Pastoral Care and School Counselling

The College pastoral care and guidance service may be divided into three categories:

Vocational Guidance

This has many aspects. It includes: the maintenance of an up-to-date careers' information library; Individual career guidance interviews; class and individual guidance on subject choice; the administration of ability, aptitude, and career interests assessments; comprehensive training in job application and interview techniques; visits to career exhibitions and third level institutions. Work experience, job placement, and a comprehensive personal reference service is also provided.

Educational Guidance

Individual help with learning, reading and other difficulties encountered by students in the educational process is available. A comprehensive study and examination techniques programme is also followed.

A special Orientation Day Programme for First Year students has been in operation for a number of years. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated for the students, parents, and teachers by Most Rev. Dr. John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross. A tour of the College in small groups is followed by students meeting their class teacher. A specially prepared folder is presented to each student containing notes on the Founder of the Christian Brothers; the history of the College; changes from primary to secondary school; extra-curricular activities in the College and guidelines for study, both in the classroom and at home.

Equally, in September when our First Year students have settled in, a further meeting is organised for parents. On this occasion, the Principal, Vice-Principal, staff and parents of First Years meet to discuss any settling-in difficulties which parents may be experiencing. It is also an opportunity for parents to raise questions about the first year curriculum, about the College's extra-curricular programme, and to acquaint themselves more fully with the facilities available in the College. On this evening all staff are available to meet, especially with parents who are new to C.B.C.

Parents of all classes are welcome to visit the College, to meet with the Principal, Vice-Principal, Year Head, Class Teacher, Chaplain, Guidance Counsellor or subject teachers to discuss their son's progress throught the year by appointment with the secretary. Parent-Teacher Meetings are also arranged. A Parents' Council ( Read More Here) has also to been established in Christian Brothers College. A College Newsletter is sent to parents.

Counselling

A personal, confidential counselling service is available to all students.

"I view the counselling role in terms of giving support to young people to face up to the many problems of adjustment and identity, while providing a warm and confident climate in which they may talk openly and honestly, about themselves and their feelings. The counsellor's role, then, is not to cover over adolescents' difficulties, but to help them to realistically face up to and cope with these difficulties, thus, enabling them to lay the foundations of a more integrated, mature, fulfilling and balanced adulthood.

I believe that one of our greatest challenges in C.B.C. is to assist our growing, vulnerable, unique young people in marshalling their strengths so that they can confront and deal with their lives more effectively". Pól O'Sheancháin (Guidance Counsellor)