School Counselling Institution
- Λεπτομέρειες
Voroklini Primary School is among the eight schools across Cyprus that have been selected to pilot the institution of the School Counsellor during the 2025–2026 school year. This role is undertaken by Ms. Georgia Savva, a teacher at our school, who will be present at the school exclusively to support students through this new institution. Ms. Savva meets with students individually or in groups, while also conducting activities/lessons in all classes, so that the entire school community can benefit. The institution also addresses parents and guardians and teachers.
WHO ARE SCHOOL COUNSELLORS…
School counsellors are teachers of the school who have specialized qualifications in counselling. Therefore, they participate in all activities of the school unit, while at the same time providing counselling and emotional support to students, parents, and teachers. Their role is to help children develop social, emotional, and academic skills, as well as to support them in dealing with personal or school-related challenges. For example, they can help children overcome fear of school failure, manage difficult emotions such as anger, develop skills to make friends more easily, strengthen their self-confidence, etc.
WHAT SCHOOL COUNSELLORS ARE NOT…
It is important to note that school counsellors are not special education teachers, nor teachers of special units. In addition, they are not psychologists, not school assistants, and they are not responsible for escorting students. School counsellors hold a different position within the school: they operate professionally and care for the well-being of the entire school community.
EXAMPLES OF SCHOOL COUNSELLOR ACTIVITIES:
Individual Sessions: Meeting with students individually to discuss personal matters, goals, or concerns, or to help them manage difficult emotions. Group Sessions: Organizing group meetings to develop social skills, manage interpersonal relationships with peers, and teach emotional self-regulation techniques. Collaboration with Parents and Teachers: Working together with parents and teachers to help create a supportive environment for children and to ensure their well-being within the school setting. Staff Training: Providing knowledge on topics related to counselling, emotional support of children, and behaviour management. Staff training may include providing information and educational resources, organizing workshops and seminars, and offering professional guidance. Parental Counselling Support: Offering guidance to parents on how to better support their children and improve their school performance, such as study techniques and time management skills, advice on managing behavioural issues that children may face at school or at home, guidance on boosting self-confidence, developing social skills, and building healthy relationships. They also provide support to parents experiencing increased stress related to their children’s education.
IN SHORT…
SCHOOL COUNSELLORS USE AS THEIR TOOLS…
• Open communication with children about any concerns they may have.
• Guidance on schoolwork and strategies for coping with school-related anxiety.
• Support in developing social skills and building self-confidence.
• Techniques for recognizing and managing difficult emotions (e.g., anger).
• Ensuring that children with specific behavioural needs receive the support and services they are entitled to.
Ms. Georgia Savva
Primary Education Teacher- School Counsellor
Voroklini Primary School
Paideias Street, Oroklini 7040
Tel.: +357 24 646584
email:
https://dim-voroklini-lar.schools.ac.cy