Counselling Services
Star of the Sea College has fully qualified school counsellors available to students on-site. Counsellors provide support for a range of issues including academic, social, emotional, health and family-based issues. School counsellors maintain close contact with the Principal, Deputy Principal – Students, Director of Student Wellbeing, Pastoral Leaders, Learning Diversity Faculty Leader and Mentor teachers to ensure the best quality of care is provided.
Short and medium-term counselling may be offered during the student’s enrolment depending on the nature of the issue. The length and type of counselling offered to a student will be based upon the counsellor’s discretion, caseload and overall demands on the counselling team.
Counsellors can provide support to students through individual or group-based sessions. Consultation and support are provided to parents and teachers when necessary.
Our Counsellors
Penny Power
Penny is a certified clinical counsellor, who has worked in both private practice and the educational setting for over 12 years, specialising in the well-being of children and adolescents during their crucial developmental stages. Penny’s mission is to make a positive impact on young lives by collaboratively navigating challenges and fostering resilience.
Monique Newman
Monique is a registered Psychotherapist and counsellor who brings a warm and creative approach to her work with children, teenagers, young adults, and families. She works towards creating increased wellbeing and confidence in her clients through the use of therapeutic modalities.
Monique begun her professional journey volunteering in the public sector before moving into work in private practice and working alongside a number of local schools.
Monique highly values her professional training, regularly attending professional development conferences to ensure her interventions and research are the most accurate and effective.
She is a dedicated and thorough professional who always goes above and beyond to ensure students unique needs are met. Monique continues her work closely alongside parents and works as a part of a broader multidisciplinary team for numerous students where necessary.
Monique collaborates and works alongside our valuable wellbeing team at Star.
Dominic O’Farrell
Dominic is an experienced psychologist who joined Star’s Wellbeing Team in Term 1 2025. Working 3 days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) Dominic is available to all year levels for support with mental health.
Dominic has completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and has a lot of experience working with young people in hospitals, youth support services, and across other schools. He has always enjoyed supporting young people as he understands and values the unique and individual challenges students face, and enjoys finding the help they deserve.
Dominic uses current, evidence-based strategies in his work for a range of difficulties, but always focuses on each person’s individual needs, background, and unique experiences.
In his free time, Dominic enjoys sport and exercise, movies and gaming. And despite not being on TikTok he’s surprisingly up to date with things. He’s excited to work with our community, so if you see him around feel free to say hi and introduce yourself.
Referral Process
Students can self-refer by contacting the counsellors directly.
Alternatively, students can fill out a referral form available in the counselling services area. Parents can also refer students for support by contacting the school office and requesting to be put through to counselling services.
Student participation in counselling is voluntary. Every student has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to receive care that is non-discriminatory and non-judgmental, and to have their confidentiality maintained and protected within the limits of the profession and the law.
External referrals may be suggested by a counsellor depending on the needs of the student. Information about services in the local area can be found by clicking on the External Support tab.
Note: Counsellors are available Monday to Friday from 8.15am to 4.00pm during the school term.
External Support
Child Youth Mental Health Services – Alfred
The Alfred provides a range of free mental-health outpatient services for infants, children and adolescents under the age of 18 who are experiencing emotional, psychological or psychiatric problems. Families are involved in the treatment process. (Ph: 8552 0555).
https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/caulfield/services/child-youth-mental-health-service
Headspace – National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Headspace provides early-intervention counselling for young people (aged 12–25) and their families. Their counselling services require the student to receive a ‘Mental Health Care Plan’ from their doctor to enable Headspace to claim the service through Medicare. Online support can also be obtained by clicking on the eheadspace component at the Headspace website. Headspace centres located closest to Star of the Sea are Elsternwick (Ph: 9076 7500) and Bentleigh (Ph: 9076 9400).
SchoolTV
Star has partnered with SchoolTV – a trusted resource that prioritises student mental health and wellbeing.
SchoolTV provides practical strategies and trusted guidance to support your child. Parenting is a learning journey, and with a little help from SchoolTV, you can engage in meaningful conversations with your child on topics that may sometimes feel awkward or difficult to address.
SchoolTV covers a vast range of topics, each featuring interviews with leading global experts and a carefully curated selection of resources from key organisations. We encourage you to explore and utilise this platform, as it serves as a valuable tool in building relationships, fostering connections, and deepening understanding. By breaking down barriers, it helps pave the way towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people.
To stay informed about the latest topics, we also recommend signing up for ‘Get Alerts’. This feature ensures you receive updates as new content becomes available, and you can easily register through the link provided within each topic. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a young person’s life, and SchoolTV is here to support you in nurturing confident and informed parenting.
