Wellbeing Messages

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We hope that you and your family have enjoyed a restful summer holiday. As we begin another exciting school year, we would like to take a moment to introduce the dedicated wellbeing team here at Kolbe Catholic College that is focused on supporting the wellbeing of all our students.

2025 Wellbeing Team

Patrick Ryan: School Counsellor
Sophia Antoniades: School Counsellor
Nicola Karaconstantis: School Psychologist
Tanya Borg: Student Wellbeing Practitioner

Wellbeing Team News

We welcome Tanya Borg (Student Wellbeing Practitioner) and Nicola Karaconstantis (School Psychologist) to the team.

We wish Annika Ring (School Psychologist) best wishes for her maternity leave.

Each student at Kolbe Catholic College has access to support through counselling. Our School Counsellors and School Psychologist can assist students in navigating a range of challenges, with the aim of supporting mental health and wellbeing of students in order to enhance their learning and engagement at school. Our Student Wellbeing Practitioner will be working to develop and implement individual and group programs to enhance student engagement and outcomes.

The wellbeing team looks forward to working with you and your child for a positive year ahead.

In the Community

Hume City Council - Pathways Support Open Door

Pathways Support Open Door is for young people seeking guidance and assistance on their journey into employment, further education, and training. Support may involve resume and cover letter preparation, job application support, interview skills development, course application assistance, skill enhancement opportunities, networking support, and career planning.

Next date: Wednesday 26 February 2025

More information can be found here:

Wellio

Access to previous Wellio webinars can be found here. This includes the recent recording on phone addiction and social media as we as one of managing anxiety.

Important Dates

20th-21st February: Year 7 Reflection and Wellbeing Days
25th February: Year 11 Wellbeing Guest Speaker (Sleep Health)
4th March: Year 12 Wellbeing Incursion
5th March: Year 12 Wellbeing Incursion
21st March: Harmony Day

Tips, Tricks & Links

Transition from Primary to Secondary School (Headspace Resource)

Life transitions involve moving from one phase to another and adapting to the changes that come with them. A significant transition for young people is the shift from the familiar environment of primary school to the new challenges and experiences of secondary school. This change can be a big adjustment and may bring some difficulties for your child. When young people successfully navigate this transition, they are more likely to feel accepted, have a more positive outlook on learning, and feel comfortable talking to you about any concerns they may have.

Signs that your young person may need additional support can include:

Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
Seeming more down, anxious, or worried than usual
Frequent mood swings or emotional outbursts
A shift in social interactions or friendships
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Reluctance to go to school
Notable changes in behaviour at home or school

Learn more about how you can support your young person through transition here.

School Refusal (Raising Children Resource) School refusal is when a young person refuses to go to school, even though there’s no clear reason for them to stay home. This can be a worrying experience for both the young person and their family. It’s important to recognise that school refusal is not the same as truancy or skipping school, it’s often related to underlying emotional issues such as anxiety, stress, or fear.

Understanding the signs of school refusal and what might be causing it can help you support your young person. Early intervention is key to addressing the issues they may be facing, whether it’s a fear of school or difficulties with socialising. When young individuals are encouraged to talk about their feelings and supported through the transition, they are more likely to regain their confidence and start attending school again.

Strategies to support school refusal may include: