Guidance officers working in state high schools are registered teachers who have undertaken further post graduate studies in a Masters of Educational Studies with specific training in guidance, counselling and psychology.
The guidance program at Mountain Creek State High School is strongly linked to other student support programs within the student services faculty in collaboration with the school based youth health nurse, chaplains and vocational education officer.
At Mountain Creek State High School, we have a Guidance Officer who works as a Student Wellbeing Professional (SWP). The role of the SWP is to increase access to wellbeing and mental health support at school. This program offers 6-10 counselling sessions and supports students with mild to moderate mental health concerns, thereby intervening early and alleviating some of the challenges teachers experience in supporting these students in the classroom.
General eligibility criteria for referral to the program are:
- Mental health concern
- Mild – Moderate severity
- Barriers to mental health care
Referrals are submitted via the Student Services team. If you believe your child meets this criteria and would benefit from counselling sessions, please discuss with your child’s Head of Year.
Areas of operation
Management
The guidance officers function as a key member of the student services faculty and are responsible for managing the support services available to students in collaboration with the youth health nurse and the chaplains. The guidance officers are also members of the school management team.
Careers
In addition to Education Career Planning days and interviews with Heads of Sub School, students can access a wide variety of career information relating to TAFE Colleges, Universities, Australian Defence Force, Apprenticeships and Traineeships in the Career Room (G106). Students are also able to access sites like the Job Guide and Myfuture which allows searches of hundreds of different courses and careers on the internet (see Resources link). Students are kept up to date through newsletters, student notices and assemblies in career information (Open days and scholarships on offer at various institutions). Guidance officers also discuss alternate pathways for students.
Curriculum
The guidance officers facilitate some staff training and development, as well as assisting various members of the school community with student course choices and changes. The guidance officers often assists enrolment and departure of students, especially in critical or complex cases.
Behaviour
Guidance officers are involved in formulating individual student management plans for those students deemed to be "at risk".
Special education
The guidance officers provides team consultancy support to special education program assessments, ascertainment and placements, as well as a coordinating role in terms of reporting, filing and referral procedures. In particular cases, the guidance officers performs psychoeducational assessments.
- Recognition of and referral to appropriate professionals for students with learning disabilities or with learning styles requiring adjustments in the classroom.
- Interpreting educational/psychological reports for parents and teachers.
- Assisting students on how to improve their study, time management and decision making skills.
- Management of academic difficulties including special consideration.