Career Guidance
Guidance and counselling at Scoil Mhuire supports students from First Year through to graduation, helping them make informed decisions about their learning, personal development and future pathways. Guidance is a continuous process that begins when students join us in First Year and continues until graduation. Our goal is to provide a holistic support system that empowers students to make informed decisions about their lives, learning and future careers.
Meet the Guidance Team
Our Guidance Counsellors are available for one-to-one appointments, classroom-based guidance and vocational planning.
- Ms. Egan
- Ms. Shea
Location: The Guidance office is beside the girls’ entrance.
Areas of Support
Our whole-school approach to guidance focuses on three areas:
- Personal & Social: Resilience, self-esteem, managing stress and coping with personal challenges.
- Educational: Subject choices at Junior and Senior Cycle, study skills and examination techniques.
- Career & Vocational: CAO/UCAS applications, PLC courses, apprenticeships and preparation for the world of work.
Resources for Students & Parents
For the latest updates on open days and CAO deadlines, check the Guidance Noticeboard in the main hall or the school’s Twitter/X account.
- Qualifax: Information on Irish third-level courses.
- CareersPortal: Career interest tests and career-sector exploration.
- CAO (Central Applications Office): Applications to higher education in Ireland.
- DARE & HEAR: Access schemes for eligible students with disabilities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Wellbeing & Mental Health
Alongside future planning, the wellbeing of students today remains a priority. Students who feel overwhelmed can speak to Ms. Egan or Ms. Shea in a confidential setting, subject to child protection requirements.
- Pieta: 1800 247 247
- Jigsaw: National Centre for Youth Mental Health
- Childline: Text “TALK” to 50101
Confidentiality is respected except where there is a risk of harm to the student or others, in accordance with child protection guidelines. Contact details above are reproduced from the supplied guidance document and should be checked before publication.
CAO & Higher Education (Ireland)
The Central Applications Office (CAO) manages applications for undergraduate courses in Irish higher education institutions.
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 February 2026 | Normal CAO closing date | Standard applications, 5:00 pm |
| 1 March 2026 | HEAR/DARE online deadline | Online sections completed |
| 10 March 2026 | HEAR/DARE documentation | Supporting documents to CAO by 5:00 pm |
| 1 May 2026 | Late CAO application | Late application closing date (€60 fee stated in source) |
| 5 May 2026 | Change of Mind opens | From 12:00 noon; free of charge |
| 1 July 2026 | Change of Mind closes | Course choices/orders, 5:00 pm |
State Examinations (SEC)
- Oral examinations: 28 March – 2 April 2026 (Irish and Modern Foreign Languages).
- Music practicals: 13–24 April 2026.
- Written examinations: 3–23 June 2026.
- Leaving Certificate results: Expected late August 2026 in the source document (Candidate Self Service Portal).
UCAS (UK & Northern Ireland)
- 14 January 2026: Equal consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses.
- 26 February 2026: UCAS Extra opens.
- 30 June 2026: Main entry cycle application deadline.
- 4 July 2026: Last day to add an Extra choice.
Apprenticeships & PLC Courses
- PLC courses: Applications typically open in January/February, with interviews often in March and May. Apply directly to the college, for example through FETCH Courses.
- Apprenticeships: Recruitment continues throughout the year. Check Apprenticeship.ie for Generation Apprenticeship vacancies.
Guidance Office advice: Do not leave CAO Change of Mind decisions until the afternoon of 1 July. Aim to finalise course preferences well in advance.
