Student Guidance and Wellbeing
Student Services
Students are encouraged to make as many ‘one-to-one’ career guidance meetings as they need. At these meetings we explore career opportunities and discuss the student’s aspirations for third-level education. Our aim is to help our students make informed decisions about their future career and life. Parents and guardians are invited to participate in these meetings if they wish. Continuous assistance is provided throughout the CAO application process.
Many students who enter our 6th year programme may already be in a situation where their previous school has submitted an application to the State Examinations Commission. If this is not the case, or you are joining Ashfield College in 5th year, our Support team will aid you in applying for any Reasonable Accommodations for which you may be entitled. Reasonable Accommodations typically include Spelling and Grammar Waivers, separate centres, using a reader, laptop, scribe etc.
Ashfield College offers a full range of grinds throughout the year. We also offer revision courses at Christmas and Easter, together with a twelve week HPAT programme for any student who is contemplating Medicine as a career choice. All of these programmes are complimentary for our Ashfield College Day School students.
We actively encourage our students to look after their physical health. Many of our students use the local FlyeFit gym (Not included with School Fee), less than 500m from the building. Our students can avail of spin classes and circuit training, before and after school. We believe this helps with focus and managing stress, especially close to exam time. Along with a range of fitness classes, full induction training on all the equipment is provided by qualified FlyeFit instructors.
Throughout any given academic year, we host several seminars, aimed at guiding parents through the Leaving Cert year and beyond. Below we have listed just some of these seminars to give you a sense of the programme.
Ashfield College hosts several Public Talks through the year aimed at guiding parents through the Leaving Cert year and beyond.
Ashfield College runs a series of CAO talks throughout the year. Students and parents are encouraged to attend these talks to understand the CAO application process and ask questions before submitting an application.
Mindfulness can provide students with the tools they need to help them remain calm, sustain their attention and manage the pressures of student life effectively.
Mr. Tom Blanche and our Year Heads deliver a Study Skills programme throughout the school year. This programme is aimed at helping students to feel that they are in control of their study, rather than it being in control of them. Tom works with students, helping them to consider what kind of a learner they are, how they study best, as well as considering how to study effectively.
Support Personnel
Below are some of the support personnel available to all students.
Philip Curry
Philip has taught Business subjects for the Leaving Cert. for over 28 years and he is an experienced exam corrector with the SEC for the last 16 years.
Philip has written two exam revision books along with educational supplements for various publications and owns the website www.leavingcertbusiness.com.
He has lectured to trainee teachers at Hibernia College and has spoken at numerous educational seminars to students and teachers alike.
Publications
A Question of Business 2004
Business the Higher Option 2020
A guide to the ABQ 2021
Philip has an amazing talent for focusing on exactly what we need for the exam.
Tom Burke, Leaving Cert
Philip Curry makes his Business classes very interesting. Not only does he focus on exam technique but he engages and interacts with everyone.
Isabel Williams, Leaving Cert
Dr. Joe Gallagher
Dr. Joe Gallagher is a Guidance Counsellor with 25 years’ experience guiding students through the post school choices process, including CAO, UCAS and Further Education. During one-to-one guidance sessions, Joe utilises psychometric testing to help establish and explore the interests and aptitudes of our students. The goal is to ensure that students make good, realistic and informed choices in terms of careers, colleges and courses. Joe holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Glasgow, where his research focused on the ways in which young people make their career and education choices.
Students are encouraged to make as many ‘one-to-one’ career guidance meetings as they need. At these meetings, we explore career opportunities and discuss the student’s aspirations for third-level education. Our aim is to help our students make informed decisions about their future career and life. Parents and guardians are invited to participate in these meetings if they wish. Continuous assistance is provided throughout the CAO application process.
John O’Keeffe
John O’Keeffe is a Criminologist, Forensic Psychologist and a broadcaster. He is graduate of University College Dublin, UWE Bristol, London Met University and Cambridge University where he is a life member of Homerton College. He also holds a Doctoratus in Gister Studiorum (ad eundem Cantab.) from Trinity College, Dublin.
Dr Finian Fallon
Dr Finian Fallon is an IACP accredited psychotherapist. He holds a first class honours BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Masters in Addiction Studies. Finian is completing a Doctorate in Psychotherapy at Dublin City University. He works in his private clinic on Kildare Street and is also employed on a helpline service.
