Our ESU provides social, emotional and academic support to boys who have barriers to learning and those who require psychological help. The unit is headed up by the Deputy Principal, Mrs Sally James,  and comprises two full-time counsellors and various learning support staff. Mrs James oversees the academic and support needs of all learners and parents in the SACS community.

Our two counsellors provide support for parents and boys via a range of confidential psychological services which include group and individual counselling, play therapy and parenting advice. 

Boys are given the opportunity to work through their difficulties in age-appropriate, one-to-one therapy sessions with regular consultation and feedback to parents and guardians. Interventions are planned together for classroom management, and consultation and emotional support are provided when necessary. The school counsellors work closely with the teachers who are often the referral agents for the boys and their parents.

Group sessions are run depending on the needs of the boys and may include BRIC (Building Resilience in Children), CODIP (Children of Divorce Intervention Programme), DIG (Diversity Integration Group) or Study Skills groups.

We use the Think Equal programme in Grades R-2. This is a Social and Emotional Learning programme using tangible tools to achieve the outcomes of inclusion, equality and well-being. 

Our Foundation Phase counsellor also runs a Social and Emotional Learning programme in each FP classroom. Here boys are taught self-management skills, how to deal with their emotions, how to develop empathy and understanding of difference, mindfulness and how to develop good relationships.

We have facilities on campus for boys to attend private Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. 

Academic support for all areas of the curriculum is also available. We have four private, specialist learning support staff who see boys for individual or small group lessons during the school day to develop their academic skills. Mathematics, English, Afrikaans and Study Skills lessons are paid for by parents after a referral from the class and subject teachers. Small group lessons in Handwriting, Phonological Awareness, Mathematics and English in the Foundation Phase help boys who need extra support to keep up with the academic demands of the curriculum.

Boys who have had Educational Psychology assessments and have been granted concessions for tests and examinations are provided with this support when required. Those boys who require special medication to facilitate learning are especially supported by the ESU. Referral to outside specialists is commonplace so that our boys get the best intervention for their varied academic and emotional needs.