Subject Choice Information Portlaoise College

Agenda Introduction Leaving Certificate Applied Transition Year Established Leaving Certificate Book list 18/19 Subject choice fair

Senior Cycle Leaving Cert: Established Leaving Cert Transition Year Senior Cycle Options Portlaoise College offers three Senior Cycle programmes: Leaving Cert: Established Leaving Cert Transition Year Leaving Cert. Applied (LCA)

Information

INTRODUCTION TO LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED

What Is LCA? LCA = Leaving Cert Applied Two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life Marked differently than Established Leaving Certificate Rewarded for project work

Students Reasons for Choosing LCA? I chose LCA because it seemed like an interesting course to do. I liked the idea of doing a variety of different subjects. I chose it because it prepares you for adult life.

Students Reasons for Choosing LCA? I prefer practical work to theory work I prefer project work to exams It gives you the opportunity to do work experience

What subjects do you study in LCA? Vocational Preparation and Guidance (VPG) Social Ed Craft and design Hotel, Catering and Tourism Languages Music English Maths Office Administration Engineering

What are credits? Credits are marks that are given to the student after completing a key assignment or homework Each subject has Modules (topics) Each module has 4 Key Assignments Each module is worth 2 Credits You need credits to pass each subject There are 200 credits overall in LCA

What are student tasks? There are 7 student tasks These are big projects and are worth 10 Credits You do 3 Tasks in 5th Year You do 4 Tasks in 6th Year

How is LCA marked? At the end of the two years in LCA you get: Distinction (170 Credits +) Merit (140 – 170 Credits) Pass (120 – 140 Credits) IF you would like to go to University or an IT after LCA you must first do a PLC Course A PLC Course usually takes 1 year

All students are required to have have 90% attendance for LCA.

Established Leaving Certificate Two-year programme Study 7 subjects 7 subjects divided up as follows: Irish English Maths 4 Options Option of an 8th Subject: LCVP

Subject Choice Pick 4 of the following: - History - Geography - Ag. Science - Music - Art - Politics & Society - Physics/Chemistry - Biology - Business - French - German - Engineering - Construction Studies - Home Ec. - DCG

Factors to Consider Pick your subjects based on the following: What subjects am I most interested in? What subjects am I best at? What subjects do I need? (e.g. third language, a science, LCVP combination)

Importance of Subject Choice Certain subjects + levels required for 3rd level courses Important to get advice: Make appt. with Guidance Counsellor Talk to subject teachers www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

 LC Grade & Points

Subject Choice: Third Language 3rd language required by the NUI colleges NUI Colleges are: University College Dublin (UCD) Maynooth University NUI Galway University College Cork (UCC) Some Exceptions: Engineering + Science in Maynooth and UCD Students with SLD’S

Subject Choice: Science Science / 3 at Senior Cycle: (i) Physics/Chemistry (ii) Biology (iii)Agricultural Science A minimum of one science subject is required for the following fields: Nursing, Medicine, Science, Engineering

Higher Level Maths: Bonus Points Maximum Points score with HL Maths = 625

Subject Choice & Careers http://www.careersportal.ie/school/lc_subject_choice.php?ed_sub_cat_id=24 1#Subjects & Career Choice

Subject Choice & Careers http://www.careersportal.ie/school/lc_subject_choice.php?ed_sub_cat_id=24 1#Subjects & Career Choice

LCVP LCVP is an Additional Subject Points can be extremely valuable: LCVP is an 8th Leaving Cert Subject Students must have Subject Combinations Points can be extremely valuable: Distinction = 66 points (H4) Merit = 46 points Pass = 28 points

LCVP Subject Combo’s

What do you Study in LCVP? Portfolio of continuous work (Total = 240 Marks) Core Items CV (25) Career Investigation (40) Enterprise/Action Plan (35) Summary Report (40) Diary of Work Experience (50) Recorded Interview/Presentation (50)

What do you Study in LCVP? Written Exam (Total = 160 Marks) Answer questions on the following: Section A - Audio Visual Video sequence of an enterprise Section B - Case Study Received 4 weeks in advance Section C - General Questions Choice of 4 questions from 6

NB Remember Pick your subjects based on the following: What subjects am I most interested in? What subjects am I best at? What subjects do I need? (e.g. third language or a science) If you cannot decide then pick: A language + 1 Science + any 2 others

Websites Portlaoise College on Facebook & Twitter www.portlaoisecollege.ie www.qualifax.ie Contains information on every third level course in Ireland www.careersportal.ie Fantastic Careers website Click on ‘What to study’ Click on ‘Guide to Subject Choice’

5th Year Book Scheme 2018/19 Administered from the local book shop. Significantly reduce cost for parents Greater ownership for Parents and Students Allow Parents /Students to plan earlier Greater independence and responsibility from students. New Books required for the Ebook Tablet Procedure Parents and book shop will be issued with the schools book lists in April/May and Book Voucher. Books purchased (new or second hand)from the designated book shop will be subject to a 30% price reduction.

Cost Example 7 new books retail price €260 30% reduction - €78 = €182 Students now own their books and can return them to the bookshop Approx value €60 Total cost at the end of L Cert is €182 - €60 = €122

Total cost of 5th year and 6th year Admin fee with subject options €50 Mock exams 2 Homework journal Locker Student study workshop All other Admin Costs Subject text books €122 Total €172