Guidance

We are pleased to welcome you to the Guidance and Career Education webpage. We sincerely hope that this page acts as an informative guide for both students and their families as they navigate their way through the high school experience and beyond.

Guidance is responsible for providing a caring, compassionate environment that is inviting to all who enter. As a Guidance Counsellor/Educator, our role has been organized into three distinct areas: student development, interpersonal development, and career development as it relates to pathway planning. Our Counsellors are equipped to provide on-going academic, social/emotional, and pathway planning supports to the students of St. Mary.

We wish our students years of success here at St. Mary, and encourage them to take an active role as vibrant, positive members in this community and as life-long learners.

Many Blessings,
Mrs. Stanesic 

Meet our team

Our Guidance team is here to help you navigate your pathways. Our office is open:

Monday to Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 905-420-7166
Fax: 905-420-8205

Making a Guidance appointment

Students must make lunchtime appointments to see their Guidance Counsellor either before school, after school, or during their lunch. Students should not be losing classtime to come into Guidance unless it has pre-arranged or the student has been called down by Guidance with his/her teacher's permission. Any extenuating circumstances will be addressed in a timely manner, on a needs basis. 

We welcome you to speak to a guidance counsellor regarding any questions you have about navigating your way through your high school experience and beyond. Making an appointment is easy.

1. Come in to Guidance before school begins, on your spare (Grade 12 students only), or on your lunch.
2. Let the guidance secretary know that you would like to speak with your guidance counsellor.
3. Tell her either your last name or the name of your counsellor.

Things to remember...

• Appointments are 10 minutes in length;
• Only students on a spare can book an appointment during their spare. No student should book appointments during class time;
• Any additional time with a counsellor can be determined between the counsellor and student; and
• All parents should notify their child's counsellor to book either an appointment by phone or in person.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for helping us keep the office running smoothly so that we can continue to do the things we do for you!

Important dates (2018-2019)

Below are key dates that you should be aware of:

• Head Start (Introduction to Grade 9 Program): Monday August 20 - Thursday August 23
• Ontario University Fair: Friday September 28 - Sunday September 30 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• Go Global Expo: Saturday September 22 (Mattamy Centre - Maple Leaf Gardens)
• Study and Go Abroad Fair: Sunday October 14 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• St. Mary Post-Secondary Fair: Thursday October 11
• Parent-Teacher Interviews: Thursday October 18 (6:30 - 9:00 pm) *Tentative
• Ontario College Information Fair: Tuesday October 23 - Wednesday October 24 (Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place)
• Maclean's Student Life Expo: Saturday October 27 - Sunday October 28 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• Take Our Kids to Work Day: Wednesday November 14
• Associate Elementary Schools Grade 8 visit St. Mary: Wednesday November 14
• Pathways to the Future: Please join Durham Catholic District School Board and various community agencies, to learn more about post-secondary services, and recreational, employment and educational opportunities available for students with exceptional needs: Tuesday November 6 (DCDSB Pope Francis Centre, Oshawa)
• Grade 12 University Application Workshops: Wednesday November 7 - Thursday November 8 (periods 1, 2 & 4)
• Grade 12 College Application Workshops: Wednesday November 21 - Thursday November 22 (periods 1, 2 & 4)
• Grade 12 Apprenticeship Workshop: Wednesday November 21 (period 4)
• Grade 8 Student-Parent Information Evening: Tuesday January 15
• Course Selection due: Wednesday February 20
• Study and Go Abroad Fair: Sunday March 3 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• US Expo: Saturday April 13 (Roy Thompson Hall)
• Grade 11 University Information Session: May
• Grade 11 College Information Session: May
• Ongoing - Continue to check Guidance for employment and volunteer opportunities

Register for school

We welcome students of all faiths at our Durham Catholic secondary schools. 

Registration for Grade 8 students currently attending our family of schools (Father Fenelon, St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Joseph-Uxbridge, St. Monica, or St. Wilfrid) is processed by St. Mary Guidance Counsellors in the elementary school classroom. Incoming Grade 8 students may want to visit our Transitioning to High School/Head Start page for a variety of information specific to Grade 9. 

ALL PROSPECTIVE St. Mary students with a Pickering/Uxbridge home address MUST complete a Pre-Admission Package (excluding students from our Associate Elementary Schools who live within the St. Mary boundary). Print the Pre-Admission Package, complete and submit to Guidance with ALL required documentation. No appointment is necessary to submit the documents. Please note this package is required prior to scheduling course selection. The registration process is ongoing throughout the year, but for September 2019 enrollment, please submit applications by February 15th, 2019 to allow for spring registration meetings with Guidance Counsellors.

ANY PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS who are NEW to our Board MUST complete the DCDSB Online Student Application IN ADDITION to the Pre-Admission package. Please submit the Pre-Admission Package as soon as possible once you have submitted the online application.

Any student who DOES NOT live at a Pickering/Uxbridge address must contact the Guidance Office for further instruction.

Once the application has been approved by Administration, Guidance will contact you to schedule the course selection appointment.  

Please call Guidance Administrative Assistant (x56020) for further details. 

Transcripts

To request an official transcript, please email our Guidance Administrative Assistant judy.griffiths@dcdsb.ca or call 905-420-7166 x56020. Indicate your full name, date of birth, year you graduated from St. Mary, and contact phone number. Transcripts are $5 per copy (up to a maximum charge of $20). If you will not be the person picking up the transcript, please advise who will be doing so on your behalf. Please allow 1 business day for processing.

Timetable changes

For information regarding timetable course request changes, please see our Course Levels and Calendars page.

Stay informed

We encourage you to subscribe to this page, in order to receive the latest updates and information regarding important dates and deadlines for applications.