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We hope that you and your family have enjoyed a restful summer holiday. As we begin another school year, we would like to take a moment to introduce the dedicated wellbeing team here at Kolbe Catholic College that is focused on supporting the wellbeing of all our students.
2026 Wellbeing Team
Patrick Ryan: School Counsellor
Sophia Antoniades: School Counsellor
Nicola Karaconstantis: School Psychologist
Annika Ring: School Psychologist
Tanya Borg: Student Wellbeing Practitioner
Bethan Ellsmore: School Counsellor (St Catherine Campus)
We welcome Bethan to the team as she begins her role as School Counsellor at our St Catherine Campus.
Each student at Kolbe Catholic College has access to support through counselling. Our School Counsellors and School Psychologist can assist students in navigating a range of challenges, with the aim of supporting mental health and wellbeing of students to enhance their learning and engagement at school. Our Student Wellbeing Practitioner will be working to develop and implement individual and group programs to enhance student engagement and outcomes.
If you believe that your child may benefit from support with the wellbeing team, please reach out to your child's PC teacher, year level leader, or directly to the wellbeing team. The wellbeing team looks forward to working with you and your child for a positive year ahead.
In the Community
ParentZone Podcast
The ParentZone Teams have launched TWELVE new ParentZone Pods. Each Pod identifies and explores common issues parents bring to our parenting groups and offers strategies to try in these situations. Pods can be found on Apple, Spotify and the ParentZone website.
ParentZone Programs
Autism – Life on the Spectrum | Online
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Price: FREE - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Location: Online
Contact: Michelle
Phone: 0438 646 744
Part 1 of an interactive two-part workshop for parents/carers of autistic children. Come together with other parents/carers to share experiences and explore:
The autism spectrum
What this means
Patterns of behaviour common to the autistic profile
Useful strategies
Wellio Webinars
FREE Parent Webinar – Parenting Through the Under-16 Social Media Age Restrictions. Living with the social media age restrictions and figuring out what works at home.
Tuesday 24 March 2026
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm AEST
In this session, we explore how parents can:
Make sense of what's happening now: What social media use looks like for children under the restrictions, and what families are noticing at home.
Manage access without constant battles: Ways to respond to pressure and pushback without turning it into daily conflict.
Keep safety in focus: How to notice when something online is not right and keep conversations open and ongoing.
Click here to register.
Tips, Tricks & Links
Managing School Refusal
Returning to school can be a challenging time for some students, and parents may begin to see some reluctance to come to school. What may start as an avoidance of a temporary trigger can sometimes grow into a student feeling so overwhelmed that they feel unable to attend school. This can be a challenging time for families. Click here to read Reach Out’s practical strategies to help you manage your teen's school refusal. Click here to understand more about the difference between school refusal and school reluctance.
If you are worried about your child’s school attendance, please reach out to the school.
Supporting Secondary Students: Recognising and Responding to Self-Harm
Adolescence can be a challenging time, and some young people cope with overwhelming emotions in harmful ways, including self-harm. While it can be confronting for parents to think about, understanding the signs and knowing how to respond can make a meaningful difference in a young person’s wellbeing.
What is self-harm?
Self-harm refers to when a person deliberately hurts themselves as a way of coping with emotional pain, distress, or difficult feelings. It is often not about wanting to end one’s life, but rather about trying to manage intense emotions. However, it is always a sign that a young person needs support.
Possible warning signs
Parents might notice changes such as:
- Unexplained cuts, burns, or bruises (often on arms, thighs, or stomach)
- Wearing long sleeves even in warm weather
- Spending long periods alone in the bathroom or bedroom
- Mood changes, withdrawal from friends or family, or increased secrecy
- Talking about feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, or numb
These signs do not always mean a young person is self-harming, but they can signal that they are struggling.
How parents can respond
If you are concerned your child may be self-harming, your response can strongly influence whether they feel safe to open up.
- Stay calm and listen. Try to respond without anger or panic. Focus on understanding how they are feeling.
- Start a conversation. Choose a quiet moment and express your concern in a supportive way, such as: “I’ve noticed you seem really stressed lately, and I care about how you’re feeling.”
- Avoid judgment or punishment. Self-harm is usually a coping strategy, not attention-seeking behaviour.
- Seek professional support. A GP, school wellbeing staff, psychologist, or counsellor can help assess the situation and provide appropriate support.
- Stay connected. Regular check-ins, supportive routines, and open communication can help young people feel less alone.
When to seek urgent help
If you believe your child is at immediate risk of serious harm or suicide, seek urgent assistance from medical or emergency services.
Remember
Self-harm can be a sign that a young person is struggling with emotions they don’t yet know how to manage. With understanding, open communication, and the right support, many young people learn healthier ways to cope and recover.
If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, reaching out early (to the school or a health professional) can be an important first step.
Support Services
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
eHeadspace: 1800 650 890
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Suicide Callback: 1300 659 467
Parentline: 13 22 89
1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732
Annika Ring
Psychologist
