Banchory Academy Health and Wellbeing

If you would like to know more about the supports available in school and how to access them, please click on the relevant tab to reveal more information.

We have a group of S6 pupils who are trained as peer listeners. They are based in the Wellbeing Hub at lunchtimes from 1.15pm. If you are in S1, S2 or S3 and would like to chat to someone at lunch, and maybe play some games, then they would really like to meet you. Peer Listening is a drop in service so you don’t need to arrange it with anyone.

Mental Health First Aiders are adults in school who are trained to be able to support pupils with their mental health. They will listen to you and help you to find the right support.

You will recognise the Mental Health First Aiders by their bright green lanyards or check the list below: 

Mrs Bruce – SLT
Mrs Corsar – ASL
Mrs Dixon – Maths
Mrs Doig – Librarian
Miss Duff – PE
Mr Duncan – Guidance
Miss Ellson – Modern Languages
Miss Fraser – Humanities
Mrs Hall – Maths
Mr Kavanagh – Humanities
Ms McIlraith – Guidance
Mrs Petrie – ASL
Mrs Reilly – Guidance
Lisa Rodger ASL
Michelle Skellern SLT
Mrs Stewart – Guidance
Mrs Topp – Humanities
Miss Will – Technical

We have four houses along with the addition of targeted support. The guidance teachers are as follows:

Kerloch ~ Mrs Stewart

Lochton ~ Mr Adam

Monearn ~ Mrs Pringle

Ternan ~ Mr Duncan

Targeted Support ~ Ms McIllraith 

Your Guidance Teacher is there to offer you support. They will always be happy to listen to you and will be able to arrange a variety of additional supports if you are struggling with something. 

The Targeted Support Team work with individuals and with groups and can offer support to pupils who are struggling to manage their emotional or mental health. 

Some of the groups currently on offer are listed below:

LIAM (lets introduce anxiety management)

Brief BA (brief behavioral activation)

Seasons for Growth (dealing with change and loss)

Being Me (an exploration of sexuality and gender)

Aiming High (transition to secondary school)

Nurture Group

The Targeted Support Team is:

Ms McIlraith (PT Targeted Support)

Mrs Tanya Sinclair (Pupil Support Worker)

Mrs Pauline Geddes (Trainee School Counselor)

Mrs Michelle Corsar 

Our school nurse is Lynn Halliwell and our First Aider is Corrina Cox. Lynn and Corrina are based in the first aid suite and are here to support you.

If you would like some information or advice, or just want to chat about how you are feeling, then they will be happy to listen. 

LIAM stands for Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management.

It is an 8-10 week programme which is run in school and can be delivered individually or in a small group. will teach you about anxiety, why we feel anxious and what we can do to manage our own anxiety.

The programme is delivered by school staff who have been trained and are supported by CAHMS – the Community Adolescent Mental Health Service.

During the course you will set individual targets and will learn about anxiety, why we feel anxious and what we can do to manage our own anxiety. 

If you think that LIAM might be helpful for you, then please speak to your Guidance Teacher or a member of the support team.