Student Support
Wellbeing at PSC
The Wellbeing team operates with a student focus promoting and supporting positive mental health and engagement with learning. The team operates in a proactive way on early intervention as well as responding to emerging issues or concerns.
The team work closely with the sub-school teams and parents for students referred to wellbeing or students who self-refer to provide support, advice and a safe space.
Our Wellbeing Team
From Left to Right: Kylie Phillips - Les Twentyman Foundation, Anna Syposs - Adolescent Health Nurse, Allysha Coghlan - Wellbeing Officer, Vidhi Sethi - Wellbeing Officer, Courtney Sloothaak - Wellbeing Officer, Caroline Caparas - Mental Health Practitioner
Our Student Wellbeing Team consists of:
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Assistant Principal
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Mental Health Practitioner
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Student Wellbeing Counsellors
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Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist
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Disability Inclusion Wellbeing Coordinator
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Disability Inclusion Support Teacher
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Adolescent Health Nurse
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Youth Worker
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DE&T Student Support Service Officers
Make school attendance a priority
To help students and families understand the ways in which the College can best create a happy school, we have a Student Engagement & Wellbeing Policy that is based on the following ideals:
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Students have the right to work and learn in a safe place, where they can develop their talents, interests and ambitions.
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Teachers will be able to teach in an ordered and cooperative setting
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Parents can expect their children to be taught in a caring environment where respect and positive relationships are fostered
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Everyone will respect and take care of the College property and the property of others
At Pakenham Secondary College, we believe social and emotional wellbeing provides the best basis for student learning and positive behaviour.
If you are experiencing difficulties outside of normal school hours these services may prove useful:
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
For online chats, apps
Youth Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
For online chats, apps
1800 650 890
Disability Inclusion Program
Pakenham Secondary College is proud to offer an outstanding Disability Inclusion Program designed to enhance the educational experience for students with diverse learning needs. Our Disability Inclusion approach focuses on three key areas to improve learning outcomes for students:
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A tiered model of funding to provide targeted support,
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A strength-based approach to empower students with disabilities, and
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Ongoing professional development and collaboration with specialist allied health teams.
Our Disability Inclusion team is supported by the Assistant Principal (Wellbeing), the Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist, the Disability Inclusion Wellbeing Coordinator and the Disability Inclusion Support Teacher.
Our team possesses extensive expertise in a variety of strategies, resources, and tools that enable students with disabilities to reach their full potential.
We also highly value the support of our families and actively engage with them through quarterly Student Support Group meetings. These meetings help develop Individual Education Plans and Behaviour Support Plans, ensuring that all teachers are equipped to meet each student's unique learning needs.
Immunisations at PSC
Year 7 & 10 Immunisation Information 2025
The Cardinia Shire Council immunisation service delivers a school-based immunisation program to children living or being educated within the municipality. The Secondary School Immunisation Program (SSIP) offers free vaccines to all eligible Year 7 and Year 10 students. Throughout the 2025 school year, Pakenham Secondary College will be hosting an immunisation session for each of these year levels.
The Cardinia Shire Council use an online platform provided by the Victorian Department of Health, called the Central Immunisation Records Victoria (CIRV) to manage those receiving an immunisation. Your school will provide you with an immunisation session visit date, along with a CIRV portal link to complete an online consent form for your child. (Early 2025)
Parents/guardians are required to complete this online form, even if they choose not to consent for their child to be vaccinated at school. If Council do not receive a yes or no consent, further follow up and correspondence will be sent.
The following vaccines are offered through the Secondary School Immunisation Program:
Year 7 students
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Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Year 10 students
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Meningococcal ACWY
For further information on the Secondary School Vaccine Program, please visit: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools
First Aid at PSC
If your child feels unwell at school, they should ask their teacher for permission to visit Sick Bay. The teacher will provide a note for the First Aid Officer. Students are not permitted to contact parents directly. Our First Aid Officer/Nurse will administer basic first aid and either send the student back to class or, if necessary, contact parents for the child to be collected.
It is essential that correct protocols are followed. Students must visit the First Aid Office when unwell and should not contact parents directly.
Asthma Management Plan
It is important that all students with asthma have an Asthma Management Plan.
Parents or carers and the student's general practitioner (GP) should annually complete or review each student's Asthma Action Plan.
Please visit the link below to find out more.