The aim of the school guidance service in St Finian’s Community College Swords is to help all students to make informed decisions about their education, future and personal lives.
Personal and Social Guidance and Counselling- Personal Counselling usually takes place on a referral basis and may be during a time of personal crisis. Students can be referred by parents/guardians, management, staff, or other students or they can self-refer. The Guidance Counsellor is part of the Pastoral Care Team in the school. This team is fundamental in supporting all students in need. The Pastoral Care team in the school meets once a week and consists of Principal, Deputy Principals, Guidance Counsellors, SEN Coordinator and other staff members as seen necessary.
Educational Guidance and Counselling- is developmental and looks at areas such as subject choices, subject level, study skills, exam techniques, time management and organisation and psychometric testing. Senior Cycle Students in particular 6th year meet with the Guidance department on a one to one basis to discuss courses/careers pathways. Students are also encouraged to do their own research to enable them to make autonomous and informed decisions.
Career Guidance – in class students are provides with information on the labour market trends, job opportunities, vocational education and training, further education options, job and interview preparation, career research and course information. We aim to invite a variety of Guest speakers into the school from Universities, Further education colleges, Apprenticeships etc who carry out talks to our Senior Cycle students. We also organise Parent/Guardian information evenings for Subject Choice, CAO, HEAR/DARE schemes etc.
Supports we offer at St Finian’s include * this list is not exhaustive:
- First Years students receive help and support in choosing what subjects to choose before starting in the school.
- We meet first year students for an introduction and to see how they are settling in.
- Second year students receive help and support understanding the impact of choosing higher and ordinary level subjects.
- Third Year students receive support in their choices for senior cycle and in what implications this might have at Leaving Certificate level and for third level.
- All Junior Cycle students receive study skills seminars from the Guidance department through their SPHE class.
- Transition Year students receive advice regarding subject choices and levels and how these may affect their choice of career.
- Each TY group has one class period per week (World of Work) with the Guidance department.
- LCA guidance module is delivered to both year groups 5th and 6th year, one period per week, per year, by the Guidance department.
- 5th year Career classes are timetabled for our students on a rotation basis.
- 6th year Career classes are each timetabled for one class per week.
- Each senior student receives a minimum of two career appointments with the Guidance Counsellor.
Supports for Young people * this list in not exhaustive
- Pieta House (Swords)- 0818 111 126 or (01) 2333860 / www.pieta.ie
- SAMH- 0867815072- Counselling service
- Jigsaw - Swords -019603020/ www.jigsaw.ie
- CARI Care Line at lo-call 0818 924567 / www.cari.ie
- National Counselling service- 1800234112
- HSE Dublin North Local Health Office- 01-8164200
- Rape crisis centre- 1800 778888/ www.rcni.ie
- Your family GP
- Spunout.ie - Free text 50808
Careers Information
St Finian’s Community College is holding a Future Pathways Fair on the 27th of November please see poster below for more information and follow our Instagram page @stfiniansccswordsguidance.