guidance
The Guidance Department serves students by providing them with counselling and support in educational choices, career goals, and personal concerns. In addition, counsellors act in a consultative and supportive role to parents and staff.
Counsellors are available to students throughout the school day. A student may make an appointment to see a Guidance Counsellor by signing up on the clipboard in Guidance then someone will call them down.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teachers (see contact page) and/or call Guidance regarding any questions they have about their daughter/son's academic progress or program.
Counsellors are available to students throughout the school day. A student may make an appointment to see a Guidance Counsellor by signing up on the clipboard in Guidance then someone will call them down.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teachers (see contact page) and/or call Guidance regarding any questions they have about their daughter/son's academic progress or program.
student success
The transition from elementary to secondary school is among the most challenging periods of adolescence. Effective transition planning to secondary school begins for all students in Grade 7 and continues into and sometimes beyond Grade 9. A smooth transition contributes to a strong foundation for success in secondary school and beyond.
Elementary and secondary schools work collaboratively to develop strategies that support student planning for successful transitions from elementary to secondary school. Secondary Student Success teachers visit Grade 7 and 8 classrooms to provide students with information about the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements, specialized programs, extracurricular activities, strategies for completing the community involvement requirement, post secondary opportunities, and the education and career/life planning process.
All secondary schools have a Link Crew program. Grade 11 and 12 students who are members of the Link Crew provide robust Orientation sessions for new students on the first day of school. The Link Crew continues to support new students both academically and socially throughout their grade nine year.
Additional resources and supports are provided to students who face additional challenges as they embark on the Grade 8 - 9 transition process. At transition interviews held at the elementary school, a Student Success Transition Interview Form (SSI009) is completed for students considered "at risk"; this form outlines the supports required as the student moves from elementary to secondary school. When the student reaches secondary school, the Student Success team provides the support required.
Secondary Pathways Guide
Student Profile - Student Success Transition Interview Form 009
Elementary and secondary schools work collaboratively to develop strategies that support student planning for successful transitions from elementary to secondary school. Secondary Student Success teachers visit Grade 7 and 8 classrooms to provide students with information about the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements, specialized programs, extracurricular activities, strategies for completing the community involvement requirement, post secondary opportunities, and the education and career/life planning process.
All secondary schools have a Link Crew program. Grade 11 and 12 students who are members of the Link Crew provide robust Orientation sessions for new students on the first day of school. The Link Crew continues to support new students both academically and socially throughout their grade nine year.
Additional resources and supports are provided to students who face additional challenges as they embark on the Grade 8 - 9 transition process. At transition interviews held at the elementary school, a Student Success Transition Interview Form (SSI009) is completed for students considered "at risk"; this form outlines the supports required as the student moves from elementary to secondary school. When the student reaches secondary school, the Student Success team provides the support required.
Secondary Pathways Guide
Student Profile - Student Success Transition Interview Form 009
academic counselling
Academic Counselling is given in the following areas:
• appropriate high school course choices and resolution of timetable problems
• difficulties in learning, studying, or time management
• educational plans appropriate to abilities, interests, and goals
• college or university choices and the post-secondary application process
• financial assistance (O.S.A.P.), scholarships, etc.
• information and registration about summer school courses and night school co-operative education
• information about the four Specialist High Skills Majors available to students in grades 11 and 12
• information about Dual credits available at St. Mary
• Student Resource Team (S.R.T.) meetings can be arranged any time for parents to discuss their child’s academic progress
• appropriate high school course choices and resolution of timetable problems
• difficulties in learning, studying, or time management
• educational plans appropriate to abilities, interests, and goals
• college or university choices and the post-secondary application process
• financial assistance (O.S.A.P.), scholarships, etc.
• information and registration about summer school courses and night school co-operative education
• information about the four Specialist High Skills Majors available to students in grades 11 and 12
• information about Dual credits available at St. Mary
• Student Resource Team (S.R.T.) meetings can be arranged any time for parents to discuss their child’s academic progress
career counselling
Career Counselling is given in the following areas:
• explore potential career options
• determine suitability for various vocations using a variety of resources
• find sources of information on careers (internet and textbased)
• use programs such as Cooperative Education and OYAP to further their first-hand knowledge of the world of work
• assist in resume writing to help locate part/full-time or summer work
• additional learning opportunities after high school
Both group and individual instruction is provided in career awareness. Factors to consider when choosing a career are explained and students are assisted in determining the career opportunities available to them. Current information about careers and job opportunities are available for use by the students.
• explore potential career options
• determine suitability for various vocations using a variety of resources
• find sources of information on careers (internet and textbased)
• use programs such as Cooperative Education and OYAP to further their first-hand knowledge of the world of work
• assist in resume writing to help locate part/full-time or summer work
• additional learning opportunities after high school
Both group and individual instruction is provided in career awareness. Factors to consider when choosing a career are explained and students are assisted in determining the career opportunities available to them. Current information about careers and job opportunities are available for use by the students.
personal counselling
Personal Counselling is given to students in the following areas:
• discuss themselves and their relationships to others
• deal with any personal concerns and explore alternatives and/or solutions
• offer community resources where needed
St. Mary offers the opportunity for personal counselling from either Guidance Counsellors or the school Chaplain. It is to be emphasized that our primary role in the school is to be of service to our students as they deal with day-to-day concerns and problems as well as plan for the future. Where necessary, special services are available from Social Workers, Attendance Counsellors, Special Education Consultants and a Consulting Psychologist.
Referrals to outside community agencies are made on request, with appropriate authorization. Students may access Kinark Child and Family Services, Rebound Youth Services, and a Health Nurse from the Health Unit.
• discuss themselves and their relationships to others
• deal with any personal concerns and explore alternatives and/or solutions
• offer community resources where needed
St. Mary offers the opportunity for personal counselling from either Guidance Counsellors or the school Chaplain. It is to be emphasized that our primary role in the school is to be of service to our students as they deal with day-to-day concerns and problems as well as plan for the future. Where necessary, special services are available from Social Workers, Attendance Counsellors, Special Education Consultants and a Consulting Psychologist.
Referrals to outside community agencies are made on request, with appropriate authorization. Students may access Kinark Child and Family Services, Rebound Youth Services, and a Health Nurse from the Health Unit.
post-secondary
Recent calendars and other publications from post-secondary institutions are available for student use in the Guidance Office. Over 30 liaison representatives from colleges, universities and private post-secondary schools visit each fall.
Presentations are given to grade 11 and 12 students to help keep them on track when it comes to the application process and financial aid. This information is invaluable when they start applying online to Universities and Colleges.
An evening information session on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is also offered to parents and students during the month of April - more information will be available.
Grade 12's and earlier are encourage to visit the Thunder 12's website to help plan their senior year.
Presentations are given to grade 11 and 12 students to help keep them on track when it comes to the application process and financial aid. This information is invaluable when they start applying online to Universities and Colleges.
An evening information session on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is also offered to parents and students during the month of April - more information will be available.
Grade 12's and earlier are encourage to visit the Thunder 12's website to help plan their senior year.
Specialist high skills majors
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is a ministry-approved specialized program that enhances knowledge and skills of career-related learning and is obtained in conjunction with meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This program was designed to allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector and assist in the transition from secondary school to post-secondary endeavours such as apprenticeship, post-secondary education or entering the workforce.
Each Specialist High Skills Major program must be approved by the ministry. Every SHSM must include the following five components, which are outlined in detail in individual guides for each sector:
1. A bundle of 8-10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits that includes:
3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector.
4. 'Reach ahead' experiences connected with the student's chosen postsecondary pathway
5. Development of Essential Skills and work habits, and the use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) for purposes of documentation
Each Specialist High Skills Major program must be approved by the ministry. Every SHSM must include the following five components, which are outlined in detail in individual guides for each sector:
1. A bundle of 8-10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits that includes:
- 4 major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
- 2-4 other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in which some expectations are met through learning activities contextualized to the sector
- 2 cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills
3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector.
4. 'Reach ahead' experiences connected with the student's chosen postsecondary pathway
5. Development of Essential Skills and work habits, and the use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) for purposes of documentation
Cooperative education
COOP is an exciting concept that allows students to combine in-school instruction with on-the-job experience as an alternative way of earning credits towards a Secondary School Diploma. It provides students with the opportunity to discover their skills and career interests in the workplace while still attending school. It allows students to make informed career decisions when the time comes to select their post secondary path. Cooperative education enables students to develop work ethic, interpersonal and employability skills, while at the same time exploring a career or interest and earning from one to four academic credits that are tied to any subject area.Cooperative education is primarily geared toward the grade 11 and grade 12 students within the school. However, accommodation can be made for younger students based on their specific needs.
Career Centre
Guidance and Cooperative Education has a Career Centre equipped with computers for students to use when needing to research careers and post-secondary programs. Computer Programs are available for career exploration which provides students with accurate and up-to-date information on careers and educational requirements for post-secondary institutions in Ontario, and across Canada. As well, it can assist students to investigate their interests and aptitudes and further apply this information to suggest occupations which may be interesting.
take our kids to work day
This day is for Grade 9 students the first week of November. Students from across the province spend the day at their parents’/ guardians’ workplace to gain a better understanding of what it means to work. Parents, educators, business people and community leaders are committed to making this day a valuable learning experience.
The day will provide students with first hand information on employability skills, workplace expectations and how education plays a role in their future career plans.
The day will provide students with first hand information on employability skills, workplace expectations and how education plays a role in their future career plans.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Guidance Counsellors help enroll interested students in the summer school program or literacy and numeracy camps for a unique intellectual and social experience. Courses last from 10 to 20 days and are taught by experienced teachers. Summer school is open to grade 7 and 8 elementary students and all secondary students.