Subject Choice Information For Parents and Guardians 2014

1. Subject Choice Information For Parents and Guardians 2014

4. CONTENTS • Introduction • Advice To Aid Transition (Primary to Secondary) • Subject Choice • Third Level Requirement

5. The Role of the Guidance Counsellor

6. Promote Self Awareness The Ability to Plan Problem Solving Social Skills Decision Making Interpersonal Skills Personal Assist decision making in relation to: Improve & Enhance Educational & Training Choices Job search Skills Employment Opportunities Interview Skills Work & Life Course & Subjects Subject Level Study Skills Exam Technique Student Careers Educational

7. Moving up…

9. Core Subjects • English • History • Irish • Geography • Maths • Religion • Science • CSPE • SPHE

10. Choice Subjects • French/German • Business Studies • Tech Graphics • Art • Metalwork • Materials Tech (Wood) • Music • Home Economics • Study Skills*

11. Subject Benefits Even though there are many benefits to each subject it is important that the students’ interests and how they learn are taken into consideration when making these choices.

12. Careers: Students will: Chef/cook, catering, fashion and textiles, child care, teaching, food industry, tourism, and health and nutrition. • Follow recipes and cook dishes. • Carry out projects on foods. • Hand and/or machine sew to make small items. • Become more experienced at managing resources and time. JC Exam: Higher Ord Practical:Project: Written: 35%15% 50% 45% 15% 40% Home Economics

13. Careers: Students will: Woodworker, Carpenter, Engineer, Product Design, Forestry, Furniture Design and Manufacture, Construction. • Learn to design small items. • Use equipment and tools to create these designs. • Work mainly with wood but also with other materials. • Learn about wood as a material. • This leads on to Construction Studies for LC. JC Exam: Higher Ord 65% 35% 75% 25% Practical & Portfolio Written: Materials Technology (Wood)

14. Careers: Students will: Graphic Design and Illustration, Architecture, Product Design, Engineering, Industrial Design, Education. • Learn how to represent 3D objects on paper and on computer. • Develop problem solving and creative thinking skills through the solution of graphical problems. • Builds on skills learned in Maths. E.g. 2D and 3D shapes, lines and angles. • Leads on to Design & Communication Graphics at LC. JC Exam: 100% Written (there are practical elements to the paper on the day and students must bring the relevant equipment) Technical Graphics

15. Careers: Students will: Engineering, Architecture, Metal Worker, Product Design, Industrial Design, Education, Construction, Crafts Worker. • Work with metals and other materials such as wood and plastic. • Assemble these materials into useful and interesting items. • Develop skills in shaping, cutting and joining materials. • How to read and follow technical drawings. • Leads on to Engineering at LC. JC Exam: Practial Coursework: 37.5% Practical Exam: 37.5% Written Exam: 25% Metal Work

16. Note on Cross Curricular Links • Some topics in Metalwork overlap with Materials Technology Wood. • Many of the practical skills learned in Metalwork are similar to those learned in Wood. • Technical Graphics will help you to understand drawings and diagrams that you will be using in Metalwork.

17. Careers: Students will: Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Education, Architecture. • Learn a variety of new crafts. • Learn to work in 3D. • e.g. sculpture or clay work. • Learn about the design process. • Apply these skills to create and design new objects and images . JC Exam: Practical: 100% 2 life drawing practicals 15% is Art Appreciation Art

18. Careers: Students will: Teacher, Lecturer, Sound- Engineer, Composer, Performer, Conductor. • Learn about many types of music. • Learn how to read & write music. • Learn how to sing songs and maybe how to play an instrument. JC Exam: Practical: 25% Written Exam: 75 % (Same for Higher & Ordinary) Music

19. Careers: Students will: Accountant, Entrepreneur, Economist, Financial Advisor, Banker, Business Manager. • Learn to collect, organise and record financial information. • Learn their rights and responsibilities as a consumer. • Learn to calculate wages. • Find out why our membership in the EU is so important to our economy. • Develop communication skills such as letter writing and report writing. JC Exam: 100% Written Exam. 1 Paper Ordinary Level. 2 Papers Higher Level. Business Studies

20. Study Skills • This is offered for students who may find it difficult in taking on threechoice subjects. • This focuses on Maths and English. • It is on the same band as the Languages, hence it is notpossible to do a Language and Study Skills.

21. Careers: Students will: Translator, Interpreter, Tourism, Jounalism, Management, International Marketing, Teacher, Catering – and more! • Learn to converse in the language. • Learn to listen, read and write in the language. • Grammar skills. • Learn about the different cultures and their way of life. JC Exam: Aural 41% Written Exam 59% Languages (French & German)

22. Third Language Requirement Some Colleges require that students have a third language to gain entry. (English & Irish are the first two) Other colleges do not, however if a language is part of your chosen degree then that language will be a requirement to gain entry to that course. For Example: Trinity College Dublin does not require a third language, however, if you choose to study French and Law you must have taken French for your Leaving Cert.

23. Colleges that require a third language • Maynooth University • NUI Galway (NUIG) • University College Cork (UCC) • University College Dublin (UCD) • Royal College of Surgeon’s, Ireland (RCSI) • St. Angela’s College, Sligo • National College of Art & Design (NCAD) • Shannon College of Hotel & Catering • Cadets & Defence Forces

24. Courses that are the exceptions to the rule • Engineering & Agricultural courses at UCD. • Engineering and Science courses at Maynooth University. • Engineering and Science courses in NUI Galway.

25. Colleges that do NOT require a third language • University of Limerick (UL): • Will accept English & another language. • Trinity College Dublin (TCD): • Will accept a “language other than English” e.g. Irish • Institutes of Technology (e.g. AIT, DIT, LIT etc): • Will accept EnglishorIrish for entry purposes • Dublin City University (DCU)

26. Points Difference: • We encourage students to work hard from the beginning and try and stick with higher level subjects where possible. *25 Bonus points for students who sit Honours Maths at Leaving Cert level.

27. So, how do you choose? Research, Discuss & Reflect

28. Research • Have a look through some of the Junior Certificate course books and see what you think. • It may also help to look up the NCCA website for a fact sheet to accompany each subject. (Click the link below) • NCCA Subject Fact Sheets Subject Websites Career Websites www.scoilnet.ie www.education.ie www.skoool.ie www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.careersdirection.ie

29. Qualifax Demo

30. Discuss • Discuss your thoughts with: • Subject Teachers • Guidance Counsellors • Current Pupils • Parents/Guardians, Older Siblings

31. Reflect • Think about your Son/Daughter’s interests and how they learn. • Have them ask themselves the following questions: • Do I like this subject? • Am I good at it? • How have I performed up to now? • Is there a chance I might need it for further study/career? • Am I keeping my options open?

32. Supports Partnership between home and school is vital. An open honest dialogue with ‘the school’ is essential. If there are any difficulties please let us know. You can speak to: Senior Management Year Head Guidance Counsellor Tutor

33. JUNIOR CYCLE OPTIONAL SUBJECTS ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN METALWORK BUSINESS STUDIES MUSIC FRENCH STUDY SKILLS GERMAN TECHNICAL GRAPHICS HOME ECONOMICS MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY (WOOD) PLEASE SELECT, IN ORDER OF YOUR PREFERENCE THE OPTIONAL SUBJECTS WHICH YOU WISH TO STUDY FOR THE JUNIOR CERT. EACH STUDENT SHOULD INDICATE 4 SUBJECTS, FROM WHICH THEY WILL BE ALLOCATED 3. EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMODATE STUDENTS, THOUGH NO PARTICULAR COMBINATION OF SUBJECTS CAN BE GUARANTEED. STUDENT’S NAME: _______________________________________ CLASS: _______ TUTOR: ________________________________ 1ST CHOICE: ____________________________________________ 2ND CHOICE: ____________________________________________ 3RD CHOICE: ____________________________________________ 4TH CHOICE: ____________________________________________ IF YOUR 3RD AND 4TH CHOICES ARE EQUALLY ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, PLEASE INDICATE BY TICKING HERE ________  STUDENT SIGNATURE: ____________________________________ PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: _______________________________

34. Subject Choice Form: Order of Preference • Your son/daughter must list their subject choices in order of preference. • The one they would like/want to do the most must be put down as Number 1. • 4 subjects are chosen from the list and each student will be assigned to 3 of those subjects. • Students have the option to tick a box to indicate whether or not they are flexible around their 3rd/4th preference. If students are flexible it is important that they tick this box to ensure that we can accommodate all students to the best of our ability.

35. Subject Choice Restrictions • Subjects are grouped differently on the timetable and as a result some subjects may clash at certain times. For this reason the following limitations must be placed to prevent timetable clashes. • Only ONE language may be chosen. Students must choose either • French OR German.