Overview

The Guidance and Counselling department is an integral part of the educational process here at Woodcreek School. Our program is built on the belief that certain educational, career and personal objectives can be achieved when School Counselling is provided to students. The School counselling program is coordinated with the input of teachers, parents and the school administration. With the knowledge that growth and learning is developmental, the School Counselling program is also developmental and sequential.

The School Counsellor’s role is to promote emotional, social and personal development in students, in collaboration with students, parents, teachers, administrators and community agencies. Some of our many functions, here at Woodcreek School include offering educational and social advice, in addition to guidance services to students from Kindergarten to Key Stage 4. Our primary responsibility is to promote the academic, social/personal and career development of all students.

The School Counsellor also holds group counselling sessions, focusing on specific topics such as social skills/friendship, anger management and study/personal organisational skills. Students are encouraged to participate in these activities so as to help them further develop skills that will contribute to their success in school.

Individual counselling is also available to students who need short-term assistance and support.

Early Years Foundation Stage

The Counselling Department works with every student at the Kindergarten to help make school a safe and welcoming place. This also encourages the social and moral development of our youngest learners. Simple life skills such as good manners, how to make friends and what to do when their feelings are hurt, are imparted to them from a counselling perspective.

Through counselling, children in their early years are eased into a formal school setting, so that the new exposure to others broadens their understanding of the world.

Children at this age are also guided on how to identify their feelings, what causes them, as well as how to manage their emotions and behave appropriately.

Junior School (Key Stage 1-2)

The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They begin to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes towards the school, themselves, their peers, social groups and their family. Comprehensive developmental school counselling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification of children’s academic and personal/social needs and intervention into these matters is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career and personal/social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

Senior School (Key Stage 3-4)

Today’s young people are living in an exciting time, with an increasingly diverse and mobile society, new technology and expanding opportunities. To help ensure that they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders, and citizens, every student requires support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence-a time of rapid growth and change. Adolescents face unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that impact academic achievement.