At Viewbank College, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels valued and able to succeed. Our wellbeing approach focuses on connection, respect and personal growth, ensuring students are supported emotionally, socially, and academically. Our dedicated Wellbeing Team works in partnership with staff, families and external services to provide proactive programs and personalised support. Together, we strive to help every student build confidence, develop resilience and reach their full potential.
Meet the Team
Bec Bastion
Mental Health Practitioner
Bec Bastion
Mental Health Practitioner
Jacqui Lewis
Mental Health Practitioner
Jacqui Lewis
Mental Health Practitioner
Rae McKenzie
Defence School Mentor (DSM) / Wellbeing Counsellor
Rae McKenzie
Defence School Mentor (DSM) / Wellbeing Counsellor
Josh Nelson
Wellbeing Counsellor
Josh Nelson
Wellbeing Counsellor
The Wellbeing Centre
The Wellbeing Centre is a calm, supportive space designed to help students rest, reset, and access the support they need. Whether students are feeling overwhelmed, needing a quiet moment, or seeking guidance, the centre offers a safe and welcoming environment.
Our facilities include three private counselling rooms, a comfortable chill-out lounge, and dedicated desk areas for quiet study. Students are encouraged to engage in a range of mindful, relaxing activities including colouring, jigsaw puzzles, and card games. They can also access a 20-minute “time out” session when they need space to recharge during the school day.
Accessing support is simple and flexible. Students can self-refer by visiting the Wellbeing Centre or messaging a wellbeing team member on Microsoft Teams. They may also speak with their House Leader, who can submit a referral on their behalf. Parents are welcome to request wellbeing support for their child through the House Leader via phone call or email.
The Wellbeing Centre is here to ensure every student feels heard, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Secondary School Nurse Program
The Secondary School Nurse works with the student wellbeing team to improve the health and wellbeing of students and the school community. Students are better prepared for learning when they are healthy, safe and happy. The school nurse facilitates health promotion and health education activities in the school and can help to empower students to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
The school nurse also plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the entire school community. They address contemporary health and social issues affecting young people and their families by facilitating wellbeing programs that promote positive health and development and work with teachers to deliver health education.
Individual health consultations
The school nurse can also help students with information, guidance and support through individual health consultations that may include:
- adolescent health concerns
- managing stress and anxiety
- relationships
- safe sex
- smoking, alcohol and other drug use
- body image
- healthy eating
- cybersafety/cyberbullying
Confidentiality
The school nurse works as part of the Wellbeing Team, though they are not directly employed by the school. All information shared with the school nurse is treated with strict privacy and confidentiality in accordance with the School’s Privacy Policy and relevant privacy laws. This means your information is seen only by the nurse and will not be shared with anyone else including parents, teachers, or the Principal, without your consent unless rare circumstances arise such as a medical emergency, you are at risk of harming yourself or others, or for legal requirements.
Getting Help – Wellbeing Resources & External Support
State School Relief
State Schools’ (SSR) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides practical support to students attending Victorian government schools who are experiencing financial hardship or other challenging circumstances. SSR supplies essential items such as school uniforms, shoes/footwear, and other school resources (and when needed, vouchers to purchase these items), free of charge or at subsidised rate, to help students attend school with dignity and full participation. Assistance can be arranged by contacting The Wellbeing Team or your child’s Head of School on (03) 9458 2811. For more information visit https://stateschoolsrelief.org.au/
Second Hand Uniform
Viewbank College accepts donations of current uniform items in good condition. Please ensure items are laundered prior to donation. These donated items will be made available for sale, with the funds supporting our school. We generally have several uniform sales throughout each year. Donations can be handed in at the front office.
If you require access to second hand uniform for welfare or financial hardship reasons, please fill in this application form and send to the Wellbeing Team or your child’s House Leader on (03) 8458 2811.
Second Hand Textbooks
Textbooks are donated to the library by families and added to the Rob Mossop Collection for families having trouble purchasing resources. A list of available books can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2dlcyktv. To access second hand textbooks please contact the library staff on (03) 9458 2811.
Emergency Mental Health Support
Please note that School Wellbeing is NOT a crisis support service. If you have immediate concerns, please contact the appropriate service below:
- For any immediate safety concerns, contact 000
- For mental health triage services, you can contact The Austin CYMHS triage service. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for information, assessment and referral
Phone: 1300 859 789
Eat Up Victoria
Eat Up provides free school lunches to students who might otherwise come to school without adequate food. At Viewbank College Eat Up provides toasties, yoghurt, fruit and other snacks which helps ensure students have the energy and focus they need for learning, and supports their physical health, wellbeing, concentration, and school engagement.
Food Bank
Foodbank Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Government, provides the School Breakfast Clubs Program to government schools across the state. At Viewbank College, breakfast items and snacks are offered to students identified as needing extra support, as well as to those who may have forgotten their lunch or who need a snack to help them get through the day.
Family Violence
| Information | Phone Number | Website | |
| The Orange Door | Support and services for people at risk, including for family and domestic violence or abuse, and for families needing extra support with the wellbeing and development of children. | 1800 319 355 | https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/ |
| Safe Steps | Support for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence | 1800 015 188 | www.safesteps.org.au |
| 1800RESPECT | Sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service (including information in 28 different languages | 1800 737 732 | www.1800respect.org.au |
| Are You Safe At Home? | An online domestic violence resource centre | www.areyousafeathome.org.au/ |
Local services and Helplines
| Information | Phone Number | |
| Local GP | Your local GP can provide you with additional support. | Varies by clinic |
| Banyule Youth Services | Banyule Youth Services offer information, activities, resources and support options for young people and their families, and also provide strategic and operational advice to the sector and other Council service units on issues that affect young people. | Greensborough (03) 9457 9855 |
| Headspace Counselling | Victorian Government secondary school students, including recent graduates, can access counselling services from headspace. During holidays, students can self-refer by calling their local centre. | Greensborough (03) 9433 7200 |
| eheadspace | Online and phone support for young people aged 12-25, their families, and friends. | 1800 650 890 |
| Kids Helpline | Online and phone counselling for young people aged 5-25. | 1800 551 800 |
| Lifeline | Crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians. | 13 11 14 |
| Beyond Blue | Online and phone counselling for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and their families. | 1300 224 636 |
| Head to Help | Digital mental health resources from Australian organisations. | 1800 595 212 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | Online, phone, and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts. | 1300 659 467 |
| QLife | A national service that aims to keep LGBTQI communities supported and connected. | 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight AEST) |
| Rainbow Door | A free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral. | 1800 729 367 (10am-5pm) |
| 13YARN | 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | 13 92 76 |
| Mensline | 24/7 counselling service for men | 1300 78 99 78 |