St Augustine’s School Prayer God Our Father Let us pray That there will be respect for our world Peace for its people Love in our lives Celebration of the good Forgiveness for past wrongs And, from now on, a new start. St Augustine, pray for us

Information Meeting St Augustine’s High School Session S5-S6 COURSE OPTIONS Mr McGee

Information Evening aims  Outline Qualifications/Expectations - Mr McGee  Outline Option Choices – Mr Scullion  Outline the options procedure for new S5/6 students – Mrs Barry  Opportunity for questions

What types of courses are available? A new system of courses & assessment which offers A system of courses & assessment which offers a course for all students of all abilities progression from National Courses

The Curriculum S4 6 subjects for 1 year: Mainly National Courses: Breadth & balance S5/6 5 choices in S5 – full timetable 1 Period RE 1 Period PSE 4/5 choices in S6

Progression Routes S4 National 3 National 4 National 5 S5 National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher S6 National 3 Higher Advanced Higher National 4 National 5

Programmes of study A student’s programme of study is made up of the various subject COURSES Each course is made up of UNITS Each UNIT has individual value (Credit) It is compulsory: All new S5 pupils must have a full timetable. All new S6 pupils must have 4 option choices from 5 (max of 5 study periods) and will remain in school.

Assessment Units (internally marked) Re-assessment if necessary Assignments (externally marked)* Exam question paper (external) Units + Course Assignment + Exam = Overall Course Award Grading system - A, B, C, D

Appeals Exist for exceptional circumstances only Submitted within 10 days of exam Prelims still important for this

Aiming Higher The better the examination results the more doors that are opened Work and five Highers do not mix Some voluntary experience for some courses is essential (doctor, vet) and desirable for others (nursing, teaching) The journey starts now!!

Some dangers of Fifth & Sixth Year Undertaking too much (jobs, social life) Under-estimating quantity of work Under-estimating quality of work Ending year no better qualified than at the start

HOW do I choose? What do I NEED? What am I GOOD AT? What do I LIKE? Think TWO YEARS!

Key Questions for Pupils Are you making a positive decision to return? Have you thought about a career route? Are your choices realistic? Have you researched what you need? Have you looked at University prospectuses?

Pupil commitment Maintain an attendance of 90% or above Maintain a positive attitude and workrate in all my classes for the whole year Attend all classes and complete all units, homework and classwork for the whole year Wear full school uniform including blazer and tie Participate fully in all duties or committees which I sign up to for the whole year Respect the rules and values of St. Augustine’s High School I will remain in school at all times during the day even if I have a study period (S6 students)

Education Maintenance Allowance EMA Weekly payment worth £30 Means Tested Students MUST be aged Commences August 2014 Monitored weekly for: Attendance; Behaviour; Progress/Work Rate

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