Page 57 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 7 | October - November 2024

ROSLIN SRIKURUWAL
Elementary Counsellor, NIST
International School
Roslin Srikuruwal, currently an Elementary
School Counsellor at NIST International
School, was inspired by her own childhood
experiences to pursue a career in counselling.
Despite having a loving and supportive
family, she felt the absence of someone
at school who could help her navigate
personal challenges during her elementary
years. Later, during her teaching practicum
at Monash University, she worked with

teenagers facing difficult life circumstances
such as grief, divorce, and bullying, which

reaffirmed her belief in the importance of

having a safe, supportive figure at school.
This motivated her to pursue a counselling
degree at Bond University, where she
honed her skills to better support children’s
emotional and social well-being. Today, at
NIST, she is driven by the opportunity to
be a consistent and steady presence in her
students’ lives, with her family’s unwavering
support fuelling her passion for the role.
How do you integrate play into your
counselling practice?
Play is the language of children. It’s how Being a safe space for
they communicate, expressing what they students to share their stories
may not be able to articulate in words.

As a play therapy practitioner, I find it a is the greatest privilege I
privilege to see children recreate their own could ask for in my role.
stories and make sense of the world through
imaginative games and social interaction. I
take an individualised approach, tailoring share their stories and seek support. Being responsible decisions. We also host parent
each session to fit the unique needs and able to be there for them in their time of sessions and school-wide initiatives that

preferences of each child. I incorporate need and act as their advocate is truly an promote positive social-emotional skills
various creative approaches, such as honour. Children are at a critical stage in and prevent challenges from escalating.
storytelling, puppets, art, music, movement, their development, and the experiences they These sessions cover a variety of topics,
and sandboxes. Role-playing is particularly have now will shape who they become. As such as helping families through transitions,
effective in helping students navigate an elementary school counsellor, I get to emotional regulation, and personal safety.
situations that cause anxiety or distress, such play a role in building the foundation of
as friendship conflicts. It provides a safe their educational and emotional journey. For students who need additional support,

space for them to practice responses and we offer individual and small group
develop problem-solving skills. I also cherish the relationships I build with counselling sessions. In these sessions, I
students and their families. By fostering trust prioritise creating a safe, empathetic space
Play enables children to process emotions and connection, I’m able to understand where students feel heard. I actively listen
in a way that feels natural to them. When each child on a deeper level, helping them to their stories, help them express their
they engage in play, they try on new feelings, navigate the complexities of growing up. emotions, validate their feelings, and guide
ideas, and roles. This process helps build I am fortunate to work with a team of them in developing coping strategies that
resilience, boosts self-esteem, and allows dedicated professionals, and I feel grateful work for them.
them to explore their strengths while gaining to collaborate with my fellow counsellors
a better understanding of themselves. and educators daily. Collaboration is key to providing consistent
Through play, children can safely overcome support. I work closely with teachers and
obstacles and grow emotionally. How do you support students who are parents to ensure students receive the care
experiencing social emotional challenges? they need both inside and outside the

What do you find the most rewarding At NIST, we follow a comprehensive classroom. By working with parents, I gain
about your role? counselling model that focuses on both valuable insights into the child’s strengths
Working with children is a unique and prevention and responsive services. We and challenges, which helps us identify
joyful experience. They are naturally integrate our well-being curriculum into any potential barriers to their development.
curious, imaginative, and full of potential. regular classroom lessons, teaching students Together, we can create a comprehensive
The most rewarding part of my role is how to recognise and manage emotions, plan that supports the child’s growth.
the trust students place in me when they build positive relationships, and make

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