Student Services
The role of Student Services is to provide support for students, their parents, carers and teachers by promoting a safe learning environment for all students that is flexible and responsive to the needs of the individual and the wider school community.
Melba Copland Secondary School has a unique structure and a diverse student population. The Student Services Team on each campus coordinates the behaviour management across the school, the pastoral care needs of the students and the delivery of targeted programs to meet individual needs.
Each year group from Year 7 through to Year 12 has a Year Coordinator. There is an Executive Teacher on each campus dedicated to managing Student Services. The Year Coordinators build strong relationships with the students in the year groups to support the students’ personal and social development as they progress through the school. The Year Coordinators provide a link between parents and staff, and assist in the monitoring of behaviour and academic progress.
Students also have access to a counsellor, careers advisor and chaplain.
The School Counsellor is available to all students and their parents. The School Counsellor is available by appointment for case management and may make referrals on behalf of a student or their parent/carer to agencies that offer assistance and advice outside the school system.
MCSS has a full-time careers advisor with the responsibility of guiding students through their career pathways. This begins in year 7 and 8 with students identifying their strengths and interests, through to Year 9 and 10 student pathways training and the transition of Year 10 to students moving through to Years 11 and 12 to college or into the workforce. The careers advisor also coordinates Work Experience, Vet courses and training, school-based apprenticeships and many other programs designed to offer students links between school and the workforce or further academis institutions.
The Chaplain work directly with students, not only in lunchtime Christian groups, but in other support groups as required. The Chaplain is available for individual casework or may work on specific issues with groups of students. The Chaplain also plans school-based extra-curricula activities with various Christian groups.
Within a student centred environment all students attend Pastoral Care or Tutor groups for monitoring and guidance. Other forms of student support include strong Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying policies procedures, the employment of Special Teacher Assistance, Peer Support programs, Peer Reading and special programs arrange in conjunction with outside groups such as SPICE, messengers, Warehouse Circus and Healthpact.
Years 7-10
In addition students in Years 7 -10 have access to a Pastoral Care Coordinator. This person is responsible for establishing connections between students and their school life. The Pastoral Care Team consists of a Youth Support Worker, Chaplain, Indigenous Liaison Officer and School Counsellor. The Youth Support Worker arranges programs (both school-based and integrating outside agencies) in response to the needs of individual students and for groups displaying similar support requirements.
The Indigenous Liaison Officer works across a number of primary and high schools with indigenous students. The Officer supports students in many areas (depending on the needs of the student and their family) which may include organisational assistance, communication skills and academic support.
Years 11 & 12
In Years 11 and 12 the Student Services program facilitates the continuity of student learning and negotiates educational outcomes for each individual. Specialist support staff, including the Careers Advisor, are key elements ensuring students are in the programs which meet their academic needs and future requirements. Options cover the full range from University Preparation programs to the STAR program supporting students with special educational needs.
For More information about the behaviour management policies in place at MCSS please select either:
Years 11 & 12
