Kirsten Bowles (JS)
Kirsten is Head of Counselling in the Junior School. Her long tenure at WPGA began in the classroom, where she taught primary grades for almost a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Education from UBC and is a Registered Professional Counselor. With a love for learning, she continues to study developmental science and attachment theory at the Neufeld Institute.
An early pioneer of attachment and the central role of adult-child relationship in learning and healthy development, Kirsten has worked over many years and contexts with both staff and parents to embed a culture of relationship within the school, making WPGA a leader among K-12 schools in attachment theory, a science-informed theory and practice.
Prior to the prevalence of character education and social-emotional learning in schools, Kirsten designed and implemented WPGA's signature CARE curriculum for grades JK to 7. She has since assisted numerous ISABC schools in creating similar programs modelled after CARE.
Kirsten’s work with students is developmentally-informed, client-centred, and rooted in the attachment paradigm. She is known for her warmth, patience, and ability to connect with children of all ages and personalities. In addition to her love for working with children, Kirsten is passionate about empowering parents to confidently take the lead in guiding and nurturing their children. Her deep curiosity enables her to delve into complex behaviours and patterns, uncovering valuable insights for parents and fostering effective solutions. Through parent education sessions, coffee mornings, and book clubs, Kirsten translates her expertise into practical guidance, building strong, meaningful relationships with parents throughout the school community.
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