The Guidance Counsellors at Carrigaline Community School are Ms. Fiona Ronan and Ms. Katie Murphy.

Guidance refers to a range of learning experiences provided in a developmental sequence, designed to assist students to make choices about their lives and to make transitions consequent on these choices.

Click on one of the following to see the guidance activities set out for students:

• Junior Cycle
• Senior Cycle

Click on one of the following to see subject options for 1st and 2nd Year:

• 1st Year Options 2010
• 2nd Year Options 2010

Click on one of the following to see options 2010:

• Welcome note 2010
• Making choices post Junior Cert 2010
• Transition Year 2010
• LCA 2010
• LCVP 2010

We have prepared the following list of questions that students frequently ask in the hope of helping you understand the services we offer:

 

What services do you provide?

We work in two broad areas:

1. Counselling
   • Personal
   • Career
   • Education
2. Guidance

What is counselling?

In counselling you, the client, speak to the counsellor in private about concerns that you may have.

Some people come to counselling with the intention of sorting out their thoughts and feelings. Others come because they need to make important decisions and want to look at some of the choices available to them.

It is important to realise that counselling does not involve advice giving. The service is confidential.

What does confidential mean?

It means that when you discuss private matters, they stay private to you and the counsellor.

It must be said that serious matters, which involve a danger to you or others or which have serious legal implications, may be mentioned to others.

What is career/vocational counselling?

The approach is the same as it is for counselling but the emphasis is on career choice which may, of course, include personal issues.

What is educational counselling?

The emphasis here is on matters relating to school and study such as subject choice, coping with school, and examinations.

At which times are you available?

We normally work during school hours and have an appointment system.

What is your appointment system?

1. A slip will be given to you. On it will be written the appointment time.
2. You present this slip to your teacher at the appointed time.
3. Your teacher decides whether or not you may leave the class, signs the slip and gives you a teacher card.
4. At the end of the appointment the slip will be marked with the finishing time.

How do I make an appointment?

See us at any time when we are free but especially when an appointment diary is at hand. You will be dealt with there and then if possible. If not, an appointment will be made to see one of us at a later time.

What can be discussed?

Some areas are listed here. Nothing is too small or big to be discussed. If you want to talk, it can be done.

Educational

• Subject choice
• Study
• Whether or not to do 4th year, the Leaving Certificate, LCA, LCVP
• Change of subject or level

Personal

• Relationships
• Difficulties in adjusting
• Parent's expectations
• Worry
• Loneliness
• Bullying
• Abuse
• Bereavement
• Loss
• Pregnancy
• The facts of life
• Substance abuse
• Growing up
• Identity - what kind of person you are
• Sleep
• Food and weight

Career

• Courses
• Colleges
• Interviews
• Applying
• Interviews
• Tests
• Employment and unemployment
• Grants and finance