Student Services Team

Rationale:

Student Wellbeing is the concern of every member of staff. In its widest context it covers the safety of all students in our care, their emotional, social and intellectual well being as well as their conduct and behaviour. At Warragul Regional College particular responsibilities for student wellbeing lie with the College Chaplain, College Nurse, Student Counsellors, College Consulting Psychologist, Assistant Principal ~ Student Services and Principal. The College Student Services Team is made up of the above-mentioned staff as well as a number of other interested and committed external specialists. The Student Services Team meets regularly and is lead by the Assistant Principal ~ Student Services.

The role of the Student Services Team is to:

• monitor student progress and behaviour through the “Referral and Notification Sheet” system used by ALL staff
• conduct case discussions of selected students involving class teachers, to pool information and develop strategies to assist students;
• collect and share information relating to student wellbeing matters;
• co-ordinate and communicate with teachers, parents and students on matters concerning the wellbeing of students
• initiate, develop, co-ordinate and evaluate programs that promote student and staff wellbeing; and
• implement DEECD policies including Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and Anti-Racism.

Teachers are able to use the Student Services Team by:

• the referral of a student through their Learning Team Leader
• having the SST assess the “whole school” wellbeing of a student;
• participating in case discussions (Student/Parent support Groups Meetings);
• requesting SST assistance and support in many areas (e.g.: behaviour problems, student self esteem, positive reinforcement, learning difficulties, home or peer problems); and
• requesting student “background information” which may help in planning classroom strategies for dealing with students.

Student Services Team Aims are to:

• promote the academic, emotional, social and physical development of each student
• promote the idea that student wellbeing is intrinsic to the education process
• initiate and integrate programs into the school curriculum that will maximise student development and produce a broader based wellbeing network within the school
• ensure the welfare of staff through support networks, counselling, inservicing and stress management.\
• inform students, staff, parents and the community of the SST program, the educational demands on, and the progress of students and the services available
• implement DET policies, including Child Protection, Anti-Bullying and Anti-Racism.

This is an ongoing program subject to continuous evaluation and annual review. Student needs will be addressed through a sequential, informative, preventative and remediation program for Years 7 to 12 students. Differing stages of development and learning styles will be accommodated through a variety of approaches e.g. cognitive, behavioural, experiential, skills development and environmental. This program seeks to provide for the basic needs of adolescents and also the specific needs of the students of this school. Students, staff and parents are regularly surveyed to determine areas of concern and the most effective methods of dealing with these concerns.

Student Services Team Priorities:

• Continue to implement the Anti-Bullying policy within the school community
• Implementation of Child Protection Policies and Procedures
• Develop and further the structures for communication of wellbeing issues within the school
• Enhance the process for student monitoring, through greater use of Compass
• Encourage the use of the Positive Awards System
• Target students for intervention programs ~ literacy, numeracy, social skills, leadership, mentoring, etc.
• Implement the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD).