Career Guidance

Career Guidance Provision

● Guidance provision is provided across all year groups from 1st - 6th year. We provide:

● Study skills session through UCC

● Study Skills through academic monitors

● Homework Club through UCC

● Transition Year students complete a Career Fit Assessment

● A subject fair is held to aid students with subject choice at senior level

● 5th and 6th years have one-to-one vocational interviews with the Career Guidance counsellor

● Senior students attend College Open Days at PLC and 3rd level colleges, as well as Career Option days

● Speakers are invited in for parents / students to assist with college applications.

College Awareness Week (CAW)

Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane has become the flagship school for hosting a series of events for CAW each year.

● College Awareness Week (CAW) aims to inspire and inform all students about the importance of having a post-secondary education plan.

● It advocates for students to have the choice to pursue the course best suited to their interests, abilities and dreams, whether that is a PLC qualification, an apprenticeship or a university degree.

● We highlight the talents and success stories of our former students by inviting them back to share their career paths with our present students.

● Scholarships are awarded in memory of Katrina O’Flynn, a former guidance counsellor in the school. These awards are presented to junior and senior cycle students based on UCC’s Quercus applications for sport, performing arts, active citizen and innovation.

Links with UCC & CIT

Our close proximity to University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology, gives us added links that other schools do not have. From 1st year students can take part in a variety of programmes that will give them campus access to these two colleges. All of these programmes are free of charge

● First Year - Xperience Camp: UCC PLUS+ in collaboration with CIT Access Service offers a joint two-day camp ‘Xperience CIT & UCC Camp’ to first year students. This camp offers students a unique, interactive and fun introduction to their local third level colleges.

● 2nd Year Student Achievement awards: The UCC PLUS+ Student Achievement Awards acknowledges the Potential, Endeavour and Effort of 2nd year students in Maths, English, Gaeilge and Modern Foreign Languages. The students are then invited with their parents / guardians and teachers to a prestigious Awards Ceremony in UCC.

● 2nd Year Science Camp: This 1-day camp brings science learning to life in UCC. Students apply their science knowledge to use in hands-on practical laboratory sessions in the purpose-designed Eureka Centre

● Easter School (UCC & CIT): Easter School is an activity-packed, fun-filled 5-day university taster programme whereby TY/5th year students get the opportunity to enjoy a real UCC or CIT student experience. They attend lectures and get a taste and a feel for life as a student at UCC or CIT. Students can choose which camp they wish to attend

● Extra Academic Support UCC offer a range of resources to our school to provide extra academic support to students in advance of their Junior & Leaving Cert exams. These small group classes are free to students who may need extra help with exam subjects and can ensure they achieve their best academic performance in the exams.