Resources, services and information for learner support and wellbeing
Studying doesn’t happen by itself – it joins the load you were already carrying, no matter what stage of life you’re joining us from.
Looking after your mental and physical wellbeing is an important part of thriving in life, work and study.
Below you’ll find information on the dedicated training support offered by Selmar Institute of Education and a list of resources and services you can lean on if you need support, whether that’s professionally or personally.
Need help now?
Contact emergency services on 000 if you, or someone you know, are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.
Dedicated trainer support
Educators and learners are partners with a shared goal: to impact the world around them through care and compassion.
All of our trainers have real-life experience in relevant sectors and workplaces, so they closely understand it, as well as the type of challenges you might come across. The trainer’s aim is to develop a productive learning collaboration, tailored to your specific learning style, and a solid foundation for future professional relationships.
That’s why you’re assigned a trainer who will closely support you right the way through your learning experience with us.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Our mental health can determine how we think, feel and act which may affect our work, relationships and study.
We often talk about symptoms of mental illness, but sometimes it can be hard to know what being mentally healthy means. Importantly, being mentally healthy is not just the lack of a mental illness – it is about feeling good and functioning well in the world.
When we are mentally healthy, we are able to be more present and:
- Work and study to our full potential
- Connect and participate with family, friends and your community
- Participate in fun and enjoyable activities
- Cope with normal, everyday stressors
- Bounce back (relatively) quickly from unexpected challenges or changes.
When we’re struggling with our mental health, it’s important to reach out for support from trained professionals or seek information and guidance from services that can help.
Some national support services include:
Beyond Blue
Free 24/7 telephone and online counselling services with information and support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia.
Phone 1300 224 636
Lifeline
24/7 crisis support with a trained person.
Phone 13 11 14
Text line 0477 13 11 14
Headspace
Service for young people (aged 12-25) to help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), and alcohol and other drug services.
Suicide Call Back Service
National 24/7 service that provides free telephone, video and online counselling to help anyone affected by suicide.
Telephone 1300 659 467
Dedicated support throughout your learning journey
Stacey Earles
LLN Support Coordinator
With a range of qualifications including an Early Childhood Diploma of Teaching, a Certificate IV in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Stacey brings many years of experience supporting individuals with their reading and writing skills to the role of a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Coordinator.
“The aspects of my role that I enjoy the most are interacting with learners and empowering them to discover their own abilities and seeing their confidence develop.”
Stacey also has spent many years living in the UK and New Zealand as well as various part of Australia, teaching and supporting a diverse mix of children and educators with their language, literacy and numeracy skills to help them achieve their personal and work goals.
Nikita Perry
Early Childhood Training Manager
Nikita’s is a dedicated Early Childhood Education and Care professional and an advocate for the sector. She has a passion for children’s development and wellbeing and believes that the early years are the most important. She truly values the contribution that early childhood educators make for children and families every day, more so now that she has two children of her own who access early learning.
Nikita has worked in the VET sector for close to a decade. She endeavours to ensure that learners have a positive experience at Catalyst and believes that relationships and communication are the key to achieving positive outcomes. She has enjoyed teaching, supporting, and shaping the educators of today, knowing that this will lead to bright futures for our children.
Nikita is a fellow of the Apiary, a collective of professionals from within the Early Childhood environment who are committed to creating thriving futures for children in Australia.
Learner Experience Leads
Jane Parkinson
Jane has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for 30 years with experience in many roles from Educational Leader to Early Childhood Service Director. Jane is strongly committed to forming positive relationships with services and learners to ensure learners are supported and are provided with the best possible training and current knowledge.
Jane prides herself on open and consistent communication and believes this plays an integral part in the wellbeing of our learners and their journey.
Jane holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care, Advanced Diploma of Community Services and Diploma of Counselling & Community Welfare.
Bhav Drain
Bhav has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for 11 years, gaining extensive experience in relationship management with all stakeholders. She is driven by the desire to shape future professionals in the early childhood sector while mentoring current and emerging Trainers and Assessors in the VET sector.
As a leader, she embodies her passion through her personality, leading by moral example, kindness, and a touch of humour.
Bhav holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of TAR, and has obtained a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, as well as a certification IV in Training and Assessment from Monash University.
Articles and Resources
Simple mindfulness for busy learners
This R U OK? Day we’re sharing practical ways to look after your wellbeing and create a little more space between study, work, placement and everyday life. When study is sharing space with work, practical placement, family and the rest of life, it can feel difficult to know where to focus your attention. You might […]
What our learners say about us
We support your success
The learner supports we have available ensures you, the learner, are at the centre of our teaching, and feel supported at every learning stage. From the moment you enrol to the time you graduate and join the workforce, and sometimes beyond, we aim to co-create a transformational learning experience.
