Guidance & Counselling

Please follow this link to Patrician High School’s Guidance website

Guidance and Counselling is at the heart of our pastoral care in the Patrician High School.  Our Guidance Counsellor has a caring and supportive role in the school where students can get advice and support about a range of issues.   From relationships to study skills and family difficulties to college advice and information, the Guidance Counsellor is on hand to meet with students in a confidential environment where each student can be cared for and supported throughout their time in our school.  Counselling helps pupils explore their thoughts and feelings and the choices open to them. It gives care and support to pupils learning to cope with the many aspects of growing up and school life and with their individual personal circumstances.

Patrician High School offers a comprehensive guidance and counselling service to all our students. The Guidance Counsellor liaises with Year Heads, Class Teachers, Learning Support Teachers, Subject Teachers, Deputy Principal and Principal. She also has regular contact with parents, psychologists, employers, colleges, social services, counsellors and the Department of Education.

The role of the Guidance Counsellor falls into three areas:

Educational Guidance & Counselling – providing support at key moments during your time in school.  The Guidance Counsellor is involved in helping with the transition from primary to secondary school and with helping with subject choices in second year and fifth year.   The Guidance Counsellor also works with students on developing their study skills.

Vocational Guidance & Counselling – working closely with students in fourth, fifth and sixth year on career/ college choices.

Social and Personal Guidance & Counselling – the Guidance Counsellor is available to meet with students to talk about any issue that might be affecting them.  The students may also have talks and workshops on stress management, making friends, mental health etc.

In first year, the Guidance Counsellor works closely with the Year Head and Subject Teachers to identify students who may need additional support in the transition from primary school into the Patrician High School.  This can be a difficult time for students and their families as they cope with the academic demands of secondary school as well as trying to fit in and make new friends. 

Throughout first, second and third year, the Guidance Counsellor will continue to work with staff to identify students who may need support around personal issues (such as depression or low self esteem) or who need support around academic issues (such as study skills, subject choices and identifying students with particular learning needs). The Guidance Counsellor will also be at every parent teacher meeting and there is an evening for parents and students on subject choices towards the end of the year.

In Transition Year, 5th year and 6th year, the Guidance Counsellor will continue to be on hand for students with personal issues, and will work in class groups with students around colleges and choices after school.  This can involve visits to college open days, having guest speakers in and giving presentations to students and parents about their options.

The Guidance Counsellor is always willing to meet students and parents who may want to discuss any concerns or to provide any guidance advice if necessary.