We have dedicated Guidance Officers for Junior, Middle and Senior Secondary students, who provide advocacy, counselling, psychoeducational assessment and individual student support; recommendations and advice to students, teachers and parents concerning educational, behavioural, career development, mental health and family issues; and assist with referrals to local agencies & support services.
Educational Guidance
The Guidance officer assists individual students, their families and groups of students via programs in the following areas:
• Subject selections
• Subject changes
• Exploration of pathways, pre-requisite subjects and skill development
• Study skill sessions
• Educational assessments and development of individual programs to personalise students’ specific learning needs.
Career Guidance
The Guidance Officer plays a key role in the school to assist each student to plan for a future career path. Exploration of possible career paths happens extensively in the Year Ten Career and SET Plan Program and in the Year Twelve Future Pathways Program. Included in these programs is the opportunity for students to investigate possibilities beyond school via University, TAFE, ADF and other providers presenting on our campus and excursions to their campuses.
The Guidance Officer can assist students to pursue scholarships, enrichment courses at university (e.g. GUESTS at Griffith, Head Start at Southern Cross and Student for a Semester at Bond), the school’s program at TAFE, and early/direct entry into university and TAFE.
Students and their families can book individual sessions with the Guidance Officer to discuss and explore career pathways; simply call the office to organise an appointment time.
The following links provide valuable information and guidance:
THE GOOD UNIVERSITIES GUIDE – A career information resource that provides an in-depth look at more that 400 occupations and their education and training pathways.
MYFUTURE – A national career exploration website which assists individuals to plan their careers. The website includes comprehensive tools to help identify interests, skills, needs, occupational requirements and education and training providers.
QTAC – Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre access point to apply for Uni/TAFE places and comprehensive information regarding tertiary pathways
HUMANSERVICES – Formerly Centrelink. Important information and services regarding student income support.
GRADUATECAREERS – Information about career destinations.
Counselling, Referrals and Support
Guidance Officers provide a counselling and referral service to assist students in decision-making about critical educational, personal, social, emotional and career development, and provide ongoing support during the implementation phase of their decision. They can also conduct psychoeducational assessment and provide individual student support, recommendations and advice to students, teachers and parents concerning educational, behavioural, career development, mental health and family issues.
Useful links to government agencies and local support services include:
Parentline – Free phone & webchat counselling & support for parents/carers on a range of parenting and family issues.
Family and Child Connect – Experienced family support workers who can connect you to local services to assist with parenting and family matters.
Kids Helpline – 24-hour confidential counselling service.
Bullying No Way – a valuable resource to assist students, parents and teachers around the issue of bullying.
eHEADSPACE – online counselling service provided by headspace.
Child and Youth Mental Health Service Access Team - (07) 5537 0622
Southport SHS Guidance Officers
Years 7 & 8
Chloe Newell (Mon, Wed, Fri) – cmcla53@eq.edu.au &
Kate Sherwood (Tues, Wed, Thurs) – ksher101@eq.edu.au
Years 9 & 10
Joshua Neumann – jneum39@eq.edu.au
Years 11 & 12
Jo Vann – jvann9@eq.edu.au
For a comprehensive list of school-based and community-based support services, please click here.
To submit a WEBS referral (Wellbeing, Education, Behaviour Support), please click here.