Subject Choice Information For Parents and Guardians 2014

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

The Role of the Guidance Counsellor

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

Moving up…

Core Subjects English History Irish Geography Maths Religion Science CSPE SPHE

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

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.

Home Economics 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. Students will: Careers: Chef/cook, catering, fashion and textiles, child care, teaching, food industry, tourism, and health and nutrition. JC Exam: Practical: Project: Written : 35% 15% 50% 45% 15% 40% HigherOrd

Materials Technology (Wood) 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. Students will: Careers: Woodworker, Carpenter, Engineer, Product Design, Forestry, Furniture Design and Manufacture, Construction. JC Exam: Practical & Portfolio Written : 65% 35% 75% 25% HigherOrd

Technical Graphics 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. Students will: Careers: Graphic Design and Illustration, Architecture, Product Design, Engineering, Industrial Design, Education. JC Exam: 100% Written (there are practical elements to the paper on the day and students must bring the relevant equipment)

Metal Work 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. Students will: Careers: Engineering, Architecture, Metal Worker, Product Design, Industrial Design, Education, Construction, Crafts Worker. JC Exam: Practial Coursework: 37.5% Practical Exam: 37.5% Written Exam: 25%

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.

Art 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. Students will: Careers: Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Education, Architecture. JC Exam: Practical: 100% 2 life drawing practicals 15% is Art Appreciation

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

Business Studies 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. Students will: Careers: Accountant, Entrepreneur, Economist, Financial Advisor, Banker, Business Manager. JC Exam: 100% Written Exam. 1 Paper Ordinary Level. 2 Papers Higher Level.

Study Skills This is offered for students who may find it difficult in taking on three choice subjects. This focuses on Maths and English. It is on the same band as the Languages, hence it is not possible to do a Language and Study Skills.

Languages (French & German) 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. Students will: Careers: Translator, Interpreter, Tourism, Jounalism, Management, International Marketing, Teacher, Catering – and more! JC Exam: Aural 41% Written Exam 59%

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.

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

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.

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 English or Irish for entry purposes Dublin City University (DCU)

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.

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

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

Qualifax Demo

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

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?

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

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: ________________________________ 1 ST CHOICE: ____________________________________________ 2 ND CHOICE: ____________________________________________ 3 RD CHOICE: ____________________________________________ 4 TH CHOICE: ____________________________________________ IF YOUR 3 RD AND 4 TH CHOICES ARE EQUALLY ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, PLEASE INDICATE BY TICKING HERE ________ STUDENT SIGNATURE: ____________________________________ PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: _______________________________

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 3 rd /4 th 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.

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.