Wellbeing

At our college, student wellbeing and learning are intrinsically connected. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive, nurturing, and respectful environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We maintain high expectations while prioritising mental health, cultural identity, resilience, and positive relationships.

Our holistic approach to wellbeing encompasses mental, emotional, social, cultural, and physical support, ensuring that students are equipped to thrive both academically and personally. Through collaboration with staff, students, families, and the wider community, we provide a comprehensive support system tailored to the diverse needs of our students.

We strive to create a safe and welcoming space where all students can learn, grow, and develop the skills necessary to confidently navigate life’s challenges with compassion and resilience.

How we support student wellbeing

Supporting the mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of every student is an integral part of our school community. We foster a safe and inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported.

Our approach includes:

Dedicated teachers who create welcoming and inclusive classrooms
Access to specialised support services, including school counsellors, psychologists, and wellbeing staff
Evidence-based programs promoting health, social skills development, regular attendance, and positive behaviour
Tailored assistance for students transitioning into new year levels or joining the school
Clearly defined expectations around behaviour and respectful relationships
Staff who build meaningful connections with each student and work collaboratively with families
Individualised health care plans to meet students’ specific needs
Open and ongoing communication regarding wellbeing and available support services

Through these strategies, we aim to nurture the whole student, empowering them to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Wellbeing and support staff

Our wellbeing and support staff guide student wellbeing, learning needs and inclusion. They work with teachers to make personalised adjustments. This means each child can take part fully in school life. We make our school welcoming and accessible to every child.

Our wellbeing and support staff

Roman Myszkowski, Head Teacher Wellbeing
Brodie Palmer, Head Teacher Support
Patrick Crouch, Head Teacher Learning and Engagement
Leitesha Green, Learning and Support Teacher
Rhiannon Maher, Learning and Support Teacher
Matthew Laffan, Learning and Support Teacher
Skye Matthews, School Counsellor
Brayden Dunlop, School Counsellor
Alisha Cloughessy, Student Support Officer
Leitesha Green & Mitchell Marlin, Year 12 Advisors
Steve Hopley & Jill Elliot, Year 11 Advisors
Luke Goodley & Natalie Hammond, Year 10 Advisors
Mitchell Marlin, Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Teacher

Roman Myszkowski, Head Teacher Wellbeing

Wellbeing Team, Learning & Support Team, ALEC (Aboriginal Learning & Engagement Team)

Patrick Crouch, Head Teacher Learning and Engagement

Positive Education Coordinator and Teacher

Brody Palmer, Head Teacher Support

TLC (The Learning Centre), Aboriginal Cultural Responsiveness Team

Year Advisors

There are two Year Advisers appointed to each year group and are the first of contact for students in their cohort. Year Advisors work as a team to service the whole student body.

Main Roles / Responsibilities: Student wellbeing & support, academic guidance, attendance monitoring, communication with families, transition support, organising year group activities & rewards, liaising with staff & wellbeing team.

Natalie Hammond, Year 10 Advisor

Luke Goodley, Year 10 Advisor

Steve Hopley, Year 11 Advisor

Jill Elliott, Year 11 Advisor

Leitesha Green, Year 12 Advisor

Mitchell Marlin, Year 12 Advisor

Aboriginal Learning & Engagement Team

The Woy Woy Campus prioritises Aboriginal Education for all students and staff.

We are committed to improving the achievement of our Aboriginal students. Our Aboriginal Learning & Engagement Centre is led by a team that provides, Academic, Wellbeing & Cultural Support to our First Nations Students.

Roman Myszkowski, Head Teacher Wellbeing and ALEC

Mitchell Marlin, ALEC Teacher and Year 12 Advisor

Student Learning Support Officers

SLSOs, or School Learning Support Officers, assist students with additional needs in the classroom and school. They help with learning activities, provide support for students’ wellbeing, and may work with individual students or small groups.

SLSOs also collaborate with teachers and help with classroom routines as needed. Their role is to make sure all students can participate and succeed at school.

Need support for your child's wellbeing?

Get in touch to talk about the right support for your child.

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Supporting our students

Positive Education

At the Senior Campus Positive Education is taught once a fortnight to Year Ten. Positive Education is an approach to education that sees the development of character, resilience and wellbeing vitally important for a student to achieve academic progress. It is not all about a happiness fix or believing that we can feel positive always.

There will always be times in your life when things aren’t going well. That’s part and parcel of being human. You don’t need a smile on your face every day – but what you do need are skills to be optimistic and resilient when faced with a difficult, sad or challenging situation.

It is about creating a community where students and staff have the skills to be their best possible selves, evolving toward their highest potential.

Pos Ed helps students develop the skills they need to be active participants in how they want to “show up” in the world. Wellbeing, resilience and character can be taught and this notion is at the very core of Positive Education.

Research also suggests that students who know how to care for and enhance their own wellbeing tend to achieve higher academic results.

Positive Education will become part of our core thinking as the language is embedded into all classes. We are equipping young people for life beyond school in order to flourish and to have a greater sense of control over their wellbeing.

Student Services

Student Services located in the Nursing Block is a hub that provides students with support services in an inclusive, friendly environment. There are a number of support services available to help guide students during their time here at Brisbane Water Secondary College.

We also organise wellbeing activities for students during each term. This enables students to get involved in a social atmosphere, while meeting new people and building strategies that will also prepare and help them after school life.

Students can get help and assistance with nearly every aspect of their study life - from study support, organisation, student resources and referral to counselling & wellbeing services. Drop in to the Student Services Hub, our friendly and dedicated staff are ready to help.

Aboriginal Student Support

We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students in order to assist them to be successful learners.

We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.

The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal.

At BWSC Woy Woy campus, we run a Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre (ALEC) which aims to provide extra support to students and increase the proportion of Aboriginal students attaining their Higher School Certificate (HSC). The ALEC team does this through:

Providing support for targeted students to achieve literacy / numeracy and subject specific skills required to successfully undertake HSC Minimum Standard and achieve HSC.

Providing support for Aboriginal students in completing tasks, such as homework assignments, library/IT research across all curriculum areas including effective planning and time management skills.

Liaising with teachers, support staff and parents/carers to develop personalised strategies to improve educational outcomes and post schooling opportunities for Aboriginal students.

Working in collaboration with the local AECG and community in supporting the initiative.

Collecting and analysing data to inform targeted support.

Monitoring and evaluating student participation, engagement and academic achievement.

Assisting students at key transition points throughout the year.

Brisbane Water Secondary College has strong links to the local community and the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. The school is committed to meeting the expectations set out by the AECG Partnership Agreement.