Guidance

Welcome to Guidance at Paul Dwyer!

We look forward to helping you navigate your years at PD.

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 to Friday                       
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tel: 905-723-5255
Fax: 905-723-1127

Staff MemberTitle / PositionExtension
Ms. Barb Kozak

Administrative Assistant, Guidance

x 55010
Mrs. Marla Cannon (O-Z)

Curriculum Chair, Guidance

x 55012
Mr. Justin Fortier (H-N)

Guidance Counsellor

x 55031
Mrs. Karen Kelly (A-G)

Guidance Counsellor

x 55028
Mrs. Susana Pereira

Student Success Teacher

x 55032
Ms. Felicia Marshall

Intermediate Guidance Teacher

x 55011

 Our Services

Make 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 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.
Register for School 

We welcome students of all faiths at our Durham Catholic secondary schools. Any prospective students who are new to the Durham Catholic District school Board must completed an online student application.

Once the online application is completed (above), prospective students new to Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School must complete:

  • A Pre-Admission Application package (Note: this exclude any students transferring from an associate elementary school who live within the school's boundary). 
    • Please print off the following Pre-Admission package, complete and submit to our Guidance office with all required documentation: Pre-Admission Application package 

Call our Guidance office at 905-723-5255 ext. 55010 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.

Visit our office and listen to school announcements for the latest dates and deadlines for applications.

 

Course calendar

We offer a wide selection of courses at many different levels. Students and parents can access Dwyer's course calendar online using myBlueprint.  myBlueprint is an online tool designed to help students plan their future.

UPCOMING EVENTS / IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM GUIDANCE: 

Post-Secondary Fair

Location: Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School -Cafetorium
Date: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025, from 6:30-8:30 PM
Opportunity to meet with representatives from various Colleges, Universities, Community Agencies
and Trades.

Grade 8 Parent Night

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Location: Msgr. Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
                 700 Stevenson Road West, Oshawa, ON
                 Cafetorium
Important Dates:
  • January 15th 2025 ~ University Application equal consideration deadline (www.ouac.on.ca)
  • February 1st 2025~ College Application equal consideration deadline (www.ontariocolleges.ca)
  • May 1st 2025 -Community Involvement Hours Due to Guidance Office
  • Mon. June 23, 2025 @ 12:00pm: Graduation Rehearsal @ Dwyer -in Cafetorium

           Food and drink are not permitted

           Caps and gowns will be distributed at this time so students can take them home and press the wrinkles out

           Will not be longer than one hour. See everyone there!

  • Graduation, Fri. June  27, 2025 at 11:00am, The Embassy Church, 416 Taunton Rd. W., Oshawa                                   -Graduates to arrive no later than 10:30am to get organized for grad ceremony.

 

Head Start Program – Non-Credit

The Head Start Program is available to all Grade 8 students going into Grade 9 at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board high schools and will run August 18 – 21, 2025. The program involves a review of literacy and numeracy skills and provides students with a preview of the Grade 9 curriculum for Mathematics and English. Study skills and health and well-being are also integrated into the program. Registration opens Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Please register before Friday, June 27, 2025. 

Helpful Websites:

https://www.ouinfo.ca/universities
https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en
https://trades.ontariocolleges.ca/?_ga=2.109835333.1395563345.1727978821-1212430337.1706723939
Thank you