St Leonard’s College is committed to providing a physically, emotionally and spiritually safe and supportive environment for students and staff and their families who make up the St Leonard’s College community. The emotional and physical wellbeing of our students is pivotal to their success at school, as adolescents, and in their future lives. Physically and emotionally healthy students are happy, able to deal positively with life’s challenges, experience a sense of connectedness with the school and others, and are well placed to develop into well-balanced and successful young adults.
St Leonard's College has a number of policies which guide the way in which staff, students and parents work together.
Student Services at St Leonard's College
Student Services comprises specialist staff who support students and families in different ways, including:
- Counselling
- Learning support
- Careers
- Health Centre
- Chaplaincy
- Talent Development
St Leonard’s College Counselling Services
St Leonard’s College is committed to the academic, physical, emotional, social and spiritual development of each child. In our endeavour to provide individual care, the College offers a counselling service staffed by professional counsellors to offer support for students and families. Based on a philosophy of early intervention, and in recognition of today’s complex social influences and pressures, counselling staff provide an additional resource to promote the healthy development of young people at St Leonards College.
All College counsellors are qualified psychologists, registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority. As such, they are bound by the professional code of ethics for psychologists.
The College counsellors are available to consult with students and parents. The counselling team also liaise with pastoral staff in matters relating to student well-being. Students may be referred by pastoral staff (class teachers, coordinators, team leaders, heads of house and heads/deputy heads of section) for psychological counselling when problems arise in their academic, emotional or social development. Parents and students may also self-refer.
What type of issues may be referred to the counsellors?
Counselling interventions may include the following:
• Assessments: cognitive and educational tests may be conducted to clarify student learning profiles, individual strengths and weaknesses and to provide information to guide classroom programs; behavioural and emotional assessments may also be conducted to support counselling interventions and funding applications
• Counselling to assist with educational progress – motivational, organisational and study skills
• Social issues – relationships with peers, resolving conflict, dealing with the behaviour of others, bullying issues
• Behavioural and emotional issues – some young people experience difficulties with anxiety, anger or depression as part of their growing up and need support in learning to manage their emotions and behaviour
• Family difficulties – sometimes family circumstances cause stress in young people
• Special needs – health, learning, loss or traumas. Counselling can help young people cope with challenging circumstances.
Other activities counsellors are involved in:
• Classroom programs and activities, including conducting bullying audits
• Developing policies
• Conducting group testing
• Running specific group activities – such as social skills groups, stress management groups
• Coordinating the SCOPE leader program
• Training staff on issues relevant to student welfare
• Contributing to pastoral teams
• Parent and staff consultations
• Participating in parent information evenings and assist with organisation of parenting evenings
The Counselling Team at St Leonards College
Upper School
Dr Deborah Trengove, Counselling Team Leader and Director of Pastoral Care
Deborah has many years experience as a school psychologist. She has a Masters in Educational Psychology and did her PhD research into adolescent self-discipline. Deborah began her career teaching secondary mathematics and combines her Upper School counselling role with the Executive position of Director of Pastoral Care.
Middle School
Ms Hayley Anthony
Hayley is a registered Psychologist and has a Masters in Education and Developmental Psychology. She completed her thesis on the development of resilience in young people within classroom settings. Hayley also lectures in psychology and supervises research students at Monash University.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Located in the Middle School office area
Ph 9909-9547
McMillan House
Ms Sandra Barrow
Sandra Barrow is a psychologist and registered teacher who has worked extensively in both government and independent schools, as well as running a part time private practice. Sandra has a particular interest in the promotion of resilience in young children and works closely with parents and teachers to effect positive outcomes for those children referred to her. Tuesday and Thursday
Located near McMillan House reception
Ph 9909-9510
How to make contact with one of the Counselling team:
Parents may telephone or email directly or leave a message with the relevant school administrator.
Students may do any of the above, but may also call in in person and/or leave a note at the office of the counsellor they wish to make contact with. Students may also make contact through their class teacher, year level coordinator or Head of House.