Support for every student
At Merbein P-10 College, we understand that student wellbeing is essential to learning and personal development. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where all students feel connected, respected, and ready to learn.
Our Wellbeing Team supports students across both Primary and Secondary levels. The team includes experienced staff from various areas of the school, as well as a Mental Health Practitioner who works specifically with our Secondary students.
At times, the Wellbeing Team offers targeted programs to support students with specific needs — sessions on managing emotions, building resilience, social skills, or dealing with anxiety, delivered in a supportive environment and tailored to suit the students involved.
For students
Speak with your Sub-School Leader or Year Level Coordinator, who can refer you to the Wellbeing Team — or approach the team directly if you feel comfortable doing so.
For parents & carers
Contact the college if you have concerns about your child's wellbeing or would like support from the team. We value strong partnerships with families.
From our teachers
If a staff member notices changes in a student's behaviour, mood, or engagement, they can refer the student to the Wellbeing Team for follow-up and assistance.
School-wide Positive Behaviour Support
We're proud to be a School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) school. SWPBS is a well-recognised, research-based approach that helps schools create safe, positive, and welcoming environments where every student can learn and succeed.
Through SWPBS, we aim to:
- Encourage respectful and positive behaviour
- Support students' social and emotional wellbeing
- Minimise disruptions so more time is spent on learning
- Build strong, respectful relationships between students and staff
- Provide a safe and supportive environment for all
At Merbein P-10, SWPBS means using strategies that support every student, working as a team to keep things consistent and effective, providing staff with ongoing training and support, partnering with families and the wider community so everyone feels included, and using data to celebrate progress and keep improving.
Together, we're creating a school where students feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.
Doctors in Schools
As part of the Doctors in Secondary Schools program, an adolescent-trained GP operates on school grounds each Wednesday to provide free access to primary health care for secondary students at the college.
We know that teenagers are sometimes resistant to seeking health care, but many health problems that can have consequences into adulthood start at this time of life. This program seeks to address this issue.
Talk to your child about the program and encourage them to access the GP if they need primary health care. Students can make bookings themselves, or parents can make a booking by contacting the college main office staff. You are welcome to attend consultations with them, if and when required.
What will the GP do?
The GP provides students with the same services normally provided by GPs in the community, including physical and mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. GPs may also make referrals to other health services as required.
The GP bulk bills consultations through Medicare, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for your family.
This program is not designed to replace any existing medical arrangements your family may have in place. The GP in the school provides a convenient alternative to primary care within school hours and encourages health care access for students without an existing relationship with a GP. Please be mindful that the program is intended for secondary school students — parents, carers, guardians and other family members are not able to use this service.
All GPs in this program undergo adolescent health training and understand the health and wellbeing needs of teenagers.
Accessing the GP
Generally, all students can make an appointment to see the GP. Victorian law is clear on how and when students can consent to medical treatment by a GP:
- Students who are mature minors can consent to their own medical treatment.
- Students who are not mature minors cannot give consent to their own medical treatment.
Mature minors are students under the age of 18 who are deemed capable of seeking and obtaining health care for their particular medical issue. The GP will assess whether a student is a mature minor with respect to the issue for which they are seeking medical treatment.
If the GP considers your child a mature minor, they may see them without you. The GP will often encourage your child to involve you in their care — GPs understand you are an important source of information and support for your child's health. If the GP thinks your child is not a mature minor, your consent will be sought if the student wishes to progress with treatment.