Counselling

Studying the HSC can be a stressful time for students.  There are important decisions to be made about future study or working options and the stress of exams to deal with.

Coffs Harbour Senior College has a dedicated Careers & Counselling Team available to support students through these important years of schooling.  Located above the Cafeteria in F Block, the Careers & Counselling Service is available to any student who needs guidance, support or just someone to talk to about how they are coping with the demands of the HSC and what they might do after completing school.

School Counselling Service

Student Welfare – School counsellors, teachers, year advisers, the careers adviser, the principal and senior teachers are available to assist students and their families. All work to create safe, caring schools, free from violence and discrimination. All can help you or your child in different ways.

School counsellors are experienced teachers who have a degree in psychology (most are registered psychologists) and post-graduate qualifications in school counselling. They work with students of all ages, and their families, from pre-school to Year 12.

School Counsellors work with students, parents or carers and teacher in a variety of ways. Their work includes:

• counselling students
• assisting parents or carers to make informed decisions about their child’s education
• supporting families
• assessing students’ learning and behaviour
• assisting schools to identify and address disabilities that affect students’ learning
• liaising with other agencies concerned with the well-being of students.

Students may refer themselves to the school counsellor or may seek an interview at the suggestion of a teacher, a parent or carer, or a friend. A student’s reasons for seeing a school counsellor may include worrying about college work, conflict with friends, being in trouble at the college, anxiety about the future or just feeling “down”.

Parents or carers may seek advice from school counsellors about their child’s college progress, educational options, including access to special education services, behaviour and for information about help available from other agencies.

Except when students refer themselves to the school counsellor, parents or carers will be involved from the outset. Their consent is required before any psychological testing is undertaken.

Whether working with students, parents or carers, or teachers, school counsellors will explain how they work, listen carefully to what is said, help clarify options and encourage informed decision-making.

Confidentiality – school counselling is a confidential service. Confidentiality will be maintained unless legal requirements, eg child protection legislation, override it. Confidentiality will not be maintained where someone may suffer serious harm from information being withheld. Safety is paramount.

Additionally, school counsellors are members of schools’ student welfare and learning support teams. From time to time, with the agreement of parents or carers and the student, school counsellors will pass on to teachers, information that will assist the teacher to better meet the needs of the student at the college.

Referral– school counsellors are not at the college every day. It is necessary for parents or carers to make an appointment by telephoning the Counselling Unit on campus on 6659 3263. Students can organise an appointment by talking to someone at Counselling & Support Service in Block F on campus (F.1.1).

Counselling staff available to college students– Robyn Avery (District Guidance Officer) and Leone Ryan. Other counselling staff can be arranged where appropriate.

Chaplaincy

Coffs Harbour Senior College Chaplains contribute to the spiritual well being of students and staff. They encourage the discussion and study of religious questions – dealing with a wider spiritual context, respecting the range of religious views and working to improve religious and cultural tolerance. They provide religious and personal advice, comfort and support especially at times of grief, trauma and crisis.