Why Counselling Matters in Schools?

At St Monica’s College, a Catholic school in Epping, we believe that supporting students' wellbeing is just as important as their academic growth. Adolescence can be a time of big changes and challenges, and we’re here to make sure our students feel heard, supported, and confident. Let’s take a closer look at how our counselling services make a difference in the lives of our students, parents, and teachers.

Why Counselling Matters

Back in the early 1990s, our school noticed that many students needed extra support beyond what they were getting in the classroom. While teachers were doing a great job, it was clear that having a dedicated professional focusing solely on the emotional wellbeing of students could make a big difference. So, in 1994, we set up our counselling services. Since then, our team has grown and is now a key part of our Student Wellbeing Faculty, helping students feel understood and valued.

What Our Counselling Services Offer

At St Monica’s, we provide a range of counselling services designed to meet the needs of our students:

  • One-on-One Counselling: Students can have private sessions with our counsellors, where they can talk about anything that’s on their minds—whether it’s friendship struggles, stress, family issues, or just feeling overwhelmed.
  • Support for Parents: We know that parenting a teenager can be tough, so we offer seminars and one-on-one sessions for parents who want advice or have concerns about their child.
  • Helping Teachers: Our counsellors also support teachers by offering guidance on how to better support students in the classroom, especially when it comes to emotional or social challenges.

How Counselling Sessions Work

When a student comes in for counselling, the focus is on helping them identify their concerns and work towards solutions. We believe that students are often the best problem-solvers when given the right support. During sessions, our counsellors might use activities, discussions, and sometimes even a bit of homework to help students practice new strategies in their daily lives.

Students can make appointments without needing permission from their parents, although we encourage them to discuss their sessions with their families. Sessions can be scheduled during class time, before school, during lunch, or after school—whatever works best for the student’s schedule.

Maintaining Confidentiality

We take privacy seriously, which is why all counselling sessions are confidential. However, if a counsellor believes that a student is at risk of harm or poses a risk to others, we will reach out to families or relevant professionals to ensure the student’s safety. We always explain these limits of confidentiality to students before starting any formal sessions.

Supporting the Whole School Community

Our counsellors are not just there for individual sessions—they are a part of many different activities and programs across the school. They work closely with teachers and the Educational Support Faculty to help students with learning difficulties or social and emotional challenges. They also organize guest speakers, run workshops, and develop programs that focus on important topics like building resilience, dealing with loss, or managing anxiety.

For parents, we offer evening seminars that cover a range of topics, such as helping your child transition from primary to secondary school, understanding adolescent development, and more. We want parents to feel confident in supporting their kids during these challenging years.

Connecting with Outside Help

Sometimes, students or families might need support that goes beyond what we can provide at the school. In these cases, our counsellors can recommend local services and agencies that offer specialized help, such as youth programs, parenting courses, or financial advice. We’re here to ensure every student gets the right support, even if that means connecting them with professionals outside of school.

We're Here to Help

At St Monica’s College, our goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where every student feels seen, heard, and supported. We understand that adolescence can be a difficult time, and our counselling services are here to make sure students have the tools and support they need to thrive.

If you’d like more information about our counselling services or want to speak with one of our counsellors, you can reach us at 9409 8800. Let’s work together to help our students navigate their challenges and celebrate their successes!

Location: Epping VIC 3076, Australia

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