SUBJECT CHOICE FOR SECOND YEAR

1. SUBJECT CHOICEFOR SECOND YEAR INFORMATION NIGHT TUESDAY 4TH FEB 2014 DEIRDRE GRIFFIN GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR

2. PURPOSE OF TALK • GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF EXAMS AT SECOND LEVEL • TO GIVE A BRIEF OUTLINE OF EACH OPTIONAL SUBJECT FOR JUNIOR CYCLE. • TO EXPLORE THE IMPACT OF JUNIOR CYCLE SUBJECT CHOICE UPON FUTURE CHOICES AT SENIOR CYCLE. • TO EXPLORE THE IMPACT OF SUBJECT LEVEL ON FUTURE ATTAINMENT. • TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF SUBJECT CHOICE FOR JUNIOR CYCLE IN KCS

3. OVERVIEW OF SECOND LEVEL JUNIOR CERT • THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH SENIOR CYCLE IS BUILT • 11 SUBJECTS EXAMINED – BROAD STUDY • ENGLISH, IRISH, MATHS AT HIGHER, ORDINARY, FOUNDATION LEVEL • ALL OTHER SUBJECTS AT HIGHER OR ORDINARY LEVEL • CSPE (Civic, Social and Political Education) COMMON PAPER

4. MARKING SYSTEM FOR JUNIOR CERT EXAMINATION GRADES

5. ROUTES TO LEAVING CERTIFICATE Applied LCA1 LCA2 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr LC1 LC2 Established

6. SENIOR CYCLE (LCA, LCE) LEAVING CERT EST. • 7 SUBJECTS STUDIED/EXAMINED • MORE INDEPTH STUDY • IRISH AND MATHS AT HIGHER, ORDINARY, FOUNDATION LEVEL • ALL OTHER SUBJECTS HIGHER OR ORDINARY LEVEL • 6 BEST RESULTS ADDED FOR POINTS FOR ENTRY TO THIRD LEVEL • POINTS PLUS SPECIFIC COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS = ENTRY IN TO COURSE

7. MARKING SYSTEM FOR LEAVING CERT EXAMINATION GRADES

8. LEAVING CERTIFICATE POINTS CALCULATION GRID • 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics.

9. IS THE JUNIOR CERT IMPORTANT? YES! BECAUSE…. • OFFERS STUDENTS BROAD PLATFORM FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE FOR SENIOR CYCLE • INLUENCES CHOICE OF PROGRAMME (LCA OR LEAVING CERT ESTABLISHED ) • INFLUENCES SUBJECT CHOICES FOR LEAVING CERT • INFLUENCES SUBJECT LEVELS FOR LEAVING CERT

10. CORE SUBJECTS IN KCS FOR JC • SCIENCE • C.S.P.E. • P.E. (NON-EXAM) • S.P.H.E. (NON-EXAM) • IRISH • ENGLISH • MATHS • EUROPEAN LANGUAGE FRENCH/GERMAN – (Unless DES exempt) • HISTORY • GEOGRAPHY • RELIGION

11. SUBJECT LEVELS AND CLASSES AT KCS • IRISH,ENGLISH AND MATHS ARE DIVIDED NEXT YEAR INTO HIGHER LEVEL (HL) AND ORDINARY LEVEL (OL) CLASSES • FRENCH/GERMAN ALSO DIVIDED INTO LEVELS • ALL OTHER SUBJECTS ARE TAUGHT IN MIXED-ABILITY CLASSES • ALL SUBJECTS AVAILABLE AT ORDINARY AND HIGHER LEVEL (CSPE- COMMON) • STUDENTS TO STUDY SUBJECTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL THAT THEY CAN MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

12. OPTIONAL SUBJECTS AT KCS(2 TO BE SELECTED) • BUSINESS STUDIES • TECHNICAL GRAPHICS • WOODWORK • METALWORK • MUSIC • ART • HOME ECONOMICS

13. BUSINESS STUDIES FOR JUNIOR CERT HL - TWO WRITTEN PAPERSOL – ONE PAPER

14. BUSINESS OPTIONS AT LEAVING CERT BUSINESS • JUNIOR CERT AN ADVANTAGE. • INVOLVES LEARNING ABOUT GENERAL BUSINESS /ECONOMICS PRINCIPLES. • USEFUL FOR ALL GENERAL BUSINESS CAREERS. ACCOUNTING • JUNIOR CERT NEEDED. • NEEDS TO HAVE AN APTITUDE FOR MATHS. • USEFUL FOR ALL BUSINESS CAREERS.

15. TECHNICAL GRAPHICS FOR JUNIOR CERT3 HOUR EXAM • At JC level this subject involves learning how to produce drawings using computers (cad), create 3d models, learn how to read and interpret drawings and diagrams, learn how graphics relate to the design and manufacture of products • Aptitude needed • For LC, Tech Graphics becomes Design & Communication Graphics with 60% for a 3 hr exam and 40% for a CAD project completed by Feb of Y6. • Good for construction, graphic design, architecture, general design and engineering careers

16. WOODWORK FOR JC 60% FOR PROJECT & 40% FOR WRITTEN PAPER • In Woodwork students learn the skills required to use tools and equipment to design and produce wood products. students also learn about wood as a material and how it is produced. • Practical aptitude is needed. • For LC (Construction Studies) it is a big advantage to have it studied to JC level. • At LC 25% given for a project, 25% given for a 4 hr practical, and 50% given for an exam comprising of writing and drawing. • Useful for careers in carpentry, engineering, quantity surveying, construction, and trades.

17. METALWORK FOR JC25% GIVEN FOR WRITTEN EXAM, 37.5% FOR PROJECT, 37.5% FOR 3 HOUR PRACTICAL • In this subject at JC level students learn how to use a wide variety of tools and machines to shape, cut and join metal materials. they learn how to read and follow technical drawings correctly while also learning about the properties of different metals. • Aptitude is needed. • at LC metalwork is known as Engineering and it is highly recommended to have completed JC metalwork. • at LC 50% given for written exam, 25 % for the project, 25% for 6 hr practical. • Useful for careers in engineering, mechanics, apprenticeships, industrial design and all technology related careers.

18. MUSIC FOR JC 75% FOR WRITTEN PAPER AND 25% FOR THE PRACTICAL (SING/PLAY 4 PIECES) • APTITUDE IS NEEDED INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO LEARN TO READ MUSIC. • NEED TO BE INTERESTED. • FOR LC IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE JC MUSIC STANDARD. • FOR LC 50% GIVEN FOR PRACTICAL (PLAY 8 PIECES) AND 50% FOR WRITTEN. • USEFUL FOR CAREERS IN ENTERTAINMENT, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING, MULTIMEDIA.

19. ART FOR JC NO WRITTEN EXAM BUT A DRAWING EXAM IN EARLY MAY GETS 25% AND PRACTICAL PROJECT (8 PIECES) GETS 75% • AT JC LEVEL STUDENTS WILL LEARN A VARIETY OF NEW CRAFTS INCLUDING LEARNING TO WORK IN 3-D E.G. SCULPTURE OR CLAY WORK. ALSO SOME ART HISTORY. • AN APTITUDE IS NEEDED – IMPORTANT NOT TAKEN AS AN ‘EASY’ SUBJECT. • AT LC LEVEL IT IS ADVANTAGEOUS TO HAVE ART TO JC AND IS A DEMANDING LC SUBJECT. • AT LC LEVEL 38% GIVEN FOR WRITTEN PAPER (ART HISTORY) AND 62% GIVEN FOR 3 PRACTICAL EXAMS ON STILL LIFE, CRAFTWORK AND LIFE DRAWING. • USEFUL FOR FASHION, ADVERTISING, MEDIA, ARCHITECTURE, AND DESIGN CAREERS.

20. HOME ECONOMICS FOR JC 15% GIVEN FOR A CRAFT PROJECT, 35% FOR PRACTICAL COOKERY AND 50% FOR WRITTEN EXAM • At JC level students learn about biology, health and nutrition, food preperation and cookery, managing money and home and consumer rights. they will carry out a project in one of the following -design and craftwork, child development, textiles • Be aware of gender bias as Home Economics is a useful and practical subject. • For LC it is an advantage, but not necessary to have JC Home Economics completed. • At LC 20% given for practical cookery and 80% for written exam. • Should be interested in home management, cooking and crafts, biology • Useful for careers in culinary arts, tourist industry, childcare, fashion and social care/work careers.

21. FACTORS INFLUENCING SUBJECT CHOICE • CHOOSE SUBJECTS THEY ENJOY MOST • CHOOSE SUBJECTS THEY CAN STUDY BEST • CHOOSE SUBJECTS IN WHICH THEY HAVE A NATURAL APTITUDE • KEEP OPTIONS OPEN • AVOID GENDER BIAS OR STEREOTYPES. • BE AWARE OF OTHER / PEER INFLUENCES. • ULTIMATE AIM IS TO ENSURE STUDENTS ARE HAPPY, SUCCEED AND REACH THEIR ACADEMIC POTENTIAL

22. SOME MORE HELP WITH SUBJECT CHOICE • LOOK AT SUBJECT DESCRIPTIONS ON NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT WEBSITE www.ncca.ie • MAY BE USEFUL TO LOOK AT CHOICE SUBJECTS EXAM PAPERS - CAN BE ACCESSED AT www.examinations.ie • FOR MORE IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTIONS OF SUBJECTS AT BOTH JC AND LC LOOK AT www.curriculumonline.ie • VERY USEFUL WEBSITE CONTAINING INFORMATION ON SUBJECT CHOICE, CAO COURSES ETC. www.careerportal.ie

23. WHAT HAPPENS NOW • STUDENTS AND PARENTS INDICATE THEIR PREFERENCES BY Mon 10TH FEB – FORM HANDED TO MS. O’ K O’ BRIEN • BLOCKS OF SUBJECTS ARE ORGANISED INTO GROUPS TAKING CLASHES INTO ACCOUNT. THE SCHOOL TRIES TO ENSURE AS MANY STUDENTS GET THEIR TWO PREFERENCES. • ONCE FINALISED STUDENTS PRESENTED TO STUDENTS IN MARCH.

24. CHOICE AND CHANGES • IF CAREFUL CONSIDERATION GIVEN NOW THEN CHANGE IS LESS LIKELY. IF A STUDENT OR PARENT HAS QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK ME OR THE RELEVANT SUBJECT TEACHERS. • ALWAYS WELCOME TO CONTACT ME AT SCHOOL (FRIDAY MORNING GOOD TIME) OR AT deirdreguidance@gmail.com • CHANGE IS ALLOWED (END OF SEPT) PROVIDED THERE IS SPACE IN CLASSES (NUMBERS ARE LIMITED IN PRACTICAL CLASSES OWING TO HEALTH & SAFETY) AND THE TEACHER IS SATISFIED THE STUDENT WILL SUCCEED.