At SAIBT we understand that coming to a new country can be difficult for some students. Because things do not always go the way you plan or problems of an academic or personal nature arise our Student Counsellor, Ms Kate Blencowe, is available to meet with students to discuss a range of problems or concerns on an individual basis. All students are encouraged to use this service and to contact the friendly staff at SAIBT for advice and assistance as soon as they are finding things a little difficult. Remember, SAIBT is here to help students achieve success within their chosen program of study!

 
Kate Blencowe, Senior Counsellor

Kate is a professionally qualified and registered counsellor whose role includes:

Personal counselling – supporting students through a wide range of personal and developmental issues or problems such as: transition and settling in, self-esteem, identity, self-discipline, values, spirituality, friendships and relationships, independence, depression, anxieties, any physical and mental health issue, crisis or trauma, addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, internet games and more, sexuality and sexual health, harassment and discrimination – as active listener or advocate but most usually through therapeutic interventions and sometimes with appropriate referrals where needed. Kate’s discussions with students are confidential (unless the student wishes otherwise or there is serious harm likely) and she strives to be culturally aware and work with students in a way that is sensitive to the diversity of values, traditions, backgrounds and dreams of all students

Academic counselling – assisting students to identify persistent problems in approach to study or in the process of study, helping students with difficulties adjusting to a more independent learning environment and the demands of tertiary work, addressing problems such as time management (creating a personal study plan), procrastination and anxiety, working with students who have identified learning difficulties, explaining different styles of learning and kinds of thinking that might be involved even in a single task, showing students how to use a disappointing mark as a positive step to ultimate success, helping students to prepare for tests and exams and to avoid or cope with stress, assisting students who find themselves in difficulty with poor attendance or performance to focus on effective solutions.

Further study and careers - Kate helps students to explore their talents and preferences, showing them further options for consideration and helping to refine plans and to make some of the decisions towards study beyond SAIBT and CELUSA. She is able to inform students as to the latest developments in tertiary programs and direct them to sources of information about programs and careers

Most students approach Kate individually to discuss strategies for successfully achieving their study goals or to seek direct help at a time of crisis or distress. Students identified as having attendance or performance difficulties are sometimes referred to Kate in order to look at effective ways to achieve success and enjoy study.

 
Privacy Act

In accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, any issues discussed with our Student Counsellor are confidential and will not be discussed with any other person without your written permission except where it is necessary to protect against a serious and imminent threat to life or health.

 
Referral

SAIBT can also provide an extensive referral service to put students in touch with other support services within the University as well as relevant community resources.