At our school, student wellbeing and welfare is at the heart of everything we do. We know that students have the best chance of succeeding at school when they feel safe, secure and known; that positive learning growth is underpinned by positive wellbeing. A vital aspect of our work at school is to ensure that every student has access to the support they need, both in and out of the classroom.
As a small school, staff are able to get to know individual students as individuals and their families, and and develop positive, friendly relationships. Year level coordinators are students' form teachers so they are able to check in each morning to set everyone up for a positive day. We have small class sizes, so teachers are able to work with students 1:1 and develop the relationships that form a basis for great learning.
To develop positive relationships between students and staff, we regularly host wellbeing days where students get to learn and have some fun with activities like a Colour Run and 'Do It for Dolly' day where students from Prep to Year 12 worked in cross age groups to complete obstacle courses and activities to promote working together and raised awareness about the impacts of bullying. It is always wonderful to see our older students acting as role models for our younger students
Students are able to access support in the Wellbeing Space through various members of the wellbeing team including:
Cindy Jenkinson-Clarke
Mental Health practitioner
Tracy Crispe
Secondary School Nurse
Felicity Lowrey
School Chaplain
John Ralph
Principal
Trish Butters
Acting Assistant Principal
Carlee Dart
Mental Health Leader
Cindy, our Mental Health Practitioner, is at the school Tuesdays (part of the day), Thursdays and Fridays. Secondary students who see Cindy are usually referred through the school’s well-being/leadership team and generally require parental consent/permission if under 18 years of age. Cindy provides confidential, direct mental health support to students who may be experiencing mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, or issues relating to stress, loss and grief, identity, trauma, peer connectedness or emotion regulation, to name a few. Cindy also provides referrals for students to outside organisations, such as Headspace, or The Orange Door. At times Cindy runs small group programs (6-8 students), with a focus on social and emotional learning, coping strategies and mindfulness. Cindy also co-facilitates a Teen Mental Health First Aid Course, for Year 8 and 11 students, with Secondary School Nurse Tracy Crispe.
In 2025, Felicity will continue to be our school chaplain. Her role is provide pastoral care for students, parents, carers and staff.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
In 2025 we are fortunate to have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader who is available to support you, your families and staff with your health and wellbeing. Mrs Dart will be working within classrooms and at times running small groups. You are always welcome to go and see Mrs Dart for support.
Sick Bay is located in the front office area. If students are feeling unwell or injured when they are at school they should tell their teacher and ask if they can go to sick bay and one of our amazing office staff will help them. Sometimes they may just need a rest, and other times the office staff will contact parents to arrange for them to go home.
Everyone at Hawkesdale P12 College deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. Hawkesdale P12 College has adopted Respectful Relationships as a whole school approach for supporting respect at our school. We know that respect thrives where positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are lived across our school community and we strive for a school culture that supports this. Your classroom learning will reinforce what is being modelled at school.
To support our students' health and wellbeing, we host regular information sessions with a focus on health promotion. These involve external service providers, our health teachers and our school nurse Tracy delivering sessions and workshops on topics such as:
We have health providers visit our school to provide hearing assessments and to deliver immunisations.
We also regularly host wellbeing days where students get to learn and have some fun with activities like a colour run and 'Do It for Dolly' days where students from Prep to Year 12 learn about the impact of bullying.
Students have worked in cross age groups to complete obstacle courses and activities to promote working together and raised awareness. It is always wonderful to see our older students acting as role models for our younger students!
