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
Promote
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Self Awareness
Interpersonal Skills
Social Skills
The Ability to Plan
Assist
decision making in
relation to:
Course & Subjects
Subject Level
Study Skills
Exam Technique
Personal
Improve & Enhance
Educational &
Training Choices
Student
Job search Skills
Employment
Opportunities
Interview Skills
Work & Life
Moving up…
Core Subjects
• English
• Maths
• History
• Religion
• Irish
• Science
• Geography
• CSPE
• SPHE
Choice Subjects
• French/German
• Metalwork
• Business Studies
• Materials Tech (Wood)
• Tech Graphics
• Music
• Art
• 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.
Students will:
Careers:
Chef/cook, catering, fashion and
• Follow recipes and cook
dishes.
textiles, child care, teaching,
• Carry out projects on
foods.
health and nutrition.
• Hand and/or machine sew
to make small items.
• Become more experienced
at managing resources and
time.
food industry, tourism, and
JC Exam:
Higher
Ord
Practical:
35%
45%
Project:
15%
15%
Written:
50%
40%
Home Economics
Students will:
Careers:
Woodworker, Carpenter,
• Learn to design small items.
• Use equipment and tools to
create these designs.
• Work mainly with wood but
also with other materials.
Engineer, Product Design,
Forestry, Furniture Design and
Manufacture, Construction.
JC Exam:
• Learn about wood as a
material.
• This leads on to Construction
Studies for LC.
Higher
Ord
Practical &
Portfolio
65%
75%
Written:
35%
25%
Materials Technology (Wood)
Students will:
• 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.
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)
Technical Graphics
Careers:
Students will:
• 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.
Engineering, Architecture, Metal
Worker, Product Design,
Industrial Design, Education,
Construction, Crafts Worker.
JC Exam:
Practial Coursework: 37.5%
Practical Exam: 37.5%
• Leads on to Engineering at LC.
Written Exam: 25%
Metal Work
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.
Careers:
Students will:
Photography, Illustration,
• Learn a variety of new crafts.
Graphic Design, Interior Design,
Fashion Design, Industrial
• Learn to work in 3D.
e.g. sculpture or clay work.
Design, Education, Architecture.
• Learn about the design
process.
JC Exam:
Practical: 100%
• Apply these skills to create and
design new objects and
images .
2 life drawing practicals
15% is Art Appreciation
Art
Students will:
Careers:
Teacher, Lecturer, Sound-
• Learn about many types of
music.
Engineer, Composer, Performer,
Conductor.
• Learn how to read & write
music.
JC Exam:
• Learn how to sing songs and
maybe how to play an
instrument.
Practical: 25%
Written Exam: 75 %
(Same for Higher & Ordinary)
Music
Students will:
• Learn to collect, organise and
record financial information.
Careers:
Accountant, Entrepreneur,
Economist, Financial Advisor,
Banker, Business Manager.
• 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.
JC Exam:
• Develop communication skills
such as letter writing and report
writing.
1 Paper Ordinary Level.
100% Written Exam.
2 Papers Higher Level.
Business Studies
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.
Students will:
• Learn to converse in the
language.
Careers:
Translator, Interpreter, Tourism,
Jounalism, Management,
International Marketing,
• Learn to listen, read and write in
the language.
Teacher, Catering – and more!
• Grammar skills.
JC Exam:
• Learn about the different
cultures and their way of life.
Aural 41%
Written Exam 59%
Languages (French & German)
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
www.scoilnet.ie
www.qualifax.ie
www.education.ie
www.careersportal.ie
www.skoool.ie
www.careersdirection.ie
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
BUSINESS STUDIES
FRENCH
GERMAN
HOME ECONOMICS
METALWORK
MUSIC
STUDY SKILLS
TECHNICAL GRAPHICS
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: _______________________________
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.
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.