School Handbook

School Psychological Services

School Handbook

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A School Psychologist is a registered Psychologist whose task is to assist students, teachers, parents and the school community to solve a wide range of educational and psychological problems. The major areas where the School Psychologist can help include student learning, behaviour management and social/emotional issues.

As much as we would like it to be otherwise, families in the School community experience the same difficulties as families everywhere - family breakdown, mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse, relationship difficulties. Sometimes these get in the way of a boy's being happy at school or achieving his best. Or maybe issues at school, such as friendship difficulties or problems learning make it hard for him to say on track.

This is where the services of a trained listener come in. "Guidance officers" of old may have advised clients of what to do. Today's approach is different: boys are listened to and helped to generate solutions they feel comfortable with. Empowerment, skill development and resilience are catchphrases of this approach. Referrals are made to specialists outside the school (eg. paediatricians, psychiatrists, speech pathologists) where appropriate.

Discussions between the School Psychologist and clients are confidential. They follow guidelines set out by the Psychological Society.