have to get hours supervised by my supervisor. I’ m so lucky to have that at Crofton, so it’ s probably going to take about a year, and I’ ll probably be done by 2027, so a year and a half from now.
What are the things you like to do in your free time? I ' ve recently gotten into photography, so I’ ve got a new camera which I’ m really excited about. Sometimes I just like going out to nature and trying to take pictures and learn more about it. I’ m also trying to learn how to embroider. Ms. Hare has been giving me some good tips, and Ms. Kempel has been showing me a few things too! If I’ m not outside, I’ m either playing around with my camera or trying my best attempt at craft.
What are you excited about being a counsellor? I’ m excited to be a counsellor because I get to hear everyone’ s stories— the silly ones, the surprising ones, and everything in between! I love getting to know students and being someone they can talk to when life feels great, confusing, or a bit wobbly.
I want everyone to know that talking about your feelings is totally normal. Everyone has tough days, and it’ s okay to not be okay. Asking for help shouldn’ t feel scary, and I am looking forward to making going to counselling a little less scary. I’ m also really excited to learn more about neurodiversity. Everyone’ s brain works in its own cool way, and that’ s something to celebrate. I can’ t wait to learn more about it.
My goal is to help make our school a place where everyone feels safe being exactly who they are, and being a counsellor can help me do that!
Thank you for reading about Ms. Farhat. We are so excited to get to see her here at Crofton as she completes her hours, learning to be a counsellor.
INTERVIEW WITH MS. FERGUSON
By Amy Liang and Emerald Rubenstein. Grade 6.
Over the years, many new people have joined our Crofton community. We have many new students, but we also have lots of new teachers! In our Junior School office, we now have an assistant to help. Here are some questions we asked to learn more about her! Let’ s welcome Ms. Ferguson!
Why did you decide to join Crofton House? I decided to join Crofton House for a few reasons. Firstly, I have a friend who works in the senior school, and she’ s been there for a few years. She recommended Crofton as a great place to work that has a really good school community, so I thought it’ d be a great opportunity to learn and develop my skills. Secondly, my nickname growing up was Fergie, and I heard that the mascot is Fergie, so I thought I should check it out.
What are the things you do in your role? I am partly in Learning Resources or Student Services. In that role, I do speech language pathology scheduling, counselling scheduling, and many administrative duties. Then the other part of my job is helping out in the main office, doing attendance, greeting everyone, which is really fun because it’ s a great spot to see everyone in the school. I also help organize Program Plus registration and work alongside Ms. Smee and Ms. McKenzie in the many different tasks of administration, learning more each day!
What have you enjoyed about working at Crofton House so far? I really enjoyed the kindness of the staff and students. Everyone has been checking in and making sure that things are going well. Also, I’ m learning many new things. Another thing I enjoy is that it is such a beautiful campus, especially on days when it’ s so sunny. There are just so many little spots around to check out and explore. It’ s just a great place to be every day.
What was the most challenging thing to learn about your role so far? There are many students in the school, and I’ m still trying to learn everyone ' s names! So if any students see me, please say hi and remind me of your name. I’ d love to learn everyone’ s name eventually!
What is the most rewarding part of working here? I really enjoy my interactions with students because it is really fun to see how the girls play together, what ideas and games they come up with, and their interactions with peers and adults in the school community. I have also received some handwritten cards and personal drawings or crafts, and those are the best. I just love those.
How are you adapting to our school community? I think I’ m adapting quite well. I have really enjoyed the last 10 months. I enjoy coming to work every day. I often bike to work, which is a nice way to get here. I know there’ s still a lot to learn, but I feel good about what I’ ve learned so far in the last year that I’ ve been here.
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