Wellbeing
Wellbeing in 2020
I am very excited to be here at Cranbourne East Secondary School as the new Wellbeing Leader. I have come from a background of private counselling and having led wellbeing at a secondary school for the last 12 years. My passion is supporting students to use their strengths in order to reach their potential. Life throws curve balls and it’s a privilege to walk alongside adolescents as they navigate these ups and downs of life.
I am proud to introduce our new team and to detail what support will look like at CESC as we move into this new era.
Nicole is a Social Worker and is our newest wellbeing team member and is looking forward to supporting our year 11, 12’s and VCAL students through their final years of schooling to help them navigate all of the challenges associated with VCE and VCAL. Nicole has worked in the community services field with young people for 3 years upward and particularly enjoys empowering young people to make positive life decisions. Nicole is always up for a chat and her door is always open.
Sam Dzungayira is the wellbeing counsellor for the year 9 and 10 cohort. He has worked in the community services field for over 6 years and has always had a passion for accompanying young people in their journey of discovering themselves and reaching their full potential. He is a firm believer that in creating an environment where the young people can be heard, can be themselves, are free to explore and are supported to dream.
The Year 7 and 8 students are supported by Wellbeing Counsellor Cathy Joseph. She comes to us from having volunteered and worked with young people in the community and a local school. Her passion is to support young people and to empower them from an early age. She looks forward to working with the students and families Cranbourne East Secondary College.
Todd is our enthusiastic and positive Youth Worker. He states proudly that he ‘loves working within the amazing Wellbeing team!’ Todd loves the outdoors and bike riding as well as having fun connecting and building relationships through fun games and challenging activities every day at the school. Todd is also a parent of a 6 year old and a 2 year old. His experience in youth case work and my nature go hand in hand to make every day at school both supported and fun! I run recess and lunchtime activities as well as Sporting Change each week. I work towards bringing opportunities to the college for student to connect to the school, the local community and with their peers,
Anna Syposs is our Secondary School Nurse and has been here at Cranbourne East Secondary College for the last 7 years. She supports the school through the Secondary School Nursing Program, which sees her at the school on Thursdays and Fridays. Anna has been a Registered Nurse for 29 years now, and has undertaken further studies in health areas of Mental Health/Sexual Health, and has had experience in adult and youth mental health clinical and community settings.
As a member of the school’s wellbeing team, her role facilitates health promotion and health education activities within the college such as R U OK Day and other health awareness days. She also support young people individually if they seek assistance about a health issue. Teachers and parents can refer students for assistance and health information and students can also self-refer. Activities for the Adolescent Health Nurse includes; providing individual or class Mental Health, Self Esteem, Relationship and Sexual Health, Drug and Alcohol Education, including Quit Smoking Programs, Health and Hygiene.
We are very fortunate to have such an experienced team of wellbeing professionals at our College. Services available through the student wellbeing team include;
· Individual counselling for students
· Therapeutic groups targeting stress management, anxiety and academic pressure
· Mindfulness meditation
· Consultation with parents regarding any learning, behavioural, social or emotional concerns they have about their child
· Referral to external support services and specialist treatment services
· Positive mental health promotion and liaison with school-wide programs relevant to student wellbeing
· Financial support for families in need.
Marianne McEwen
Wellbeing Leader
Cranbourne East Secondary College