Guidance & Counselling

The School Guidance and Counselling service is an integral part of St. Bricin’s College.

Guidance in Secondary School

Guidance refers to a range of learning experiences provided in a developmental sequence that assist students to develop self-management skills, which will lead to effective choices and decisions about their lives.

The Guidance Department endeavours to support all our students in their journey through secondary education. Our role involves counselling, providing information, educational guidance, career guidance, individual appointments and supporting the personal, educational, and social development of all our students. Students may wish to see the Guidance Counsellors for educational guidance, career guidance, or personal counselling.

Educational guidance and career guidance are delivered as part of a structured whole-school programme.

Personal counselling is available for all students quite apart from the general provision indicated above. Students may, from time to time, need care, support, and guidance to help them cope with particular situations or difficulties they may be encountering. The Guidance Counsellors work in conjunction with the Pastoral Care Team and liaise with the Management Team to provide a range of supports which a student may need.

The Guidance Counsellors are available to meet with parents/guardians at all the parent/teacher meetings and various information evenings throughout the school year.

Guidance Counsellors at St.Bricin’s College

• Mr. Smith
• Mr. Lyng

The Work of the Guidance Counsellor

• Planning and delivering the school Guidance Programme – The Guidance Counsellor has primary responsibility for the delivery of the school’s Guidance Programme, but a whole school approach is essential to realise this objective.
• Providing one-to-one personal, educational and career counselling.
• Teaching guidance classes at Junior and Senior Cycle.
• Assisting students in the transition from (a) Primary to Secondary school, (b) Junior Cycle to Senior Cycle, (c) Second Level to Higher/Further Education/training and employment.
• Organising trips to career events (e.g. Higher Options)
• Assessment using psychometric instruments and inventories, to link students’ aptitudes and interests to career options (e.g. DATs)
• Promoting research and ICT skills, so that students can be self-directed in their career exploration and development (e.g. Qualifax, CareersPortal)
• Study skills
• Subject choice for the Junior Cycle
• Subject choice for the Senior Cycle
• Supporting students in choosing subject levels appropriate to their educational abilities.
• Senior Cycle Programme Options (e.g. TY, Leaving Certificate Established, LCVP)
• Third Level application procedures (e.g. CAO, UCAS)
• Further Education application procedures (e.g. PLC)
• Third Level Access Programmes (e.g. HEAR and DARE)
  Organising guest speakers (e.g. Third Level Colleges and Further Education Colleges)
• Providing information on grants (e.g. SUSI) and scholarships.
• Interview preparation
• Liaising with management, Student Support Team, subject teachers, Year Heads, and Special Educational Needs
• Needs Co-ordinator/Learning Support, etc.
• Dealing with internal student referrals (e.g. from Year Heads) and external student referrals to outside agencies (e.g. NEPS)
• Tracking the destination of past pupils.
• Presenting Parent Information Evenings (e.g. CAO, Junior Cycle Subject Choice, Senior Cycle Subject Choice)
• Attending Parent-Teacher Meetings, etc.