At Santa Sabina we’re incredibly fortunate to have three dedicated and compassionate school psychologists who are always here to support our students. They are committed to providing comprehensive pastoral care for Prep to Year 12. Let’s get to know them a little better:
Tania Rugiero has returned to Santa Sabina this year, after three years away, in the new position of Lead Psychologist. With a warm smile and keen listening skills, Tania specialises in leading the team which is helping students navigate their emotions and build resilience.
‘I have been working as a psychologist for close to 20 years in community settings, in private practice and more recently in schools’, Tania says.
She strongly believes in early intervention in mental health – ‘hence why I find working with adolescents so rewarding’, she says.
While Santa Sabina has always had a range of policies and reporting lines in place to ensure that every child’s needs are met with care and attention, Tania is bringing a fresh approach to student wellbeing as she looks at ways to further enhance our support systems. Her role includes streamlining our processes and fostering seamless collaboration across all areas of pastoral care.
This initiative ensures that our students receive the best possible support in a cohesive and integrated manner. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community where every student feels valued and supported.
When not at work, Tania cherishes quality time with her kids, family and the family Labradoodle Enzo. She is also a ‘foodie’, loving eating out with friends, enjoys the beach, going on long walks and mindful activities such as tapestry and meditation.
Soo Lim – When you first meet registered psychologist Soo, her lively and easygoing manner is immediately striking! She has worked with children professionally for four years now in a clinic setting and at Santa Sabina. Known for her approachable nature, Soo is passionate about promoting mental health awareness and creating a safe space for students at Gioia House and on the Primary Campus – Santa Maria del Monte.
She brings a wealth of experience and a positive attitude, always ready to offer guidance and support to those in need.
After hours, Soo loves hosting dinners for her friends and family. She also spends a lot of time reading and baking.
Greta Chiera – Greta has been working at Santa Sabina since the challenging days of COVID-19 and is well qualified to support any students suffering anxiety and stress, having worked with children for 10 years.
Greta holds Master’s degrees in both Counselling and Social Work, is a qualified Mental Health social worker and has a background in childhood trauma counselling. When not working, Greta enjoys spending time with her family and enjoys socialising with friends. She can often be found out in the fresh air, going for walks or gardening.
Together, Tania, Soo and Greta form an incredible team committed to the wellbeing of our school community. Here are their top five tips for strong mental health, no matter your age:
- Stay connected: build strong relationships with friends, family, and teachers. Social connections are vital for emotional support and happiness.
- Practise self-care: take time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax, whether it’s reading, playing sports, or simply taking a walk.
- Stay active: regular physical activity can boost your mood and energy levels. Find a sport or exercise routine that you love.
- Mindfulness and relaxation: practise mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help manage stress and stay focused.
- Seek help when needed: don’t hesitate to reach out to our school psychologists or other trusted adults if you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s okay to ask for help. Parents can pick up the phone to chat with Tania on 9745 0210. Alternatively, they can discuss any issue with their daughter’s Head of House. Students seeking help can make use of the self-referral form on Veritas Online.
The three psychologists also interact with numerous other College staff to keep our students feeling safe: with the College Nurse, the receptionist at Student Services, the Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care the Dean of Wellbeing and Head of Year 7, the Deputy Heads of Gioia House and Del Monte Lauren Petroni and the Heads and Assistant Heads of House.
At Santa Sabina College, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. Our wellbeing approach is grounded in strong policies, proactive strategies, and a culture of care and our commitment to student welfare is both comprehensive and continually evolving. Our Wellbeing Matters article, published in 2023, highlighted our multi-faceted, systemic whole school approach to wellbeing. Our Santa Strong Wellbeing Framework details the ways in which our whole school approach is achieved.
