Wellbeing & Careers

Please become familiar with the guidelines below before making a wellbeing/careers appointment.

Student Support Services

Suzanne Cory High School provides counselling and support to assist students to develop appropriate skills and resolve problems in academic, emotional, and/or social contexts. The Student Support Services team comprises of Ms. Bec Carmichael (Counsellor), Ms. Alice Gatenby (Mental Health Practitioner) and Ms. Clare Holmes (Academic/Careers Practitioner). Suzanne Cory High School also offers the opportunity for students to engage with Therapy Dogs who can provide comfort and emotional support in times of stress. If you would like to make an appointment, please follow the links at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us either via email or visiting them at our offices (keep in mind we cannot guarantee that we will be available without a prior booking). 

Appointment Guidelines

Appointments can be made during class time (or study periods for Year 12 students). Students should also take care not to miss the same class multiple times in a row. Whilst we can approve absences from class, it is 100% on the student to arrange to catch up on any missed work. 

Unless otherwise arranged, students should not be making more than one appointment a week. If more than one appointment is required, please discuss this with us directly. If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know ASAP by either rescheduling or cancelling the appointment through the Appointy website. 

Confidentiality

The content of student sessions, records and notes are confidential and securely stored. No record of counselling is contained in any academic, educational, or job placement file. It is the responsibility of the student to familiarize themselves with the Student Support Services – Student Information document which contains important information regarding confidentiality. This document is located below (I have attached the document for you to load onto the portal).

SSS Student Information 2022.docx

Therapy Dog Disclaimer

Please read the document for therapy dog disclaimer.

SUBPAGES (1): THERAPY DOG DISCLAIMER

Careers Guidelines

Students cannot visit Careers during class time. Year 12 students are encouraged to book appointments during study periods. These appointments provide time to discuss career options in depth. All students can visit Careers before school, during recess or lunchtime, or after school.

Please add a reminder to your diary/phone so that you remember your appointment. If you cannot attend an appointment, please let the staff member know ASAP, or cancel the appointment through the Appointy website.

Topics of Discussion:

1. Career planning - Careers can help students to identify suitable career options, and help students assess and develop their skills in these areas.

2. Tertiary Study Pathways and Applications -  Careers assists students to make smart decisions about study beyond high school, and assists with the application process.

3. Job Applications - Careers can review resumes and cover letters, and can conduct mock interviews. Please email a copy of a Resume/Cover Letter before the appointment.

4. Scholarships - Careers assists students to apply for scholarships, such as the Western Chances Scholarship.

Confidentiality - What you choose to talk about in counselling is completely confidential. That means that everything that you say stays private between yourself and the counsellor. Counselling sessions are documented, and this information is stored securely (unable to be accessed by anyone outside the counselling team).

At the end of Year 12, Careers can access your ATAR, VCE Study Scores, and VTAC Course Preferences and Offers. These details are confidential, and only shared outside of the Careers, Leadership and Assessment teams at the school. These results are only used to assist the counselling process, and for data reporting in the school. Please note, Careers do not have access to view SEAS applications.

Remember, that in times where your safety or that of someone else is at risk, confidentiality may have to be broken. We will remain 100% transparent in this process, and will always speak with you first before any action is taken.

Appointment Links

Guide to book wellbeing appointment can be found here 

Ms. Carmichael (Wellbeing - Monday to Friday)

Ms. Gatenby (Wellbeing - Monday to Thursday)

Ms. Clare Holmes (Academic/Careers Support - Monday to Friday)

Mr. Taig  (Careers) (Monday to Friday)

Meet our team here