Guidance Counselling and the Wallace Library

This service is operated by Ms. Mai Kerins, a qualified and experienced Guidance Counsellor.

The philosophy of the Guidance Programme is pupil centred and classes are arranged to facilitate their needs and interests.  An integral part of the Career Guidance and Counselling Programme involves inviting guest speakers to the school, attending Seminars, Careers Exhibitions, Open Days etc.

Parental involvement in the Guidance process is encouraged and welcomed.  Information evenings and other events are organised to develop links between home and school. 
Career Guidance and Counselling divides into two main areas, which may take place in the classroom setting or on an individual basis

Guidance
Subject Choice, Study Skills, Exam Techniques, Psychological Testing, C.V. Preparation, Application Forms, Application Procedures, (UCAS/CAO) etc., Mock Interviews, Job Search, and Career Planning.

Counselling
Study Difficulties/Planning, Exam Stress, Stress Management, Parental Pressure, Peer Pressure, Home Difficulties, Alcoholism/Substance Abuse, Family Break-up, Adoption Difficulties, Bullying and Suicide/Depression.

Resources: 
Careers Library/Multimedia Careers Programs, Videos, School Librarian and Guidance Counsellor

Important Dates for Applications

U.C.A.S - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

  • Closing date for Oxford, Cambridge Universities and for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses: 15 October
  • Advisory closing date for other applications: 15 January
  • Closing date for Art and Design courses: 5 March
  • Late closing date: 30 June
  • Last date for clearing applications: 20 September
  • Standard Application Fee: £15 Stg.
  • One course only: £5 Stg.
  • Contact Details:-
    UCAS, Applications Requests, Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ, UK
    Phone No. 0044-1242-227788, Fax: 0044-1242-544961, Web: www.ucas.com

C.A.O. - Central Applications Office

  • Normal closing date:   1 February
  • Normal Fee:    €40 (postal application)      or   €30 (on-line application)
  • Late closing date: 1 May
  • Last date for change of mind: 1 July
  • Contact Details:-
    CAO,  Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway,
    Phone No.  091-509800, Fax: 091-562344, Web: www.cao.ie

Contact Details for Parents

  • Parents are welcome to meet with the Guidance Counsellor and appointments may be made through the school office.
  • Suggestions/comments to improve the Ashton Guidance Service are most welcome.

Contact Details for Students
Students may wish to avail of the lunchtime Guidance Service

  • Tuesday 12:40 – 1:20
  • Friday 12:40 – 1:20

This time is primarily used for making appointments and clarifying career related issues.
An Appointment System is used to enable students to avail of the Guidance and Counselling Service in the school.
1.  A Yellow Appointment Card is given to the students with date/time details
2.  This card is presented to the subject teacher at the time of the appointment
3.  A teacher signs the card if satisfied to let the student go to the guidance counsellor
4.  At the end of the guidance session the students returns to class.

Wallace Library

The Wallace Library at Ashton School is named in honour of Ms. Evelyn Wallace who was the last headmistress of Rochelle School and, as vice-principal of Ashton School from 1973-1979, was instrumental in establishing the library which now has almost 10,000 books. The library, in a central position in the school, is a quiet oasis of calm where students are able to research information, read the daily newspapers and borrow books of interest.

The library is maintained by a very efficient librarian and provides a valuable and well-used resource area in the school.

The picture below (in the library) shows Bishop Colton, chairman of the Board of Management, welcoming Mr. Pat Cox, MEP, President of the European Parliament, to the school for Ashton Day in October 2003, watched by Mr. Payne, principal.

For many years the tradition has been building up that students, on leaving the school, may choose to present a gift to the library - either a book, a video or a map.

The school was recently delighted to receive a set of maps from Kerstin Borch who, on going from Ashton, has become the managing director of Borch GmbH who market city and country maps under the "Borch Maps " Brand.  Details at www.borch.com.