"The Open Door"

As you drive into the Burn Street parking area, you may have noticed the bright green door in the brick wall. This entrance leads to the Counselling and Careers Centre, "The Open Door".  Our philosophy is centred on an holistic and preventative approach.  To this end, we run numerous groups and workshops in both the Junior and Senior Schools. 

Our team consists of an Educational Psychologist, a School Counsellor and a Careers Counsellor.  We work closely with the academic staff, particularly the Form Tutors in the Senior School and the Care and Concern team in the Junior School.  Interventions may include appropriate referral, where necessary, to a private professional such as a psychologist, speech, occupational or remedial therapist, some of whom offer their services on the St Mary's premises.

Twice a term, "Muse Mornings" are hosted in SMOGS Cottage, from 07h15 to 08h30am, where speakers are invited to address relevant parenting issues.  The dates and topics of the Muse Mornings and Parent Information Evenings are advertised in the Term Calendar and in the newsletters.  All parents are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Sadly, bullying is a reality in many of our schools.  St Mary's School does not tolerate bullying in any form and we take the matter seriously.  We should like to take this opportunity to inform you of our plans regarding the issue of bullying.  The Committee for Interventions regarding Peer Abuse (CIPA) has been established this year and includes the Headmistress, School Psychologist, Director of Pastoral Care, Director of Student Affairs, Form Tutors, the Head Girls and the Peer Counsellors.  CIPA are currently revising the school's Anti-Bullying Policy and we are working holistically with staff and girls in both Schools, as well as arranging speakers for parent talks.

We are acutely aware that bullying is not always identified as this behaviour can be conducted in a subtle, insidious and underhand manner.  We appeal to you to report any bullying behaviour to your daughter's class teacher, the Heads of the School or directly to us, so that appropriate interventions can be made.  As the thirteenth century poet, Saadi Shirazi, states, "Human beings are all members of one body.  They are created from the same essence.  When one member is in pain, the others cannot rest".

You are invited to contact Heidi directly should you wish to make use of the resources available at "The Open Door".

Heidi Burkhalter                                    Kerry Caldeira                       Lynn Moony
Educational Psychologist                  School Counsellor                Careers Counsellor
heidi@stmary.co.za                            kerryc@stmary.co.za          lyn@stmary.co.za
Tel 011 531-1841                                 Tel 011 531-1838                  Tel 011 531-1843