Janine Harrington and Mahalia Scholz

Centacare South West NSW

Centacare South West NSW is continually reviewing and creating group work programs for primary school-aged children as part of the School Wellbeing Program (SWP). In particular, developing a program that increases resilience and leadership skills for stage three students has been of focus given the recent impacts of natural disasters and the pandemic affecting students’ mental health (Smalley, Warren, & Rainer, 2012).

In developing the program, different theories that underpin resilience were considered, particularly socioemotional learning principles, hope theory, strengthsbased learning, self-efficacy and trauma-informed approaches to teaching (Furrer, Skinner, & Pitler, 2014; Brunzell et al., 2018; Mohoney et al., 2020). In addition, a review was conducted of SWP data to identify key focus topics. The program was piloted in conjunction with students and teachers from seven rural schools, where pre-questionnaires were completed by students to increase students’ voice.

The program was developed as a single-day workshop, addressing social media literacy, brain and body stress responses, strengths, hope and belonging. Trauma-informed principles were applied to increase connection and relational learning and promote critical thinking throughout (Brunzell et al., 2018).

Various learning principles were applied to promote attention and engagement. A workbook and parent information sheet were created for independent learning beyond the program.

Student post-data highlighted significant increases in willingness to share their learning with others, confidence in setting goals for the future, knowledge in self-care, overall hope for the future, and more confidence in managing anger and stress. No change was reported in sharing of strengths with others. Verbal feedback collected from teachers and leadership staff noted observations of increased attention and enjoyment compared to a traditional learning environment.

Considerations for this program will be expanding to all 24 schools being supported by the SWP. Content will be adjusted to address individual student vulnerabilities and there will be further promotion of hope theory as well as differentiated tasks to cement knowledge about resilience principles. The SWP will apply the successes of this program to their current program suite by modifying the content for an early year’s program, trauma-informed principles in all group program delivery and work to increase parent and teacher involvement to consolidate learning of resilience in all age groups.

Janine Harrington

School wellbeing consultant, Centacare

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and an Advanced Diploma in Child Studies. Later in my career, I completed a postgraduate degree in psychology. I worked in the early childhood sector for 15 years before commencing a school counselling role within Centacare’s School Wellbeing Program in the Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga. My current role as a school wellbeing consultant sees me co-leading this program and the team of practitioners who provide wellbeing support to 24 primary schools in the diocese. Part of my role involves the development and delivery of parent workshops and teacher-professional learning sessions. I support student wellbeing through the development and facilitation of classroom programs, and I provide individual counselling to students with complex needs. Through a whole-school approach to student wellbeing, I contribute to building understanding and capacity amongst the natural supports in the lives of young people. By combining my special interests in art and mindfulness, I enjoy facilitating art-based mindfulness workshops for teachers and students in school settings. My belief is that the interactions we have with children are at the core of everything important for them across all developmental domains. I am looking forward to managing the School Wellbeing Program from 2024.

Affiliations

■ KU children’s Services, early childhood educator, 2008–19

■ Centacare South West NSW, school wellbeing consultant, 2022–23

■ Centacare South West NSW, manager, School Wellbeing Program, 2024

Education

■ Charles Sturt University: Postgraduate Degree, Psychology 2019

■ Riverina Tafe Institute: Advanced Diploma, Child Studies 2006

Mahalia Scholz

Clinical practice lead, Centacare South West NSW

I have completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I hold provisional registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and my thesis ‘An exploration of anxiety provoking stimuli in regional, secondary Students’ has been published by the Australian Counselling Association. I have an ongoing relationship with the Australian College of Applied Psychology and was their keynote speaker for the 2022 graduation, with their topic being ‘Inspiration’.

I have been practising in the field of counselling and psychotherapy for six years, working in subacute psychiatric settings, coordinating wellbeing interventions in a regional secondary college and managing a small community-based private practice.

I have been employed as a School Wellbeing Consultant,. monitoring operations and co-leading a team of School Wellbeing Practitioners who provide early intervention counselling to 24 primary schools. I am currently employed as clinical practice lead, supporting management to ensure that all clinical staff are confident, exceptionally trained and can follow their career pathways in the mental health field. This role works closely with placement students, graduates and will lead the School Wellbeing Program into the public and independent sectors. I have had a passion for teaching positive mental health and wellbeing from a young age, with the hope of improving later wellbeing outcomes, with a specialised focus on rural and remote mental health supports and male adolescent mental health. I encourage a whole community approach, and I often faciliate staff and parent workshops and teacher professional development to ensure all members of a young person’s life have the tools to support them to flourish.

Affiliations

■ Centacare South West NSW, clinical practice lead, 2023– present

■ Centacare South West NSW, school wellbeing consultant, 2022–23

■ Mahalia Scholz Generalist Counselling, generalist counsellor/business owner, 2018–present

■ Department of Education and Training Victoria, school social worker, 2019–20

■ Wellways Australia, peer recovery and rehabilitation support, 2017–19

■ Jarrah Retreat, recovery worker, 2016–17

Education

■ Australian College of Applied Professions: Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2018–20

■ La Trobe University: Postgraduate Degree, Mental Health Counselling/Counsellor, 2020

■ La Trobe University: Bachelor of Psychological Science