Chadd Richardson
Head of Student Services 
Years 7 & 8

Heather Currie
Head of Student Services
Years 9 & 10

Ben Dawkins
Head of Student Services
Years 11 & 12

STUDENT SUPPORT OFFICER: MANDY LUCAS

I’m Mandy and I’m the Student Support Officer supporting all year groups. I’m passionate about a safe and welcoming space within Student Services for any student requiring additional support. My role within the team is to provide a high level of pastoral care, monitoring of students on Risk Management Plans, teaching Social and Emotional Learning program and providing additional support for teachers within the classroom related to wellbeing/mental health and behaviour. I also assist with Breakfast Club, first aid and student medication. 

You may find me in a classroom or in the Student Services Hub - just listen out for the Scottish accent!

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST: IONA HUGHES

I'm Iona and I am the College's School Psychologist. I am passionate about the social emotional wellbeing of students, and love working collaboratively with staff around student mental health, behaviour and learning. To support my own social emotional wellbeing please feel free to say hi when you see me lurking around the College or in Student Services. All individual student referrals for me go through the HOSS for that student's year group. If I am involved with a student in one of your classes you may get requests for observations or data from me. 

I work within all tiers of support to ensure positive and improved outcomes for students, including:

Tier 3 (e.g., counselling, behaviour/learning/risk assessments, designing supports for students with complex needs).

Tier 2 (e.g., running and supporting the roll out of small group programs, collaboration with staff/parents/agencies); and

Tier 1 (e.g., presentations and seminars for staff and parents, supporting whole school frameworks and policies, membership on relevant school teams and committees).  

KURT CROMPTON: SCHOOL YOUTH WORKER

I'm Kurt and I am the College’s School Youth Worker. My passion lies with the engagement and wellbeing of students with the College, and of working collaboratively with staff to support student mental health, learning engagement, and behaviour. I also love to help the students learn valuable life skills they can take forward with them for the rest of their lives. All individual student referrals for me go through the HOSS for that student's year group. However, I am also available for impromptu chats!

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE: MICHELLE DRAGICEVICH

Hi Team Belridge! I am Nurse Michelle, and I would like to introduce myself and my role at Belridge Secondary College.

It has been a long winding professional journey, starting with battle casualty and trauma training as a HM Forces Nurse to Senior Research and Intensive Care positions, traversing the globe for funseys and arriving in Oz to the lofty and humbling role of Director of Nursing to Dajarra (population 300 in the A&E end of Queensland!).

I’m a Mum to two gorgeous humans who have shaped and informed my practice, gaining insight into the more challenging and less defined areas of SEWB. I am currently completing my Post Grad in Child and Family Health and consolidating 20 years working with kids. In Perth metro I have had the honour of working at PMH (RIP), Child Development Service, Aboriginal Health Team, Refugee Health and School Health.

What is the role of the School Health Nurse/ what can I do for our community?

• Provision of primary health care, health counselling for adolescents and support with complex and/or chronic health needs.
• Guide health and wellbeing at an individual to whole school level approach, lead targeted or small group work sessions (Mental Health and Wellbeing, Asthma, Allergy, Vape, etc).
• Support and collaborate with inside/outside classroom curriculum Health Education/Promotion, such as Sexual Health, Healthy Eating, Relationships, protective behaviours, vaping, bullying, cyber safety, etc.
• Recommend or request external organisations to support the above activities.
• Family liaison.
• Support families and our young people to transition from paediatric to adult services.
• Individual holistic health consultations. We accept referrals for any young person that you are concerned about, just email the HOSS a request.
• Develop a relationship and hold space with kids until their referrals are activated.
• Mandatory reporting as defined and required by law. Liaison with Child Protection services.

The nurse role must comply with State, Federal and Professional legislation, Standards and Policy. So, to clarify the stance regarding First Aid:

“the community health nurse should assist in a medical emergency at school if they are present at the time of an incident or utilised as a secondary consultation where there is concern about the nature of the injury or where incidents are recurrent. Although not responsible for development of first aid policy and procedures, the community health nurse can use their expertise and knowledge to provide guidance”.

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of school health, including curriculum and classroom support please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Nurse Fiona.

SCHOOL COMPANION DOG: PEANUT 

Hi - I’m Peanut, and I am the school Companion Dog. I can be found in Student Services every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  My role is to work with students (and staff) who might need cheering up or a cuddle. I love my job and making people happy.

Sometimes, students’ plans incorporate time with me as a reward or support strategy. If you would like me to visit a class or feel a student may benefit from time with me, please contact Heather (my Mum) in Student Services.