Guidance

Welcome to the Guidance and Career Education Department 

The Guidance Office is responsible for providing a caring, compassionate environment that is inviting to all who enter. As guidance counsellors and educators, 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 ongoing academic, social/emotional, and pathway planning supports for our students. We encourage students to take an active role as vibrant, positive members of our school community and lifelong learners.

Meet our team

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

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tel: 905-427-6667 ext. 53008                                                                                                                                                                   Fax:905-427-1557

Making a Guidance appointment

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. Ask the guidance secretary 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 15 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.

Important dates 

Below are key dates that you should be aware of:

•  Head Start (Introduction to Grade 9 Program): Monday August 19 - Thursday August 22
• Go Global Expo: Saturday September 22  (Ryerson Mattamay Centre at Maple Leaf Gardens)
• Initial Post-Secondary Presentation: September 23, 24 & 25
• Ontario Universities Fair: Friday September 27 - Sunday September 29 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• Study and Go Abroad Fair: Sunday October 6 (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• Ontario College Information Fair: Wednesday October 23 - Thursday October 24 (Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place)
• Maclean's Student Life Expo: Sunday October 27  (Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• Ontario University Application Centre
• Grade 12 University Application Workshop: 
• Ontario Colleges Website
• Grade 12 College Application Workshop: 
• Take Our Kids to Work Day: Wednesday November 6
• Associate Elementary Schools Grade 8 visit DO'C:
• Grade 8 Student-Parent Information Evening Presentation: January 2020
• Course Selection due: February 2020
• US Expo: Saturday April 25, 2020 (Roy Thompson Hall)
• Grade 11 University Information Session: May 2020
• Grade 11 College Information Session: May 2020
• 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.

ALL PROSPECTIVE students who are new to the Durham Catholic District school Board must completed an online student application.

Once the online application is completed, prospective students new to Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School must complete:

• a pre-admission package (Note: this exclude any students transferring from an associate elementary school who live within the school's boundary). 
• print off the package using the attached link, complete and submit to our Guidance office with all required documentation.

Call our Guidance office at 905-427-6667 ext. 53008 if you have any questions.

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.