Student Support
The Student Support Services Team (SSST) screens, determines services, and monitors referred students whose significant social, emotional, behavioural, or academic differences have been noticed by class or subject teachers.
Following a set referral procedure, team members assess the student’s needs, through consultation, observation and testing. Then a team recommendation is made regarding the specialist and the type of support the student needs to develop to their fullest potential.
The Student Support department consists of:
- Learning Support
- School Counselling
- College Counselling
- an on-site occupational therapist (independently contracted)
- an on-site speech therapist (independently contracted)
- two on-site speech therapists and one occupational therapist (independently contracted)
- School Nurses
The SSST also liaises with other outside specialists and therapists in order to provide the widest array of services possible for ISH families.
| Learning Support |
The Learning Support program at ISH focuses on strengthening academic skills within the context of a student’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Learning Support services are provided to students who have been determined through the referral process as needing additional academic support in order to be successful in school. We begin with a thorough investigation of the student’s strengths and challenges and then build an individualized program with a focus toward meeting goals based on student’s needs. Services may include remedial and compensatory instruction, skill development, re-teaching and content support. MYP and DP students may also be eligible for inclusive assessment arrangements (IAA) based on identified learning needs. We also have two on-site speech therapists (independently contracted). |
| Counselling |
In the Junior School, the counsellor works with children from a child-centred perspective, which means that each child is unique and is viewed according to his or her developmental level. A strong belief in the child’s ability to actualise self is nurtured and appreciated. In the Secondary School, counselling is seen as a collaborative process in which counsellor and students work together to define and follow through with a personal improvement plan. This work stems from the notion that healthy adjustment occurs when a person’s strengths and positive personal qualities are recognised as the basis for growth. Counselling services include:
Family Involvement: Active family involvement is encouraged, although in some cases it may not be required. Parental permission is, in most cases, obtained by counsellors when working with students during the school day. Counsellors provide school-wide classroom guidance lessons based on an age-appropriate, sequential curriculum. These lessons rest on the belief that education and prevention are key elements in the promotion of individual and school community well-being, and that all students should have access to the counselling program. |