School counselling staff are members of the school learning and support team.
A teacher may recommend the service by referring a student to the school’s learning and support team. As a parent or carer, you may refer your child directly to the school counselling service. Students can also self-refer to the service.
The school counselling service can:
- support students who are worrying about school work, friends, getting in trouble at school or feeling down
- help parents and carers make decisions about your child’s education
- assess a student’s learning and behaviour
- help teachers and students identify and address disabilities that may affect learning
- liaise with other agencies regarding student wellbeing.
School counselling is confidential.
For more information about learning and support teams and the school counselling service, please contact your school.
School counsellors are experienced teachers who have a degree in psychology and post-graduate qualifications in school counselling. They can work with students of all ages and their families, throughout their school years.
For information in community languages see school counselling service.
The school counsellor can also assist students who may be feeling extremely sad or anxious. Contact us if you would like to make an appointment.
It is important to seek help early if you notice any major change in your child's behaviour.
One of our counsellors, Ms Jaimie Laslett, writes:
My name is Jaimie Laslett and I am the school counsellor at Harbord Public School. I have a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, and a Master degree in Teaching and School Psychology. I work at Harbord on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Rachelle Tekampe, is our Student Welfare Office and works Monday, Thursday and Friday
In primary schools, school counsellors need parental permission to see students on an ongoing basis. Referrals to the school counsellor are made and prioritised through the school's Learning and Support Team, which is headed by our deputy principal Lisa Miller. You can contact your child's teacher or the school office staff to get more information about organising a referral.
The school counsellor's role involves completing psychological assessments related to cognitive ability, learning, and overall functioning, as well as social, emotional, and behavioural issues. We can offer brief student counselling and/or make recommendations for external services relating to health (e.g. psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy), family welfare, and learning.
It is our job to work with students, parents and carers, teachers, other school staff, and community agencies where appropriate to promote the wellbeing of all students in our school and to practice in an ethical and evidence-based way. On occasions we may run student groups, give teacher or parent talks relating to mental health and wellbeing, or just help out in classes and around the playground.
If you or your child are struggling it is important to reach out. Outside of school hours the following contacts may be useful for you, or your General Practitioner is a good source of advice and support.
- http://www.parentline.org.au/ or phone 1300 1300 52
- https://kidshelpline.com.au/ or phone 1800 55 1800