1. Fifth Year Parents Information Evening
St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Monday, 17th September 2018
7: 30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

2. Structure of tonight’s Presentation
One hour & thirty minutes presentation on Fifth Year
Two speakers this evening:
School Principal – Ms. O’ Doherty
School Deputy Principal – Mr. Carey
Year Head: Ms. Cavanagh (unable to attend this evening)

3. The Journey of a Fifth Year student
This is a vital year: the first year of a two – year programme, the Leaving Certificate
Seven subjects studied (some students do an eight subject): English, Gaeilge, Maths with four optional subjects for examination purposes with R.E. and P.E. as non-exam subjects
The Sciences become four separate subjects – Applied Maths, Biology, Chemistry & Physics; Business becomes three subjects – Accounting, Business & Economics; Humanities – History, Geography & Politics and Society; Languages – French and Spanish; Creative – Art, Construction Studies, DCG, Engineering, Home Economics

4. The right start is vital from the beginning in Fifth Year
Homework (sample questions, feedback, oral presentation, extra classes)
Study (Logos Study – commenced Friday, 14th September from 3: 50 pm – 5: 50 pm) & Night Study with parental support from 7 – 9 pm - We strongly advise you to encourage your son/daughter to attend study
Teachers cover approx. 60% of the L.C. course content in Fifth Year

5. To help with research
Resources available for study include past examination papers, marking schemes, Chief Inspectors Reports available online on
Key websites for you to access:
- HEAR & DARE
- grant applications

6. Guidance
Ms. Masterson is school Guidance Counsellor. Should you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact here in St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School
New careers portal launched on school website (Guidance section of school website) on Thursday, 6th September with daily updates

7. Deputy Principal Lates (new policy introduced in August 2015)
School uniform
Mobile phone policy
Homework journal
Tutor system (8: 45 a.m. – 8: 50 a.m. each morning – 5.13, 5.13A, 5.21)
Attendance

8. Whole-School Exams
There are no November exams this year for Fifth Years
December 2018 – first set of school reports issued to you with three exams (grades) provided, as well as feedback
February Exams 2019 (Six days: Friday, 8th February – Friday, 15th February 2019)
Summer Exams 2019 (Six days: Friday, 24th May 2019 – Friday, 31st May 2019)
Feedback from school to you three times a year with reports issued in December 2018, March 2019 & June 2019

9. What school reports tell you?
Reports give you feedback from teachers as to how your child(ren) are progressing in class; areas of improvement; targets; challenges
December 2018 reports will provide grades from 3 or more class assessments and/or continuous assessment (subject dependent)
March & June 2019 reports will contain feedback as well as summative assessments from whole-school exams
Teachers may advise appropriate levels (Higher or Ordinary)

10. New points system from 2017 H Level Grade H Level CAO points
Percentage Score
H Level Grade
H Level CAO points
H Level Maths CAO points
O Level Grade
O Level CAO points
90-100% H1
100
125 O1 56 % H2 88
113 O2 46 % H3 77
102 O3 37 % H4 66 91 O4 28 % H5 81 O5 20 H6 71 O6 12 % H7 33 O7
0-29.9% H8 O8

11. Key events for Fifth Year students 2018 - 2019
Monday, 10th September 2018: Fifth Year Study Skills
Weeks of 10th – 24th September 2018: applications processed, interviews and appointments of Fifth Year Prefects
Tuesday, 2nd October 2018: Open Night
Monday, 19th November 2018: Fifth Year Parent-Teacher Meeting
Tuesday, 22nd January – Friday, 25th January 2019: School Show
Friday, 8th February – Friday, 15th February 2019: Whole-school modular exams (for First, Second, Fifth Years)

12. Week of Monday, 11th March 2019 – Friday, 15th March 2019: Seachtain na Gaeilge
Wednesday, 13th March 2019: Whole-school Numeracy Day
Friday, 3rd May 2019: Sports Day
Thursday, 9th May – Wednesday, 16th May 2018: Applications, interviews and appointment of Senior Liaison Team for academic year,
Thursday, 16th May 2019: Presentation Day
Friday, 24th May – Friday, 31st May 2019: Whole-school Summer Exams

13. Important dates for your son/daughter in Sixth Year 2018 - 2019
Please be aware that some subjects have project work/practical components that take place over the two year period of senior cycle
L.C. write-ups in History, Religion (exam only), Geography by March 2020; practical exams in Engineering, Art & Construction in May 2020 and Orals in Francais, Gaeilge & Espanol in April 2020
These dates are not finalised until October 2019 by the Department of Education & Skills

14. Fifth Year leadership roles
We want to see your son(s)/daughter(s) step up and show positive leadership to our junior students
Appointments to Fifth Year Prefect roles fundamental to the successful operation of the school with interviews next week
Head Girl and Boy, Deputies (Boys & Girls) for Sixth Year appointments in May 2019 very important

15. Role of the Fifth Year Year Head
Year Head in Fifth Year this year is Ms. Cavanagh
A positive, supportive, friendly and affirmative role, working with your son &/or daughter, on a day-to-day basis
If you as a parent have a concern, the Year Head, is the first port of call
Regular Assemblies for Fifth Years

16. Behaviour
To ensure school code of behaviour is fairly and consistently applied to all Fifth Year students re: exams, mobile phone policy, anti-bullying, lates, attendance, hair, jewellery, etc
At senior level, Year Heads work with you to ensure your son(s)/daughter(s) continue to work with school rules and regulations, maximising their potential.

17. Pastoral
Year Heads are here for your son/daughter as they progress through their final two years of secondary school
Mental health and well-being to the fore in our day-to-day dealings with our students
Liaising with SEN, Guidance and Senior Management pertaining to care plans, reviews and interventions for students.

18. Final Words
Fifth Year is a tough year but with planning and organisation, students will do very well
Keep calm and as parents, remember to talk to your son(s) & daughter(s)
Regular updates via school text service and school website
We, as a school, are here to help and will continue to support your son and/or daughter during this most important year.