The School Psychological Services (SPS) Unit is committed to the application of psychological research, theory and technology to the solution of school related problems so as to assist students, teachers, parents, administrators and other school personnel. Services offered are primarily diagnostic in nature as the Unit was instituted to evaluate students who have difficulty coping with the academic and social demands of the scholastic environment.
In 1967 the Ministry of Education commenced the delivery of psychological services within the education system. However, it was not until 1976 that a School Psychological Centre and Clinic was established. Clinical Psychologist Rodney Smith was the first coordinator of the services. He along with psychological technician, Andrea Brennen, provided psycho-educational services to school-aged children.
The delivery of service was primarily clinical in structure in that students were referred and individualized evaluations were conducted at the Centre. During the period of 1976 to 1983, services were offered from the Ministry of Education complex on Shirley Street. However as the staff and services increased there was a need to expand the physical accommodations. Consequently, the clinic moved to the Woods Rodgers Primary School building on Wulff Road in the summer of 1983. With an increase in the staff, provision of services included increased school-based model of services delivery as well as the clinic-based model. The second officer to coordinate the services was School Psychologist Dr. Katherine Ritzes (1984-1986), followed by Clinical Psychologist Valerie Hepburn-Knowles (1986-1991), School Psychologist Lawrence Scott (1993-1994) and School Psychologist Lynette Antoine-Deveaux (1995-present).
Goal
The Unit’s general goal is to
Provide the Necessary Psycho-educational Support to Enhance the Teaching and Learning Environment through prevention, intervention and services.
