1. TY SUBJECT CHOICE 2016  GENERAL GUIDANCE INFO  DATS  SUBJECT CHOICE  NEW POINTS SYSTEM Ciara Downey Guidance Counsellor cdowney@villiers-school.com

2. GUIDANCE  I will be seeing all TYs after Easter to discuss subject choice. It is important that students do not miss their appointment.  TY students need to start listening out for guidance notices at assembly on a Friday.  Students can call to my office to make an appointment at any time.  Websites your son/daughter should become familiar with; Careers Portal Qualifax http://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects

3. DATs Differential Aptitude Test for Guidance  Students sat the DATs in December. They were scored electronically and sent back to me. I then ranked them from 1 to 8, no. 1 being the highest score.  Results were ranked from 1 to 8 based on the percentile score. By ranking the results we hoped it would identify areas of strength and weakness without discouraging students.  The raw score can be meaningless on its own.  More detailed results are available if you wish to see them.

4. DATs  A letter was sent home with the results. The letter includes an explanation of the DATs which links each test with school subjects and possible careers.  I will discuss your child's results with them when I meet them individually after Easter. I will also discuss the career interest test that they also took in December.  NOTE: The results provide only one small part of the information needed to help an individual make informed and realistic decisions and cannot be judged in isolation from other aspects of a persons character including, job and other experiences, interests, goals, personality, values, family and environmental influences.

5. SUBJECT CHOICE  Students are now in Session 3 of the Sampling Sessions meaning they should be in the subjects they want to study for the Leaving Certificate.  It is important that they make an informed decision. They can do this by: 1.Making sure they sample the subject they are thinking of choosing. 2.Speaking to the teacher and making sure they know what is involved in the course for the Leaving Certificate. 3.Researching careers and college courses they may be interested in and see if there are specific entry requirements for the course, e.g. do you need 2 Science subjects.

6. Specific Entry Requirements  These requirements are in addition to Minimum Entry Requirements.  They are specific L.C. subjects / grades required for entry to particular courses.  They tend to be in the following subject areas:  Science subjects  Languages  Mathematics  E.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD Entry Requirements:  2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.

7. Specific Course Requirements  Unlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses/careers they wish to pursue at this stage.  But from looking at their interests, abilities and aptitudes they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and hence check potential course entry requirements.  Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: a)In the college prospectus b)On the college website c)www.qualifax.ie – Subject Requirementswww.qualifax.ie  It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

8. Business Subjects 1.Accounting: (High ability in Numerical reasoning a plus)  This subject assumes a certain knowledge of book-keeping. Mathematical ability advisable.  JC Business advisable. Students who enjoyed the bookkeeping part of business studies should consider accounting. Analysis of accounts is the core activity at Leaving Certificate. 2. Business:  Most popular of business subjects.  Not a necessity to have chosen it for JC.  Has a very practical and modern approach to business.  Useful but not essential for courses e.g. Commerce, Business, Marketing, Accounting, Finance.

9. 3. Economics:  Advisable to have studied Business for JC.  Made easier if you have a flair for Mathematics.  Advantageous if interested in pursing a Business course at 3 rd level but not essential. Careers:  Banking, Auditing, Administration, Consultancy, Insurance, Accountancy, Law, Human Resources, Management, etc. Business Subjects

10. History (High ability in verbal reasoning in DAT’s an advantage):  Thought provoking subject.  Project (1500 words) worth 20%.  Compliments many subjects such as RE and English. Careers:  Tourism, Journalism, Law, Politics, Heritage, Trade, Archaeology, European Studies, Broadcaster, Civil Service, Genealogy.

11. Geography  Follows on from JC and covers same topics but in much more detail.  This subject studies the relationship between human activity and the physical environment. It is a wide curriculum.  Field work investigation is worth 20%. Careers:  Environmental Science, Agriculture, Earth Science, Tourism, European Studies, Town Planning, Courier, Pilot, Civil Engineering, Cartography, Geologist, Geog. Teacher, Travel Agency, Dept. of Foreign Affairs.

12. Art (High ability in space relations in DAT’s an advantage):  Obviously extremely useful if students want a career in art but not essential for most art courses as many are portfolio based.Recommended for architecture.  New LC art syllabus - 2 separate examinations (50%) and a project worth 50%  The incoming 5th years will be the first group to experience this new course.  Art history & appreciation 37.5% 2.5hr exam in June NO CHANGE  Life drawing / drawing people 12.5 % 1hr exam in may - NO CHANGE  Project worth 50% of total mark and completed in class over a ten week period in 6th yr. Project can not go home and is executed under the supervision of the art teacher. Project will involve research, extensive drawing, design and craft.  The starting point for the entire body of work in the project will come from one word. A choice of three works will be given. (The words given for the pilot project - which ran in selected number of schools - this year included 'worship', 'mechanics' and 'metamorphisis'). Careers:  Advertising, art teacher, multimedia, gallery and museum work, graphic designer, fashion, furniture design, photographer, architecture.

13. Music  Must have an ear for music and have studied it for JC.  Important to consider if going on to study Music at 3 rd level. Study: 3 areas: performing (50%), composing & listening (25% each). Careers:  Teacher, Performer, Music Critic, Conductor/Composer, Sales in record shop, Sound Engineering, Radio/T.V. work

14. Religious Education ( High ability in verbal reasoning in DAT’s an advantage)  Based on broad, topical, social and moral issues.  Project worth 20%.  Interests students who like discussion and debate.  Students who are good at English/History can do well.

15. Home Economics  Combination of cooking, biology, food science and some business.  Students are required to complete and present 5 Food Study Assignments which are common to Higher and Ordinary Levels. The assignments are worth 20% of the final exam result.  Option of studying one of textiles, social studies or home design.

16. Practical Group: Technology (High ability in mechanical reasoning in DAT’s an advantage)  Gives a broad general introduction to the nature of technology. Students learn about quality management, design, materials and structures as well as manufacturing skills. It aims to equip students with an understanding of the principles of engineering, design and project management.  Students use computer packages to create potential products.  The project and report are worth 50% of exam. Theory exam worth 50%.  Students receive Technology briefs in October of Sixth Year and finish in April.

17. Construction studies: (High ability in mechanical reasoning in DAT’s an advantage)  Made up of both practical projects and theory work. The project and report are worth 25%. The day practical exam in May is also worth 25%. The theory exam is 50%.  The theoretical part of the course examines all parts of building from the planning stages to the completed building. The course is studied under the following main headings: Planning and Design, Drawings and Documents, Site Preliminaries and Foundations, Walls, Partitions, Floors, Roofs, Windows and Doors, Stairs, Plastering and Painting, Plumbing and Heating  4 hour practical woodwork exam where the student makes a small item out of timber under exam conditions. The exam normally takes place in May.  Building Project where the student makes a building detail, a scale model of a building or a craft piece. The student also produces a portfolio to accompany the project that they make. Some drawing involved.  It is recommended that a student taking Leaving Certificate Construction Studies has a general interest in buildings and the built environment. Each student should have an aptitude and interest for design and practical work.  Woodwork and/or Technical Graphics would be desirable subjects to have taken at Junior Certificate though not compulsory.

18. Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) (High ability in mechanical reasoning and space relations in DAT’s an advantage)  Taken the place of Technical Drawing for Leaving Certificate.  Develops the ability to comprehend, analyse and problem solve two and three dimensional problems and illustrations along with developing skills of drawing and providing an awareness of design. It consists of core sections of geometry and communication computer graphics.  The assignment is worth 40% and the theory exam is 60%.  This is a good subject to choose if interested in Architecture, Engineering and Product Design.

19. Sciences Physics (High ability in numerical, mechanical and abstract reasoning in DAT’s an advantage):  Physics is very useful for Technical/ Engineering careers.  Essential for: Electronic and electrical Engineering (UCC) and Theoretical Physics (TCD)- Grade B. Careers:  Computer careers, Photography, Optician, Health Inspector, Medical Laboratory Technician, Dentistry and Engineering. Biology:  Most common Science subject  More wordy than physics and chemistry.  Essential for genetics in UCC  Very desirable subject for Nursing and Medical Paramedical courses

20. Sciences Chemistry: (High ability in numerical and abstract reasoning in DAT’s an advantage) Essential for:  Human Nutrition& Dietetics (DIT)  Med. Lab. Technician  Dentistry (UCC)  Medicine (UCC)  Veterinary (UCD)  Pharmacy (TCD and UCC) Careers:  Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Biotechnology, Speech & Lang. Therapy, Chemical Engineering, Forensic Science, Optician, Health Inspector, Science Research.

21. Sciences Agricultural Science  Good for students from a farming background. Project is worth 25% of total LC grade.  Most colleges recognise it as a science subject BUT NOT ALL. Generally is not recognised as a science subject in the UK.  Links with Biology and Geography. Applied Maths  High ability in numerical, mechanical and abstract reasoning in DAT’s an advantage  Good subject to take if doing Higher Level Maths and Physics. Sometimes recognised as a science subject but not always.

22. Languages Languages (more than one language recommended if you have a natural flair for languages, oral, aural, written element in each. Advisable to have studied it for JC)  Spanish  German  Japanese

23. General Advice If a student is not really sure what he/she wants to do in the future: Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open Many students will change their minds about their future a number of times in the next 2 years  E.g.  one practical  one science  one business  one humanities / applied science.  This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

24. Leaving Certificate Compulsory Subjects  English  Irish  Maths  Language STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PASS THESE SUBJECTS TO ENTER MOST 3 rd LEVEL INSTITUTIONS (Unless they have an exemption).  All subjects carry the same points (except HL Maths-25 more and LCVP).  Results from best 6 subjects are used to calculate CAO points.

25. The NEW Points System  25 bonus points awarded for grade H6 or better in HL maths

26. The Points System

28. What is LCVP?  The Leaving Certificate Vocational programme is a senior cycle programme designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the established Leaving Certificate programme.  Students who take the LCVP must take a minimum of five established Leaving Certificate subjects, at higher, ordinary or foundation level, including Irish, unless they are exempted. The students must study two LVCP "link modules": preparation for the world of work, and enterprise education. So the LCVP is like an additional subject taken alongside established Leaving Certificate subjects, and it may be counted as a sixth subject for points purposes.  LCVP: The LCVP Portfolio is worth 60% of the final LCVP result and has 6 sections to be completed. The LCVP LC written exam occurs in May of 6th year and is worth 40%.  1.CV  2.Career Investigation  3.Action Plan  4.Summary Report  5.Diary of Work Experience  6.Recorded Interview

29. Choosing a Subject A wise choice of subjects requires: RESEARCH DISCUSSION REFLECTION DECISION Subject Teachers, TY Programme L.C. Books, Publications, Websites, Other Students Guidance Counsellors, Current Teachers Family, Friends Consider all the information, views and opinions Then, ultimately each student must make up their own mind.

30. Questions