Support for Students & Parents - Como Secondary College

The Student Services Manager oversees and coordinates the activities within the Student Services Team. They provide support for the students and families on a social and emotional level and liaise with external agencies where needed. The team offer support to students at educational risk and assist all students with pastoral care or mental health issues. The Student Services Manager works closely with local primary schools to smooth the transition process into secondary school and organises extracurricular activities throughout the year. The Manager is active in the positive behaviour program throughout the school.

The Student Services Manager ensures correct procedure is followed and policy is adhered to.

School Psychologist

Our School Psychologist provides psychological services and evidence-based assessments and interventions in mental health and well-being, behaviour, risk and critical incident management, learning and disability. The psychologist works closely with the school administration, teachers, students and parents. Students may self-refer (via Student Services) or may be referred after consultation with parents

Chaplain

For many students and families, high school life can be difficult and confusing as both students and parents face new challenges. One of the roles of the Chaplain is to encourage and support members of the College community as they come to terms with these challenges. As part of the Student Services team, the Chaplain works together with the Year Coordinators, the Psychologist and the Nurse. One of the key elements of the Chaplain’s role is to be accessible to members of the community to discuss and assist in a broad range of areas, including issues such as bullying and teasing, through to personal, family and relationship issues. Appointments to see the Chaplain can be made discreetly at the Chaplain’s Office.

Youth Worker

The Youth Worker is there for all students, not just students at risk, although the latter are an important focus. The Youth Worker is responsible for planning, organising and carrying out programmes designed to facilitate the personal, social and emotional development of young people between the ages of 11-18 years.

School Nurse

The College Nurse is based on-site in the Health Centre. The role of the College Nurse is different to that of a nurse in a hospital. Here “health” relates to mental and social health as well as physical health. With that in mind, the focus of the School Nurse is health promotion, prevention and early intervention whilst encouraging the students to be responsible for their own health and well-being.

External Support

There are many outside community agencies and support groups available.

Suitable services can be identified through your GP, recommendations or searching the web.

Confidential services are also available via the services below, with many online resources available.

Call 000 in an emergency if you feel someone is at risk of harm OR for mental health emergency assessment, support and referral contact:

Urgent Mental Health Telephone Support Line supports children and young people under 18 years (family who have concerns can call 24 hours a day/7 days a week inclusive of public holidays) – 1800 048 636.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) 18 years + is 24/7 – 1300 552 002 (metro) Peel callers – 1800 676 822 (free call).

RuralLink for Rural and remote areas from 4:30 pm to 8:30 am (Mon to Fri) and 24 hrs (Sat,Sun and public holidays) – 1800 552 002

Find your GP after-hours clinic. Call after hours GP Helpline – 1800 022 222

If you need someone to talk to:

Womens Domestic Violence Helpline

1800 007 339

Beyondblue

1300 224 636

Crisis Care Helpline

9223 1111 Or Country Toll Free 1800 199 008

Headspace

1800 650 890

Kids Helpline

1800 551 800

Lifeline

13 11 14

Men’s Line Australia

1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service

1300 659 467

The Samaritans

135 247 (7AM to 7PM)

Online support can be accessed through the WA Mental Health Commission