On 20th June, the Secondary staff of Convent of Jesus and Mary International School attended a meaningful and thought-provoking session conducted by the school counsellor, Ms. Aparna. The focus of the session was on the evolving needs of students in today’s changing family dynamics. Ms. Aparna emphasized the importance of understanding students from their point of view, especially as traditional family structures continue to shift. She pointed out that in many cases, children are emotionally neglected at home, which can often manifest as subtle behavioural changes in school — changes that educators must learn to recognize and address with care and sensitivity.
Ms. Aparna highlighted the crucial role teachers play in a child’s emotional development and urged the staff to remain observant and compassionate. She reminded everyone that beyond academics, the well-being of students must be a core focus. Teachers, as daily role models and guides, need to be attuned to the emotional and psychological cues that students may exhibit. A key message from her talk was the need for open discussion, whether it stems from frustration or a desire to find solutions — what matters most is creating space for communication that is rooted in empathy and understanding.
The session also touched upon the importance of professional boundaries. Ms. Aparna encouraged staff members to make a conscious effort to separate their personal and professional lives, noting that bringing personal struggles into the classroom can unintentionally affect the learning environment. Her words served as a reminder that while teachers are human too, they must strive to create a stable and nurturing atmosphere for their students. The session concluded with a renewed sense of responsibility among the staff — not just as educators, but as guardians of each student’s emotional well-being.