Student Wellbeing
Counselling & Support
School Counsellors
The school counselling service supports students’ wellbeing, learning, behaviour, and participation at school. It may include counselling and emotional support, wellbeing and behavioural assessment (non-diagnostic), consultation with parents/carers, external providers, and staff, advice to support learning, engagement, and adjustment at school.
School counselling appointments are made with students during class times on school days. The service is designed to be short-term and voluntary and does not replace urgent mental health care or longer-term therapy. If a student’s needs go beyond what school support can provide, the counselling team will work with the student and family to explore external options.
Referrals for students in Kindergarten to Year 6 can be initiated by Parents/Carers and Teachers and are processed through the School Principal. A referral form can be accessed via the Class Teacher and should be returned to the Class Teacher or Principal.
Referrals for students in Year 7 to 12 may be initiated by the Student, Parents/Carers, and/or Year Leaders or Wellbeing staff. Students and Parents/Carers (if applicable) will be required to complete a consent and referral form. Please contact the school to access these.
Ms Angela Lykousis is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) dedicated to supporting the well-being of our students and families. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master in Counselling, blending systemic support with specialised therapeutic skills. In her counselling practice, relational safety is the absolute priority, believing that children can only learn, grow and heal when they feel genuinely safe, seen, and understood by the adults around them.
Her work in counselling students from Kindergarten- Year 6 is grounded in several core pillars:
Trauma Responsive care – Children’s behaviours are viewed as communication and focus remains on a curious understanding of the “why” behind their challenges.
Family and community systems. Children are supported and viewed within the unique context of their family, classroom and broader community.
Child Development and Play therapy. Play is the natural language of children. Ms Lykousis uses evidence based play therapy, and creative interventions to help students process emotions and build resilience at their own developmental level.
Ms Magali Legrand (pronounced “Mah-Gah-Lee”) is a School Counsellor supporting primary school students from Kindergarten to Year 6, Tuesday to Friday. She brings warmth, compassion, and over ten years of experience working with children, families, and communities across education, family therapy, child protection, disability, and health settings.
With a Bachelor’s Degree (France) and a Master’s Degree (Australia) in Social Work, she is passionate about creating a safe and supportive space where children and families feel heard, valued, and empowered. Her approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and guided by a strong understanding of child development, attachment, and wellbeing.
She provides short-term individualised counselling support and works closely with families, school staff, and external services to strengthen connections between home, school, and the wider community. She also incorporates elements of play, creative, and body-based approaches to support children in feeling confident, connected, and able to thrive both emotionally and academically.”
Abbey Smith is a Registered Psychologist supporting Year 7—12 students on Mondays and Fridays. Abbey provides a safe space for students, providing tailored evidence-based treatment to empower growth. Abbey offers short-term individual counselling and works closely with families, staff, and external services to strengthen connections between home, school, and the wider community. In sessions with Abbey, students will have the space to speak freely and be heard without judgement. Abbey aims to assist students develop skills required to enrich their school experience. Abbey believes that students are the experts in their own lives and will work alongside them to navigate challenges they may face at school. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time”.
Ashleigh Smith is a Registered Psychologist supporting Year 7—12 students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Ashleigh brings a warm and reassuring presence, with a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma informed approach. Ashleigh offers short-term individual counselling and works closely with families, staff, and external services to strengthen connections between home, school, and the wider community. In sessions with Ashleigh, students will have access to various sensory supports, mindful breaks, and adjustments tailored to each student’s needs. Ashleigh hopes that each student who enters the counselling space feels safe, seen, and heard. Her goal is never to ‘fix’ the student but rather to support them to harness their unique strengths and experiences, embrace their authentic self, and develop strategies to navigate school challenges with clarity and confidence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, visit your nearest hospital emergency or use any of the crisis helplines below. If life is in immediate danger, please call 000.
• Lifeline,lifeline.org.au/ or 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline, kidshelpline.com.au/ or 1800 55 1800
• Mental Health Line, 1800 011 511
• 13YARN, 13yarn.org.au/ or 13 92 76
• QLife, qlife.org.au/ or 1800 184 527
• 1800RESPECT, 1800respect.org.au or 1800 737 732
