life at ashdale
Student engagement
Focusing on student engagement and well-being, we ensure that every student grows, becomes a lifelong learner and feels valued at all times. Staff, parents, and the community are partners with our students, helping build character, strengthen social values, and create opportunities for success. This is the robust platform upon which Ashdale Secondary College is built.
student engagement
Student Services
Ashdale SC has an exceptionally well-resourced Student Services Team, comprising dedicated Year Coordinators for each year group and a Program Coordinator for Junior (Years 7–9) and Senior (Years 10-12). All members of the Student Services Team focus on attendance, behaviour, physical and emotional well-being, pastoral care and successful academic and non-academic outcomes.Â
Our approach to student well-being at Ashdale focuses on prevention and early intervention. The Student Services staff are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid to ensure mental health concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. Ashdale SC has trained psychologists and counsellors, referred to as the Specialist Care Team, who are available to provide individual support.
Student Wellbeing
Research reveals that for every 1,000 students, 250 suffer depression, 120 have initiated self-harm, and 12 have contemplated suicide; unfortunately, out of this number, only one in four will inform an adult. This generation of adolescents has adopted electronic social language, with their mode of communication being centred on Facebook, SMS and electronic social networks. Based on this evidence, adolescents would examine their situation online rather than face to face. Students are encouraged to seek support available within the College from Student Services, i.e., Year Coordinators, Student Support Coordinator, College Psychologist, Community Health Nurse and College staff.
Community Health Nurse
Community Health Nurses are skilled in assessing adolescent health needs. They engage in health counselling with young people to identify issues, risks, and protective factors; provide advice and brief interventions; assist with access to and referral to other services; and provide follow-up care. Students can drop in at the Student Services building or schedule appointments to discuss health and well-being issues. The services provided are free and confidential.
College Psychologist
The College has access to the School Psychology Service. Students may be referred to the service to address various school-based issues, including learning, behaviour, attendance and engagement, mental health and well-being.Â
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care focuses on your child’s social and emotional well-being. It is at the core of all our teaching and extra-curricular programs. When students are happy, their opportunities for learning increase and their performance improves. The College’s pastoral care programs teach skills to prevent mental illness, support learning, and cultivate well-being. Approaches to mental health and a child’s academic education are most effective when students, parents, and the school community share the same core set of skills and abilities. Parents and staff can also access opportunities to learn the skills taught in these programs. The College offers a range of Pastoral Care initiatives.
Role of the Mentor Teacher
Mentor teachers play a key role in pastoral care for students across the College. The importance of mentor time in sharing vital information, supporting the organisation, and conducting health and well-being checks is evident. Clear responsibilities are outlined for staff to monitor and manage their mentor group’s academic, social, and emotional well-being.
life at ashdale
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