Enrolment

The Role of the Social Worker

Social Workers have worked in WA Catholic Schools since 1984 and currently there are around 30 Social Workers working in 50 mainly metropolitan Catholic schools. The effectiveness of this school based program allows Social Workers to be readily available to school staff for consultation and to families and students as problems arise. School Social Workers are professionally qualified and adhere to a professional code of ethics.

What does the school social worker do?

The School Social Worker helps  students:

• Engage fully with their school experience by addressing social and emotional issues.
• Understand themselves and others.
• Improve self-concepts and cope with stress.
• Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Working with specific groups of students with an identifiable need.
• The School Social Worker helps  parents:
• Participate more effectively in their children’s education.
• Understand and meet their children’s social and emotional needs.
• Utilize school and community resources.
• Referring and providing a supportive link where appropriate between the students, family, school and community agencies.
• Counselling with students and families.

What is counselling?

Counselling provides the opportunity for people to clarify problems and develop and use strengths to find ways of managing and resolving issues or new ways of coping. Counselling takes place in a supportive and confidential atmosphere.

• Counselling addresses such issues as:
• Behavioural problems at school or at home
• Bullying issues
• Building resiliency and self-esteem
• Child protection issues
• Conflict resolution
• Dealing with anxieties and fears
• Family separation and change issues
• Grief and loss
• Anger management
• Friendship issues/social skills
• Parenting concerns

Their main aim is to support children to gain the most from their educational opportunities. They work together with pupils, parents, school personnel, community agency staffs and others to help make school a successful and useful experience for all children. Our school social worker also works with parents and staff to support them to better understand themselves and their children and to learn more about the programs and services of the school and community.

Meet the School Social Worker

The Central symbol in our shield is the large “M” which signifies our dedication to Mary. The early founders of the school chose the name “Our Lady of Good Counsel School” and prayed to Mary for help in making wise decisions for the good of the whole school community. We continue in that same spirit.

The school name evolved through discussion, then prayer and reflection, between the parish priest and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.  This praying to Our Lady led to the selection of the name ‘Our Lady of Good Counsel’ for both parish and school as they sought advice, direction and guidance.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School is situated on Noongar land and has a high elevation overlooking the ocean. The word Karrinyup was originally derived from the word Careniup, a combination of the Noongar name for a nearby swamp, which means “the place where bush kangaroo graze”, and ‘up’, meaning near water.  The circumstances of the times were that more schools were required for the growing Catholic community in the developing northern coastal suburbs.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School was opened in 1965 by Sr Boniface and Reverend Michael Byrne.  Sr Boniface was the Principal.  Sr Bridget taught Years 1 & 2 while Sr Boniface taught Years 3, 4, 5 & 6.  Reverend Michael Byrne was the Parish Priest.  Our Lady of Good Counsel had an enrolment of 59 children at opening.  For two years prior to 1965 Fr Depiazzi took 10 school age children from the new area of Karrinyup to Our Lady of Grace, North Beach,  in his station wagon.  Mass was being held in a classroom at nearby Newborough Primary school.  Parents also car pooled to transport up to 80 children to Our Lady of Grace.

The first building at Our Lady of Good Counsel School accommodated Grades 3, 4 & 5.  There was a small staff room and a toilet block.  The classrooms were then used as the parish church for approximately 5 or 6 years.

This original building is still standing and is currently used by the Years 2, 3 & 5 classrooms. It is identifiable by the 3 rows of chocolate brown brick at the base of the buildings.  The small IT Communications room next to Year 4 was the original staff room. Thanks to the Australian Government Building Education Revolution Project, which was completed in 2010, the rather tired, outdated original toilets have been replaced.

The church was built predominantly by the parishioners themselves in the 1960’s. The Presbytery was built around the same time.

The Spirit of the School draws on the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The Sisters worked hard to create within the school community a spirit of  hospitality and to demonstrate an appreciation of, and support for, family. They used the Holy Family as their model and guide.  We do our utmost here at Our Lady of Good Counsel School to continue on the charism of the Sisters.

CHORUS
This is our school, Our Lady of Good Counsel
Our Spirit – filled community
Where there is sharing and praying
Learning and playing
There is no place like O.L.G.C.

VERSE
Here we stand, beside each other
All united in God’s kingdom of love
Joined as one, we are His family
We thank our God for all He has done

CHORUS
It’s our school…

VERSE
As we journey toward our future
May God’s plan unfold anew
As we take this road together
Mary our Mother will walk with us too

CHORUS
It’s our school…