ISB SCHOOL COUNSELLING PROGRAMME At ISB, the mission of our School Counselling Programme is to guide and support each student’s journey. Our team of dedicated school counsellors works across every section of our school, offering a comprehensive programme that empowers academic, personal, social, career, and global development. This is accomplished through classroom lessons, small groups, and individual counselling. Participants: Petal Jaffrey (Counsellor, ECC), Carla John-Nagel (Counsellor, ES), Sandie Pergallini (Guidance Counsellor, MS), Cadence Scharff (Counsellor, MS), Katie Cherry (Social & Emotional Counsellor, HS), Catherine Irvine (Head of HS Counselling).
What is the ISB School Counselling Programme? Petal : At ISB, our Counselling Service is built around helping students thrive in every aspect of their school life. Our approach is both proactive and supportive, tailored to the unique needs of each age group. In the Early Childhood Centre, I work closely with each teacher to conduct monthly classroom lessons that foster social and emotional growth, helping children build important interpersonal skills and encouraging the Big 4 values: kindness, safety, fairness, and respect. For those students needing more, I offer small group and individual support. Carla: Elementary School continues to build on this integrative approach by providing a programme that is embedded throughout the classes and students, through a shared language and learning experiences. There are various ways explored through classes, group sessions, one-to-one, and collaborating with educators and families. This promotes student learning and wellbeing academically, emotionally, and socially. Cady: Middle School brings new challenges, and our School Counselling Programme is designed to help students navigate the transition from childhood to adolescence. Through a combination of one-on-one sessions, group counselling, and parent consultations, we create an environment for students to feel supported during these new experiences, leading to growth academically, socially, and emotionally. Katie: In High School, we help students find a balance between their present life and their future plans after ISB. Our counsellors help students define goals, plan for future academics and careers, and build the emotional skills they’ll need as they transition to adulthood. Every service is designed to remove obstacles to learning and pave the way for future success. What can new families expect in their first 60 days at ISB? Petal: We recently shared a presentation with families to support their transition into ISB, to help families understand the transition cycle, and to help them recognise where they are in the cycle. New students are closely monitored to ensure that they are settling well and making friends. Learning conferences are the time for me to connect with families who are interested in talking more about their child’s transition to ISB and when I can offer resources specific to their family’s needs. Carla: Transition can be exciting and challenging at the same time. Our role is to support families through these changes. It begins even before the first day where families can have access to resources and strategies to help support their transition. We have a new student orientation day, followed by a settling-in period where a buddy system is used. There are regular check-ins with the counsellor to ensure students and families are supported in their stage of transition. There are also social supports in place such as friendship lunches and pizza parties to guide forming new friendships and relationships.