Counseling

Elementary School Counseling

Welcome to the world of Elementary Counseling at the International Community School of Addis Ababa. I am very happy to be returning back as the Elementary Counselor for my 3rd year at ICS. Within this welcome message, I will share some information about my role as Elementary Counselor. There are many events both inside and outside of the Elementary classes which involve my active participation. I will describe activities where I am working closely with parents, teachers and students.

First, I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of the new Elementary parents and students to ICS. Having moved to Ethiopia with my wife and son a couple of years ago, I can easily relate to the numerous questions that arise during the relocation to another country - When will my shipping container arrive? How will I find my way around this big ICS campus and throughout the city of Addis Ababa? Where will I go to find what I need both at school and within the outside community? As a means to help ease this transition for parents and students, I work closely with Jessica Fortin, Admissions Co-ordinator, and members of our ICS Parent Teacher Association. During the first week of school and throughout the academic year, I share team building activities with Elementary students. At the Getting to Know our New ICS Buddies luncheons held in September, picture books and short stories about moving to a new country are shared and art activities take place. You will see and hear me acting as the Master of Ceremony at our Elementary Learner Profile Mini Alert assemblies on various Friday mornings.

My role as the Elementary Counselor is a multi-faceted one. At ICS, I am here to service the needs of teachers, parents and students. In assisting these 3 groups, my work toward instilling an understanding and appreciation of self, others and the surrounding environment is strongly tied to the ICS Way - I can make a difference by ... Taking Care of Myself, Taking Care of Others and Taking Care of this Place. I help students with their development in 4 areas: 1) Personal 2) Social 3) Educational and 4) Career. There are grade specific themes such as Feelings and Helping Others in Kindergarten to Grade 2, Study Skills and Career Choices in grades 3 to 8 and Transitions to Middle School for grade 5 students that I will discuss in my class visits throughout the academic year. Beginning in October, Grade 4 teacher Mrs. Sienna Burns and I will work closely with small groups of Elementary students and High School assistants in our Elementary Leadership Council (ELC) in each of the 3 trimesters. Also, in September, Dr. Rob Wadeson, High School Counselor and I will be giving a Parent Transition meeting for new parents to ICS and Ethiopia. Finally, throughout the year, I will provide information and resources to parents, teachers and staff on issues related to guidance counseling.

I look forward to meeting many new buddies within all of the Elementary classes, at meetings and outside in the school yard at ICS. If you have any questions about Elementary Counseling then please contact me at derek.ferreira@icsaddis.edu.et or you can call me at 011-371-1544.

Derek Ferreira
Elementary Counselor

Secondary School Counseling

We are all aware that it takes time to adapt to a new school and country, and that everyone makes the transition at their own pace. Students or parents are invited to drop by the Counseling Office to talk over any issues of adjustment to ICS. One of the roles of the Secondary Counselor is to support and advise students in planning their academic programme throughout their time at ICS. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns about your child's academic program. All students graduate from ICS with a High School Diploma. The ICS diploma is awarded based on academic performance in courses taken throughout Grades 9 to 12. Additionally, in Grade 11 we offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students who successfully complete the IB program requirements will be awarded an additional diploma at the end of Grade 12.
The ICS Diploma and the IB Diploma are accepted in different countries around the world as part of the university application requirements. I work with high school students over the year in my role as College Counselor. The focus from August until November (the deadline for completion of all college applications) is on supporting and advising our seniors in Grade 12 to complete their college applications.
As part of our college preparation program, all students in grade 10 and 11 will take the PSAT in mid-October. This is a practice version of the SAT Reasoning Test and measures critical reading, math skills, and writing ability. The SAT is used predominantly as a university entrance qualification in North America, but is also increasingly being accepted by universities in other countries. Students currently in Grade 11 will sit for the SAT at ICS in May or June. More college information will be provided as the year progresses.
Again, let me welcome you all to ICS and I wish you all a successful and enjoyable school year. I can be contacted by email at robert.wadeson@icsaddis.edu.et or by telephone at 011-371-1544.
Dr. Robert Wadeson,
Secondary School and College Counselor