Victoria Park is in the fortunate position of having a full-time school counsellor, Mr John Hutchinson, who runs the school's Guidance Department. He is also available for consultation. Mr Hutchinson will be assisted this year by Mrs Linda Truter.
The Guidance Department has played an important and integral part in the school system by assisting learners to discover and use their unique potential to beter themselves personally.
The Guidance Counselor has worked towards enabling learners to explore issues ranging from subject choice to career resource information, to more personal issues such as self-esteem, interpersonal relating, self acceptance, emotional intelligence and pro-active behavior and accountability for actions taken.
Ultimately the counseling process and guidance method in general should serve to self-empower the learner to act pro-actively through informed decision making.
The Guidance Department has organized representatives from a wide variety of institutions, exposing learners to different course and career options available in the market place. Many bursaries have been made available to deserving candidates. The annual careers day proved to be a great success, where 40 guest speakers were invited to give learners insight into the opportunities available in the working world.
Grad 9 learners, required to choose subjects, were given the task of researching careers individually, which were displayed for all to view. The subject choice display were superb and very well presented by Grade 10 and 11 learners, who with the support of subject heads, made the task of subject choice less daunting and more interactive and informative for Grad 9 learners.
I believe that teenagers who have made use of confidential counseling have truly benefited from advice given regarding emotional issues. Teenagers who are open to counseling have been better able to implement coping strategies that will best support them to meet life’s everyday challenges. My sincere thanks to all teachers, parents and learners for a positive and rewarding 2010.
J. HUTCHINSON
