Guidance Counsellors
Who are the counsellors?
Mr Singh
Hi, I’m Chris Singh. I live with my wife, son (the last of seven, have two older sons and four older daughters), Birman cat, Raja and Wire-haired Jack Russell dog, DJ. Some of my favourite things are spending time with my family, rugby, kayaking and great food. I value friendship, honesty, genuineness and acts of kindness.
I became a counsellor through working with students at risk. The most rewarding part of being a counsellor is knowing that you had a part in affecting the life of another human being. Giving hope when people feel hopeless. Inspiring others to be all that they are capable of being.
Our counselling service is confidential. No problem is too big or too small. We will help you learn strategies to cope, support you and advocate for you. If you are ready to talk we are ready to listen. We are here for you.
Ms Grocott
Hi, I’m Lara Grocott. I live with my husband, three daughters and two cats. Some of my favourite things are shoes, coffee, laughter, church bells, and cooking. I value kindness, honesty, gratitude and being authentic.
I became a counsellor because I believe in people. Everybody deserves to live a life worth living, but sometimes circumstances can make it hard, and sometimes we need a bit of help to work our way through. Life throws us all kinds of things that we’ve never met before, how can we possibly be expected to know how to deal with it without a little help? There are no real rules about how to go about counselling - it’s all about what would be useful to you - or sometimes it's just nice to talk about stuff in a space where you know you won’t be judged.
If you need us - we’re here.
What are guidance counsellors for?
Guidance counsellors are here to listen to and support students. If you ever feel that you need someone to talk to, take advantage of the guidance system! It’s often really helpful to talk through things with an adult, as they have more wisdom and experience than friends might. Counsellors will not judge you or share what you have told them with anyone else. They are trained to help you deal with whatever may be going on in your life. If you aren’t feeling your best, whether it’s to do with family, friends, or school - or even if you have no idea why, seeing a counsellor can help you out. Counsellors can even mediate (be a neutral participant in) a difficult conversation you want to have with someone else.
What if I’m embarrassed to see a counsellor?
There is no shame in seeing the counsellor - asking for help is a courageous act and there is no need to be embarrassed about it. Your wellbeing is the most important thing and there’s nothing wrong with pursuing it. However, if you are still anxious, remember that counsellors always keep what you tell them confidential, and they don’t discuss the fact that you are seeing them with other people.
What do I do if I want to see a counsellor?
You could email or talk to your dean, a teacher, Ms Roberts, or one of the counsellors directly to ask for an appointment (counsellors’ emails are listed above). You could also fill out this form.
A time will then be arranged for you to have your counselling session.