The Guidance and Counselling Programme will adjust as necessary to remote access and is designed to support students to:
- Develop a positive self-concept and an awareness of their many abilities and talents
- Use career related information and sources appropriately
- Make informed decisions about choosing subjects (and levels), as well as educational and occupational options in line with the education/training associated with their chosen career path and abilities.
The Guidance Counsellors regularly check in with class groups and liaise with Class Tutors and Year Heads. All students are encouraged to meet with one of the Guidance Counsellors if issues arise.
If a student is struggling, and needs some support, they are welcome to contact us at support@calasanctius.ie and one of the school Guidance Counsellors will be in touch with them.
First Year Students (see Induction under Students section of website)
An induction program is run for incoming first year students for the first two days of first year. It gives students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new school, get to know their way around, their timetable, locker, make new friends and meet their class group.
Second Year Students
Second year students also participate in SPHE, which is designed to support the personal and educational development of young people. Second year students do an introduction to career exploration, demonstrating how educational options and achievements relate to life and work goals. They also develop effective study skills and habits, thus recognizing the importance of learning for achieving educational and career goals.
Third Year Students
Third Year students receive support in choosing their subject choices for Senior Cycle, ensuring they are in line with their interests and abilities, and the implications that their choices may have at Leaving Certificate level, third level and the future. All students can avail of one to one appointments with their Guidance Counsellor to discuss subject choices or personal issues as required.
TY Careers Class
Transition year students receive a weekly Careers class where they get an opportunity to create a CV, carry out a career exploration, interest inventories, develop interview techniques, attend career fairs and college taster days, while also completing work experience. They also receive advice regarding subject choices and levels and how these choices may impact further learning and career opportunities.
Fifth Year student Careers classes
Classroom Guidance is delivered in a weekly “Careers” class to 5th year students. Each student has a school Microsoft office 365 account and learns how to check emails and update a Careers folder in the OneDrive section. Topics covered include: Self-awareness - tests on interests, personality types, values, multiple intelligence, learning styles, career profiles; Career research skills - course and career investigations informational interviews, online research skills, open day attendance & questions, netiquette e.g. emailing a lecturer; Application systems - CAO, H-PAT, Access programmes -HEAR, DARE, Scholarships, UK-UCAS, Eunicas-Europe; World of Work – CVs, cover letters, job applications; Self-management – self-care, becoming an independent learner, study-life balance, study skills, self-care practices.
Sixth Year student Careers classes
Sixth year groups receive a programme of six or more classes spread over the school year. Student applications follow a chronological order depending on upcoming closing dates, for example; August/September - UK, Europe and H-PAT/Medicine applicants; October - DARE, Apprenticeship, applicants; November – January - CAO, Access programmes e.g. HEAR,DARE schemes; March – PLC; student finance ; April – scholarships; May – interviews, CVS. Career interests such as the army, navy, air-core, ESB or Apprenticeships have no set application schedule and are dealt with as student needs arise.
Senior Cycle students
The leaving cert year group are subdivided amongst the Guidance Department, to ensure heightened access and support. All students are met throughout the year, facilitated with multiple 1:1 appointment, Students are additionally facilitated with guidance specific talks, workshops and career events.
Career Events – college open days, information talks, student supports
Senior cycle students are encouraged to plan at the start of the school year what career events they intend to attend virtually or in person over the school year, accompanied by a parent. Virtual open days are usually posted on the college websites. Students are advised to attend on Saturdays or in the evening. The school Guidance Counsellors pending student needs accompany groups to certain open days and events. Students are continuously advised what open days, career fairs or events are upcoming via Careers classes, email, intercom announcements, posters and school website. Students are advised to regularly check their school emails from the Guidance Counsellors. Student mental health and well-being is also supported with programmes and events run for a few, some, or all students by the student care TEAM, Wellbeing, PE, RE groups and groups such as Cycle Against Suicide Event, Let’s Get Talking Galway, Study Skills Workshops and more.
Career Information Presentations or Student Support Workshops
Over the course of the school year, career talks, information sessions, college open days and events, are organised online and if safe, appropriate, and possible in person.
Each November the Guidance Counsellor hosts an information talk for sixth year parents on the CAO and other options after Leaving Certificate. This event is expected to be held virtually this Autumn,
Over the school year specific representatives from NUIG, GMIT, PLCS and other training bodies are invited and welcomed to present virtually to sixth year students, during school time and where possible to fifth year students.
Other information clinics, workshops or events are organised and promoted by the Guidance Counsellors to support parents and students. These events where possible will be offered online/virtually and include Supporting the Exam Student, NUIG access programmes to third-level, Study in Europe, Apprenticeship Career Fair, UHG workshop on Careers in Medical Sciences, UHG Career Information Day in Nursing, Parents association Careers Event, Galway Advertiser Pathways, Dutch Colleges Tour, College Taster Days and Summer Schools. Events are advertised via the students’ email, text, the school website calendar and news-feed sections.
A guideline calendar of possible online-virtual Career Events
Mid-September: Irish Times Higher Options Careers Fair (UK & European Colleges)
Early October: NUIG onlineopen day
Early October: UCC Parent information evening; GMIT Creative Arts College Open Day
Early-mid October: GMITLetterfrack and Mountbellew College Open Days
Early-mid October: GMIT Open Day; UCC open day
Mid October: Sligo IT open day
Mid-late October: UL, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick IT, Limerick School of Art & Design Open Days
Late October Options West Careers Fair Galway city (Defence Forces, Gardai, Apprenticeship; Post Leaving Certificate Colleges; Dutch/European/ Colleges Visit Galway; Medicine-H-PAT; Nursing in the UK)
Late October: Study in Holland; UHG Information Session on Careers in Medical Sciences
November: GRETB Apprenticeship Open Day; UCD, DCU, St. Pat’s Drumcondra, Maynooth University, Froebel open days
December: Trinity College Dublin open day
April: TY & 5th year college online virtual taster day sessions: Galway Advertiser Pathways
Mid-February: Workshops to support the 6th year student and parents
Early May: UHG Careers in Nursing; GMIT College of Nursing; Study in Europe Presentation
Early June: Summer schools TY & 5th year students