From the Guidance Officers

Student Support Services Team Available Days:

Mission Statement

Our Proserpine State High School Student Advisory Centre supports and embraces students social, emotional, physical, cultural, wellbeing and diversity with an inclusive, non-judgemental strength-based approach.

Our Student Advisory Centre forms partnerships with students, staff, families and the wider community to empower positive life choices at school and beyond.

Student Welfare

Along with academic success, the well-being of all students is something we value highly at Proserpine State High School. We believe that the mental health and wellbeing of all students is a key foundation for school success.

Our Student Support Team work with students individually and in classes or groups on a whole range of issues relating to wellbeing. This can include stress, friendship, peer pressure, bullying and any other matters relating to mental health and social/emotional wellbeing.

We encourage parents and carers to contact our team if they have concerns or require support for their child, or would simply like further information on topics relating to student well-being. Students can also self-refer to our services. Appointments can be made through our school Adminstration Office.

Student Support Staff invest great effort and resources to create a positive and welcoming school environment for every student and to assist each student as best they can with whatever concerns they’re experiencing. However, there will be times when services outside of our school are recommended, particularly when a specific expertise is needed or the student would prefer to seek assistance from someone outside of the school. In such situations, the relevant staff will work with families and external services to ensure the best outcome for the student.

Our Student Support Services Team are located in the Student Advisory Centre next to our school Adminstration Office on Ruge Street.

Health Matters

Hi Everyone!

I’m Karen Dachs, the Proserpine State High School, School-Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN). I can be found in the Student Advisory Centre (SAC) on Monday, Tuesday and alternating Wednesdays. Please feel free to call me on (07) 4945 0112 if you have any queries.

An outline of what I do

The SBYHN works with students and our school community on issues that may affect the health and wellbeing of young people and the school community as a whole. This includes helping with curriculum, teaching and learning activities, providing health information and referral, supporting the development of the environment and school culture that supports health and wellbeing, and working with the community and other services.

The SBYHN can provide health and wellbeing information about:

• healthy eating and physical activity
• feeling unhappy or stressed
• relationships
• healthy skin
• personal and family problems
• growth and development
• sexual health
• smoking, alcohol and other drugs.

Confidentiality

Young people have a right to confidentiality when accessing health services. As a health service provider the SBYHN respects this but there are some things the nurse must refer or act upon.

In most cases, it is best for young people to talk to their parents about health and wellbeing issues. I can support young people to do this.

Getting the best help for health

At times other services can provide more appropriate or further help or support for young people. The SBYHN will discuss the options for working with other services or linking young people with the right services.

The SBYHN does not provide

• treatment such as medications, injections, first aid
• physical examinations
• ongoing counselling for psychological problems.

Student appointments can be made to see me before or after school, or during breaks.

2025 School Immunisation Program Dates

Year 7

• Tuesday 1^st April for HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and DTPa (Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis or Whooping Cough)

Year 10  

• Tuesday 25^th March for Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B (1of 2)
• Tuesday 2^nd June for Meningococcal B (2 of 2)

Consent/information forms will be sent home with your child in late February. Please read the information and discuss with your child so they understand what immunisations they are getting.

The consent forms cover all of the dates for ALL of the above listed immunisations for the year. Please return signed consent forms as soon as possible to our Adminstration Office NO LATER than Friday 7^th March. Spare consent forms can be collecting from our Administration Office if needed.

If you don’t want your child to be vaccinated through the school program, complete the 'No to Vaccination' section on the consent card.

PLEASE NOTE: No immunisations will be given on the day if the consent forms have not been signed.

Please contact your doctor if you need to check your child’s medical records.

If your child is not here on these days and misses out on their immunisations then you need to contact the Proserpine Hospital or make arrangements with your local Doctor/GP to have these done.

For further information please don't hesitate to contact me.

Yarning Circle

Week 1

Hello Year 7 parents and carers, my name is Arthur Gabey, and I am a descendent of the Gia/Gyia and Ngaro Aboriginal People and Zagareb People of Murry (Mer) Island in the Torres Straits.  I’m the Community Education Counsellor (CEC) here at Proserpine State High School and can be found at the Student Advisory Centre (SAC). My main focus is working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to reach their full academic potential and attendance rate at school. I'm looking forward to 2025 and building a positive relationship and partnership with all families.  

Deadly Choices Program

This year, the Deadly Choices Program will be running an additional program in collaboration with the Mackay Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (MATSICHS) team who will be running a cooking program for any interested First Nations senior students. 

Ex-Mackay Cutters Rugby League player Corbyn Tass will be mentoring our seniors while, Mackay Hospital and Health Service Deadly Choices team member Chris Viti will be supervising our juniors.  It is very exciting having two programs starting at our school next week and encourage students to engage with both programs.

More details and information will be sent to parents and carers in the coming week.

SENIOR ATSIAP Program

Our senior students are invited to participate in the 2025 ATSIAP Challenge. This is a team event where our students are given a topic two weeks prior to the closing date whereby they must create an original speech, poem, and art of their chosen topic. Each entry must be filmed, with students presenting their work that will be marked by a panel against pieces created by students from schools in North Queensland. If our school is successful, our students will compete in the Senior ATSIAP State Challenge. If your child is interested, can they please come and see me at the SAC this week and next.

Teacher Aide First Nations

Mayarli walka! (Good day in Pitta Pitta language: My-al-lee wal-kah)

 

My name is Kelli McDonald and I'm Proserpine State High School's Teacher Aide for First Nations students.

I am a proud Waanyi and Gangalidda (lower Gulf) and Pitta Pitta (Boulia) and Wangkamahdla (Dajarra) woman and have been fortunate enough to live on Gia country the majority of my life.

I have been a classroom Teacher Aide at Proserpine State High School for ten years.  My primary role is to provide support in English to both Teachers and students in Years 7, 8 and 9. 

I also work alongside the School's Community Education Counsellor, Mr Arthur Gabey to support our First Nations students and their families.  Some aspects of this role include:-

• Seeking opportunities for First Nations students including University programs, scholarships and courses;
• Promotion of leadership opportunities within our school and community; and
• Engaging our senior students in work experience opportunities.

If you would like to speak with me about opportunities that may be available to your young person, please don't hesitate to contact me on 4945 0162 or email kmcdo302@eq.edu.au