Counselling Services
Star of the Sea College has two 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, Pastoral Leaders, Learning Diversity Coordinator 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
Sarah Quin
Sarah is a registered counsellor with a Masters Degree of Counselling, a Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Diploma in Education. She specialises in working with adolescents and makes use of a variety of therapeutic models and evidence-based practice to best work with the student. Sarah draws on her past positions as a wellbeing leader and teacher in schools to support students and their families.
Fiona Baudinette
Fiona is a qualified counsellor, registered with the Australian Counselling Association. She was previously a teacher and specialist in the field of dyslexia. Fiona has worked extensively as a counsellor in a co-ed, K2 – 12 school and in private practice. She draws on her broad skill set and a range of therapies, to tailor counselling to suit individual needs. Fiona is passionate about empowering our students to become the best version of themselves.
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, and 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. Counsellors may breach a student’s confidentiality where there is a risk of harm to the student or due to legal obligations.
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).
