Guidance Officers
Naomi Dowden
Available 5 days a week
Years 8, 10 and 12
Nic Taschke
Available - Monday to Thursday
Years 7, 9 and 11
Our Guidance Officers Nic and Naomi are fully qualified counsellors who provide confidential counselling on vocational, educational and personal issues.
Guidance counsellors help empower students to meet the challenges they face, as well as help them cope with complex decision making that comes with adolescence. This service is provided to all students and their parents or carers on an individual or family basis.
Throughout the year the guidance counsellors help students with career decisions, subject selections and with the applications for universities and TAFE colleges through the QTAC application process. Guidance Counsellors also support students to apply for Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) in their senior years, to ensure that students are supported to overcome barriers to their ability to complete assessment.
Please also find below links to external agencies which are there to support our community:
Lifeline text: when life gets too much and you find it hard to talk, text 0477 13 11 44. Lifeline text is available 6pm - midnight (AEST), 7 days a week.
Parentline: 1300 301 300. We're listening. 8am-10pm, 7 days a week
DV Connect: 24 hours domestic violence phoneline 1800 811 811
Chaplain
Ben Archbold
Available - 5 days a week
The chaplaincy service provides physical, emotional, social and spiritual support to the students and families of Sunnybank State High School. The service is available as a safe environment for students to "get things off their chest". The service is available for all students, regardless of background or beliefs.
The service also offers a number of programs and events to enhance students' lives, develop lives, develop skills, or expand students' views of the world and help others.
Chappy Ben has put together a list of shops and agencies to assist our Sunnybank SHS families in times of need.
He can be reached in his office in block 2.
School-based Police Officer
Senior Constable Jarrett Usher
Available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
The School Based Policing Program is a joint initiative between the 
Queensland Police Service and Department of Education, which aims to establish a positive relationship between Police and the secondary school community to contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment.
School-Based Police Officers support students at risk of offending while encouraging school communities to adopt approaches that aid in crime prevention and proactive policing. This helps high schools and the community by:
• addressing identified needs within the school community
• helping teachers develop and present curriculum material to meet Police and school community needs
• undertaking initial response and investigation of offences within the perimeters of the school
Acting Senior Constable Usher can be contacted by phoning (07) 3323 8131 or mobile 0427 644 702, or by email usher.jarrettx@police.qld.gov.au
School Psychologist
Ms Ashley Glennie
Available - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
School Psychologists are registered health practitioners who work with student support teams to identify and support the mental health and wellbeing needs of students.
Students are referred to the school psychologist through the Guidance Officers
The student or their parent/carer must provide their consent for the student to receive a service from the school psychologist.
The main focus in schools is providing one-to-one therapeutic counselling for students' mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
We can provide support for a range of issues including anxiety, eating disorders, depression, personal relationships, stress and trauma.
Youth Support Coordinator
Andrea Lee
Available - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 
Our Youth Support Coordinator Andrea is a qualified Youth Worker who provides holistic support to students. This includes emotional and wellbeing support, assistance with transitioning into external educational pathways, links to support providers, LGBTQI+ support, grief and loss programs, and more.
The Youth Support Coordinator also case manages students at risk and implements targeted intervention programs.
First Nations Coordinator
Ms Lani Jackway
Available - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 
The First Nations Coordinator helps to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. She provides educational counselling and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to equip them for the development of learning and participation at school.
This involves connecting with students, school staff, community and family of students with a range of opportunities including access to university days.
She coordinates external agencies and promotes Indigenous culture at Sunnybank State High School.
The First Nations Coordinator will also run various programs and events for our First Nations Students.
Community Liaison Officer
Samiro Nuur Hussein
Available Wednesday
The Community Liaison Officer provides cultural and social support to students through student's meetings and forums. Samira also provides assistance to students and their families/care givers in their transition from school to further education and/or employment. She supports refugee students in settling in to the school environment in Australia, and identifies and provides appropriate assistance to students experiencing any issues at school or at home which may put them at risk. Samira particularly specialises in African, Middle Eastern, Afghan, and Desi cultures, and has access to other CLOs when required.
Samiro also helps with:
- Support for students and their families to provide strategies for a more positive educational experience
- Case management, offering culturally competent advice, and
- Contributing to a positive, caring and supportive school image in the community.
HOD of Inclusion & EAL/D
Maria Growns-Lieu
Available 5 days a week
The HOD of Inclusion helps to facilitate change and build the capacity of teachers to provide effective and differentiated instruction for all students. The goal is school-wide teacher collaboration and professional learning to improve staff knowledge of the pedagogical strategies that promotes student engagement.
Within the CREW, the HOD of Inclusion investigates the student that has been referred to the CREW. Maria supports in reviewing reports, collecting data, and report key recommendations to staff, so the teachers are able to more effectively support each individual student in their classes.
If you would like to make an appointment with any of our support team please contact us.