New home for the Wellbeing Team

From its inception, the vision for the Roslyn Otzen Sports and Wellbeing Centre (SWC) was to support Korowa’s holistic approach to education.The facility was designed to cater to all dimensions of health and wellbeing - physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual; which is why the Wellbeing, Health and Learning Support teams are located together in the new space.

“Moving into the new space in the SWC and working alongside each other has increased our combined ethos as a team” said Brenda Linsell, Korowa’s School Nurse. Even though these staff already worked closely together in supporting students, the actual proximity of being in a designated area has improved processes and communications across the group.

Danielle Forjan, Korowa’s Educational and Developmental Psychologist described that after being based in the space for close to six months now, she has been able to see the impact it is having on service delivery. She stated “our wellbeing suites in particular, are a calming and safe space for students to express their emotions and develop strategies to support their wellbeing. Key features of the suites that allow this to occur include sound proofing, a discrete location within the building, and access to nature and fresh air via the balconies”.

As students have become more comfortable and familiar with the new centre the team has found students selfrefer or bring their friends over when they think they could benefit from the opportunity to talk to someone professional. “Being together in a welcoming and purpose-built space has increased students' comfort in being present in the wellbeing area. Danielle and I have been pleased to notice an increase in students dropping in for support, to say hi or bringing their friends to access the wellbeing services” commented our Student Counsellor, Elizabeth Spurling.

Shannon Whithouse, Korowa’s Head of Learning Support, shared that “students have valued the quiet and relaxed space for their intervention programs and small support classes. Having Ivy (Korowa’s support dog) roam freely through the rooms is an added bonus for many of our students, families and staff who absolutely love her relaxed and calming nature”.

By Danielle Forjan, School Psychologist, Brenda Linsell, School Nurse, Elizabeth Spurling, School Counsellor and Shannon Whithouse, Head of Learning Support