Student Services

The Student Services team offers a range of services to students at Mount Ridley P – 12 College and operates from our purpose built Wellness Centre called ‘Berkshire’. Our well-structured student wellbeing framework complements student academic success.  Members of the Student Services team can provide one on one individual support; facilitate group work based around social skills; and make referrals to appropriate agencies and external professionals when required.  These agencies include Headspace, Foundation House (refugee and asylum seeker services) and the Royal Children’s Hospital.  The team also works in collaboration with Department of Education and Training support staff and community agencies to identify, design implement and deliver a range of programs to meet the needs of our students.

Our expert team is overseen by an Assistant Principal and consists of:

ON SITE TEAM

• Director of Student Services (DOSS)– The DOSS leads the team and wellbeing initiatives and maintains connections to outside agencies. The DOSS works closely with School Leaders to ensure there is support for students who are experiencing difficulties.
• Mental Health Practitioner- The Mental health practitioner works flexibly, based on the needs and priorities of the students. The MHP offers counselling support to students and other early intervention services, is able to coordinate supports for students with more complex needs and contribute to whole-school approaches to health prevention and promotion. 
• Youth Worker – Youth workers plan, organise and oversee community programs aimed at young people. Youth workers work directly with children and young people, helping them to build life skills, develop healthy relationships and make decisions that are right for them.
• Social Worker – Social workers protect vulnerable children and support families in need of assistance. Social workers help people solve and cope with problems.
• Speech Pathologist – Speech Pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills and stuttering.
• Learning Enhancement Coordinator (PSD) – The Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) provides funding to assist schools to support eligible students with disability and high needs who attend government schools.
• DET Nurse – The Secondary school nursing program aims to reduce risk to young people and promote better health in the wider community. The DET nurse is present at the College on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Multicultural Aides- (Arabic and Assyrian)
• Administration Assistant 
• Doctors in Secondary Schools Program (for secondary school aged students only) 
• Support Nurse for Doctors in Secondary Schools Program 

EXTERNAL SUPPORT

SSSO Team 

• Psychologist
• Speech Pathologist
• Adolescent Health Nurse
• Koori Education Support Worker (KESO)
• Visiting Teacher Service: Support for physically, visually and hearing impaired, etc. 

Medicare Funded Services

• Headspace Craigieburn

Additional Ad Hoc Support

• Yarrame
• Travancore 
• Royal Children’s Hospital 
• Austin CYMHS 

External Services:

• Planet shakers/No Bull – Breakfast Club
• Hume Youth Services
• Headspace
• Newbury Community Centre

Other services:

• Wellbeing groups – Groups are running daily targeting the wellbeing needs of the students attending MRC. The groups currently running are Mindful moments, Mindful Gardening, GEM, Cool Kids and Social Skills.
• Speech pathology groups – Groups targeting students who may be experiencing communication disorders.
• Secondary consultations – A service delivered to a professional from another agency or service provider about a specific client of that other agency.
• One on one sessions – Individual counselling is counselling focused on the individual’s immediate or near future concerns.
• Debriefing with staff – Where team members can reflect on a recent experience, discuss what went well and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Psychoeducation – the process of providing education and information to those seeking or receiving mental health services.
• Emergency management – Managing high risk incidents relating to mental health.
• Home visits – Visiting the student’s homes who may be school refusing or may be struggling to come to school due to an underlying condition.
• Assessments e.g. Cognitive, mental health, educational
• Staff wellbeing newsletter – Fortnightly staff newsletter created by the wellbeing team which focuses on staff wellbeing, self-care and coping strategies.
• Doctors in Secondary Schools – The GPs provide medical advice and health care to those students most in need.