The Role of the Guidance Counsellor in St paul's:

1. To respect the dignity, integrity and welfare of each student, parent, guardian and all school staff including outside personnel.
2. To acknowledge that confidentiality is at the core of guidance counselling.
3. To liaise with teachers and outside agencies and make appropriate referrals for assessment for specialist help in consultation with parents and the school principal.

In September, the focus of the Counsellor is on meeting all new students and helping them integrate into their new school environment. Each student will meet the Counsellor, at least once, during their first year. Then, if problems arise for a student, at at any time, they will be aware of where to get help.

The work of the Guidance Cousellor is divided into three main areas - personal, educational and career counselling.

Later in the first term, sixth year students spend a lot of time investigating career options before they complete the C.A.O. applications. At this stage, most of the guidance counsellor's time is taken up with appointments to finalise choices for the C.A.O. deadline of February 1st.

The Guidance Counsellor works closely with the L.C.V.P. Co-ordinator in planning talks by visiting speakers, visiting career exhibitions, including Higher Options in the R.D.S. and College Open Days. All 5th and 6th years visit Carlow I.T.     Other Open Days are for each individual student to select and find their own way there. For students who choose careers with extra entry restrictions e.g. interviews, intensive interview preparation is undertaken in conjunction with the guidance of the Counsellor.

The Guidance Counsellor also works closely with Junior Classes, especially third years, who have decisions to make regarding subjects for Leaving Certificate. At this stage, the parents are invited for a meeting together with their son or daughter. Information about all career paths and the subject requirements is covered. There is also an opportunity for questions.

During the year, each class will have input into self esteem building modules, effective study techniques, goal settings and communication with caring agencies such as Gardaí, JLO and others.

  St Paul's Guidance Counsellor; Ms Conway.