KOLEJ DISTED-STAMFORD NEWS
27 June 2009

Helping peers

Being a peer counsellor in school is a great learning experience in personal growth besides doing a kind deed in helping others. 

“I lend a listening ear to my school mates who face problems. They can release tension and feel better by just talking about their troubles,” said Leong Chee Kit, a SMK Bukit Mertajam peer counsellor. 

“Most of those that I’ve dealt with encountered problems with their families,” said the fifth former. 

“I joined the peer counselling service because I like to be of help.

“As a peer counsellor, I need to maintain good conduct. As such, I must have a strong will power not be influenced by bad hats,” Leong said. 

Doing a self-reflection exercise at the workshop conducted by DISTED are SMK Bukit Mertajam peer counsellors (front row, from left) Leong Chee Kit, Koh Waei Shenq, Tan Kim Hong, (back, from left) Yoong Chi Hong and Goh Jian Wei.

Leong was among the 41 peer counsellors from his school who attended the workshop on effective counselling skills conducted by DISTED College on 27 June 2009. 

Another peer counsellor, Cody Foo said: “Counselling is an avenue to help others to experience a better life. I still have a lot to learn about counselling skills.” 

“By involving in the peer counselling club activities, I’ve had the opportunity to share views and sharpen my communication and persuasion skills,” he said. 

“There’re study trips too to gain exposure on higher education institutions such as DISTED,” Cody added. 

Highlighting the problems faced by students are SMK Bukit Mertajam peer counsellors (from left) Krishmaraj Pillai Nadaraja Pillai, Cheah Chee Beng, Cody Foo and Tineswarn Sehgar.

SMK Bukit Mertajam students at the counselling skills workshop conducted by DISTED business development and quality assurance manager Josephine Chan Ie Lyn (standing).

School counsellor Lee Bee Far accompanied her students to the training which was conducted by DISTED business development and quality assurance manager Josephine Chan Ie Lyn. 

“We’ve 2 groups of peer counsellors. The first group helps students who are academically weak by giving motivation to acquire better study habits.

“The other group focuses on problematic students such as those who play truant and prone to fighting,” Lee said. 

Sharing views in a group activity are (clockwise) Teoh Chew Har, Sarasvathy, Dayana, Lim Jia Ying, Tan Joi An and Yap Jun Wen.