Ben Coaton
Hi there, my name is Ben Coaton. I am from New Zealand and have recently moved to Bali with my wife and two young children.
I have 20 years of experience in education. I hold a Bachelor of Education, a Postgraduate Diploma of Education (Counseling), and a Master of Counseling.
I am a registered teacher and am a member of the New Zealand Association of Counselors. I work according to the NZAC Code of Ethics.
At Bali Island School I am the whole School Counselor and work with students, parents and teachers.
I also support our secondary students in the process of preparing for college and university applications and admission.
If you have a question or concern, send me an email at [email protected] or [email protected]
Wellbeing Counseling
My aim is to support the wellbeing and safety of all Bali Island School students to enable them to achieve their full potential. I offer a non-judgemental, private and confidential counseling service. If there is the threat of serious and imminent harm I will access further support for the individual I am working with.
I have a person-centred and pluralistic approach to Wellbeing Counselling. I utilise Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Psycho-education, Solution Focussed Therapy, Restorative Practices, Nonviolent Communication, and Jungian Sandtray Therapy in my work with young people.
What Wellbeing Counselors do:
- Listen to concerns.
- Assist students to make the changes they want.
- Teach skills for living (e.g. anger management, problem solving, decision making, motivation, effective communication).
- Assist with: alcohol/drug concerns, stress, planning and setting goals, family break-up, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, coping with change, fear and anxiety, or any other concern.
- Act as an advocate for the students.
- Arrange for specialist support if necessary.
College and Career Counseling
I also provide academic, college, and career guidance to students in a variety of ways. BIS coordinates university visits, mini college fairs throughout the year, and the annual College Fair with over 40 universities attending. BIS offers student and parent information sessions, conducts individual and parent meetings about academic course selection and university admission, and organizes a Career Exploration Week in Grade 10 which includes a professional career panel and student internships.
BIS is also an PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, AP and Cambridge testing centre. Our school and students are registered with the IB Registry website, allowing universities to view BIS and individual student profiles and approach viable candidates for their institutions. Students in turn can search for universities using the website. BIS uses the Unifrog platform to prepare secondary students for their university selection process and to send applications to universities.
BIS is proud to receive many university representatives from around the globe throughout the year. Representatives may come individually to present to students or as part of a university tour.
BIS College and University Fair
BIS organizes its own College and University Fair every year. Last year we had 46 university representatives visiting from 13 different countries. At this event, over one hundred students and parents from various international schools on the island had the opportunity to speak with the visiting university representatives. Several representatives also offered workshops ranging from Studying in Scotland and How to Write a Personal Statement, to Hospitality and Business and Reviewing Portfolios for Art and Design schools. If you would like to ensure you are on our invitation mailing list for next year, please email [email protected].
