Support Needed

When I arrived at school today for counselling, I saw many pairs of shoes outside a particular room. I was very tickled over what I saw but I didn't dare laugh as it was a serious matter for the students. 
That particular room is the prayer room. 
Examinations start tomorrow. 
Whatever helps the students to feel less anxious for the examinations is good with me too, be it emotional support from counselling or spiritual support from praying. 

The Funny Reality

There is a reason why I love working with students. This simple drawing by one of my counsellees is why! It is the reality but I couldn't stop laughing. 

Imagination vs Reality

Students never fail to amaze me. Sometimes they are really smarter than adults. 

Life's Simple Pleasures 2017

During my weekly pro bono counselling session, one counsellee, who always lamented that counselling her is a waste of my time, drew this on the mini white board for me just before her session ended. She made me close my eyes while she drew it and only to open my eyes when it was done.

This simple drawing is worth it all! I don't think I have been wasting my time with her at all! 

Farewell

My fellow counsellor and colleague, Shulian whom I have been working with for the past 6 years in my counselling school has decided to further her studies. As such, she will be leaving the school at the end of the year.
It is really sad to see a fellow counsellor leave but at the same time, I am happy for Shulian that she is continuing with her learning. 
All the best in your studies, Shulian. May our paths cross again. 

Birthday Celebration

One of my counsellees has her birthday on 8 October. She wanted me to celebrate her birthday with her.

That's me on the left and my counsellee on the right. Lol. :P I just love working with students. :)

Good Luck for PSLE 2015

I see my P6 counsellees for the last time today before their PSLE starts tomorrow. 
I wish them the Best for their PSLE!! :)

How to Stop Bullying

SingTeach is an e-magazine published quarterly by Office of Education Research at the National Institute of Education (NIE) which is dedicated to improving teaching and enhancing learning. 

I just contributed an article in relation to the recent bullying case in a secondary school. As a school counsellor, it is a topic that is close to my heart. 

Here is the link to my article - How to Stop Bullying: Advice from a School Counsellor | SingTeach | Education Research for Teachers

I hope it will be useful to my fellow teachers.

My Portrait

This is me from the viewpoint of my counsellee. Lol. 

Energise

To some, counselling is draining. But to me, counselling is energising. 
Perhaps it is the process of empowering counsellees to take charge of their actions and lives that makes counselling for me so energising. 

Favourite Subject is...

Counselling. 
Today, a Primary 3 counsellee, whom I am seeing for the 3rd time, replied me in all seriousness that her favourite subject is counselling. I don't know whether to be happy or sad. 
I am happy because I have definitely built rapport with her to have her open up so frankly to me. I am sad because somewhere along the line, education has and/ or us adults have failed her... 

Counselling is...

an adventure! :P

Happy Counselling

Happy to see the counsellees with their big smiles. 
Happy to see the colourful counselling room. 
Happy to be back in school.

April Fools' Day 2015

This year's April Fools' Day happened to be on Wednesday which is my counselling day. I am lucky that the counsellees are goody-two-shoes lol. None tried to "april fool" me. Phew. :P

Cases to Close

Today I met my P6 counsellees for the last time. It is a bitter-sweet moment as I have been their counsellor ranging from 3 years to 1 year.  
I wish them all the best for their PSLE results which will be out in a month's time. 

Recharged

After a month of break, I am recharged and really to get back into counselling. The school holidays are timely for me to take stock of my cases as well as for me to recharge emotionally. Some cases can be draining on the emotions. But whatever it is, I am always happy to see my counsellees. :)

Counsellor's Out

Today is the last session of counselling because it is the last week of school. I hope the P6 counsellees will make good use of the June break to revise their studies in preparation for PSLE in September. 
In the meantime, the counsellor's out. :)

Heart Work

Back to counselling for Term 2. 
It is heartening to see my counsellees (most of them new to me in 2014) warming up to me and becoming more chatty with me. :) Rapport has definitely been established. 
I always believe that counselling is not just hard work but it is also heart work.

Hello Again

I finally saw my P6 counsellees again after more than a month. I stopped their counselling just before their Prelims so that they could concentrate on their revision and prepare for their Prelims and PSLE. I must say the counsellees were pleased to see me again. :) All of them told me the same thing that their PSLE were relatively easier than their Prelims. I sincerely hope for all of them to do well. :) :)

Break but No Break

I was informed on Monday that there would be no counselling today because it is the CAs and P6 Prelims this week. I was happy as I thought I could finally sleep in as my girls would also be at school. Unfortunately, luck is not with me. I had to go into my workplace to do some work in preparation for a high-stakes presentation this Friday. :(