February 2019 Guidance and Counselling News
Career Guidance
6th years students have been applying for Post leaving cert courses and apprenticeship programmes (ESB, IFS etc) this month with many students being notified of interviews in the coming months. Students may consider applying for QQI Level 5 courses as an alternative backdoor route to their University or IT course of choice.
February is a busy month for access applications.
CAO applicants who qualify under the HEAR & DARE access schemes have been completing the online application forms. Supporting documentation will need to arrive at CAO, Eglinton Street, Galway no later than April 1st, 2019. Students have been advised to get a certificate of postage when posting official documents to CAO. Many students who applied to IT Carlow have applied under the Carlow Access Programme. Forms were submitted this month and of any student has not yet sent their supporting documentation, they should do so as soon as documents are available and as a matter of urgency this month. Late applications will not be considered.
The GC can be contacted at any time to discuss these supplementary admission routes.
5th year students had an assembly with Bank of Ireland making a presentation on the benefits of having a student account with a visa debit card for college. Many students availed of the opportunity to open an account as they only needed a picture of their identification on their phone and €5.
5th year students have had career classes with their GC this month. They were given a presentation on Options after the Leaving certificate and application procedures for courses. Students completed course searches on Qualifax and researched a variety of third level courses.
5th year students have been signing up to attend the National Skills event on the RDS on March 21st. This trip will involve a visit to see the Baldonnel Aerodrome and a talk on careers/apprenticeship and further training at the base. The 5th year colleges trip to DCU & TCD will take place on 30-04-2019 and the cost is €10.
NUIG and University of Limerick will make presentations to 5th year students on Monday March 4th.
Educational Guidance
LCA1 and 22 5th year students took part in the CV & interview preparation workshop with the HR director of Kildare Village this month. Students learnt how to enhance their CV’s and how to make a positive impression at interviews. The mock interviews will take place in March in Kildare Village head office.
3rd years who applied for Transition year had their interviews this month with the TY coordinator and the GC. Students will be offered their places next week.
Incoming 1st years to KTCS will sit their CAT4 assessment tests in KTCS on May 7th & 8th. All schools have been contacted and students can expect to receive their letters inviting them to attend for the test with instructions before Easter.
Personal Guidance
Personal Trainer Carl Henry opened Well being week in KTCS when he visited the school on 27-02-2019. Carl gave a presentation on Health lifestyle and did a fitness session. He stressed the importance of sleep to repair and restore and consolidate learning. He suggested putting a phone box in the hall for all phones and electronic devises at night. Health diets with enough protein and low sugar snacks were highlighted by Carl as key elements in well being. Students jogged on the spot and did the plank test for 8 minutes. Winning students will receive a gift from Carl next week. Well being week kicks off with activities for all students next week as the schedule below shows. All students are encouraged to take part.
Personal counselling is available to all students at KTCS to discuss any aspect of home or school life. Students can make an appointment by filling out a slip and posting it in the post box in the Guidance lobby.