Guidance News
End of Year Report
Leaving Certificate
Yet another busy term in the Guidance Department. Applications were made to CAO, colleges of further studies and northern colleges by 6th year students. Many 6th years are attending interviews/aptitudes tests for courses so preparation is ongoing for each student.
The change of mind for CAO will be open from the 1st May.
3rd year/Senior Cycle Options
3rd years sat the DATS and Career Interest Inventory Test in February in order to help them with the Senior cycle Options. Information days and evenings were held for parents and pupils informing them about the programmes on offer including Transition year, Established Leaving Certificate with LCVP and LCA programmes. Ms. Kay Mitchell School Liaison officer from NUI Maynooth made a presentation about the demands of 3rd level on students and the importance of developing their skills and education.
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers from career areas like Agriculture, Engineering, Hair & Beauty, as well as English Colleges, Northern Ireland Colleges, Cavan Institute and Monaghan Institute made presentations to senior students this term.
Mock Interviews
Transition years and some LCA2 participated in Mock interviews in March. Each student applied for a job and was interviewed by employers around the Cavan/Monaghan area. This was a great experience for the students and employers were very impressed with the standard the students presented. Well done to them all.
Contact Details
If you need a question or query answered and find it hard to find the time to make an appointment. Email me at staidansguidance@gmail.com
November / December is a busy time for Careers in St. Aidan’s with 6th year students busy preparing themselves for CAO applications that will take place in January. Many students have been called for interview for primary teaching in Northern Ireland as well as England and some have secured conditional offers of college places with UCAS already.
Guest Speakers.
As usual St. Aidan’s host lots of guest speakers but this term our own past pupils give words of advice to our senior students. Kieran Mc Cabe a doctor in the Mater hospital gave up his precious time to address students about medicine. Kieran is a past pupil of the comprehensive and left in 2000. Paula Lynch a past pupil who is currently studying for her law exams also address students about law and criminology of which she has a master’s degree in. Sean Argue will also present to students about the hotel and catering industry in the New Year as well as Damien Dempsey a lecturer from UCD as well as a past pupil will also address students in the New Year.
Study skills
All third year received a motivational talk about study form Kay Mitchell form NUI Maynooth this term. They also completed part 1 of a workshop on study skills hosted by the guidance counsellor.
The Real Game
Students in transition year are busy preparing for their mock interviews for the real game to secure their futures for the next part of the game. The interviews will take place on the first week back after the holidays
HEAR Access
St. Aidans is glad to announce that we are part of a pilot programme for access to higher education. This means that students who fit the criteria outline below will receive assistance while attending third level and can gain entry to courses on reduced points and will also receive financial assistance (subject to funding from the DES). The participating institutions are UCD, NUI Maynooth, UCC, NUI Galway, DCU, Trinity and DIT.
Criteria for application is that you must qualify for 3 out 5
1. Holder of a medical card/GP visits
2. Low income or means tested social welfare payments
3. If you are eligible for a higher Education Authority grant
4. Come from a disadvantage area
5. None of you family went to 3rd level
All application forms are available form the guidance office. Closing date is the 30th January 2009