Wellbeing @ OAGS: Introducing the new School Counsellors
In 2018 we will welcome not one, but two School Counsellors to the team at OAGS. Wellbeing and Welfare within our school community is an extremely important focus here at OAGS and investing in Counselling Services is an important priority that we are proud to commit to. I am pleased to introduce Di Healey (pictured left) and Natalie Daughtery (pictured right), who are looking forward to meeting the students and community of OAGS in Term 1.
Di Healey - School Counsellor
Di Healey came to OAGS highly recommended and endorsed by all who have worked with her. Di will work part time with Natalie to develop the OAGS Counselling and Welfare portfolio, something we feel very strongly about at OAGS.
I have worked with children and young people over the previous 14 years in a variety of roles both in school and out of school environments, including residential care, school disengagement, learning support, careers, homelessness, juvenile justice, Out of Home Care, school counselling and private practice. I hold a Masters of Social Work and have previously completed a Bachelor of Social Science and an Associate Degree in Residential Care.
I am enthusiastic and excited about joining a smaller but dynamic team that works together to support and educate such a varied age range of children and young people. I am particularly looking forward to working closely with staff to support them in their work.
Together with Nat I am looking forward to developing a counselling service that is responsive and supportive to the needs of students, staff and parents, which provides effective early intervention programs to assist staff in their role as educators. I work hard to improve outcomes for children and young people and I am passionate about supporting them through engagement and education.
Natalie Daugherty - School Counsellor
Natalie took a leap of faith by submitting her application for a position at OAGS, which unfortunately required a teaching qualification. However, there was something unique about Natalie, and we just had to meet her. We were very fortunate when our Headmaster made the decision to invest in onsite Counselling support for our students which allowed for the ‘stars to align’ and for Natalie to make the move to OAGS.
I am so excited to join the Orange Anglican Grammar School as a School Counsellor in 2018. What excites me most is joining & leaving long-term footprints to the very positive and respectful school culture. I sense a real passion for education and student welfare.
My background includes working in mental health for the NSW government and the diet and health industry. In addition, I have worked in education and human resource industries in Australia and America. My education includes an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. I am happily married to Andy Daugherty, and we have an 18 year old son named Noah and a 14 year old daughter named Suzie. We are dual citizens of Australia and America. It is an honour to live in Australia.
My heart is to help students, families and people from all walks of life, find freedom and hope from whatever is preventing them from living the abundant life Jesus was referring to in John 10:10. My counselling approach is founded on Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” I also look forward to providing mental health education and prevention of the many strongholds our youth face today. Until 2018, have a joyful and Merry Christmas!