Ardscoil Rís Senior Options Information Night 23 rd February 2016

Agenda Introduction The Leaving Certificate and LCVP Transition Year

Who and What Do I Want to Be?

Which One Do We Know??

What We Are Doing 5 th Year Advice DATS Parent Information Night Career Guidance and Teachers Presentation available on school website

Senior Options Including LCVP Seven Subjects Leaving Certificate Broad experience Self development Alternative learning Transition Year

Leaving Cert Established  Core Subjects  Examined (3)  Irish  English  Mathematics  Non Exam  RE including RSE  Careers Option Subjects (4)  Choose from 14 Subjects  Option form.  Total of 7 subjects examined at Leaving Certificate plus LCVP if eligible.

Optional Subjects  Fourteen choices  Choose six, do four from:  French  Spanish  History  Geography  Business  Accounting  Economics  Music  Construction Studies  Design and Communications Graphics  Biology  Physics  Chemistry

Choosing Options  Think ahead to the next step  Keep options open for 3 rd level  College entry : Points + Entry Requirements

Business and Science Business Studies  Accounting  Business  Economics Science  Biology  Chemistry  Physics

Construction and DCG Woodwork  Construction Studies Technical Graphics  Design and Communication Graphics (DCG)

Humanities and Foreign Languages Humanities  Art  Geography  History Foreign Languages  French  Spanish

Subject Options – 3 rd Level Requirements HL Irish  Some level 8 degrees have Irish as a core entry requirement, e.g. Irish  The main consequence of dropping higher level Irish: precluded from studying to be a primary school teacher in any of the Irish training colleges HL Maths  Several level 8 degree programmes require a minimum of C3 in higher level maths.  Engineering, computer science, science, information and computer technology courses and most degrees that include maths as a core subject.

Subject Options – 3 rd Level Requirements Third Language  NUI colleges (UCD, NUI Maynooth, UCC and NUI Galway and their associated colleges) require a pass in a third language  Not for engineering, science and agricultural courses Laboratory Science  Science courses require at least one lab science, e.g. science, physiotherapy, etc.  Chemistry is required for veterinary studies

New Points System

Important Dates  February 2016  22 nd FebDATS testing for all third years  23 rd Feb Transition Year and 5 th year options evening  March 2016  7 th March Subject discussions with fifth year students (third years only)  14 th MarchSubject discussions with fifth year students (transition years only)  16 th March Leaving Certificate subject choice forms to be submitted

Useful Sites  qualifax.ie  careersportal.ie  examinations.ie  studyclix.ie

Choose subjects the student:  Likes  Has achieved well in  Needs for their future  Is prepared to work at Link talents to subjects Talk to teachers, siblings, cousins Look at senior cycle text books Choose a good mix of subjects to keep college and career options open

Not sure? Safe option  English, Irish and Maths  Take at least one science subject  Keep your modern language  Take 2 other subjects that you are good at, or that you enjoy and will do well at. N.B. - Points restrict entry to many courses more than subjects do.

Next Steps Research Complete Options Form Deadline: Wednesday 16 th March

The Form

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Senior Options Night 2016

What is It?  LCVP is a business oriented, practical subject accessible to students of all abilities.  It is an extra subject taken by students to enhance their Leaving Certificate.  Aimed at developing skill sets that will make students ready for Third Level education and the World of work.  Aims to focus students on their career paths and the best way of achieving their educational and career goals

Designed for Students interested in? Starting their own Business Architectur e Engineerin g Science Business I.T. Sales Marketing Trade Apprenticesh ip Points towards CAO Applicati on

CAO Points GradeMark (%)CAO Points Pass Merit Distinction

HigherPoints Ordinar y Points H % 100O % 56 H2 80<90% 88O2 80<90% 46 (LCVP Merit) H3 70<80% 77O3 70<80% 37 H4 60<70% 66 (LCVP Distinction) O4 60<70% 28 (LCVP Pass) H5 50<60% 56O5 50<60% 20 H6 40<50% 46 (LCVP Merit) O6 40<50% 12 H7 30<40% 37O7 30<40% 0 Points for CAO

Benefits of doing LCVP  Student A – Standard Leaving Cert with no LCVP  He takes 5 honours and 2 Ordinary level subjects.  Results: 5 H3’s 77 points = 385 pts  Include his best ordinary level result 28 pts  Total CAO Points= 413pts.

 Student B – Standard Leaving Cert with LCVP  He takes 5 honours and 2 ordinary subjects plus LCVP  Results: 5 H3’s 77 points = 385 pts  Include his best ordinary level result O4 ( pts or or  LCVP/Merit = 46 pts  Total CAO points = 431pts. Benefits of doing LCVP

Course Duration  LCVP course runs for 2 years through 5 th and 6 th year for three periods per week.

Course Requirements  Entry to the LCVP course is by subject combination (set by the department of Education)  A foreign language is a requirement for the LCVP programme.

Subject Combinations 2014/2015  Specialist Groupings 1. Construction Studies; Engineering; Design and Communication Graphics; Technology - Any Two 2. Physics and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics 3. Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics 4. Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry 5. Home Economics; Agricultural Science; Biology - Any Two 6. Home Economics and Art - Design Option or Craft Option 7. Accounting; Business; Economics - Any two 8. Physics and Chemistry 9. Biology and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry 10. Biology and Agricultural Science 11. Art - Design Option or Craft Option and Design & Communication Graphics

Subject Combinations 2014/2015 Service Groupings Service Groupings 12. Engineering or Technology or Construction Studies or Design & Communication Graphics and Accounting or Business or Economics 13. Home Economics and Accounting or Business or Economics 14. Agricultural Science and Accounting or Business or Economics 15. Art Design or Craftwork Option and Accounting or Business or Economics 16. Music and Accounting or Business or Economics

Key Point  Students should choose Leaving Certificate subjects according to their interests and abilities not in order to take LCVP!

Elements of the Course Portfolio 60% Written Exam 40% Final Grade

Portfolio Items  Career Investigation Curriculum Vitae Career Investigation

Portfolio Items Action PlanSummary Report

Portfolio Items

Portfolio/Preparation for College

Sample Portfolio Items  Career Investigation – Mechanical Engineer  Submitted By:  Description:  Mechanical Engineering is the working with machines. It ranges from designing and making products, to installing them.  In order to become a Mechanical Engineer, you must have a good idea of how things work.  In order to become a mechanical engineer, you must have a number of skills and qualities. These include:  Skills:  You must be able to use a computer. This involves being able to use CAD, and Microsoft Office.  You must be good at maths as a lot of the work involves figures.  You must have good creative skills, as you may get a job in designing a product .  Qualities:  You must be punctual for this type of job.  You must be creative when designing products.  You must be hard working as being a mechanical engineer can be a tough job.  Qualifications and Training required :

Sample Portfolio Items  Method 1:  College: Dublin Institute of Technology,  Rathmines Road,  Dublin 6.  Course: DT022.  Basic Entry Requirements: Minimum number of 6 subjects, 2 subjects on higher level paper, minimum grade in Mathematics- HC3, and English/ Irish- OD3.  Admission Procedure: Apply through CAO system.  Course Duration: 4 years.  Qualification: Chartered Engineer grade of membership for Engineers Ireland.  Method 2:  College: Dublin Institute of Technology,  Rathmines Road,  Dublin 6.  Course: DT006.  Basic Entry Requirements: Minimum number of 5 subjects, minimum grade in Mathematics- OD3, and English/ Irish- OD3.  Admission Procedure: Apply through CAO system.  Course Duration: 3 years.  Qualification: Graduates are expected to satisfy the academic requirements for the Associate Membership grade of Engineers Ireland.

Written Examination  Section A: Audio visual presentation - video sequence of an enterprise video sequence of an enterprise  Section B: Case study (received in advance by students)  Section C: General questions based on coursework and portfolio items (answer four out of six)

Sample Questions  Outline two advantages of doing work placement/shadowing.  Explain two obligations an employer has regarding health and safety at work  Outline how you planned for and organised your work placement/shadowing.  Write a brief evaluation of your work placement/shadowing experience.  Describe four difficulties that a student may experience during his/her work shadowing or work

Skills transferable to World of Work and College  Team Working  Critical Thinking  Flexibility  Leadership  IT Skills  Motivation to learn  Communication/Presentation Skills  Innovation & Enterprising Skills

Summary  Acts as a good “insurance scheme” if a pupil is concerned about the number of points he may need.  In ,448 ( 81%) used it as their sixth subject when applying to the CAO

LCVP Office (046) More Information

Summary Key Points 2 Choices: TY and LC Courses: Keep Options Open Interests and ability Research and Advice School Website

Ardscoil Rís Senior Options Information Night Transition Year rd February 2016

Transition Year What it is One year school based programme between Junior and Senior Cycle. Acts as a bridge between the two. Facilitates the smooth transition from the more dependant learning of the Junior Cycle to the more independent self-directed learning required for the Senior Cycle

AIMS Education for MATURITY with emphasis on social awareness & increased social competence Education through experience of ADULT & WORKING LIFE as a basis for personal development & maturity Promotion of general, technical and academic SKILLS with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning

The Programme in Ard Scoil Ris Calendar Layer Transition Specific Layer Subject Sampling Layer Core Subjects

The Calendar Layer Examples Work Experience Social Outreach ExcursionsField Trips Graduation Night

Transition Specific Layer Examples MinicompanyGaisceMindfulnessFirst AidRoad Safety Green Schools

Subject Sampling  Modern Language (Russian, German, Japanese)  Drama  Music  Science  Home Economics  Technical Graphics  Psychology  Criminology  Music

Core Subjects Core EnglishIrishMaths European Language PE Religion

Expectations EngagementEffortPunctualityAttendanceRespectResponsibility

TY as a Different Way of Learning Teaching Learning Assessment Facilitator Director Active Independent Varied Project/Fieldwork Reflection

 Aim to provide 3 classes of 24.  Lottery as normal.  1-52 will gain automatic entry.  will form the next class if a third class is feasible.  73+ on a waiting list.  Feasibility of a third class will not be known until May.  Dependent on additional teaching resources being allocated from Department of Education.

Deciding on Subjects Subject Information

Choosing a language  Choosing French or Spanish builds on the knowledge acquired for the Junior certificate  Would suit students with an interest in French/Spanish culture and who have an aptitude for the language  Important choice as many 3 rd level courses have a language requirement 59

Choosing a language  French/Spanish would be of benefit to many careers including teaching, translation, interpreting, journalism media, engineering, finance, tourism, hospitality, food and wine, sales and marketing 60

Choosing Business  Business provides students with a learning experience for a wide range of careers in business, marketing, law enterprise and management  Would suit students who have an organised mind and who like to answer questions in bullet points not in long essay format 61

Choosing Economics  Economics provides students with a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in business, economics, finance, enterprise and management  Ideally students should have a general interest in how the economy works and be interested in current affairs 62

Choosing Economics  Economics is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system  The study of Economics is concerned with the workings of a modern economy at both macro and micro level  It suits students who are willing to work hard and caters for all abilities 63

Choosing Accounting,  Accounting develops students numeracy skills within the context of business and enterprise  Strongly recommended when Accountancy is the career path you want to follow although not required for any course at third level  Students needs to be comfortable with numbers but do not need to be higher level maths students s64

Choosing Geography  Suits students considering further study in areas such as geography, economics, environmental science  Not an essential requirement for any course in the CAO system  TCD accepts Geography as a science subject into science and pharmacy  UCD accepts Geography as a science subject into science 65

Choosing History  History suits students who enjoy history and who are willing to commit a lot of time to study and research  Students who have strong English language skills  It is not required for any CAO courses  Useful for careers in education, law, media, politics, research etc. 66

Choosing Music  Music involves three core areas- performing, composing and listening  Suits students considering a career in a creative discipline such as singing, playing in a band, music production and performance technology and management  Most music courses require an interview and an audition along with Leaving cert results 67

Choosing Biology  Suits students who had a good understanding and interest in junior cert science at higher level  Suits students who have excellent memories and attention to detail  Many CAO courses require at least one science subject  Choosing biology will be a huge benefit when studying Medicine, Nursing and related courses 68

Choosing Chemistry  Suits students who have done well in Mathematics and Science at junior cert level  Chemistry is an essential element in the study of careers including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Technology 69

Choosing Chemistry  Chemistry is an essential requirement for study of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy (UCC), Pharmacy (TCD), Human Nutrition & Dietetics (DIT), Public Health Nutrition (DIT), Veterinary Medicine (UCD) 70

Choosing Physics  Suits students who have an interest in science at junior cert level and those who enjoy learning about how things work  Students who are interested in the following careers would be advised to study physics: electrician, optician, doctor, dentist, engineer, computer technician and programmer 71

Choosing physics  Physics is a requirement for entry into a number of CAO courses including Theoretical Physics in TCD and UCD 72

Choosing Construction  Suits students with an interest in buildings and the built environment  Students should have an aptitude and interest for design and practical work  Suits students interested in Building, Construction & Property  Not an essential subject for any courses in the CAO system 73

Choosing Design & Communication Graphics  Suits students who have an interest in the practical aspects of engineering and construction and who have taken Tech Graphics to Junior Cert level  Suits students who have an interest in careers in Building, Construction & Property, Computers & Software, Art, Craft & Design 74

Choosing Design, Communication & Graphics  Suits students interested in careers in Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing and Medical Devices  DCG is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system. 75

76 To Keep Your Options Open If you are not sure at all, or have only a vague idea of what you would like to do after you leave school then –  Take at least one science subject  Keep your modern language  Take 2 other subjects that you are good at, or that you enjoy and will do well at. N.B. - Points restrict entry to many courses more than subjects do.

77 Alternative routes Remember that there are many ways to reach the career of your choice. If you do not get the points you would need to do a Level 8 course, then you could start at Level 6 and work your way up. This is true for many careers and courses, but not all.

78 Finally  Most Employers want a good graduate, but not of a particular type  Keep your options open as long as possible – keep your science and language if possible  Students should work as hard as they can now to get the best grades in their Junior Cert as this can often affect at what level they take a subject for the Leaving Cert.  If they are unsure, ask a teacher or the Guidance Counsellor for help  Good luck with your decisions!