Learning

Northside Christian College's counselling department provides students with emotional, academic, and social support.

College Counsellor Mrs Lisa Baker is a fully qualified & registered counsellor is available to support students during term time in school hours for short-term, adhoc & brief intervention counselling in Secondary School, & as relevant in Junior School. Although the counsellor may not be prominently seen in school life, they are present & active within the school community supporting students, staff & parents.


Referrals to College Counsellor

Junior School: All referrals should be made through Sam Heylen.

  • Secondary School: Staff can refer students directly to a Counsellor via email or through a Year Level Coordinator or Head of School. Or students can self-refer.
  • Students must be referred to a College Counsellor when this is the appropriate step in accordance with our Child Protection Policy.
  • Students should be referred to a College Counsellor when:

A staff member becomes aware that the student is facing an issue that is significantly negatively impacting that child’s ability to function effectively in the school environment and that a qualified counsellor could be reasonably expected to be able to provide support for.

Relevant issues would typically be related to:

  • A documented decrease in academic performance or significant underperformance
  • Difficulties with peer relationships
  • Physical or mental health challenges (diagnosed or undiagnosed)
  • Emotional or behavioural self-regulation difficulties
  • The child experiencing a traumatic event
Counselling support offered at Northside Christian College

Counselling may include a one-off discussion, brief intervention to deal with issues, or gauge a student’s needs prior to recommending referral or further assessment, or facilitating a group session for social/emotional learning and skill development.

Session duration can vary from up to 1 hour for initial counselling sessions, to 10 minute check-ins. Students can access counselling services by referral from a staff member, parent request, or for Secondary School students by self-referral. Details discussed are kept confidential unless of a serious nature or safety concerns which require reporting or further supportive action.

The College Counsellors, in consultation with supervisors, will exercise their professional judgement to prioritise appointments according to need.  

Referrals to outside providers

For ongoing longer-term, more complex or specialised counselling needs, it is recommended the student/parent/carer seek support from an external service provider. If a student is receiving external support, we may also be able to collaborate with the counsellor/psychologist to support the student at school. 

When the counsellor believes the student is suffering from an undiagnosed condition or a diagnosed condition which they are not receiving support for, the counsellor should contact the student’s parent or caregiver to recommend they seek further support.

The counsellor should contact a parent/caregiver to recommend that a student seek outside professional support, when a student is seeking ongoing/frequent counselling support beyond the capacity that the College can reasonably provide or that which is appropriate to effectively support that child’s well-being, consistent with the Australian Counselling Association’s code of ethics.

Contact Us Contact during term time in school hours, through main reception or via email: Counsellors: College.Counsellor@northside.qld.edu.au Mrs Lisa Baker: Lisa.Baker@northside.qld.edu.au Chaplain –Wayne Knipe: Wayne.Knipe@northside.qld.edu.au

Support organisations during school holidays for students & parents

Kids Helpline (counselling service 5-25yo) - 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au  

Confidentiality & Safety

Information shared by students in a counselling session is treated confidentially, unless of a serious nature or safety concerns which require reporting or further supportive action. Sometimes this may require liaising with other school staff to assist with counselling outcomes & student well-being needs.

Maintaining confidentiality of student matters is also balanced with duty of care & obligations of the school with information that may affect the health or well-being of a student. Queensland Law requires schools to report to relevant agencies all disclosures of significant harm made by students, as well as all suspicions of significant harm involving students.

Links to relevant NCC policies: