The work of Bermuda’s school counsellors will be recognised this week as part of National School Counselling Week.

The initiative, which highlights the positive effects that counsellors have on students, runs from February 2 to 6.

This year it also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Bermuda Counsellors Association, which will be celebrating the work of seven counsellors who have served the profession for 20 years or more.

“Bermuda’s public school counsellors implement comprehensive school counselling programmes, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said LeeAnn Simmons, the education officer for the Bermuda Public School System. “They are truly appreciated for their dedication and professionalism.”

The seven local counsellors who will be marking 20 or more years in the profession are: Marian Askia, from East End Primary and St David’s Preschool; Barbara Hollis, who works at Northlands Primary; Marita Martinez, from Heron Bay Primary and Port Royal Primary; Anthony Peets, from Prospect Primary and Prospect Preschool; Donnamae Postlethwaite, who works at Dalton E. Tucker Primary and Devonshire Preschool; Winifred Simmons from CedarBridge Academy; and, Arleen Swan, who works at the Berkeley Institute.

Bermuda’s public school counsellors are certified, experienced educators with master’s degrees in guidance and counselling or a related field.

National School Counselling Week originated as a programme sponsored by the American School Counsellors Association, designed to highlight the impact that school counsellors can have in helping students to achieve school success and to plan for a career.