WAIT IS OVER FOR EXAM STUDENTS

The long wait is finally over for 1,988 county Wexford Leaving Certificate students who will receive their results tomorrow morning (Wednesday, August 16).

Out of the 1,988 students, 1,857 sat the traditional Leaving Certificate exam, while the remaining 131 completed the Leaving Certificate Applied.

There were 978 females sitting the Leaving Certificate and 879 males, while 72 males completed the Leaving Certificate Applied compared to 59 females.

For three days of the week of the results (August 16 to 18), as well as a further three days the following week of CAO round one offers (August 21 to 23) the Exam Helpline 2017 will offer confidential advice, information and support to students.

The free phone helpline is provided by the National Parents’ Council Post Primary and sponsored by Eir and the Irish Independent, which is open from 10 a.m., starting tomorrow morning.

Those seeking advice, information or reassurance can contact the helpline on 1800 265 165 and speak to experienced guidance counsellors.

All queries on third level courses, leaving cert appeals and repeats, CAO procedures, no offers and financing your further education will be dealt with in a professional and confidential manner.

In recent years calls to the helpline have increased, which shows the need for guidance at what can be a highly pressurised time for students and their parents.

Communications Officer for the National Parents Council Post Primary Ross McMahon said ‘The Helpline provides students and parents with live interactive one to one advice and guidance, which is particularly valuable given the change in the points system this year.’

Meanwhile, the HSE are urging parents to have open conversations about alcohol use with their teenagers ahead of their celebrations.

Many students will attend parties around the county, where they will be targeted with different alcohol promotions such as €3 drinks or free shot on arrival.

While a lot of students are over 18, drinking in this manner poses a significant hazard to their health and leaves them vulnerable to taking risks.

HSE National Clinical Lead of Addiction Service Dr Eamon Keenan said: ‘We need to talk to our teenagers about the effects on their health of excessive drinking and how to avoid risk taking. Alcohol promotions can result in rapid intoxication from drinking in a short time.’

For further information visit www.AskAboutAlcohol.ie