COUNSELLING CONNECTIONS

Welcome, Ms Marijke Keller

Hi, my name is Marijke (mar-ay-ka), the new part-time Counsellor at Saints. I am a registered psychologist and have been working in primary and high schools for the past 18 years. I spent 10 years at St Margaret-Mary’s College in Townsville, and in Cairns at Edge Hill State School and most recently, St Augustine’s School in Mossman.

I am a born and bred Cairns local and since moving back eight years ago, I’ve rediscovered my sense of home and belonging. This has reinforced to me the importance of supporting students in feeling like they belong to their school community and how I can build on their experience and walk beside them. I use a student’s "village" when working with them and have a passion for helping them understand their brain and how it can be more helpful.

When not at Saints, I can be found riding the mountain bike tracks of Cairns and surrounds, trying to keep up with my teenage son and husband.

I’m looking forward to immersing myself in all aspects of Saints life and getting to know you all. 

Contacting a College Counsellor

We will do our best to respond in a timely manner to every request for a college counsellor. We have a shared email so that each of us, Ms Keller and Br Roger, can respond to urgent matters sac.counsellor@cns.catholic.edu.au . Our individual contacts are below:

Ms Keller       mkeller@cns.catholic.edu.au        07 4052 9136 (Monday, Thursday &

                                                                                                                      Friday)

Br Roger        brroger@cns.catholic.edu.au        07 4052 9135 (Monday to Friday)

Parents are also welcome to make direct contact via email or phone, or request their son’s head of year or head of residence to make a referral to a college counsellor. Of course, boys are encouraged to self refer and can email, phone or drop in to meet with and request an appointment. Each referral will be addressed promptly with regard to urgency, availability, preference of counsellor expressed and counsellors’ own professional expertise and familiarity of practice.

Thank You Mr Miller

A recent, short internship by Mr Jesse Miller, a student of JCU, has ended. Mr Miller has spent time observing how counselling happens here at Saints. We wish him well in his further studies and thank him for his contributions during his time with us.

Impact of Cancer

Every year, another 23,000 young people have their world turned upside down by cancer, whether it’s a close family member’s   diagnosis or their own. These young people are up to six times more likely to face mental health issues like depression and anxiety than their peers. Watch Canteen’s National Community Educator, Shae Chester, discuss the impact of cancer on families and what health professionals can do to help.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

There are many cancer support organisations providing great services – including Canteen, Camp Quality and Redkite. So, it can be hard for families to navigate that complexity. When a family is dealing with the turmoil of cancer, finding support shouldn’t be yet another challenge on the list.

That’s why three organisations: Canteen, Camp Quality, and Redkite are working in partnership to deliver Cancer Hub, where families only need to make one phone call to access the different practical and emotional support services they might need.

The driving force behind Cancer Hub is our shared vision that all Australian families affected by cancer should get the right support quickly and easily – and as close to home as possible.

More than 90,000 Australians will be supported by Cancer Hub across the next two years through cancer navigation, counselling services and peer connection.

A wonderful series of resources is available online, and I have ordered hard copies of these which should arrive within the fortnight. 

If you are concerned about someone dealing with cancer or would like to contact Canteen, I can facilitate that with some further contacts, so please email me brroger@cns.catholic.edu.au  or phone 07 4052 9135.