As an IB school serving a trilingual community, Concordian believes counseling is most effective when it is personal and preventive rather than reactive. Our counselors come to know each Grade 4 to 8 student as an individual and work proactively, building the social, emotional and self-management skills that help children flourish before challenges arise, while always being ready to support any student who needs it.
The school counseling and guidance program is part of the total school program and complements learning in the classroom, encouraging each student’s social, emotional and personal growth at every stage of their development.
The counselor works with students individually to help with their concerns and in group sessions for specific needs, and leads classroom guidance lessons on personal, emotional, social and educational development, so students build positive feelings toward themselves and others, develop skills in interacting and communicating, recognize their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses, understand the causes and effects of their actions, and become responsible, productive members of society. The counselor also works cooperatively with administrators, teachers and parents to serve students’ needs, help every student succeed, and maximize their potential.
Classroom Guidance Lessons
Special lessons on psycho-educational topics that introduce life skills to help students cope with everyday life. Topics explored include:
- Understanding self, self-concept and self-esteem
- Responsibility: good citizenship and self-discipline
- Friendship and peer pressure
- Study skills
- Personal safety
- Decision making and problem solving
- Conflict management
- Managing and expressing feelings
- Cultural awareness (appreciation and acceptance of cultural differences)
- Bullying prevention
- Social skills
- Positive attitude
- Careers awareness
- Character building
Individual Counseling
Both voluntary and by referral from teachers and parents.
- Help students understand themselves and others
- Use a strength-based approach so students realize their potential and strengths
- Identify students with special needs and facilitate appropriate intervention
- Consider choices and consequences
- Set both short- and long-term goals
- Begin the career awareness program
Small Group Counseling
Used with students experiencing shared concerns in areas such as interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, anger management and learning techniques.
The counselor also consults with teachers and other professionals on resource materials and ideas, and on processing referrals regarding concerns and special needs.
