College Counsellors

Northside employs two part-time College Counsellors - Mrs Rosemary Jacobitz & Mrs Lisa Baker. Our fully qualified & registered counsellors are 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 our counsellors may not be prominently seen in school life, they are present & active within the school community supporting students, staff & parents.

In addition to our counselling team, Northside also employs a part-time School Chaplain – Wayne Knipe, who comes alongside our students to encourage & support them through conversation & prayer.


Counselling can enhance students’ learning, mental health & wellbeing, social & emotional function, participation in school/classroom activities & connection to the wider school community. Our College Counsellors also offer support to students facing more difficult life challenges. 

Referrals to College Counsellors

  • 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.

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

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.

Referral Process

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.

Contact Us:

Contact during term time in school hours, through main reception or via email:

Counsellors: College.Counsellor@northside.qld.edu.au
Mrs Rosemary Jacobitz: Rosemary.Jacobitz@northside.qld.edu.au 
Mrs Lisa Baker: Lisa.Baker@northside.qld.edu.au
Chaplain: Wayne.Knipe@northside.qld.edu.au

Psychology, counselling & allied health service providers in surrounding suburbs
  • GP/Medical Practitioner – A mental health assessment can be provided, and if eligible a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) to access psychological services at a more affordable rate (Medicare rebates). GPs may also recommend psychologists or allied health services that offer bulk billing. 

    TIP: for securing earlier psychologist appointment:  Book appointments at multiple clinics, ask to be placed on their waitlist for cancellations if an earlier appointment becomes available. Also consider booking online video consultations.  
  • headspace – Strathpine, Redcliffe Provides free or low-cost counselling and support services to 12yo to 25yo.
  • All About Kids – Strathpine, Wooloowin, Telehealth  www.allaboutkids.com.au Child and youth allied health services
  • Foundations Counselling Centre – Carseldine  www.foundationscounselling.com.au   Medicare rebates available (with MHCP). Services provided by consultants holding a Christian world view.
  •  Young Minds Network Services – Stafford, The Gap, North Lakes, Redcliffe  www.youngmindsnetwork.com.au Psychologists and allied health clinicians
  •  Q-Psych Psychologists – Stafford Heights  www.qpsych.com.au Psychology services for children and adults

Act for Kids:

  • Flourish – Child and Family Therapy www.actforkids.com.au/services/flourish  Counselling for children, young people and their families who have experienced trauma or who are at risk of harm. Community referrals accepted. Service is free of charge.
  •  Integrated Therapy Services  www.actforkids.com.au/services/integrated-therapy-service  For behavioural, emotional and/or developmental difficulties due to trauma from abuse and neglect or who are at risk of harm. Speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists. 


Child and Family Connect:

https://www.familychildconnect.org.au/

If your family is going through tough times, contact Family and Child Connect for free, unlimited and confidential advice, to connect you to practical support. Child and Family Connect can help with a range of family and parenting challenges.

Additional tools for parenting toolkit

  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program - free online courses & resources https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/triple-p/

    • Support organisations during school holidays for students & parents
    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: