Wellbeing Team
Our College offers a highly skilled and approachable Wellbeing Team who work with students to strengthen their mental health, manage and oversee referrals to other services and agencies, and coordinate and run proactive events and programs that support our students’ mental health and wellbeing. Our team works with students individually, in small groups and larger groups. The Wellbeing Team includes an Assistant Principal, Wellbeing Leader & Mental Health Practitioner, counsellors, a Chaplain, and an Adolescent Health Nurse.
We are a part of the ‘Doctors in Schools’ initiative and have a GP and trained nurse on site once a week, in addition to our school First Aid nurse. The Wellbeing Team work closely with the Student Engagement Leaders across the school in order to provide a coordinated approach to student support.
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Allirra Scott Assistant Principal - Wellbeing |
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Kristina Toleman Wellbeing Leader & Mental Health Practitioner My name is Tina and I am the Mental Health Practitioner here at Melba College. I am immensely proud to be a part of this amazing wellbeing team and feel honoured to connect with students and support them in their pursuit of better mental health. I am a Registered Counsellor with a degree in Psychology and Master of Counselling. I have worked with children, teenagers and their families in childcare settings, schools, football clubs and private practice, for over 20 years and have loved having a positive impact on so many people. I am happily married and a proud mother of some amazing young adults, who I still love to spend time with, especially when we are holidaying, playing competitive games or going to the rugby. I believe people need to feel seen and heard and therefore I listen to truly understand their experiences and their needs. |
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Georgia Corless Student Counsellor Hi, my name is Georgia, I am one of the student counsellors at Melba College, I am proud to be a part of this knowledgeable wellbeing team. My role is to support students’ wellbeing and mental health, I’m here to provide a safe, calm and confidential space where students can talk about anything that’s on their mind. I am a registered counsellor with a Bachelor of Counselling, with a passion towards working with teenagers and youth I believe that everyone should feel comfortable, safe and heard while they navigate their time at school. Outside of Counselling, my passion is dancing and spending time with my family and friends, especially playing board games or going to watch Richmond play at the ‘G’. My job is to listen, make you feel heard, and support you to find strategies that work for you.
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Tamara McGrath Adolescent Health Nurse I am a registered Nurse with a graduate certificate in mental health. I started my career working in acute mental health which I really enjoyed, but I quickly realised that if we supported people with their mental health earlier in life it would lessen the impact of illness. For this reason, I decided to work with young people and I have been in the role as a Secondary School Nurse for the past 20 years. As a Secondary School Nurse, I have had the pleasure of working at Melba College for 5 years and in that time I have supported students in a number of ways, including:
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" Mother Teresa |
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Lindsey Lewis Student Counsellor Hi, I’m Lindsey. I’m a registered counsellor with a special focus on supporting children, teenagers, and families. My goal is to provide a safe, welcoming space where you can talk openly and feel heard. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, stress, grief, or just need support through life’s changes, I’m here to help you find a way forward that feels right for you. I believe that “Healing begins with a safe space to be heard." Outside of counselling, I’m a mum of three who loves travel, going to the movies and walking. |
Work Placement
At Melba, we have several Work Placement students in their final year of a counselling degree, or Masters, who support our students in our Wellbeing space. The work placements students assist us with our busy recess and lunchtimes, in supplying food to Melba students and offering them a chance to connect.
Our work placement students, volunteer their time to work collaboratively with students to build confidence, develop readiness skills, and navigate challenges such as friendship issues, anxiety and communication. They work closely with the rest of our team to help build a strong and connected wellbeing team at Melba.
We appreciate all the support our Work Placement students provide both our team and our students. They have been very well received by our students.
Referrals to the wellbeing team can be made through the Year Level Leaders or by contacting the team directly via the college reception.