Inaburra students and families have a supportive network of Home Group teachers, Year Advisors, Wellbeing staff, peer leaders and School Counsellors available to assist them.
School Counsellors work with individual students and families as needs are identified by the parent, Year Advisor, teacher or the student themselves. They address areas such as anxiety, depression, school refusal, behaviour, motivation, family and relationship difficulties. Our Counsellors also facilitate referral to psychological and educational assessments for individuals or groups as required.
School Counsellors offer a free service and are available during school hours. Appointments can also be made for parent meetings before and after school. Our counselling service is professional, non-judgemental, short-term, and confidential.
Students may refer themselves to the School Counsellor and appointments can be made directly through them. Counsellors will try to arrange sessions so that there is minimal disruption to a student’s class attendance.
Senior School Counsellors
Mrs Michelle DeRieve BSW, AssocDipSocSc (YthWk), GCert (YthMentalHlth)
Mrs DeRieve has been a Senior School Counsellor at Inaburra for over ten years having previously worked in mental health and homelessness. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Associate Diploma in Youth Work, and Graduate Certificate in Youth Mental Health. Her special interest is helping teenagers and adolescents manage their mental health throughout senior school.
Ms Maria Taylor GDipSc (Psych), BA (Psych)
Ms Taylor is a Registered Psychologist and Member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has over 20 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, adults and couples in settings such as school, welfare counselling agencies and private practice. Particular interest lies within positive psychology as she works alongside others to promote change.
Mrs Jasmin Vanderjagt MSW, BSocSc, AssocDipSocSc (Welfare), Cert IV TA, AASW, ATA
Mrs Vanderjagt has a special interest in children and their families, and is passionate about providing solutions focused and strengths-based support to students. Her extensive 20 plus years’ experience has included practising in a variety of fields, with some highlights being Child and Family Case Manager in a Humanitarian Resettlement program, Domestic Violence Community Group Facilitator, Child and Family Therapist for children experiencing court ordered family divorce counselling, Child and Family Case Worker at Villawood Detention Centre, and Drug and Alcohol Case Worker in Kings Cross.
Referrals in Senior School
Senior School Counsellors are available to assist Year 7-12 students and their families. Students can request a referral through the Home Group teacher, Year Advisor or Wellbeing team. Members of staff may identify a need and refer the matter to the School Counsellor. Parents may also identify a need and request assistance. Students in Years 11 and 12 are encouraged to use study periods for counselling appointments in preference to coming out of formal classes, unless the matter is urgent.
Junior School Counsellor
Mrs Joanne Wyles BSocSt, Cert IV Assessment & Training
Mrs Wyles is a mental health professional and is available to assist Junior School students and families each week from Mondays to Wednesdays.
Referrals in the Junior School
Referrals are made in consultation with the child’s teacher and the Head of Junior School. Students must have written parental permission in order to be seen by the Junior School Counsellor, unless there is an emergency, in which case verbal permission will be sought.