Student Services
Guidance counsellors work as part of a school team to support students in achieving success, growing in their Catholic values, recognizing their abilities and needs, developing self-esteem, and evaluating possible alternatives for their actions. Students are encouraged to set realistic, achievable goals and to reach their optimum potential. Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12, 2016 describes the three areas of learning that constitute the Ontario guidance and career education program:
- student development – the development of habits and skills necessary for learning
- interpersonal development – the development of the knowledge and skills needed in getting along with others
- career development – the development of the knowledge and skills needed to set short-term and long-term goals in planning for the future
In order to support student learning in each of these areas outside of regular teaching and curricula, guidance counsellors work together with the student success teacher, special education resource teacher, classroom teachers, and student support worker to provide and coordinate the following services:
- educational planning for secondary and post-secondary pathways
- career counselling
- personal guidance
- special education resource referrals
- orientation and exit programs
- transition supports for students moving into secondary school
- credit recovery
- liaison with outside agencies to provide needed services where necessary