Guidance: What is it?

The early years of high school are exciting yet challenging times for students, their parents and their teachers. Rapid physical, emotional and social changes occur during their passage from childhood to adolescence. Transition is the key word as young people need to have a ‘sense of direction’. The word guidance is used to help students during this transitional period of their school life.

The Counselling Department is here at Northfields International High School, whether on an individual or a group basis, is not only to develop skill in self-direction but also in
  (a) establishing suitable personal, educational, and vocational goals;
  (b) planning desirable ways of pursuing these goals;
  (c) developing standards of value consistent with their life goals, so that they will be able to connect their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work. P.S.H.E classes are the tool for such learning and application.

The CAS program adds depth and value to the student’s understanding and reality of the outside world. The Extra Murals program adds spice to their personal and social development. This Guidance will help them in their search for their own unique identity as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than parents, for ideas, affirmation, comfort, understanding and approval.

The later years of high school mark the final transition into young adulthood when students begin to separate from parents, exploring and defining who they are and what they will do when they graduate. They face increased pressures regarding risk behaviors involving sex, alcohol and other drugs while exploring the boundaries of more acceptable behavior, building meaningful friendships and relationships. Students need guidance in making concrete and compounded decision.  They must deal with academic pressures and dead lines, when they face examinations, whether they are internal or external examination such as IGCSE and the IB Diploma, the challenges of post-high school admissions, the scholarship and financial aid application process, and entrance into a competitive job market. The Counsellor’s mission in a high school is to support the academic achievement of the student.

Another primary goal for providing Guidance and Counselling in a secondary school setting is to make students feel more comfortable to deal with ongoing and future life situations in a constructive way without requiring continual help, and to promote enduring long-term change. Counselling is not a quick-fix; it is not problem-solving or advice giving. Rather, Counselling is to help students to look at other options, imagine the consequences of each and then make smart choices. Guidance and Counselling helps them sort out their own problems and enable them to discover solutions to their problems, which fit them.
The success of the student and counsellor relations is a crucial factor in helping the student work through problems effectively.  Counsellors are advocates for students and are seen as agents of growth and change.

I urge you to stay focused on your child/student’s priorities. I must say from experience that no matter how strict parents are, peer pressure is not prejudice to anyone. Almost all maturing adolescent meets peer pressure at some point in their high school years. I am not trying to scare you. This is a fact. Just keep focused and maintain a healthy relationship with your child/student – one with free communication, respect, trust and unconditional love. Teenagers like the feeling of support. Support your child/student in whatever he or she does, whether it is in sports, academics, drama or dance.

Luvlina Tulsidas
School Counsellor
5 February 2010