Kilkenny parents of Leaving Cert students invited to online parents’ event

An online information event aimed at Kilkenny parents and guardians of school leavers will be run by South East Technological University (SETU) on Tuesday, November 29 (6.30-7.30pm).

The one-hour online parents’ event is designed to support parents and guardians of anyone interested in starting on a full-time college course in autumn 2023. 

Kilkenny continues to be one of the most important feeder counties for SETU, with 249 students from Kilkenny choosing to join the south east’s first university this September.

SETU's ethos is to help students make the right college choices and this event aims to give parents some more tools to support their children to make the best college and course choices.

SETU’s dedicated outreach team has designed the information evening, which will take place via Zoom, based on common queries and concerns to help put parents’ minds at ease. Parents will learn about SETU's wide range of courses, the CAO process, links with further education colleges, student supports, grants, sports scholarships and much more.

Event details and registration can be found at www.setu.ie/parents. 

Claire Holden, Schools' Liaison & Outreach Officer at SETU says that while the student is best placed to list courses in order of genuine preference, in many cases it is parents who get in touch by phone or online chat with queries.

“Choosing the next steps after school is both exciting and challenging. Applicants can choose 10 courses at Level 8, and another 10 at Levels 7 and 6 so it is vital they get their order of preference right so they’re happy with the college place they get offered next year.”

“It’s important that people start thinking about courses and colleges in plenty of time. We hope that this event will empower parents across Kilkenny to help with research into likes and interests in December and be well prepared for SETU’s open days in 2023, where they can come along and ask more specific questions about courses.”

Alison Moore, Schools’ Liaison Officer at SETU adds that the online information session will help ease any worries family members of Kilkenny CAO applicants may have. 

“The Parents’ Event, which follows College Awareness Week, will guide parents and guardians of Leaving Cert students who have an interest in applying to college through the CAO. As well as outlining the CAO process we will also have people on hand to talk about the supports that SETU has for our students.”

The CAO online application facility for 2023 entry opened on November 5 and CAO applicants have until February 1 to start their application and until July 1 to list course choices in order of preference.