Guidance and Co-operative Education Department
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Our Team is small but mighty!
Joelle LaRonde, Ext: 1021 Department Chair for Gr. 12 students
Michelle Rodriguez, Ext: 1022 for Gr. 10 students
Chuck Clark, Ext: 1023 for grade Gr. 9 & 11 students
Jennifer Luxton Ext:1020 Guidance Secretary
St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School has three main goals for students:
Development of the Student as an Individual
Interpersonal Development and Social Responsibility
Career Research and Development of Future Plans
Guidance teachers are available to advise students about appropriate course choices. The progress of students in achieving the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and in completing an education suitable for proceeding with future plans is the responsibility of students and their parents but is supported by Guidance staff.
Liaison representatives from Ontario's universities and colleges are invited annually to St. Stephen's so that students may learn about these educational opportunities from the experts. Additionally, a library is maintained in the Guidance Office that contains information about post-secondary institutions across Canada. Guidance teachers provide instruction to guide students through the application processes for college and university programs, as well as for scholarships, bursaries, and the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
Students may also get information about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (O.Y.A.P.), post-secondary apprenticeship opportunities, college certificate programs, opportunities in the trades and preparation for entering the workplace after graduation.
Students are encouraged to consult with Guidance teachers when planning their secondary school programme. They are invited to access all of the resources in the Guidance area. Guidance maintains four computers with Internet access for students to use for academic and career planning.
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Grade 8 Parent Night Video 2021.movTour St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School
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Important Documents
Registration Documents
Community Service Information
Internet Resources
Job Market Trends
Post Secondary Finances
The Trades Across Canada
Post Secondary Education
ADMISSION TO AN ONTARIO UNIVERSITY
ouac.on.ca -Ontario universities
In order to be eligible to apply to university a student must successfully complete the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, O.S.S.D., including the Literacy Requirement and 40 hours of Community Involvement. Among the credits earned, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 6 courses coded as Grade 12 University Preparation (***4U) or University/College Preparation (***4M) including ENG4U. It is a student's responsibility to check requirements for pre-requisites and marks as published by the universities.
All students will apply through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) in Guelph, Ontario. This organization compiles the biographical information, academic information, and students' program and university choices and transmits all information to the specific Ontario Universities. There is a flat for 3 choices. Additional choices may be made for an additional charge.
ADMISSION TO AN ONTARIO COLLEGE
ontariocolleges.ca - Ontario colleges
In order to be eligible to apply to college a student must successfully complete the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, O.S.S.D., including the Literacy Requirement and 40 hours of Community Involvement. Students are advised to ensure that the majority of their senior academic credits be of the College Preparation, University/College Preparation, or University Preparation type. All college programs require a student to have completed Grade 12 College Preparation English, ENG4C, and many programs require additional specific pre-requisites. It is a student's responsibility to check requirements for programs as published by the colleges. Many programs are oversubscribed and admission is competitive based on marks.
All students will apply through the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) in Guelph, Ontario. This organization compiles the biographical information, academic information, and students' program and college choices and transmits all information to the specific Ontario Colleges. There is a flat fee for 5 choices.
STUDENT COSTS AND MONEY PLANNING
Don't forget to look at the following helpful information sites:
OSAP
Is your child going to college or university this fall? Make sure they apply for financial aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)! OSAP now offers more financial support than ever before, including free tuition for hundreds of thousands of low- and middle-income students. The sooner your child applies, the sooner they’ll know how much they can get! Find out more and apply at ontario.ca/osap.
Information about Scholarships and Bursaries:
Financial planning is a very necessary step as the price of post-secondary education continues to rise. A student interested in receiving a scholarship or award should realize that it will take hard work and a conscientious effort to be considered for an award. Students should check and access the various sources of information (print and electronic) in the Guidance office.
Awards and scholarships are grouped into three areas. The first are University scholarships offered by the Universities themselves. The second are scholarships/awards available through the community and open to University and College bound students. Finally, the third are awards offered at the annual graduation.
Checklist of Expenses for Post Secondary Living
UNIVERSITY Questions to Ask
Look for a Job!
What can I do with this degree?
Scholarships
University Scholarships
Universities offer a number of scholarships. Entrance scholarships do not need an application and you are automatically considered when you apply. University scholarships requiring separate application are quite often prestigious awards requiring a student be nominated by the Principal and they are of a very high monetary value. In most cases, a student needs 90% or better to apply and must exhibit other outstanding qualities. All of these awards, along with amounts, selection criteria, etc. are included in the website http://www.electronicinfo.ca/. Students should apply early since the application process for various awards is usually a lengthy one that requires a great deal of effort on the part of the student.
Community Awards and Scholarships
A large number of bursaries and scholarships are available within the community. Guidance has a listing of these and updated information is read in the morning announcements. In addition, check your parent's place of work as quite often businesses offer awards to children of employees.
Graduation Awards
Each year there are many awards available to students at graduation. A committee oversees the selection process and no formal application is necessary. Students interested in winning awards need to realize that several factors are involved in the consideration process. Successful academic performance is almost always necessary. Some awards require 90%+, but there are many that simply ask for a commitment to academics. Background/experience is also a very important factor. Often award panels look to see what the individual has done both inside and outside the school. Get involved and volunteer your services. This will most certainly make your application more attractive. Students should also seek out references that will benefit their applications. If you are volunteering, don't be afraid to ask for a reference. This shows commitment to school and community.
OYAP
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) lets a Cooperative Education (Co-op) student begin to learn a skilled trade while completing a secondary school diploma. A Co-op student may be signed to an apprenticeship agreement with the employer at the time of his/her placement. Students graduate with a diploma, a whole new skill set, experience in the real working world and a head start on a skilled profession. Statistically, only 30% of Ontario students are headed for College and University directly from secondary school. In Ontario, there is another viable post-secondary education option open to all students who do well at using their heads and their hands.
SELECTION PROCESS
Upon selection of Cooperative Education on the option sheet, a counselling and interview process will be conducted in order to determine the applicant's suitability for the programme. The student's past performance, attendance, attitude, and career interest(s) will be considered in the selection for this programme. Following this, students will prepare a résumé and attend a competitive interview in order to secure the placement. Since this programme is based on reality, the school cannot guarantee that all students will succeed in being hired at the placement of their choice. Once a student has been accepted at a workplace, it is expected that the student will fulfill his/her commitment to the programme.
PRE - PLACEMENT ORIENTATION
A 15 - 20 hour in-school Pre-Placement Orientation will be taught at the beginning of the semester prior to students reporting to the workplace. In addition to the knowledge and skills acquired in the prerequisite course, Career Studies, students will be expected to demonstrate self-assessment skills, job-readiness skills, and an understanding of the following:
the school and placement expectations that they are to achieve in the cooperative education course
workplace health and safety considerations specific to the placement
issues related to confidentiality and the right to privacy as outlined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
work ethics and the responsible use of information technology
the individual's right to function in a climate free from harassment and abuse
relevant sections of the Employment Standards Act and the Human Rights Act
the history and role of labour unions
appropriate ways of dealing with and reporting concerns or problems at the placement
INTEGRATION SESSIONS
Periodically throughout the semester, students will be required to attend integration sessions at St. Stephen's for a total of 14 hours. These sessions are designed to provide the students with an opportunity to:
relate the placement experience to the curriculum expectations of both the related course and the Cooperative Education course
reflect on and analyse their placement experiences
reinforce the job-skills theory acquired in the classroom and the skills, techniques, and principles learned at the placement
WORK PLACEMENT COMPONENT
The workplace component of the Cooperative Education programme provides students with challenging responsibilities and on - the - job experiences. This component of a 2-credit programme must be 186 - 191 hours in length providing a total of 220 hours for the Cooperative Education course. Cooperative Education teachers will monitor the student's placement on an ongoing basis
In collaboration with students, subject teachers, and placement supervisors, Cooperative Education teachers prepare personalized placement learning plans that include a description of the curricular knowledge and skills and the employ-ability skills that students will demonstrate at their placements in order to succeed.