Wellbeing at De La Salle Wellbeing is a state of being that comes from connectedness and meaningfulness. Our psychological, physical, spiritual and social wellbeing depends upon how well we are connected to ourselves and to the world outside ourselves, and on the meaning that we assign to our Mr Pascal Rohan connections. At De La, we have a number of staff and students whose aim is to promote the wellbeing of the members of our community. By involving a variety of people, each busy and focused on targeted areas of wellbeing, we hope to provide a holistic service to those in the College. The chart opposite represents those involved in the wellbeing organization. Counselling Team The counselling team comprises Pascal Rohan at Tiverton and Paul Marshall at Kinnoull. Typically, counsellors’ time is taken with seeing individual students, who present with issues that cause a degree of unease. Some group work also occurs for students experiencing like difficulties. We have approximately 250 students who have availed of one-toone, ongoing counselling throughout the year.
Parent education is part of the counselling responsibility. Two parent evenings were arranged during the year to assist parents (a) enhance communication with sons and (b) understand and deal effectively with anger. These were presented to a full theatre of participants. Student Wellbeing Team DLS is happy to have had the opportunity to trial a Student Wellbeing Team, comprising three students from Year 8, three from Year 7 and one from Years 4, 5 and 6. Their chief aim has been to promote the wellbeing of students in their particular year levels. They have chosen to do this by producing yearlevel booklets on topics such as peer pressure, inclusion, bullying, anger and the like. The Year 7 arm of the team has prepared a booklet for Year 6’s coming to De La in 2010 to assist in their transition from primary to secondary school. It is encouraging to see these boys and young men take an active interest in the wellbeing of their fellow students. The team will expand next year to include Year 9.
Health Centre Team Ms Anne Litchfield and Ms Jenni Belden, College nurses, assist boys presenting with illness or injury. Both work proactively in other areas of physical health, and have been instrumental in reviewing our canteen foods and in the establishment of a diabetes support group. Our nurses have also kept the College up to date with legislation involving anaphylaxis and have provided inservicing for staff. Alerting teachers to particular health needs of students is also the responsibility of the team. Parent Wellbeing Team “Under construction!” This team, comprising volunteer parents, aims to assist parents in their important role of parenting. 2009 has seen the formation of the team, with meetings and a suggested way forward in 2010. Chaplain Joan Ferguson tends to the spiritual needs of students and the sacramental program. Joan’s report is included on page 5. Mr Pascal Rohan Director of Counselling
Student Wellbeing Team Logo
Student Wellbeing Team
Back: Jordan Matera, Harry Thompson, Aiden Watson, Mr Pascal Rohan Front: Oliver Lindsay, Christian Di Donato, Michael McMahon, James Tavitian, Ryan Taranto Absent: Jayden Rowe.
Paul Marshall
Jenni Belden and Anne Litchfield
