Student Engagement and Support Services at Gold Creek School
Our commitment to student engagement, wellbeing and pastoral care at Gold Creek School
We recognise that the school environment plays a major role in the social and emotional competence and wellbeing of our learners. At Gold Creek School, we appreciate the infinite connection between a strong curriculum and pastoral practice.
Student engagement and wellbeing to which pastoral care is one element, is regarded as an essential part of the School's ethos and features prominently in all aspects of school life and in the day-to-day experiences of each individual in our community.
A key priority for our learning community remains our focus on upholding a strong culture around students' social, emotional, physical and moral wellbeing. Our learning community reflects this belief in our daily interactions with students and through our rigorous pedagogy.
Gold Creek School provides students with a vast array of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. We pride ourselves on the many community partnerships we maintain and the strong, diverse programs these partnerships offer to a diverse sector of our students. We work alongside our students to build their capacity as young leaders and as global citizens and offer all students leadership opportunities during their time with us.
Pastoral Care teachers in conjunction with their facility coordinators should always be the first point of contact for students and families wishing to raise any concerns relating to academic engagement, social and emotional wellbeing or family issues. For more serious concerns, the students, parents and staff of Gold Creek School are supported by our:
- Director of Community Partnerships – who works with students, staff, families and external agencies to oversee student leadership and voice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, student mental health and wellbeing and the implementation of programs to develop resilience and positive social and emotional cohesion amongst the school community.
- Executive Teacher - Student Engagement who works with students, staff, families and external agencies to support students and teachers to provide the best learning outcomes for all individual students.
- Defence School Mentor - who works with other staff and defence families to ease transitions and act as the first port of call for defence students and families.
- Youth Support Worker - who is available to provide advice to students feeling lost and supports the Executive Teacher – Pastoral Care in the implementation of programs to develop resilience and positive social and emotional cohesion amongst the school community (Years 7-10)
- School Psychologist - who works with students and families to help address mental health, social, family and academic issues not able to be worked through with the other members of the Student Engagement team.
- Careers and Vocational Education and Training Coordinator - who supports the Executive Teachers – Pastoral Care and Student Engagement to support students in accessing Work Experience, transition pathways to full time work, Australian School Based Apprenticeships and Vocational Education and Training through Canberra Institute of Technology or private providers.
External Support for Adolescents
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Community Teams provide free assessment and treatment for children and young people under 18 years of age who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. www.health.act.gov.au/services-and-programs/mental-health/mental-health-services Contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services on (02) 6205 1971 | |
Women, Youth and Children Nutrition Service - Canberra Health Women, Youth and Children Nutrition Service provides FREE assessment, counselling and advice for children and young people under 25 years. www.health.act.gov.au/services-andprograms/nutrition/women-youth-and-children-nutrition For appointments contact Community Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977 or email WYCNutrition@act.gov.au | |
Eating Disorders Program - Canberra Health Services The Eating Disorders Program (EDP) is a free community-based service that provides assessment and therapy programs such as Maudsley Family-Based Therapy for Adolescents from 12 to 18 years with an eating disorder such as Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder. Eligibility criteria apply. www.health.act.gov.au/services-and-programs/mental-health/eating-disordersprogram Contact the Eating Disorders Program on (02) 6205 1519 | |
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services - Canberra Health Services The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Community Teams provide free assessment and treatment for children and young people under 18 years of age who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. www.health.act.gov.au/services-and-programs/mental-health/mental-health-services Contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services on (02) 6205 1971 | |
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services Winnunga Nimmityjah offers a range of health and wellbeing services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the ACT. www.winnunga.org.au Contact Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services on (02) 6284 6222 | |
Headspace Canberra Headspace Canberra offers a range of services for young people from 12 to 25 years of age who are experiencing a tough time or are worried about their drug and alcohol use, mental, physical or sexual wellbeing. www.headspace.org.au Contact Headspace Canberra on (02) 6201 5343 or email | |
The Junction Youth Health Service - Anglicare The Junction Youth Health Service provides FREE primary health care and support services to young people aged 12 to 25, along with their dependent children. www.anglicare.com.au/services/youthfamily/health/ Contact the Junction Youth Health Service on (02) 6232 2423 or email | |
Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal Youth Centre Gugan Gulwan Aboriginal Youth Centre offers a range of programs that include a Drug and Alcohol/Mental Health program, a Child, Youth, Family Support Program, and a Reconnect Program to support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Gugan Gulwan gives support to parents and the family unit, focusing on skills development for young people. www.gugangulwan.com.au Contact the Gugan Gulwan on (02) 6296 8900 or email guganadmin@gugan-gulwan.com.au | |
Head to Health Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information about health. Head to Health is a good place to look for help with something that is bothering you or to help someone else — www.headtohealth.gov.au | |
Beyond Blue Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. www.beyondblue.org.au | |
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Emotional wellbeing support over the phone | |
Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 |
Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 |
Lifeline (24-hour crisis counselling) | 13 11 14 |
Crisis and Assessment Team (ACT Only) | 1800 629 354 or (02) 6205 1065 |
Suicide Line | 1300 651 251 |
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 |
MensLine Australia | 1300 789 978 |
SANE Australia Helpline | 1800 18 7263 |
The Way Back Support Service | 1800 929 222 |