Student Support Services
The care of each student is of utmost importance to all at Loreto
College and as a result our Student Support Services emphasise the
Personal, Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Vocational and Educational
Development of all students.
Structure
Programme
Guidance Counselling Service
Social, Personal & Health Education
Buddy System
Caomhnoir
Principal/Deputy Principal
Non Teaching Staff
Structure
Each year group has a Year Head who monitors academic progress and attendance and ensures that the welfare of every student is a priority. Year Heads work closely with parents and are in regular communication with them regarding their daughter’s progress.
In addition, each class is assigned a Class Tutor who liaises closely with the Year Heads in relation to all students.
Programme
- A Student Support Services Programme exists in the school and topics appropriate to the development of the student are dealt with particularly in Social, Personal and Health Education, Civic, Social and Political Education and Religious Education.
- A full-time Guidance Counsellor is available to provide support to students, particularly in relation to their personal, social, vocational and educational development.
- A full-time School Chaplain is also available to help and support students in their spiritual and emotional development.
- This programme is evaluated and monitored through the Guidance Planning Process.
The Guidance Counselling Service
The Guidance Counselling Service in Loreto College aims to offer a full
range of learning experiences which are designed to assist students to
make choices about their lives and to make transitions consequent on
these choices. These choices may be categorised into three separate
but interlinked areas – personal and social, educational and career.
A comprehensive programme is available to students consisting of mock interviews, seminars, visits, aptitude tests, subject option talks, interest assessments etc. Individual and group counselling is also available to allow students the opportunity to make decisions, solve problems, change behaviours and resolve issues in their lives.
Social, Personal & Health Education
The aims of the SPHE programme in our school are as follows:
- To enable students to develop skills for self-fulfilment and for living in communities.
- To promote self-esteem and self-confidence.
- To enable students to develop a framework for responsible decision-making.
- To provide opportunities for reflection and discussion.
- To promote physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.
The programme is run by 12 SPHE Tutors drawn from the teaching staff. In order to support the teaching of the SPHE Tutors, guest speakers are invited into the school to talk to both parents and students on different topics in the course of their first three years.
Buddy System
In 2005, the then Sixth years initiated a Buddy system which pairs
every First year student with a Sixth year. This ensures that each
First year will have someone to turn to who will be there for her from
her first day in the school and throughout the year.
Caomhnoir
The position of Caomhnoir is a highly valued one. It is held by a Sixth year student who co-ordinates the Buddy system and organises a number of events for Buddies during the year in co-operation with the Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl.
Principal/Deputy Principal
The Principal and Deputy Principal see the care of students as a vital
part of their work on a daily basis and as such are an integral part of
the Student Support structure. They aim to know each student as an
individual with a name, personality and particular needs.
Non Teaching Staff
While non-teaching staff provide a valuable service to the School, they
also provide a listening ear for staff and students alike.