Mrs Marche Smith

At Alkimos Primary School, our chaplain, Mrs Smith, plays a special and important role in supporting the wellbeing of our whole school community. Mrs Smith is someone students, families, and staff can talk to, share with, and turn to for support, encouragement, and care.  She helps create a kind and welcoming environment where everyone feels safe and respected. Marche is an integral part of our student services and wellbeing team, her strong local community connections continue to increase opportunities for local services to support a range of initiatives within the school.

Whether it's through listening, offering a friendly chat, helping with emotional challenges, or just being there when someone needs a hand, the chaplain is a trusted person in our school.

Mrs Smith also helps us learn about and live out important values like:

• Care – taking the time to look out for others and making sure everyone feels valued.
• Respect – treating all people fairly and kindly, no matter their background or beliefs.
• Compassion – understanding how others feel and offering support with a kind heart.
• Service – helping others and making a positive difference in our school and wider community.

You might see our chaplain joining in with classroom activities, lunchtime games, school events, or facilitating various programs and activities. Most of all, the chaplain is here to care, listen, support, and walk alongside every student on their journey through primary school, helping them feel connected, valued, and ready to learn.

What the Chaplain Does Not Do

It’s important to know that while the chaplain is a caring and trusted support person. 

They do not:

• Provide professional counselling
• Offer specialist mental health, psychological, or allied health services

These services are delivered by qualified professionals outside the chaplaincy program.

How Does the Chaplaincy Service work at Alkimos PS?

At Alkimos, the school chaplaincy service provides wellbeing support to students identified by teachers as experiencing concerns at school. This service offers a safe and supportive space where students can connect and talk openly, however, it is important to note that chaplaincy sessions are not formal counselling or therapy. Instead, they are designed to provide short-term pastoral care within the school setting.

Referrals to the chaplaincy service are made by the classroom teacher. Student engagement with the chaplain is reviewed every 6 to 8 weeks, and ongoing support may be offered on a case-by-case basis.  Referrals may be placed on a waitlist depending on our chaplain's current caseload.

The Student Services team regularly reviews all referrals. In some cases, based on the nature of the concerns raised, families may be encouraged to seek external therapy services. A qualified child psychologist or counsellor can offer specialised, consistent, and long-term care that goes beyond the scope of school-based support.

We work on an opt-out system at Alkimos Primary School.  Please contact the school office if you have concerns about your child seeing the chaplain.  This can be done by email, Alkimos.ps@education.wa.edu.au, or by contacting the school office on 9562 9800.

Mental Health Support

Psychologists help diagnose and treat mental health issues in children.

• You don’t need a referral to see one, but a referral from your GP (known as a Mental health Care Plan) allows you to claim a Medicare rebate.
• You can choose a psychologist or ask your GP for recommendations.
• Some private health insurance policies with extras may cover part of the cost – check with your provider.

 Below are details for the new ECU Health centre in Yanchep.

ECU Counselling Services (Yanchep): 

• ECU health centre in Yanchep offers affordable counselling sessions ranging from $10-$30
• Sessions are run by students who are completing their Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• No referral is needed.
• Communitycounselling@ecu.edu.au; 6304 7222

If you’re ever concerned for your child’s immediate mental state or wellbeing, crisis support is available through services like Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Lifeline (13 11 14), or your local child and adolescent mental health service. These services can provide guidance and urgent support when needed.