MCHS Guidance Office
Ms. Tanya Cusick , Guidance Counselor
(709) 279-2313, ext. 23
Hi everyone! Please check out my Bitmoji Guidance office above for a lot of really useful resources. Just click on each image and see where it takes you! =) Ms.C
Hi students and families! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything at all. I will be updating this page with resources that you can use at home/online in the coming days, so check back regularly. Thanks everyone, be kind to each other and stay safe! - Ms. Cusick
Welcome back to our 2023-2024 school year everyone!
Free E-Counselling Resources:
Bridge the gapp:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/files/Bridge-the-Gapp-online-mental-health-resources.pdf
E-MentaL Health Services Available to you:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/files/E-Mental-Health-Services.pdf
Ways to Deal With Stress During the Pandemic:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/files/Managing-Stress-During-the-Pandemic.pdf
Parenting During a Pandemic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJv42fQ4Nw
Doorways (See poster below, still available by phone or video):
Welcome!
On this site you will find a number of different resources regarding things of interest for high school students like post secondary programs, mental health, scholarships and opportunities, and so forth. Look around and if you have any questions, feel free to call or come visit me at school. Thanks!
POST SECONDARY INFORMATION
There are what seems like endless post secondary possibilities in front of you when you graduate from high school. If you plan on attending a post secondary institution after graduation, there are a number of things you should know. This page addresses your options if you plan to study in Newfoundland Labrador. Should you want information on the vast number of schools and programs available to you outside the province, you can check out the link below or come see me for more information, as there are too many schools to address on this page!
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND
If you plan on attending MUN, I would first suggest you start by visiting their website and having a look around. The website address is www.mun.ca
Here is a list of links that will be important for first year students:
Undergraduate programs: https://www.mun.ca/undergrad/programs/
Admission requirements: https://www.mun.ca/undergrad/admissions/newfoundland-labrador.php
Tuition and fees: https://www.mun.ca/undergrad/money/index.php
How to apply: https://www.mun.ca/undergrad/apply/
On campus residence: https://www.mun.ca/residences/residences/
Scholarships and awards: https://www.mun.ca/scholarships/scholarships/entrancestudents/nl/
Extra info for first year students: https://www.mun.ca/student/news.php?id=10464&type=features
Please note that for the vast majority of entrance scholarships at MUN, if you graduated from a Newfoundland Labrador high school and apply to the university you are automatically considered for scholarships based on your grades. It is called the Transforming Our Horizons Entrance Scholarship Program and information about it can be found here:
Another entrance scholarship that may be of interest is the Joyce Foundation Bursary, which is awarded to students who demonstrate critical financial need and perseverance in the face of challenges. The link to this award can be found here:
https://www.mun.ca/scholarships/scholarships/entrancestudents/nl/joycefoundation/
COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC
If you plan on attending CONA I would suggest you start by visiting their website and having a look around. The address is https://www.cna.nl.ca/
Here is a list of links that are important to applicants:
Programs: https://www.cna.nl.ca/ (Please note that CONA has 18 different campuses across the province, including online, and not all programs are offered at each campus)
Admission requirements: https://www.cna.nl.ca/Admissions/Admissions-Regulations.aspx (Please note that the majority of the programs at CONA require high school graduation (either general or academic) as their primary admission requirement. However this does not apply to all programs. Some programs do require an academic high school diploma, so check the entrance requirements of each program you are interested in applying for).
Tuition and fees: https://www.cna.nl.ca/Admissions/Fees-And-Charges.aspx
How to apply: https://www.cna.nl.ca/application/ (Please note that CONA has an open admission policy which means they operate on a 'first come, first served' basis for all applicants. So APPLY EARLY.
Student housing: https://www.cna.nl.ca/Student-Support/Student-Housing.aspx
Scholarships and awards: https://www.cna.nl.ca/Student-Support/Scholarships-And-Awards.aspx
Student support services: https://www.cna.nl.ca/Student-Support/
PRIVATE COLLEGES
Newfoundland and Labrador has a wide variety of private colleges offering an array of programming options. Below you will find a directory of links to all the private colleges that are registered with the Department of Advanced Education, Skills, and Labour in our province:
Academy Canada (St. John's, Cornerbrook) www.academycanada.com
BAC Training Centre Inc./BAC Masonry College (CBS) http://www.masonrycollege.com/
Canadian Training Institute (Bay Roberts) http://canadiantraininginstitutenl.ca/
Carpenter Millwright College (Paradise) http://carpentermillwrightcollege.ca/newfoundland-labrador/
Central Training Academy (Badger) http://www.centraltraining.ca/
DieTrac Technical Institute (Lewisporte) http://www.dietrac.com/
Eastern Academy (St. John's) https://www.easternacademy.ca/
Gander Flight Training (Gander) http://www.gft.ca/
Ironworkers Education & Training Co. Inc. http://www.ironworkerslocal764.com/
Keyin College (St. John's, Stephenville, Marystown, Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Carbonear, Burin) www.keyin.ca
Operating Engineers College (Holyrood) http://www.oecollege.ca/
U.A. Training Centre (Mount Pearl) https://www.ualocal740.ca/
Woodford Training Centre Inc. (CBS) https://www.woodfordtraining.com/
THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES
Unique opportunities exist for anyone interested in joining the Canadian Armed Forces after graduation. The CAF are actively recruiting members, and you even have the option of having your education fully paid for in return for your service. You can read about what they have to offer here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/caf-jobs.html
THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE
If you are interested in becoming a police officer in Canada, there are a number of qualifications and standards you must meet to apply. You can find them all here: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/qualifications-and-requirements
Similarly if you are interested in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the requirements can be found here:
https://www.rnc.gov.nl.ca/join-the-rnc/applicant-requirements/
Sources of Funding
Now that you've either figured out or (hopefully) started thinking about what you would like to do after graduation, the next question becomes how are you going to pay for it??? In Newfoundland Labrador we are fortunate to have some of the lowest tuition costs in the country, but that being said there are still a lot of costs involved. Fortunately there are several options you can avail of:
STUDENT LOANS/GRANTS
You can apply for funding through Student Aid at:
https://www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/studentaid/fulltime/apply/index.html
If you are a student that self identifies as having a permanent disability you may qualify for further funding, see here:
https://www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/studentaid/disabilities/index.html
SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS
There are a wealth of scholarships available to students planning on attending post secondary, too many to post in a list as a matter of fact. But listed below you will find access to a number of great resources for scholarships:
Scholarships and Opportunities Bulletin Board (Found over the water fountain outside the gym): - Check here frequently for posted scholarship and award opportunities that are sent to me by email from various organizations.
Your Post Secondary Institution: Most post secondary institutions offer their own scholarships for both prospective and current students, so check their websites.
Your Parent(s)'/Guardian(s)' Employers: A number of employers offer scholarships that the children of their employees may be eligible for. Ask and you may receive!
Scholarship Finding Websites: There are a number of websites that use search engines to match you with scholarships you are eligible for. Here are a few:
https://www.scholarshipscanada.com/
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
There are a number of programs and opportunities available to current students of MCHS. You should always pay attention to our Twitter account as well as the daily announcements to hear about upcoming opportunities. Below you will find links to some of the more popular programs our students take advantage of:
SHAD - SHAD is an award-winning enrichment and entrepreneurship program and network that empowers exceptional high school students – at a pivotal point in their education – to recognize their own capabilities and envision their extraordinary potential as tomorrow’s leaders and change makers. They partner with seventeen universities across the country to offer this month long program each July. https://www.shad.ca/
ENCOUNTERS WITH CANADA - Encounters With Canada is a unique opportunity for Canadian teens to meet other young people from across the country. Students spend a week in Ottawa taking part in a number of exciting activities and excursions based on the theme of their choice. https://www.ewc-rdc.ca/pub/en
MEDQUEST - MedQUEST is an exciting, career-oriented summer program for students in grades 10-12 in Newfoundland and Labrador. This program is offered July 7 - August 16, 2019, covering six one-week sessions. is Its purpose to introduce students to the fascinating world of the health sciences and rewarding careers such as doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, nurses or researchers. https://www.med.mun.ca/StudentAffairs/Med-Quest.aspx
FORUM FOR YOUNG CANADIANS - The Forum is a week long program at Parliament Hill that gives students the opportunity to be immersed in federal politics with like minded students from across the country. There are three sessions a year in October, February and March. http://forum.ca/the-program/for-students/?lang=en
SOAR - SOAR (Summer Orientation for Academic Readiness) is a program offered each summer by Memorial University to help students prepare for the transition to university life. https://www.mun.ca/student/new-student-experience/soar.php
WISE NL STUDENT SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM - WISE NL (Women in Science and Engineering) provides young women in grade 11 with the unique opportunity to work for eight weeks in paid Science and Engineering Research Assistant positions. http://wisenl.ca/ssep
HOUSE OF COMMONS PAGE PROGRAM - Each year 40 graduating high school students are chosen to participate in the Page Program. Pages are first year undergraduate students who work in the House of Commons for one year. Chosen students must be fluent in French. https://www.ourcommons.ca/About/PageProgram/Index-e.html
RISE AWARDS - The Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards provide Newfoundland and Labrador high school students with the opportunity to attend researchrelated enrichment programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Through these awards, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET) and the Innovation and Business Investment Corporation recognizes the need for early development of the talent required to advance Research and Development (R&D), innovation and economic growth . https://www.gov.nl.ca/iet/files/21681_Rise-Awards-Guidelines_OnlineBrochure_Dec-13-v2.pdf
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS
Just as we need to care for our physical health, we need to do the same for our mental health. If at some point you are struggling, just know that you are not alone and help is available. If you need someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to come see me. There are also a number of other free resources available to you, including:
Phone Lines
KIDS HELP PHONE 1-800-688-6868 (Offers free professional counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LINE 1-800-737-4668 (Offers help for those experiencing a mental health crisis)
WARM LINE 1-855-753-2560 (Offers support to anyone needing to talk)
TRANS LIFELINE 1-877-330-6366 (Run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers in need of support)
In Person Counselling
Eastern Health now offers Doorways, a free walk in clinic in which you can meet with a counselor on site, without a referral. More information can be found here:
http://www.easternhealth.ca/WebInWeb.aspx?d=2&id=2455&p=2106
Online Supports
There are also a vast number of websites, apps, and programs dedicated to maintaining mental health and living with mental illness that are available to you online, also free of charge. Some include:
https://www.bridgethegapp.ca/youth/
https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-app
http://depressionhurts.ca/en/default.aspx
https://adaa.org/adaa-online-support-group
LGBTQ+
At MCHS we strive to get the message out that in our school environment everyone should be valued and respected for who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As a means of supporting that message, our school has an active Gay Straight Alliance that meets monthly in order to create and take part in initiatives that celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. If you would like to join our GSA come see me! Below you will find some helpful and informative links:
Equity and Inclusive Education Resource Kit for NL, Grades 7-12 https://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/safeandcaring/gsa/02gsaguide_nfld.pdf
Camp Eclipse: OUT in the woods (A four day camp that brings together NL youth ages 16-24 for empowering workshops) www.campeclipse.com
Egale Canada Human Rights Trust https://egale.ca/
PFLAG Canada http://pflagcanada.ca/
PFLAG Canada, NL Chapter http://pflagcanada.ca/pflag-chapters/newfoundland-labrador/
Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (Containing information related to LGBTQ+ life in Canada) https://clga.ca/
TransParent Canada http://www.transparentcanada.ca/?file=kop4.php
It Gets Better Project https://itgetsbetter.org
The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/#sm.000rxunybelyf4j11272370fesl63
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The legal age to drink alcohol and use cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador is 19. Nevertheless, a number of our youth under the legal age choose to use and abuse drugs and/or alcohol, often with devastating consequences. If you or someone you know has a problem with substance abuse, please do the right thing and seek help.
Information:
https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/prevention/drug-info/cannabis/
https://www.teenchallenge.ca/get-help/canadian-drug-crisis
https://canadiancentreforaddictions.org/teen-drug-abuse-facts/
Where to seek help: