School Psychologist / Ortho Pedagogue

The school has contracted a Psychologist/Ortho pedagogue for psychological and pedagogic diagnosis. He can be contacted through the year’s coordinators.

Youth Health Care
The GGD (Municipal Health Service) in ´s-Hertogenbosch has a preventive task in Youth Health Care and Promotion. Thus a youth doctor and a social nurse have consulting hours in our school. Their independence of the school and their professional secrecy may be important to pupils who have problems.
Secondary education can reckon with the following activities: all 2nd year pupils will be invited for a Preventive Health Survey which is done by the social nurse. Prior to this survey pupils will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire which focuses on psycho-social problems. The results are discussed with the pupil during the survey. Also physical aspects like growth and back problems will be examined by the social nurse. Parents will be informed and asked for their cooperation.
The youth doctor and social nurse have their consulting hours at school once a month which is open for pupils, even if they haven’t made an appointment. Besides medical problems pupils can talk about arguments at home, bullying at school, drugs, sexuality and other problems.
The school can also refer a pupil to these specialists, e.g. when a pupil is frequently absent from school or is ill for a longer period of time.
Apart from the activities mentioned above, tests can also be requested, if necessary, at the GGD in ´s-Hertogenbosch. This means that parents and pupils can always turn to the youth doctor and social nurse for questions concerning medical or other problems.
The GGD also supports our School Health Policy aimed at creating a ´healthy´ school. They help set up Health Education Projects like ´Bullying at School´ and ´The Healthy School and Stimulants´. They also assist the confidential teachers who can be approached in case of sexual harassment.
The youth doctor and the social nurse never prescribe treatment or medication, but refer pupils to their family doctors or other institutions. Giving independent information and advice are important tasks.

Social Workers at school
This social work is meant for pupils who have socio-emotional problems. Pupils who suffer from depression, have problems in maintaining social contacts or want to discuss their domestic problems can consult the school’s social worker who can offer short term assistance.
f longer or more specialist help is needed the pupils and their parents are referred to other specialists or institutions. Usually parents – with their children’s consent – play an active role in the process.
The school’s social worker is also available to teachers.