Jennifer McKinnon believes it’s never been a better time to be a school counsellor or senior psychologist education.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The latter is a role Mrs McKinnon holds at Five Islands Secondary College in Port Kembla.
She is the supervisor of a team of counsellors working across 14 schools in the Berkeley, Port Kembla and Warrawong area.
“The Department of Education has supported us greatly by increasing the number of school counsellors with the new school psychologists that we have,” Mrs McKinnon said.
“I do however think there is always a need for more counsellors across the board.
“We are working very well with the school chaplains and year advisors in schools but I think school counsellors are the ones who are at the forefront of young students possibly presenting with mental health issues.”
That’s why she supports the new scholarship program introduced by the NSW Government to boost the number of psychologists entering the school counselling service.
Education Minister Rob Stokes encouraged psychology graduates to consider applying for the scholarships, which comes with a guarantee of full-time employment in a NSW government school.
The scholarships will fully fund the cost of a Master of Professional Psychology (School Psychology) at the University of Wollongong, provide $1500 for textbooks, and a bonus payment of up to $6000 upon starting the job.
“This is a golden opportunity for any young psychologist who wants to have a real impact helping lives, while also enjoying a rewarding career,” Mr Stokes said.
Mrs Mckinnon’s colleague, school counsellor Heidi Page agrees what she does is “very rewarding”.
“I think school counsellors and members of the school counselling team in all schools are often the first point of call for young people with mental health issues,” Mrs Page said.
“They are often presenting to their school counsellor before they are hitting services like headspace, or even their doctor or their hospital.
“It’s a big responsibility but one we all enjoy as we’re all in the job of helping students.
“It’s great that we’re getting the necessary support to guide and support our students. I agree with Jenny [McKinnon] that the department and principals value the work that we do.”
The NSW Government has established an additional 236 full-time equivalent school counselling positions over the past three years, bringing the current total to 1044.
Applications for the new scholarship close on November 9. Visit the NSW Government website to apply or for more details.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
