Mount Saint Michael 1stYr Parents Information Session re Subject Choice

1. Mount Saint Michael 1stYr Parents Information Session re Subject Choice Principal:Mr Kerrisk Deputy Principal: Ms Keohane 1st Yr Year Head: Ms. Jennings Guidance Counsellor: Ms. O’ Regan

2. BACKGROUND: • Education Cutbacks – DIFFICULT TIMES. • Major decision before Junior Certificate • Not every one will be totally happy with Subject Options • Cannot give any guarantees re subject choices. • PURPOSE of Today: ‘Informed Choice’

3. Subject Information Helping you choose Junior Cycle Subjects

4. Overview We will look at; Compulsory subjects that must be studied Optional subjects that are available to study Briefly look at each subject Help available when choosing optional subjects and levels.

5. Compulsory Subjects English Religion Irish Computers Maths CSPE History SPHE Geography Science Physical Education

6. Junior Cert Leaving Cert H Economics H Economics (S&S) Materials Wood Construction Studies T. Graphics Design, Comm. Graphics Metalwork Engineering Art, Craft & Design Art, with Art History Music Music Business Studies Business Science Biology Physics Chemistry

7. Picking the Options Ability Like Strengths Senior Level KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN !!

8. Optional Subjects Then choose 3from (if available!) A. Business/Art/Metalwork B. French/German/Woodwork C. Technical Graphics/ Home Economics/ French

9. Home Economics: Why do Home Economics? Provides students with knowledge and skills necessary for managing their own lives, further education and work. Fosters independence, confidence and self-esteem. Prepares learners for a consumer orientated society. Nurtures and develops a spirit of enterprise, aesthetic awareness, creativity and problem-solving skills. Syllabus: 5 Core Areas and 1 Option Food Studies Social and Health Studies Consumer Studies Resource Management and Home Studies Textiles Option: Craftwork and Design Project.

10. Home Economics: Craft Project 15% Written Exam 50% Food Studies Practical Exam 35% Junior Cert Assessment at Higher Level: 50% Practical and 50% Written Exam

11. ART Why? • Encourages creative thinking (INNOVATION) and critical analysis (PROBLEM SOLVING) • Connects pupils to their environment and to their culture • Working from concept through design to realisation of an art piece builds confidence and self-esteem - an essential channel for personal expression • SYLLABUS: The Curriculum is as broadly based as the Junior cycle incorporating Art, Craft and Design 4th year allows for new learners to access the subject Art Appreciation and Art History are introduced and developed over the 3 year curriculum • ASSESSMENT - No more big projects!!!!! 4th & 5th Year school exams based on the following LC criteria. Imaginative Composition and Still Life 100 Marks Design and Craft Work 100 Marks Life Sketching 50 Marks Art History and Art Appreciation(37.5%) 150 Marks • CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Advertising, Animation, Architecture, Archaeology, Art Worker, Art Therapy, Fashion and Textile Design, Film Making, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Theatre Design, Product Design, Web Design…….Endless list of careers that reward creativity and innovative thinking. • Only 3 courses definitely require you to have Art in your Leaving Cert – 2 @ WIT and 1 @ Letterkenny IT HOWEVER • Almost all art and art related courses such as architecture require you to submit a portfolio.

12. METALWORK • Subject Overview • Metalwork provides an introduction to materials and process engineering and an insight into associated technology. It is founded in practical activity that seeks to link observation and action with ingenuity and creativity within a problem-solving context.

13. Assessment For both Higher and Ordinary level Metalwork 50% of the marks go for the practical project 50% of the marks go for the terminal written exam Metalwork Uses Skills in shaping, cutting and joining materials how to use a wide variety of tools and machines correctly and safely the properties of different metals and how they are madethe importance of metal in our everyday lives

14. Technical Graphics • Subject Overview • Technical Graphics involves students in the development of the range of skills associated with the management of spatial problems and the graphical communication of spatial ideas and solutions.

15. Business Why choose business? • Practical day to day information which helps students make informed decisions in everyday business living. • Develop a greater understanding of the wider business community and the government and economy. • Develops students presentation and organisational skills through basic keeping. • Encourages initiatives and a positive attitude to the creation of wealth and its attributes. Curriculum / Syllabus • Business of Living • Business Environment • Record Keeping ASSESSMENT Two Papers Paper 1: 20 Short questions and 6 long questions and do 4 questions 2.5 hours Paper 2: Do 6 long questions and do 4 questions 2 hours CAREERS Accountant, Finance – Banking, insurance, corporate , Management – Human Resources Enterprise, Marketing, Retail , Lecturer / Teacher And many more.....

16. Woodwork Why? Interested in making and building projects Interested in working with tools and machines Interested in DIY at home 60% of the course is practical Develop practical skills and knowledge SYLLABUS: 1st YR: Project orientated and developing hand skills 2nd YR: Project and design orientated, further hand skills, introduction to machine skills and book work related to trees, tools and machines 3rd YR: Design and manufacture project and complete theory course ASSESSMENT 1st YR: Assessment of Projects. 2nd YR: Assessment of projects and term exams 3rd YR: Exam 40%, Project 60% of Junior Certificate CAREERS University career., Teaching career., Apprenticeships in trades., Architecture and design. Civil, Structural Engineering., Renewable energies, furniture design and manufacture

17. Reading 31% Writing 25% Listening 44% Classroom assessment of Four skills: oral, aural, reading, writing Summer and Christmas Exams Junior Cert Le Français French is the 2nd most frequently taught language in the world after English and is the native tongue of 200 million people. Syllabus Common syllabus taught to mixed ability groups Communication using the target language in the classroom Language awareness through speaking, writing, listening and reading target language to promote fluency Cultural Awareness examining Irish and French ways of life Grammatical understanding and accuracy are relevant in order to exce Assessment

18. Career Opportunities • As Ireland is home to large multinationals Google/Microsoft...need for French graduates at home • French is a key language in the E.U., with 27 nations and a population of 650 million and a gross national product larger than the U.S., the E.U. is an economic super power • French is the language of Business e.g. • Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Apple, Michelin, Renault, Bic and many more • French is the language of technology, of food, of tourism to name but a few

19. 1: I like it and I enjoy the class 2:English and German come from the same family of languages and so have many words in common!! eg. House-Haus 3: If you choose German at Mt. St. Michael you will have the opportunity to take part in a German school exchange with our partner school in Stuttgart. 4: German is the most widely spoken language in Europe. It is spoken by 110 million people throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Tirol in northern Italy as their native language. 5: Germany is the biggest exporter in the EU. Germany is the third biggest exporter in the world. Speaking German will give you the edge in the job market! Why German?

20. Some of the things you will learn include: • how to speak in German about yourself, your family and friends, your hobbies, your school, etc. This will help you to talk to people who speak the language the skills of listening to, reading and writing in German German grammar information about the countries where people speak German and their way of life. How will I learn German?Some of the things you may do are:• work on your own, in pairs and in groups• learn through activities and games• use a textbook, but other materials as well watch films, listen to songs and look at pictures and posters. • By speaking German as much as you can, in and out of class. You will learn German in small blocks which you will build upon as you go along.

21. Assessment Reading 31% Writing 25% Listening 44% • Classroom assessment of 4 skills: oral, aural, reading, writing • Summer and Christmas Exams • Junior Cert • There is an optional oral exam at Junior Cert which is worth 20%. • Career opportunities: • You may choose to combine German with other subjects at third Level such as Engineering, History, Media and Journalism, International and European Law, Accountancy, Business Studies, Travel and Hospitality Management, or European Studies and many others. • There is a new course at UCC for Nursing with German. Students will take part in work placements in Germany, and are guaranteed a job in Germany at the end of the course.

22. Languages spoken in the EU: Español All others Français Nederlands 11% 11% Deutsch 6% Italiano Español Deutsch 24% Italiano English 16% Nederlands All others 16% 16% Français English

23. You enjoy it You’re interested in it Useful for possible career You’re good at it Which optional Subjects??? Good reasons to choose a subject

24. Who can help Students decide? Parents – they play a major role when it comes to Subject Choice. (ESRI 2011) Teachers- they will discuss what their subject is like at Leaving Certificate Level. Guidance Counsellor – make sure to ask questions you might have about subjects and future goals. Past Pupils - ask pupils who are already studying subjects at senior cycle what they think of them. N.B. remember everyone has different opinions on subjects – if they say they like or dislike a subject, ask them why!

25. On-Line Research www.qualifax.ie (Official IGC website – very up-to-date info) It gives information on which subjects are needed for what courses, as well as information on all college courses www.careersportal.ie (Subject information + personal assessments. Also gives information on jobs such as qualifications needed.) www.careerdirections.ie (Gives information on jobs such as qualifications needed. Also has a careers matching section – you answer questions and it matches you with jobs that may be suitable) All Colleges/Universities/etc. have their own web sites e.g. UCC.ie, CIT.ie, UL.ie, FAS.ie, etc.

26. SUBJECT OPTIONS BLOCK OPTION : CHOOSE 1 SUBJECT IN EACH GROUP Note: Depending on numbers, the full range of subjects outlined above may not be on offer.

27. QUESTIONS