• Miss Woods and Miss Wiseman make up the school Guidance team. We aim to;
  Provide our students with appropriate guidance to assist them in their educational and future career choices.
• Offer advice, support and counselling to our students and meet with their parents on educational, personal and career matters.
• Assist our students in coping with their transition to second-level education and from second level to further education.
• Identify routes to increase access for our students to PLC’s, Institutes of Technology, Universities and other training organisations.

OUR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE

• Individual and group Career Counselling
• Personal Counselling
• Classroom based career Programmes.
• Jobsearch support.
• Meeting parents.
• CAO/ UCAS application advice
• Mock Interviews
• Coordinate work experience
• Attend College open days
• Study skills advice for students and parents
• DkIT course information presentations
• PLC progression route information
• Scholarship and funding Information

Both Guidance Counsellors are members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and attend regular in service and professional development.

USEFUL LINKS

Useful Links
www.qualifax.ie	Irish national database of all 3rd & further education courses.
www.qualifax.ie/index.php?option=com _wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=22	Listing of Open Days for Irish Colleges 2011-2012
www.cao.ie	List of all CAO courses & links to all HEI colleges
www.careersportal.ie	Irish website with lots of links & information on skills shortages
www.studentfinance.ie	Information on financial supports available for higher & further education
www.dkit.ie	Dundalk Institute of Technology website
www.ucas.com	Application to UK 3rd level colleges _ contains links to colleges and assistance for course searching
www.citizensinformation.ie	Advice on 3rd level education including fees
www.fetac.ie/fetac/learners/hels/hels.htm	Information on FETAC links scheme
www.studentfinance-yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/	Information on UK University fees
www.careerdirections.ie	FAS career guidance website
www.nextstep.direct.gov.uk/ planningyourcareer/Pages/default.aspx	UK career planning and career description site
www.nqai.ie	National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
www.aontas.com	The National Adult Learning Organisation
www.bluebrick.ie	Search and apply for a range of flexible programmes available in Institutes of Technology
www.headstrong.ie	website exploring issues of mental health
www.spunout.ie	magazine exploring health and media
www.sosadireland.ie	website raising awareness of suicide in Ireland

 

PRESENTATIONS

CAO presentations for parents Hear & Dare presentation DkIT Schools Presentation Study skills for parents Creating a CV with impact 2011 Interview Preparation 2011 Senior Cycle Options

 

CONTACT US

Sandra Woods	Karen Wiseman
email: sandra.woods@ofi.ie Tel: 042-9353946	email: karen.wiseman@ofi.ie Tel: 042-6820515

 

School Completion Programme

The School Completion Programme (SCP) is a Department of Education & Science initiative that aims to have a positive impact on levels of pupil retention in primary and second level schools and on the number of pupils who successfully complete the Senior Cycle, or equivalent.

For More information on the SCP click here

Home School Liaison Coordinator

The Home School Liaison Coordinator (HSCL) in O'Fiaich is Siobhan Sheerin. Her role is to link parents, teachers and students together for the benefit of all. The HSCL endeavours to help parents realise that they are their children's most important teachers and it is only through teachers and parents working together that children will make the most of their time at school. The Home School Liaison Coordinator is an intergral part of the Pastoral Care Team in O'Fiaich College which is committed to the eductational, physical and emotional well-being of all our pupils.

To read more click here

Supportive Education

Here in O’ Fiaich College we are committed to developing an inclusive environment for students with additional educational needs. The provision of supportive education covers a broad range of pupils from those whose needs may be temporary and transient to those who have continuing needs. Our approach supports the view that all students, if provided with suitable learning experiences and adequate levels of support, are capable of development and learning. Our department engages in effective collaboration with each other, with parents and with external agencies in the provision of education which is broad and balanced. We believe that effective approaches to staff deployment and teaching methods are central in providing a proper service to our students.

Our Supportive Education Department is supported by special needs assistants, resource teachers and learning support teachers. We have a school library, a dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) room, a number of small classrooms suitable for small groups and up to-date technology in our recently updated Computer rooms. Please contact our SEN co-ordinator Mr M. Mc Dermott if you require any further information.

Student Council

The student council is the representatives of each class in one body to voice the opinions of the student body to the faculty. The council discusses problems any student from O’Fiaich College may have and creates suggestions to pass on to the school principal to remedy the student’s problem. Each member on the council has the right to their own say and their own opinion.
The aims of the student council are as following:

• To voice the opinion of the student body.
• To lobby for changes in the school that will benefit the student body.
• To establish a better relationship between the student body and the school staff.

The student council is very important and helps the life of each student.

Back (L-R) Megan Cordial, Andy Joyce, Stephen O’Brien, Karina Hamilton.
Front (L-R) Shannon MC Laughlin, Ciara Nolan, Sammie Nesbitt.

Homework Club

The after school homework club provides a quiet, fun and supportive environment for students to complete their homework. It is a voluntary club for third and sixth year students. The club runs on a Monday and Wednesday from 15.30- 17.30. As part of the club the students are provided with light refreshments. The club is supervised by a teacher and the students can get help with their homework if needed.

Anti Bullying Week

Anti-Bullying Week' was held in the college to raise awareness about the effects of bullying and what actions students can take to combat it. A variety of activities took place to highlight the issue; these included poetry, poster and short story competitions.
In addition the teachers of Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) reinforced the message of anti-bullying through interactive lessons which added to the success of the week.
Third year students produced a short film to highlight the many forms of bullying. This film may be viewed below.

Computer Club

This year the Computer Club was reintroduced to the school. Computer Club ran from September to June on Thursdays at lunch time in Room 37 with Ms. Rennick. The club gave the students access to our wonderful computer facilities outside class time.
Each Thursday, room 37 was filled to capacity with students from all year groups from 1st year to Level 6 PLC. Students availed of Computer Club to catch up on assignments, use the internet for research work, homework, to build upon their ICT skills learned in computer class. Students also had the opportunity to enter in to game competitions and of course, to work on their ICT skills.

Breakfast Club

The Breakfast club is open to all students from 8.15am - 8.48am.