary College as well as their parents. Free and confidential appointments are available over the phone and via video.

RFDS has delivered mental health and wellbeing services in Maffra since March 2019.

“Students and parents have experienced a lot of extra pressures during COVID-19 and RFDS are here to support those feeling stressed, worried or overwhelmed.” says Health Service Manager, Lauren Zappa.

“We have adapted our services in response to this new challenge and are continuing to provide counselling via telephone and video so that appointments can occur from home” Ms Zappa said.

RFDS is encouraging both parents and students to reach out and make an appointment if you are experiencing:

· Low mood, anxiety or depression

· Worry or stress

· Relationship/family difficulties

· Anger

· Grief and loss

· Lack of self-confidence and esteem

· Concerns for a family member of a friend

· Or any other mental health and wellbeing concern

If you are experiencing these feelings or other symptoms, there is support available. In Maffra, our locally based clinicians, Renae Wallis and Alice Irving are available to support you via telephone or video. Face to face appointments with both Renae and Alice will resume after COVID-19.

No GP referral is required to access this service.

To find out more or to make an appointment, contact the Flying Doctor Wellbeing team directly on (03) 8412 0480 or at wellbeing@rfdsvic.com.au .

Renae Wallis: Headspace Enhancing Mental Health in Schools.

This service provides an opportunity for students to talk about their concerns with a headspace clinician, in a safe and confidential setting. The counselling support is designed to increase the availability of mental health support for students, improve mental health outcomes for students and assist students in finding the right support as appropriate.

Renae is at Maffra Secondary College on a Friday

Dr Stuart Anderson and Dr Margret Young: Doctors in Secondary School Program

Our GPs provide students with the same services as those of any GP in the community, including management of physical health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. There are no out-of-pocket expenses for the students or families to see the GP. We have a purpose-built clinic onsite for students to access.

Dr appointments are available on a Monday between 9.30 am - 1.00 pm.

There's a lot of misinformation circulating social media and secondary schools now that regional schools are back onsite. Please consider myths vs facts and where you are hearing information from.

Exciting opportunity for local young people

This is an exciting opportunity for local young people, aged 12-25 to create positive social change in the Wellington Shire. We are seeking a diverse range of young people who have an interest in mental health and local youth issues. We welcome anyone to apply including those with lived experience, disabilities, gender and sexuality diverse, culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

The YAG is a group of young people who meet regularly to talk about youth mental health and wellbeing and come up with new and innovative ways to raise the profile of the services headspace Sale offers. They are involved in a range of things such as co-designing programs and events, representing young people on local issues, and representing headspace at meetings and conferences. There is also the opportunity for young people to take on leadership roles within the YAG.

By getting involved, young people will get the chance to develop a range of new skills and receive free training and development opportunities. They also get the chance to make new friends and connect with likeminded young people. We can provide them with references for future jobs and study.

Attached is a poster advertising the YAG as well as the application form that contains heaps of additional information about the group. Young people can apply by filling out the form and dropping it into the centre or by emailing it back to info@headspacesale.org.au

More information and the application form can also be found on our

website

https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/sale/

Relevant External Resources available in the community

Student Expected Practices/Behaviours