Program helping at-risk students stay in school

A school-based youth support program is helping students in the City of Moreton Bay stay engaged in education, providing vital services and targeted support.

Patience Thornton-Whiu, who is employed by Lutheran Services’ Intercept Youth and Family Program, is based full-time at Murrumba State Secondary College and works closely with students, families and educators.

Drawing on life experience and a Bachelor of Psychology, Patience brings compassion, understanding and expertise to help students navigate the challenges of high school.

The School-Based Youth Support Officer program, funded through Education Queensland, is achieving real change at the college of 1800 students.

“When I was in high school, I went through some tough times and received support from a youth worker. That’s when I realised there were people whose job it was to help kids like me and I knew it was something I wanted to do,’’ Patience recalls.

She has worked in the Intercept team in youth and family support roles for two years and has been based at the college since September 2024.

Patience implements strategies that focus on student wellbeing by creating a safe space, fostering a sense of belonging, building resilience, behavioural management and encouraging strong family-school partnerships.

“I offer support across a range of areas including emotion regulation, study and time management, healthy relationships with peers, teachers and family and personal goal setting,’’ she explains.

“Every morning, I call a group of students to ensure they attend school and others come to see me in my office so I can help them prepare for their day. I might also need to talk to their teachers.

“I directly support almost 300 students each term and provide one-on-one counselling for up to 50 students that may involve multiple sessions depending on the complexity of their needs.

“I advocate a ‘student-first’ approach, focusing on the underlying needs of students beyond academics.’’

School holiday programs are also co-ordinated and facilitated by Patience, enabling young people to participate in activities they might otherwise miss out on, while building social skills and developing friendships.

She also runs group programs such as anger management and resilience.

“There’s a lot of flexibility in my engagement with students and no formal referral process. Students can self-refer or be referred to me by parents, teachers, principal, guidance officer or social workers.’’

Making a difference

Providing support to families is also a crucial part of Patience’s role.

“What happens at home impacts our young people. I maintain regular contact with parents and caregivers to offer advice on coping strategies or managing conflict at home. Sometimes, I just need to listen,” she says.

Patience works with the community – including a local Lions Club and churches – who help provide essentials such as uniforms, laptops, stationery and food hampers for students facing serious financial hardship.

She also keeps a supply of fruit in her office for hungry students, while the school chaplain provides toast for breakfast and the college’s hospitality students prepare frozen meals for distribution to families in need.

“I recently supported a Year 12 student who was homeless after being asked to leave home. I was able to help them find housing, connect them with Centrelink, accompany them to GP and dentist appointments and assist with their TAFE application,’’ Patience says.

The program, delivered with the financial support of Education Queensland, is achieving results.

Murrumba State Secondary College Principal Sharon Cordiner says she has seen real change among participating students at the college in improved attendance and education outcomes.

“The partnership has been instrumental in enhancing the wellbeing, engagement and overall success of our students, while fostering a cultural of care and inclusion,’’ Mrs Cordiner says.

“College staff can work with a dedicated professional who understands the complex needs of adolescents and offers tailored interventions, referrals and guidance. Patience is a trusted adult who students turn to during difficult times.’’

Patience is deeply invested in her role.

“There is so much more I want to accomplish and more students I wish I could support. It’s a privilege to witness real change in students’ happiness, self-confidence and capacity to achieve their personal goals,’’ she says.

For more information about the Intercept program, phone 1800 960 433 or visit lutheranservices.org.au