"The most wonderful time of the year" for parents often finds students less than enthusiastic about going back to school. Even students who enjoy school may be stressed about returning to the world of classes, homework and teachers.

There is an ally within the school who can help both students and parents make the adjustment as well as assisting with a whole host of other issues – the school counsellor.

School counsellors are trained professionals. People working in the role in Bermuda must have a Master's degree in the mental health field and experience working in the educational system.

Essentially the school counsellor exists to help students meet their academic goals. In the often tumultuous and stressful world of childhood and adolescence there can be various barriers to students reaching their full potential.

Take one girl, 13, a student of good academic potential whose grades dropped last year when she was shut out of her peer group. Such isolation is a common occurrence for middle school girls and can distract them significantly from their studies. Or another student, a bright young man whose grades were significantly lower than usual because his parents were considering divorce. Focussing on personal concerns takes students' minds off schoolwork and can often decrease motivation.

The school counsellor can be a trusted person for students to talk to about such issues. Even being listened to can be tremendously cathartic. Counsellors can also help students strategise how to deal with such situations so they can meet their academic goals and have a more enjoyable time at school. Sometimes parents are invited in to support the student. Counsellors often act as a support system for Mom and Dad, too.

Relationships within the school are often enhanced by having a school counsellor on staff. When students are in conflict, counsellors can intervene and often head peer mentoring programmes which help the students resolve issues among themselves. Alternately, counsellors can lead groups to help students work through their differences. Teachers, including learning support staff, and students sometimes partner with the counsellor to plan for the student's academic success.

Additionally, the school counsellor often acts as an important liaison between the school and mental health professionals. If students need more in-depth therapy counsellors often refer them to appropriate resources.

Today, school counsellors can often be found in the classroom. Rather than waiting for students to book individual appointments, counsellors create and deliver workshops on issues of common concern such as conflict resolution, goal setting, study skills and drug abuse. The idea is for the counsellor to take a proactive stance which will hopefully help students prevent some problems before they begin. This role can also help the counsellor develop relationships with students, making them more likely to approach the counsellor for help.

Career development is also becoming an important role for the school counsellor. In last year's Throne Speech, Government indicated that it was committed to "expanding and honing the skills of existing school counsellors to include the provision of skilled career guidance to better prepare students for careers in Bermuda's economy."

Career development entails working with students to explore their unique interests, skills, values and personality traits. Capturing this whole can give students valuable information about which career areas they might research to set goals for further training. Starting this process early, even in middle school, can motivate students because in the process they come to understand how success at school will help them achieve their career goals.

At Mount Saint Agnes Academy we are committed to career development. A big part of my role is to work with students on planning for their futures using four-year plans, career day workshops, and a programme called Take Our Kids to Work Day. We also use computer software to help students develop a career plan.

School counsellors are a valuable resource for students and parents. Our role is to boost academic achievement, personal and social development and career development. Keep your school counsellor in mind as September begins.

Bonnie M. Exell, MSW is the guidance counsellor at Mount Saint Agnes Academy.