Guidance

Whole-School Guidance at Duiske College

Meet Your Guidance Team

The Guidance Team includes a broad range of staff, each playing a key role:

  • Guidance Counsellor – Louise Doyle
  • Principal & Deputy Principal – Georgina Murphy & Conor Walsh
  • SEN Coordinator – Maria Hayles
  • HSCL & SCP Supports – Will O’Shea & Aoife Byrne
  • Year Heads, Class Teachers & APs – Providing daily, direct student support

What Is Whole-School Guidance?

Whole School Guidance is a coordinated, school-wide approach that supports all students in their personal, educational, and career development. It is embedded across all school activities and is not limited to just one teacher or class—it involves the entire school community working together to support your child’s wellbeing and future.

At Duiske College, guidance covers three key areas:

  • Personal and Social Guidance (e.g., mental health, wellbeing, relationships)
  • Educational Guidance (e.g., subject choices, study skills)
  • Career Guidance (e.g., future planning, third-level education, apprenticeships)

These services help students understand themselves, make informed decisions, and plan ahead confidently.

What Supports Are Available to My Child?

Academic Supports

  • Subject sampling for First Years
  • Subject and programme choice advice in 3rd and 4th Year
  • Guidance Counsellor consultations for subject-level changes

Career Supports

  • Guest speakers (SOLAS, universities, Career Showcase)
  • Attendance at College Open Days
  • Access to career planning tools and CAO advice
  • UCAS and international study workshops

Personal Supports

  • One-to-one counselling (by appointment or referral)
  • Stress and study skills workshops
  • Peer mentoring and wellbeing events
  • Referral to external agencies if needed

Communication Supports

  • Parents can request appointments
  • Guidance Noticeboard and Teams updates keep students informed
  • Available at Parent-Teacher meetings for consultations

Survey Highlights

What Do Parents Say?

Based on recent parent feedback:

  • Many value the school’s efforts but want more awareness of available services.
  • Topics like study skills, future planning, and wellbeing were rated highly important.
  • Some parents are unsure who to contact or how to access supports.
  • Suggestions include better communication and more personalised guidance.

What Do Students Say?

From the student ‘Taking Stock’ survey:

  • Most know how to access guidance support.
  • Many want more help with career planning, international options, and time management.
  • Students appreciate having someone to talk to but some feel stressed, indicating a need for increased wellbeing supports.

How Can Parents Get Involved?

  • Attend information evenings on subject choices and careers.
  • Request a meeting with the Guidance Counsellor.
  • Encourage your child to use the guidance services regularly.
  • Share feedback to help shape our evolving Whole School Guidance Plan.

Our Response: What We’re Doing

  • Improving Communication
  • Whole School Guidance & Wellbeing Supports for Parents
  • Sharing contact information for guidance and support.
  • Posting updated guidance timetables.

Where to find more information

  • School Website – Guidance section
  • Teams and VSware – Updates, messages, timetables
  • School Office – To book a meeting or request information
  • Parent Events – Information sessions and surveys

Contact Information

  • Guidance Counsellor: Ms. Louise Doyle
  • Email: louise.doyle@duiskecollege.ie
  • Appointments available by request (in-person or via Teams)

Useful Information Points

  • Guidance Noticeboard: outside the Guidance Office
  • Student Support Team: monitors wellbeing and early school leaving
  • Outside Agencies: NEPS, CAMHS, TUSLA referrals available

Our Commitment to Your Child’s Growth

Duiske College is committed to the holistic development of every student. The Guidance

Programme is designed not just to support success in school but to equip each student for

life beyond school—in their careers, relationships, and community.

We believe that guidance is not a one-time event but a continuous, whole-school journey.

With your support, we can make it even more effective.

Students

Extra Curriculars

Faculty

Years Established

Get In Touch

Location: High St, Brandondale, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

Telephone: (059) 972 4177

Email: info@duiskecollege.ie

School Hours: M-F: 9am - 4pm

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Code of Behaviour

Duiske College prides itself on the quality of relationships between students and staff. Within this context Duiske College’s first instinct is to praise and reward students who reach the positive behaviour standards we wish for.  

An important part of the school’s Code of Behaviour is the effort made to acknowledge the good behaviour of our students Primarily, the individual teacher praises and affirms good behaviour and constantly liaises with Class Teachers, School Management and the Student Support Team to appropriately reward and highlight incidents of good behaviour.