THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
Ms. Aisling Roche and Mr. Tom Nolan work together to form the Guidance Department in Ardscoil na Tríonóide. The Guidance Department is an integral part of the pastoral care system in the school. Both Guidance Counsellors attend weekly pastoral care meetings to discuss student issues of concern which may arise. The Guidance Department works with the care team, Principal, Deputy Principals and Year Heads to provide a support service for students throughout the school. The Department covers three major areas: Career guidance Educational development Personal counselling
JUNIOR CYCLE
The CAT entrance exam is administered to incoming First Years in January which helps us identify the needs of the student body and the supports that are needed to be put in place to help each student achieve their potential. The Guidance Department may liaise with the Special Needs Co-ordinator following the results of this test. Our department have a weekly class of careers with 1st yrs. covering all aspects of subject choice and career options. This continues throughout 2nd yr. Third yrs. Receive detailed information in subject choice and assistance in picking their LC programme.
SENIOR CYCLE
Transition year TY students receive an intense programme of career guidance in which they are fully briefed on senior cycle subjects and options available to them. Interview skills,Career Interest Inventory Tests, CV preparation, guest speakers from a variety of colleges and a
class visit to Maynooth University make up this very thorough programme.
5th Year:In 5th Year the emphasis is on individual decision-making, goalsetting and planning. An appointment with the Guidance Counsellor can be made for each student to explore career choice and the educational requirements for various courses.
6th Year: In 6th students are seen individually by either of the guidance counsellors. They are kept informed as a group as to all the important dates regarding college application. They are brought to the Higher Options seminar in Carlow, to Carlow IT open day and are encouraged to attend open days in colleges they may be considering. All dates are displayed on a well stocked notice board in the careers area. A very informative CAO information night has proven to be exceptionally helpful to both students and parents.
Personal Guidance:The Guidance Department work very closely with Class Tutors, Year Heads, Subject Teachers and the Pastoral Care team to support students with personal issues. Students can call to either of the Guidance Counsellors or can be referred by a teacher and will be treated in a kind and confidential manner. We have many links with outside agencies and liaise with them when necessary to get the most effective help for any child in crises.
CAO 2019 (1).pdf
College Websites:
www.ait.ie Athlone: Institute of Technology
www.itcarlow.ie: Carlow Institute of Technology
www.carlowcollege.ie: Carlow College
www.cit.ie: Cork Institute of Technology
www.ucc.ie: University College Cork
www.griffith.ie: Griffith College
www.amcd.ie: American College Dublin
www.mie.ie: Marino Institute of Education
www.dbs.ie: Dublin Business School
www.dcu.ie: Dublin City University
www.dit.ie: Dublin Institute of Technology
www.iadt.ie: Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology
www.itb.ie: Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
www.it-tallaght.ie: Institute of Technology Tallaght
www.ncad.ie: National College of Art & Design
www.ncirl.ie: National College of Ireland
www.rcsi.ie: Royal College of Surgeons
www.tcd.ie Trinity College Dublin
www.ucd.ie; University College Dublin
www.dkit.ie: Dundalk Institute of Technology
www.gmit.ie: Galway & Mayo Institute of Technology
www.nuigalway.ie: National University of Ireland Galway
www.lit.ie: Letterkenny Institute of Technology
www.mic.ul.ie: Mary Immaculate College Limerick
www.lit.ie: Limerick Institute of Technology
www.ul.ie: University of Limerick
www.maynoothcollege.ie: Pontifical University Maynooth
www.maynoothuniversity.ie: Maynooth University
www.itsligo.ie: Institute of Technology Sligo
www.ittralee.ie: Institute of Technology Tralee
www.wit.ie: Waterford Institute of Technology
Post Leaving Certificate Websites
www.stconlethscc.ie: St Conleths Community College
www.bcfe.ie: Ballyfermot College of Further Education
www.rathminescollege.ie: Rathmines College of Further Education
www.ballsbridgecollege.ie: Ballsbridge College of Further Education
www.inchicorecollege.ie: Inchicore College of Further Education
www.libertiescollege.ie: Liberties College of Further Education
www.bfei.ie: Blackrock Further Education Institute
Other Websites
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d8920c-leaving-cert-2020/
A webpage has been launched to support the wellbeing of our Leaving Certificate students. The page contains resources and support documents including FAQs, and tips on how to stay well, a podcast on how to manage wellbeing, contact details for the support services available, and a range of other useful information. This webpage is linked https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d8920c-leaving-cert-2020/. This page will be updated on a continuous basis, as needed.
www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie
www.careersportal.ie
www.apprenticeships.ie
www.susi.ie www.ucas.com
Ardscoil na Tríonóide
Study Skills Programme
- Organise Your Study Space
- Make a Study Plan
- Set Goals
- Study Actively
Ardscoil na Tríonóide Study Skills Programme
Study skills are basic life skills which are used over and over again as we move through school, college and our career. Lifelong learning is a characteristic of living today.
The Ardscoil na Tríonóide Study Skills Programme is based around 4 fundamental elements:
- Organise Your Study Space
- Make a Study Plan
- Set Goals
When all these elements are practiced and the routines around them are used constantly, students will see a marked improvement in attainment.
1. Introduction - Importance of Study/Homework
- Study and homework ensures topics done in class are known and understood
- Study and homework helps you identify things you do not understand fully and need to ask the teacher about again
- Study and homework ensures you reach your potential, do well in exams leading to success and opportunity
Can you think of other reasons why study and homework are important?
1.2 Benefits of regular study and homework
- You have fewer problems with teachers/parents
- School is easier and more enjoyable
- You get better marks in exams
- You feel better about yourself and your abilities
Over to you………… List some other benefits of study and homework.
- Organise Yourself - Creating a study space
2.1 Key features to create a good study space
- Good light - natural / artificial
- Quietness
- Personal space to keep books, copies, timetables and school equipment
- Comfortable chair and table that are the right size and height for you
- Warmth, but not too warm
- No distractions – mobile phones, social media
Think of where you study at home…
Check–list the features mentioned above to see if you have a good study space at home.
Are there any changes you need to make to improve your study space?
- 3. Make a Study Plan
3.1 Recommended study time
- 1st year - a minimum of 2 hours five times per week
- 2nd year - a minimum of 2 ½ hours five times per week
- 3rd year – a minimum of 3 hours five times per week
- 5th and 6th year – a minimum of 3 ½ hours study six times per week
3.2 Creating a Study Plan
- Decide how long you will spend on study and homework each evening
- Spend 15 - 20 minutes per subject doing both assigned written work and study ( up to 30 minutes or more per subject at senior level)
- Allow time for training, hobbies, friends. Discuss this with your parents
- Plan to have a short break (5 minutes) every 30-40 minutes
Now create your personal Study Timetable (see sample below partially filled out). Try it out and make any changes necessary to ensure the study plan works for you.
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PERSONAL HOMEWORK/STUDY TIMETABLE
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FIRST YEAR
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NAME:
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TIME
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MON
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TUE
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WED
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THUR
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TIME
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FRI
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SAT
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5.00
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IRISH
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MATHS
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5.20
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RELIGION
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FRENCH
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5.40
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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5.45
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GEOGRAPHY
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HISTORY
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6.05 – 6.30
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DINNER
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DINNER
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DINNER
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DINNER
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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6.30
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MATHS
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GEOGRAPHY
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6.50
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HOME EC
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SCIENCE
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BREAK
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TRAINING
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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7.15
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ENGLISH
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TRAINING
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7.35
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TRAINING
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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BREAK
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8.00
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FINISH
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TRAINING
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8.30
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ART
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9.00
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FINISH
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3.4 Tips to support a study plan
- It is recommended study is done early in the evening and not last thing at night. Best plan is to have a snack when you get home and get straight into study
- The school journal is very important to record homework and classwork, test and exam dates, notes and reminders. Tick off work done as you go along.
- DO IT NOW, regardless of when it is due
If you have something to revise - DO IT NOW
If you have something to learn, write, research -DO IT NOW
- Goal Setting
4.1 By setting goals we can achieve the following:
- Improve academic performance
- Increase motivation to achieve
- Increase pride and satisfaction in performance
- Improve self-confidence
- 4.2 Goals need to be SMART
4.3 Setting some SMART goals
I want to increase my marks in Geography by 15% this term
Is this S M A R T?
Specific – Increase my marks in Geography by 15%
Measurable – I can plot my marks after each test
Attainable – It is very possible for me to achieve this
Relevant – This is important so I can improve my grades
Timed – I will work to achieve this goal over this term
Over to you…
Devise some SMART goals based on areas of school work you need to achieve.
Share your goal with the person beside you and decide if they are SMART or not
Then work to put them into action ……
What do you need to do to achieve this goal? Plan to do that and plot your improvement
- Study Actively
5.1 How we learn
5.2 Methods to Improve Concentration
- Regular short breaks. 5 mins every 30 to 40 mins
- A good night’s sleep. 8 hours from 10pm at night
- Eating well. A balanced diet
- Regular exercise
- Work against the clock to remain focused. Set a time to complete tasks within your study block
- After completing a piece of study, test yourself.
- Blocking the internet/phone during study
- Visualisation ( imagining your exam achievements and how you are going to get there)
- Meditation
5.3 Different Methods of Study
- Bullet points –outline. Easier to remember with numbers
- Creating teams
- Mind maps/ Diagram
- Mneomics
- Audio
- Flashcards/ Revision Notes Copy
These are active methods of study where you are engaging or taking part with your study material and not just reading it.
5.5 Try this out………. Read the following passage and try out the different methods suggested below
Why Child Mortality is high in 3rd World Countries.
Most people live in poverty in the 3rd World. In countries like Uganda 1 in 7 children die before the age of 5. This is because of a lack of clean water. Many children suffer and die from stomach sickness that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. Hundreds of millions of children suffer from malnutrition because they do not have a proper balanced diet. Weak malnourished children often die from diseases like whooping cough and measles. People cannot afford buy vaccination against childhood diseases and governments don’t provide free vaccination.
- Bullet points –outline. Easier to remember with numbers
Child Mortality
- 3rd world people live in POVERTY
- 1 in 7 die before 5 years old
- Reason. Dirty Water
- Causes vomiting and diarrhoea
- Poor diet = malnutrition
- Easier to get diseases- measles/whooping cough
- No money for vaccination. People or Government
Using your favourite team sport place your bullet points in the players positons
GAA Format:
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CHILD MORTALITY
- 3. 4.
3rd World Poverty 1 in 7 dies before 5 Dirty Water
- 6. 7.
Vomiting/Diarrhoea Poor Diet/ Malnutrition Easier to get diseases
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No money for vaccination Government or People too poor
OR
Rugby Format:
- CHILD MORALITY 2. 3rd World Poverty 3. 1 in 7 dies before 5
- Dirty Water 5. Vomiting/Diarrhoea
- Poor Diet/ Malnutrition 7. Easier to get Diseases
- No Money for Vaccination
- Governments or people too poor
- Mind Maps / Diagrams
You can include sketches or diagrams also to enhance your mind map.
- Mnemonics
S.I.M. Sedimentary, Igneous, Metamorphic
ROY G BIV Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
HOMES Huron Ontario Michigan Erie Superior
LORD Left Oxygen Right De-Oxygen
BOMDAS Brackets Order Multiplication Division Addition Subtraction
The use of recording devices to make your notes and play them back afterwards as revision.
- Flashcards/Study Notes Copy
Flash cards are small cardboard cards that you write your notes on and keep in an ordered fashion. The can make revision easier as your notes are condensed.
Equally get a copy for each subject. As you learn or revise a chapter, record your written notes, mind maps mnemonics. This will also become a set of condensed notes that can be used over and over again for revision.