ISNS offers counselling services to students in need of social, emotional or academic support. We employ a full time counsellor for PYP and as well as one for MYP/DP.
Primary Years (PYP) Counselling
As an IB World School, ISNS believes that counselling students goes beyond academic and emotional support, and we aim to develop student achievement through incorporating leadership, advocacy, collaboration, equity and access to opportunities. We maintain a safe learning and working environment for all members of the school community, and ensure that students have someone to turn to if they need help.
Our PYP guidance counselling programs offers comprehensive services to students from K3-Grade 5. We offer:
Classroom guidance lessons
Individual and small group counselling (friendship, anger control, grief, etc.)
Ongoing Professional Development
Consultation and collaboration with parents and teachers
Referrals to other school support services or community resources
Student Support Team
Goals of the PYP Guidance Counsellor
Help students interact effectively with others
Help students maximize their academic, social and emotional potential
Help students acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits required to successfully respond societal expectations;
Help students gain the skills they need to cope with personal problems and concerns that may impede educational achievement, career development and personal/social growth;
Request assistance of parents, teachers, and other school personnel in the identification of personal, social and intellectual needs of students;
Help exceptional students and their families to identify and access appropriate intervention programs and services.
Guiding Principles of the PYP Guidance Counsellor
To promote communication and establish connections among the school, home and community agencies
To develop and implement appropriate pro-social activities and services
To promote acceptance of diversity within the school;
To inform those within the school community about available services and programs;
To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the school counselling program and its relation to the school mission statement;
To assist students to assume responsibility for their learning and behaviours;
To provide support and guidance to assist in the teaching/learning process.
Middle Years (MYP) and High School (DP)
School, Career and University Counselling
The MYP/DP School Counsellor is responsive to and provides services to students in Grades 6 to 12 as well as their parents and families. The Counsellor works in close collaboration with the academic staff in order to respond to their requests.
The MYP/DP Counsellor collaborates with teachers, administrators and families to discuss and plan for student needs. The comprehensive counselling programme at ISNS helps students with personal growth and development, personal responsibility, decision making and interpersonal relationships related to the I.B. learner profiles.
The MYP/DP School Counsellor/University Counsellor is responsible for:
Prevention, intervention and crisis response services.
Implementation of the ISNS Child Protection Policy, in collaboration with Administration as Co-Chair, with the PYP Counsellor.
Provision of Guidance and Counselling according to the Standards of Practice of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association as well as that of the International School Counseling Association or the American School Counselling Association
Facilitation of programmes regarding career and university options for both students and families.
Counselling – to offer personal counselling opportunities for learners, staff and families as required and appropriate by:
Accepting self-referrals from learners, staff and families
Accepting referrals from staff and families
Meeting with learners and their families
Providing specialist advice to relevant groups or individuals
Facilitating group counselling and support sessions where appropriate
Keeping appropriate, secure and confidential records of counselling work
Liaising with counsellors in other schools and with other agencies
Suggesting referrals to external community agencies for more detailed assessment and be available to assist with accessing the professional support.
At all times behaving in a manner consistent with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Code of Ethics as well as that of the International School Counseling Association or the American School Counselling Association
Programmes – Lead and support pastoral care and personal development programmes that support school priorities by:
Demonstrating a high level of relevant professional knowledge
Leading and supporting school-wide programmes to enhance and strengthen the school culture such as Mental Health Awareness Activities and Bullying Awareness Activities
Contributing and collaborating with Learning Support and Language programmes
Preparing and presenting informative reports to parents and other stakeholders
Contributing to whole school planning activities
Teaching classes related to the development of the whole student.
University and Career Counselling
ISNS uses UniFrog software for students in grades 9-12 to research universities and the requirements for admission to universities that match the individual student’s educational and career aspirations.
University Counselling services include:
Facilitating workshops to assist parents to understand all aspects of the university application process.
Hosting individual meetings with parents and students to discuss selections of schools, university courses and pathways to achieving post-secondary goals.
Targeting schools that are a good fit for the student with sufficient research into personal interests, academic strengths, athletic skills, and other factors that might influence the choice of university.
Organizing the annual University Fair so that ISNS students will get first-hand information about universities through conversations with and presentations by university representatives.
Assisting with the preparation of application including guidance for the writing of personal statements, essays and mock interviews.
Supplying reference materials and information on worldwide universities, such as university view-books, brochures, providing support and encouraging students to increase their university awareness.
Providing advice on standardized testing such as the Scholastic Aptitude/Assessment Test (SAT), the American College Test (ACT), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Collaborating with the DP Coordinator on course selection from Grade 10 in preparation for selecting subjects in the IB Diploma Programme.
Parent Resources from Counselling
PYP
MYP
DP
Child Protection Policy
ISNS takes the protection of children very seriously. We have a detailed policy regarding the protection of our students and all ISNS faculty and staff are trained with regard to this policy.
Link to Child Protection Policy
It is incumbent upon every employee at ISNS to review the Child Protection Policy each year and acknowledge the ISNS Code of Conduct. A signed declaration will be kept on file indicating the employee understands and agrees to abide by this policy.