SUPPORT TO SUCCEED

Support Services at Ipswich High involves a large team of people providing services ranging from first aid and a replacement timetable through to signing an apprenticeship agreement or dealing with a period of homelessness. The staff includes teacher aides, administrative officers, two guidance counsellors, and a youth pathways worker, who are available every day, a number of regular visiting specialists, who are available regularly for part of the week, and access to support staff in community organizations.

Students are able to access support services through an appointment system administered by the teacher aides in the school office. Parents are able to make enquiries by telephoning the school on 3813 4488 and describing their main concern briefly. Teachers refer emergencies directly and other requests through their Year Level Coordinator. Year Level Coordinators attend the regular Student Support Services Committee meetings to discuss support concerns.

However, the most consistent support for our teenagers comes from all the dedicated parents and teachers, who support our young people beyond the call of duty. Congratulations to all of you who give up afternoons, evenings and weekends to provide transport and help for young people building their lives in work, sport, tutoring and advice.

Defence Transition Mentor

My name is Shelley MacDonald and I am the new Defence Transition Mentor at Ipswich State High School.

My role is to provide support to secondary students of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families, particularly during their transition into and out of a school on posting or during parental absences due to deployment, exercises or courses.

Some of my duties include:

I am based in the front office and I am there Mondays and Tuesdays from 8.30am until 2.30pm, or Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8.30am until 2pm.

My contact details are as follows:

Mobile No 044 818 4013

Ipswich High 3813 4488 ext 410

Email smacd@eq.edu.au

 

Guidance Counsellors

The two Guidance Counsellors, Charmaine Daly and Leeanne Gray, provide counselling and advice all week. Charmaine and Leeanne deal mainly with issues relating to course and career choices and applications, support to deal with personal problems, referral to and liaison with other specialists, and advice and assistance to teachers and parents about these issues.

Community Education Counsellor

Community Education Counsellor, Denise Gibson and her Teacher Aides support the needs of indigenous students and their families five days a week. Our indigenous workers provide both individual assistance and advice and liaison with other community services and government departments to increase opportunities for indigenous students.

Vocational Placement Team

Karen Raabe and Sam Zampech are available every day to assist students to organize work experience placements or to pursue a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship. This involves individual interviews and liaison with employers.

Youth Pathways

Youth Pathways has recently relocated its district service to our school. David Burck continues to direct young people who find schooling difficult into alternative pathways and to assist them to complete the education they require.

REGULAR VISITING SPECIALISTS

We welcome our new School Chaplain, Sarah Rothery, who is available two and a half days each week. Our chaplain generally keeps on the move, assisting with special programmes and groups as well as making individual contacts when required.

Youth Health Nurse

We welcome our new School-Based Youth Health Nurse, Trink Tonkes, who offers programmes, counselling and support for health-related issues for three days per week. She will strive to promote wellbeing throughout the school and its surrounding areas. She can help with both physical and social problems such as problems with relationships, sexual health, smoking, alcohol and drug addictions.

There is no guarantee that information between you and Trink will be kept confidential. If she is seriously concerned about your health, she will act upon it.

You can visit Trink on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at A block, with appointments via text message or simply dropping in. Her phone number is 0428 455 641.

 

Rene Claydon, our Youth Support Coordinator, works with the Ipswich Community Youth Service to provide emotional and practical support to students at risk of not completing school. Kris works for our students two days a week with both programmes and individual needs.

 

Corinne Harper supports pregnant and parenting students and is available in the school every Monday.

INVITED SPECIALISTS

Ipswich State High School is grateful to the many community and government agencies who offer support to student s. Agencies like Anglicare, which offers the Reconnect programme, and the crisis accommodation providers are available to help teenagers who might be at risk of homelessness. The Queensland Departments of Health and Child Safety offer specialist intervention for young people with significant issues with physical or mental health and protection from unsafe environments. Visiting speech language therapists, behaviour intervention teachers, and disability specialist teachers assist teachers to develop and modify programmes when necessary. Students who are unable or unsuited to attend school may find their best option in referral to an external alternative learning programme.

 

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