Counseling

Overview

At IAA, it is important that the school environment is both physically and psychologically safe and healthy. IAA has fully qualified and experienced Counsellors in both Primary and Secondary. Counselling is done individually, in small groups, or through whole class presentations.

At IAA, it is important that the school environment is both physically and psychologically safe and healthy. IAA has fully qualified and experienced Counsellors in both Primary and Secondary. Counselling is done individually, in small groups, or through whole class presentations.

The Counselling Department's ultimate goal is to help students be prepared to manage future challenges and progress confidently into an ever changing world. The availability of the Counselling Department's services supports the mission and vision of the school to support each student in becoming the "Leaders of Tomorrow".

The mission of the Counselling Department is to equip its students with the skills, principles and experiences that will enable them to fulfill their highest academic, personal and social potential. Counsellors advocate inspiring a supportive learning environment for all students.

IAA Counsellors provide guidance towards academic achievement and overall personal success. Counsellors teach and provide students with the necessary skills to get through personal barriers to their education. Barriers may include emotional concerns such as depression, self-esteem, friendships and other issues that students may find distracting them from doing their personal best at school. 

IAA Counsellors serve as neutral faculty members at school and are not involved in any form of disciplinary sanctioning. They provide a safe environment for students to express themselves and or seek guidance. Counsellors are bound by confidentiality and operate an 'open door' policy for students, parents, and school faculty. Information is relayed to others only on a need-to-know basis and if it involves safety and security of students and the school. At times, outside agencies may be consulted or students referred to them.

In addition to direct counselling services, IAA's Counsellors consult and collaborate with parents and school faculty to support the best interest of students. This is accomplished through parent or teacher meetings, parent workshops, and classroom observations.

The purpose of counselling is to help students do their best, be happy and be empowered for the future!

More information on IAA's Counselling services can be obtained by contacting the Counsellors' Offices either in Primary or Secondary School.

Learn more
Primary

The Primary School Counsellor's work usually focuses on issues that students confront on a daily basis. Counselling empowers students through the ongoing practice of important skills that will remain with them for years to come, aiding them through their adolescent years.

The Primary School Counsellor's work usually focuses on issues that students confront on a daily basis. Counselling empowers students through the ongoing practice of important skills that will remain with them for years to come, aiding them through their adolescent years. Counselling targets areas that include friendships, peer pressure, responsibilities, duties, adaptability and self-esteem, continuously evolving so that it may effectively cope with new challenges. The goal is to teach students thinking and problem-solving skills so that they acquire the tools needed to independently make choices, negotiate and arrive at agreements. The cousellor constantly guides them to understand that it is one"s self that one can control and develop, rather than trying to push others to change and accommodate us. Constructive self-empowerment is an important component of Primary-level counselling.

Learn more
Secondary
IAA takes the social and emotional wellbeing of our students very seriously and our two, well qualified counsellors are well resourced in terms of time and private meeting rooms. The two Secondary School Counsellors work with students, parents and teachers. The counsellors train groups of MYP and DP students to be peer helpers in order to function as listeners and mediators within the school community. They also regularly meet with groups of students in all grades to discuss how their year is going and to become aware of their challenges.
IAA takes the social and emotional wellbeing of our students very seriously and our two, well qualified counsellors are well resourced in terms of time and private meeting rooms. The two Secondary School Counsellors work with students, parents and teachers. The counsellors train groups of MYP and DP students to be peer helpers in order to function as listeners and mediators within the school community. They also regularly meet with groups of students in all grades to discuss how their year is going and to become aware of their challenges. Individual students can book one to one sessions with a counsellor through our IT platforms. Secondary counsellors are heavily involved in the transition process meeting with new students in groups and individually, supporting their integration into the IAA family. Secondary students who are leaving IAA are invited to attend transition workshops given by the counsellors in order to prepare them for the process of changing location. The counsellors give parenting workshops and are available to meet with parents on an individual basis. Teachers have the opportunity to meet with individual students and the counsellors, to gain a better understanding of each others' classroom needs and facilitate learning.
Learn more