You can do it!!!"
The You Can Do It program was developed in Australia, at the University of Melbourne, by American psychologist, Professor Michael Bernard. It has been used extensively in the US, the UK, and across Australia, including many schools in Queensland. It is a program with the goal of fostering the social and emotional development of children, assisting them to develop to their full potential. Within a common theme of developing RESILIENCE, the program focuses on the five key foundations of:
CONFIDENCE
PERSISTENCE
ORGANISATION
GETTING ALONG and
RESILIENCE.
In 2023, Fitzgerald School introduced "U Can do it" across the school, with weekly lessons taught that cover the above concepts.
Guidance Officers
Guidance officers are specialist teachers who deliver a broad range of services to school community members. They contribute to the development of a comprehensive student support and wellbeing program that is responsive to the needs of the school community.
Guidance officers may work directly with students in addition to working with a student's teachers, school support personnel, family, other specialists or external support providers.
Support offered by guidance officers includes providing advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues.
Psychoeducational assessments and career development also form an important part of the work guidance officers undertake to enhance positive educational outcomes and career pathways for all students.
Guidance officers provide leadership, support and case management in responding to some of the most complex and challenging of circumstances including student protection matters, critical incidents, mental health issues, and suicide prevention and postvention support.
Guidance officers require a diverse range of skills and knowledge and an ability to form strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to develop and implement plans and programs that are responsive to the needs of students. To book in to see the Guidance Officer, please call the office staff.