Student Wellbeing Team

In 2024, we have had the gift of forming a Student Wellbeing Team of three wonderful staff members. Cherie Rixon is our kind and compassionate Student Wellbeing Support Officer, and Darryl Spriggs is our wise and caring School Chaplain (and a Year 6 teacher). Josephine Lake our School Counsellor is warm, approachable and has a motherly care for the students.  Josephine Lake continues in her fifth year as the School Counsellor at CCS.

Students who need extra social and emotional support at school can be referred to the team internally by a staff member or externally via you as your child’s caregiver (please have a chat with your child’s classroom teacher). Our referral system will ensure that your child’s needs are met appropriately by the right team member. In cases where the child’s level of struggle is significant, they will be assigned to the support of Mrs Lake. Mrs Lake will contact you and send you a permission form with a complete description of what is and is not provided to your child through her role.

The Student Wellbeing Team is integral to supporting the whole child at CCS. However, you are welcome to contact the school to ask to ‘opt out’ if you do not want your child to be referred to the team at any point. Your child’s safety is our priority. Where a student is deemed to be at risk (e.g. experiencing suicidality) legal Duty of Care obligations supersede referral processes and the requirement to gain parental/caregiver permission. However, parents/caregivers will be notified as soon as possible.

               Left to right: Josephine Lake, Darryl Spriggs and Cherie Rixon

Get to know Josephine

Hello! My name is Josephine, or Mrs Lake, as your kiddos call me.
I have been working as a school counsellor at CCS since early 2020, and I consider it my dream job. The children and young people I am privileged to work with are an incredible blessing, teaching me new and profound things daily. I believe in the power of genuinely caring relationships to bring about healing, growth and change in people – especially little and not-so-little people. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus made it clear that children are incredibly precious in His sight and always welcome in His presence. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are a reward from Him”. I aim to reflect this, the heart of Jesus, in the how and why of my
work with the magnificent children and young people at CCS.

My first love is Jesus; I exist to love Him and to reach out to those around me with His life-changing love. I am a wife to the fantastic Mr Lake, mum to four precious offspring and grandma to two sweet grand-loves. My cup is filled by spending quality time with my family, cooking for them, creating a beautiful home for them and going on adventures in nature. I have loved Jesus all my life, and I experienced some challenging teen years that gave me a powerful testimony of the loving pursuit of Father God. These life experiences enrich my counselling practice, bringing academic theory into reality.

Over many years, I have completed various levels of education relating to supporting people in a therapeutic and educative way, including a Bachelor of Social Science and a Diploma of Counselling. I have been working on a Master of Social Work since 2020, with the proposed finale being the end of 2024. The skills and knowledge cultivated through my study, life, and professional experience have enriched my work and enabled me to grow alongside the students in my care by the grace of God.

This year, I will be responsible for assessing and assigning referrals to our wonderful Student Wellbeing Team whilst completing my usual role of providing students with therapeutic support and education. Additionally, if you would like any resources to support your child’s wellbeing, you are welcome to email me so I can provide them.

With thanks,
Josephine Lake.

Get to know Cherie

Hi everyone, my name is Cherie aka Mrs Rixon. I began the role as the Student Wellbeing Support Officer in Term 4 last year and I have been thoroughly enjoying spending time with some of the precious children that attend CCS. My role involves connecting with children who need some extra support, encouraging them and building relationships with them.

I grew up in Brisbane but have always had connections with Kyogle, and as God would have it, I married a man from Kyogle! This area has been our home since we were married 20 years ago and we love living here. My husband and I now have a farm at Fairy Hill where we have wagyu cattle. We have four children (one daughter, three sons) and when I’m not working at CCS I spend my time “mumming”, managing the finances of our farm and serving in our church, Gateway Presbyterian Church Kyogle. When I get the time, I also enjoy baking, reading, chilling out with my
family and being creative.

For most of my adult life I have worked in the business field, so it has been great to try something new. I love kids and have always had a heart for people who are hurting, and I feel honoured to be able to work with the children here.

I became a Christian 20 years ago and my prayer is that with His help, I would extend the compassion and love to others that Jesus Christ has shown to me. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

With kindness,

Cherie.

Get to know Darryl