Student Support Team

Student Support is co-ordinated by a team of staff who review how the school is responding to the overall needs of the students and in particular those students facing challenges. Please read our Student Support Policy in full here.

The members of the team are:

Year Heads and Tutors

Year Heads have both a pastoral and disciplinary role in supporting students. For full details on their roles see our Student Support Policy.

Guidance and Counselling

The Guidance Counsellor offers a range of services which include:

• Counselling
• Assessment
• Information
• Educational Development Programmes
• Personal and Social Developments
• Referral
• Guidance activities to help pupils make transition
• Consultation with parents, teachers and pupils
• Feedback to staff and school management on the needs of pupils

The Guidance Counsellors are Ms Dara Shortt & Dr Gerry Berry.

Learning Support/ Resource Department

The Learning Support / Resource Department, in light of the results of assessment tests, offer support to students in various subjects. This tuition may be carried out in class, in small groups or on a one to one basis.

The members of the Department are:

• Ms Roisin Conlon (Co-ordinator)
• Ms Marie Breen
• Ms Laura Brennan
• Ms Joanne McBreen
• Ms Lara Hunt
• Mr Carl Thompson

Chaplaincy Services

The Role of the Chaplain is of great importance. Sr. Mary Delahunty is our current Chaplain. She supports students during hard times and responds to the spiritual needs of the student as they arise during the year.

Cara System
Recognizing that the transition from primary to secondary school is a significant step in the life of a student, this school has put in place structures that will ease this transition. A formal induction process provides new students with opportunities to meet their class group, teachers and student support staff. Senior students who have spent a number of years here are particularly well positioned to help their new companions. At the end of Fifth Year, each student is encouraged to volunteer to be a 'cara' to a First Year. They provide friendship and support throughout the year and meet at regular structured activities in each term. Three prefects and the Chaplain co-ordinate these events throughout the year.

Mentoring

The mentoring process provides students in senior classes with an opportunity to meet a designated teacher in order to discuss academic work at key points during the school year. It provides the student with support, guidance and practical advice.