Guidance & Support
Section 9(c) of the Irish Education Act 1998 requires recognised schools to use the resources available to ensure that students have access to appropriate guidance to support their educational and career choices. In St. Mary’s CBS, Ms. C. Phelan and Mr. Martin Nunan provide Career Guidance Counselling for all students. The school offers a comprehensive Guidance and Counselling service, with the Counsellors working closely with teachers and parents to help each student develop his potential.
Along the student’s journey, there are key interaction times that students will work directly with the Career Guidance Counselling Team.
For First Year students, the school supports a smooth transition to post-primary education, including guidance sessions in the first few months. Guidance-related learning is embedded at Junior Cycle through Wellbeing classes, career modules, and career awareness weeks.
In Third Year and Transition Year, students attend class workshops on subject choice and receive individual counselling (on request) regarding their subject choices for Fifth Year and the possible career implications of those decisions. To support parents, a general meeting is held to explain subject choice and discuss Senior Cycle options. The school also organises subject choice information days delivered by Senior Cycle option teachers for all incoming Fifth Year students.
Study skills is provided through a whole-school approach, supported by Study Skills Week, exam preparation weeks, and individual study skills seminars for First Year, Third Year, Fifth Year and Sixth Year students.
Career-related classes are timetabled for Transition Year, Fifth Year and Sixth Year. Guest speakers from a range of career pathways are invited into the school to broaden students’ awareness of career opportunities beyond post-primary education. The Guidance Team supports all Sixth-Year students through one-to-one vocational counselling and provides an evening for Sixth Year parents on career pathways after post-secondary school. Personal counselling is also available to students on a need’s basis, with parental consent.
Parents are always welcome to contact the school to discuss their son’s progress and future career options. St. Mary’s CBS is committed to ensuring that students have access to timely, relevant and supportive guidance throughout their school life, enabling them to make informed educational and vocational decisions.
Access our dedicated St Mary’s CBS Careers Portal for more detailed information.
