Mervyn Sara
A message from Mervyn:
My name is Mervyn Marsh and I will be working at Toorak Primary this year full time in the role of student welfare.
My employment background is in both youth work and mental health, I have moved from a full time position at the Opening Doors program in East St Kilda, a 24 hour residential program for people with mental health issues where I have been working as a case manager for the last six years in collaboration with the Alfred Hospital. In 2017 I completed my Bachelor of Psychology and this year I have enrolled into a Masters in Primary School Teaching. I have a keen interest in supporting individuals who have complex needs.
I have a history with Toorak Primary, formally known as Toorak Central, as both my brother and I attended. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Toorak and still have many friendships from my time here. Another interesting fact is that my great uncle, Denision Deasy taught at Toorak Central for some time in the 1950s.
In my spare time I enjoy wildlife photography, playing snooker and I like to watch my AFL team, the Melbourne Demons play.
A message from Sara:
I’m Sara Harris and I’m super excited to be working at Toorak Primary in Student Welfare as the First Aid and Wellbeing Officer. I’ll be at the school 10.30-2.30pm Monday to Friday and you will find me in sickbay tending to grazed knees, sore tummies and any other concerns the children might have. I’ll also be running some groups to support girls as they move through the different stages of growing up.
I have been working in the area of Complementary health care for over 15 years with a special focus in girls and women’s health, leading me to initiate a number of projects and develop a number of programs supporting young people in this area. After a degree in Health Science I went on to study a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and am currently studying a Masters in Women’s Health Medicine whilst also working in private practice.
I love working with young people and supporting them to understand and appreciate themselves. Connecting to and valuing the inner-most part of who we are needs to be nurtured in young people today, where I’m sure you’ll agree, the challenges they face are on a whole other level. I’m looking forward to meeting each and every child at Toorak Primary, hopefully not in sickbay:) – but somewhere along the way in my time at the school.
Please feel free to contact us through the school email address: toorak.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au