Wellbeing
Wellbeing at Foster Secondary College
The Wellbeing team, in conjunction with all FSC staff, provide health and wellbeing support to all students.
Wellbeing support includes:
- Communication and collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and principal class to support positive outcomes
- Short term counselling support
- Risk assessment to determine if additional support is required – including safety plans.
- Referrals to community support services, such as mental health professionals, family services and allied health services
- Incident reporting
Anna Stefani
Wellbeing Coordinator (WBC)
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and every second Thurs
Emma Hughes
Secondary School Nurse (SSN)
Wed and Thurs
Sandra Challis
Mental Health Practitioner
Monday
The Wellbeing Team at Foster Secondary College, in conjunction with Year Level Coordinators and school staff, provides health and wellbeing support to all students.
Wellbeing support includes:
- Individual wellbeing and emotional support
- A safe and confidential space for students to discuss personal, social, and educational concerns
- Mental health support through accredited Mental Health Practitioners
- Health and wellbeing support from the Secondary School Nurse
- Guidance and support for students and families
- Referrals to local and regional support services, including Youth Assist Clinic, Headspace, and allied health services
- Collaboration with parents, teachers, and external support agencies to promote positive student outcomes
- Advice and consultation from the Department of Education Regional Student Support Services
Help Lines
Lifeline
13 11 14
Kids HelpLine
1800 55 1800
A free private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25
Suicide CallBack Service
1300 659 467
A free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Beyond Blue
1300 224 636
A free telephone and online counselling service is open 24/7.
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
A free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Online Chat
24/7 crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services
Year Level Coordinators
Richard Johnston
Year 7 Coordinator/Junior Coordinator
Lauren Redpath
Year 8 Coordinator
Callum Sherriff
Year 9 Coordinator
Georgia Wake
Year 10 Coordinator
Kit Rotthier
VCE Coordinator/Senior Coordinator
Transition & Inclusion Team
Details Coming Soon.
Youth Access Clinic
Wellbeing Coordinator (WBC) - Anna Stefani
Anna manages daily matters and referrals to support services. This position works closely
with year level leaders to ensure students are managing their health, wellbeing and
education. Students are encouraged to visit for any matters relating to their personal life or
education.
Secondary School Nurse (SSN) - Emma Hughes
Emma implements the health promotion plan, spending time in classes and working in small
groups educating students about social, emotional, or physical health topics. The Respectful relationship program being a priority area to prevent family violence at a wider level and improve emotional intelligence at an individual level. The SSN Program aims to reduce risk to young people and promote better health in the wider community. Learn more here. Emma works Wednesday and Thursday every week.
Mental Health Practitioner - Sandra Challis
Sandra visits Foster Secondary College every Monday and is available to support students
1:1 with any struggles or challenges that they may be experiencing, including senior school
time management, social health and anxiety. MHPs provide early intervention and timelimited supports for students with mild to moderate mental health needs, including direct
counselling and mental health promotion for students and schools. Learn more here.
The Student Wellbeing Team works closely with Year Level Coordinators and other key staff to support students and families to manage social health, mental health and educational difficulties. The team refers appropriately to local and regional agencies to address student needs including the expertise of the local South Gippsland Hospital Youth Assist Clinic where students can directly access a doctor and HeadSpace workers.
The full time Wellbeing Co-Ordinator position provides continuity to the school community with a safe, private space for students to check in and problem solve matters that arise. Carli Gibson is an experienced professional able to guide students and families in approaches that support health and education.
The Secondary School Nurse role in Emma Hughes contributes to supporting Victoria’s education system by reducing the impact of health and wellbeing challenges experienced by students that potentially influence their learning outcome. The program aims to reduce risk-taking behaviours by working with individual students and in a group education setting.
The Mental Health practitioners in schools program allows for an accredited Mental Health Nurse, Sandra Challis, to be on site weekly to work clinically with students one to one to support and manage emotional and mental health needs.
The FSC Wellbeing team is supported by the Department of Education Regional Student Support Services Officer who liaise regularly with the WB team to provide secondary consultation and advice on student wellbeing.
The Student Wellbeing Team works closely with Year Level Coordinators and other key staff to support students and families to manage social health, mental health and educational difficulties. The team refers appropriately to local and regional agencies to address student needs including the expertise of the local South Gippsland Hospital Youth Assist Clinic where students can directly access a doctor and HeadSpace workers.
The Wellbeing Co-Ordinator position provides continuity to the school community with a safe, private space for students to check in and problem solve matters that arise. This role is able to guide students and families in approaches that support health and education.
The Secondary School Nurse role contributes to supporting Victoria’s education system by reducing the impact of health and wellbeing challenges experienced by students that potentially influence their learning outcome. The program aims to reduce risk-taking behaviours by working with individual students and in a group education setting.
The Mental Health practitioners in schools program allows for an accredited Mental Health Nurse, to be on site weekly to work clinically with students one to one to support and manage emotional and mental health needs.
The FSC Wellbeing team is supported by the Department of Education Regional Student Support Services Officer who liaise regularly with the WB team to provide secondary consultation and advice on student wellbeing.
Is it important that young people feel connected, protected and free to pursue their path in life, including their education in a formal learning environment, such as Foster Secondary College (FSC).
School is but one part of their life, however a significant part of their week.
Wellbeing Staff
In 2021 the key Wellbeing team staff available to FSC students to assist with health and wellbeing needs will be Carli Gibson(Wellbeing Coordinator) , who will work Monday to Friday and Anna Stefani (Secondary School Nurse/ Well being assistant), who will be working Monday to Wednesday each week.
Students can schedule time with Anna or Carli to explore their health needs. Other relevant school personnel and Student Support Services will be included if necessary, to guide the best resolution for the individual. Or external referral may be necessary.
At FSC, the team will encourage and promote the involvement of family and carers so that all the aspects of health can be supported in the young person’s life.
The Wellbeing staff work closely with school coordinators (Careers practitioner and FSC Leadership) to promote best outcomes for students in relation to attendance, subject selection and engagement and future pathways.
Student Support ServicesÂ
Foster Youth Assist Clinic
The Wellbeing Team and FSC support and coordinate students to attend the Foster Youth Assist Clinic (YAC) each Monday. This is an external service to the school, which is provided via the South Gippsland Hospital.
YAC is located in the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre and is staffed by an Adolescent Health Nurse, General Physician (Doctor), and a visiting Headspace Outreach Youth Worker.
Students can access YAC by securing an appointment time by recess on Mondays (with the School Nurse) that enables them to be time efficient in seeking support for health care needs. The service is entirely confidential, professional and youth centred.
FSC asks that any student under 16 seeks parental permission to leave the school grounds as FSC maintains a duty of care to its school community.
Foster Youth Assist Clinic (YAC)
Wellbeing Promotion @FSC
Throughout the school year we run numerous initiatives (both within classes and key speaker presentations) which are designed to enhance health, extend wellbeing and promote connection and sense of place.
The Respectful Relationships Program initiative is alive at FSC and we continue to everyday promote a culture of respect and gender equality.
Celebrating culture and running Koori initiatives is another key focus. In 2021 we hope to develop the Indigenous garden.
Cyber safety, first aid, life skills safety and awareness are all areas we endeavor to connect the students with.
We welcome partnerships with local community organisations to support wellbeing at FSC.
We will be developing and promoting healthy and active lunchtime activities, aligning with state and regional guidelines and creating a culture of connection within Foster Secondary College.
School and community are protective factors in a young persons life.
We collectively look forward to another year working and supporting young people to have the best health and wellbeing outcomes possible.
Respectful Relationships Program
Helpful Health and Wellbeing Links:
Youth: (please go to South Coast Youth Clinics)
Parents / Guardian
Please go to Raising Children, Teens
Parentline