PERSONAL (P) | SOCIAL (S) | HEALTH (H) | EDUCATION (E) LESSONS
PSHE is part of our comprehensive school guidance curriculum. We adhere to PSHE Association grade specific skills/topics and teach similar topics to all age groups. As PSHE is critical part of holistic development, we ensure that it’s taken with utmost sincerity and seriousness by all students.
PSYCHOEDUCATION IN GROUP SETTINGS
Our counsellors facilitate group discussions on topics related to student emotional well-being – bullying, relationships, age-appropriate sexual education, etc. – in settings such as homeroom, advisory meetings, and dorm programs to reach students at all levels.
- PSHE – an effective method for psychoeducation of students regarding age-appropriate concerns, conducted by counsellors and a team of teachers trained in PSHE lessons and assessments
- Homeroom and Advisory Meetings – counsellors present material unique to each grade, addressing issues of bullying, substance use/abuse, anxiety, and academic concerns, encouraging best behaviour
- Dorm visits – counsellors regularly visit dorms to assess how students are bonding with each other and to address pertinent issues in this informal setting
“HEALTHY MIND-HEALTHY SCHOOL” INITIATIVE
Sessions for different grade levels through home room visits and dorm visits help build strong, trusting relationship with peers and provide space for open dialogue on various aspects of mental health. This program offers a needed platform for open conversations about mental health and attracts student attention.
“BE A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY” ANTI -BULLYING AWARENESS DAY
This initiative took place on campus as part of our Anti-bullying Awareness Day. Our Wellbeing Ambassadors organised poster making and slogan writing competitions based on the theme. Staff and students participated in the “Be a Buddy” quilt making activity. Early Years students took part in kindness and friendship colouring activities and made friendship bracelets. The message: Together we can make Woodstock a better, safer, and happier place.
RESPONSIVE CARE
Our counsellors must be available 24×7 in case of crisis, as students’ emotional needs and safety are the responsibility of their dorm parents, other members of the community, and their counsellors. Counsellors are always available to step in if self-harm or suicidal ideation are expressed.
MORE THAN COUNSELLING – A BUDDY IN A NON-DISCIPLINARY ROLE
We interact with students non-judgementally and maintain professional confidentiality while developing friendship relationships more so than disciplinary relationships with them. As a result we experience bonding and development of trust. Our counsellors contribute to academic and/or behavioural student monitoring meetings in a supportive, non-disciplinary role.
PARENT CONSULTANCY
Our counsellors meet with parents in Parent-Teacher Conferences and at other times to prepare mutualised plans for their children’s wellbeing. We’re ready to inform parents through established protocols if their children experience crises and to work with any behavioural concerns that arise.
OUTSIDE REFERRALS
Our counsellors liaise with external agencies, psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health therapists to address any student social-emotional issues needing extensive support. We work with a local psychiatrist at Landour Community Hospital who also responds to any emergencies. From our remote location, we also draw upon a support network of other doctors and psychiatrists in Delhi in case of emergency.
Ms Thomas holds master’s degrees in Psychology and Clinical Mental Health and a post graduate diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselling Psychology. She has more than 17 years’ experience in the field of mental health. Prior to Woodstock, Ms Thomas worked with CAMH, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.
Drishti Bhasin is a counselling psychologist, a certified CBT & REBT Practitioner and a guidance counsellor.