Programmes

Student Services

"The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth."
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES / GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

Guidance and Career Education Services are available for students from Prep to Grade 12. The most important function of the counsellors is to act as student advocates and to provide ongoing support for students across all areas of their lives, including intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development. The Guidance and Career Education Department also provides individual and group meetings to assist students with issues concerning academic, personal, extra-curricular and post-secondary choices and alternatives. Parents are encouraged to telephone or email the relevant Guidance Office with any questions or concerns.

Guidance and Career Education - Upper School

Upper School Guidance Coordinator: Margie Ionson

The Upper School Guidance and Career Education Department provides individual and group meetings to provide ongoing support for academic, personal, extracurricular and post-secondary options.

Grades 9 to 12: The Guidance Office for students in Grades 9 to 12 is located in Room 510 and is open from 7:20 a.m. until 4:10 p.m. each day. Students in Grades 9 to 12 are allocated to a counsellor according to last name. The Upper School counsellors have been assigned as follows:

University advising is a large focus for the fall term. Students at CDNIS apply to universities in Canada, the USA, UK, Hong Kong, Australia and Europe. The universities are looking for more than high academic results and SAT scores. Most universities will also strongly consider the extra-curricular activities in which students are involved. The students at CDNIS are actively involved and proactive in the University process and the Guidance counsellors support the students with the beginning of this new journey of post secondary education.

In addition, the counsellors work with students on the transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9. Special attention is given to students who are new to the school to ensure their adjustment to CDNIS proceeds smoothly.

Grade 7 and 8: Simone Courso is the Grade 7 and 8 Guidance Counsellor; her office is located in Room 610A and is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. each day. Ms Courso works in collaboration with teachers, administrators and parents to provide guidance and support students with academic, social and emotional needs. This is done individually, in small groups or occasionally with a whole class. Confidentiality is discussed in every class at the beginning of the school year and students understand that confidentiality has to be broken when the student is being harmed or is hurting himself/herself.

Lower School Guidance Services

Lower School support is comprised of a balance between focused counseling with individuals & groups, and proactive services in the classroom to support the IB Programme. As part of the Learning Services Team, LS counsellors are in constant interaction with teachers, administration and other LST staff to ensure that students requiring either individual or group support are identified and engaged in a timely and focused manner. Students are all taken care of by two counsellors, though specific grades are allocated to each for consistency and continuity. The Lower School Learning Services site has more information about upcoming workshops, and parent and student concerns.

Rob Grantham, Pre-Reception-Gr. 2, Room 1025A, Ext 1031
Lolita Schmalenberg, Gr. 3-6, Room 809B, Ext 820