Our all staff email and phone directory (PDF, 346KB) provides emails and phone numbers to contact all staff.
Guidance Officers (GO) are employed by the Department of Education (DoE) to assist students and their families. Kirwan State High School offers a multifaceted approach to counselling and support for students across all year levels. Guidance Officers are, registered teachers who have completed appropriate post-graduate qualifications. The role of the GO is very broad and is involved in many areas of school life. Guidance Officers can assist students with short-term counselling on personal and academic issues, and support students and their families with careers and study information as well as referrals to external agencies for advice and support.
Our GOs can help with a variety and range of concerns such as:
- Personal concerns: support and management of anxiety and depression, peer relationship difficulties, self-esteem, stress management, family concerns, coping strategies, coping with grief and loss.
- Academic concerns: study skills and exam preparation, time management, subject selection, career pathways and planning, applying for tertiary admission, Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) and subject changes for Senior.
The GO works with other members of the student support services team, administration and school staff to ensure that the wellbeing needs of students are met. This may include referrals for students and families to outside agencies.
How do I arrange to see the Guidance Officer?
Students can self-refer by making an appointment at the GO office before school or at lunch time. Students may also be referred by parents, carers, teachers or members of administration.
Kirwan State High School has four Guidance Officers to work with students they are:
Debbie Quirk: dquir5@eq.edu.au
Kym Clay: kclay12@eq.edu.au
Melissa Spilsbury: mspil13@eq.edu.au
Carole Ogilvie: cogil9@eq.edu.au