1. Subject Choice Information For
Parents and Guardians
2017

5. CONTENTS Introduction Advice To Aid Transition (Primary to Secondary)
Internet Safety
Subject Choice
Third Level Requirement
JCT
Study Skills

6. The Role of the
Guidance Counsellor

7. decision making in relation to:
Interpersonal Skills
Problem Solving
Social Skills
Self Awareness
The Ability to Plan
Promote
Student
Personal
Educational
Careers
Course & Subjects
Subject Level
Study Skills
Exam Technique
Assist
decision making in relation to:
Educational & Training Choices
Job search Skills
Employment Opportunities
Interview Skills
Work & Life
Improve & Enhance

8. Support in St. Brendan’s
Each student is assigned a Tutor Group
Each Tutor Group is assigned a Tutor
Important that parents/guardians communicate with Tutor
Tutor day (12th Oct) – discuss how your son/daughter is settling in
Year Head –Mr. Kennedy
Deputy – Ms. Keane
Each Tutor group was met by Ms. Cusack in September- workshop on ‘Organisation’
Study Skills workshop with Ms. Keane
Anti-Bullying week 2nd October
Each Tutor group had two 1hr Antibullying Sessions
Breakfast Morning in aid of Pieta House
Subject Choice Presentation 18th October

9. Transition Primary to Secondary

10. Internet Safety
@ St. Brendan’s.

11. 9 / 10 kids have a social network profile

13. CyberSafeIreland Study 2016/2017
CyberSafeIreland has spoken directly to 4,893 children aged between 8 and 13 and 885 parents across Leinster
Despite age restrictions of 13 and older on many social media services, 40% of children under 13 that we have met already had a significant online presence.
Snapchat and Instagram remained the most popular instant messaging and social media apps
16% of the children surveyed spent in excess of 4 hours online a day.

14. 22% of the children surveyed were in online contact with strangers
22% of the children surveyed were in online contact with strangers. Most of these (14%) reported that they were in contact at least once a week and 6% of this number every day.
1 in 15 children met up with a stranger they met online.
Nearly a third (32%) of children have either never spoken to their parents/guardians about online safety or have not done so in the last year.
In almost two-thirds (64%) of our workshops with 8-10 year olds, at least one child was playing adult rated games.
12% of all children reached had shown themselves in YouTube videos.

17. So what can YOU do???
Encourage your child to be careful when disclosing personal information
Talk about the risks associated with meeting online “friends” in person
Encourage respect for others; stamp out cyberbullying
Let your children show you what they like to do online
Make sure you are their ‘friend’ online
Limit online time

20. The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs was published in The study aimed to collect comparable data on substance use among 15- to 16-year-old students in order to monitor trends within, as well as between, countries. The survey questioned 90,000 children from 35 countries all over Europe.
It found as many as 7% of Ireland’s young people admitted being drunk by the first year of their teens (13 years of age)
More than 25% of Irish teenagers started drinking at 13 or younger, alarming new research has revealed.
Boys were more likely to have drunk alcohol by that age.
19% of year-olds have used cannabis by the age of 13.

21. The study revealed 43% of the teenage group would have little problem sourcing the drug, while just over a fifth said the same about ecstasy.
4% admitted using ecstasy, 3% cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens such as LSD or tranquillisers or sedatives.
In Ireland, 13% of teenagers had smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days - below the European average of 21%.
75% of Irish teenagers had alcohol at some point by the time they reached 15 or 16 and just over a 33% said they had been drunk in the last month.

23. Advice….. Communicate…… Educate….. Get to know their friends….
Set up a ‘Whatsapp’ group with parents of their friends….

24. Junior Certificate Subjects

25. Core Subjects English History Irish Geography Maths Religion Science
CSPE
SPHE

26. Choice Subjects French/German Business Studies Tech Graphics Art
Metalwork
Materials Tech (Wood)
Music
Home Economics
Study Skills*

27. 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.

28. Home Economics Careers: Students will: JC Exam:
Follow recipes and cook dishes.
Carry out projects on foods.
Hand and/or machine sew to make small items.
Become more experienced at managing resources and time.
Students will:
Careers:
Chef/cook, catering, fashion and textiles, child care, teaching, food industry, tourism, and health and nutrition.
JC Exam:
Practical: Project:
Written:
35% 15%
50%
45%
15%
40%
Higher
Ord
Home Economics

29. Materials Technology (Wood)
Learn to design small items.
Use equipment and tools to create these designs.
Work mainly with wood but also with other materials.
Learn about wood as a material.
This leads on to Construction Studies for LC.
Students will:
Careers:
Woodworker, Carpenter, Engineer, Product Design, Forestry, Furniture Design and Manufacture, Construction.
JC Exam:
Practical & Portfolio
Written:
65%
35%
75%
25%
Higher
Ord
Materials Technology (Wood)

30. Technical Graphics Careers: Students will: JC Exam:
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.
Students will:
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

31. Metal Work Careers: Students will: JC Exam:
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.
Leads on to Engineering at LC.
Students will:
Careers:
Engineering, Architecture, Metal Worker, Product Design, Industrial Design, Education, Construction, Crafts Worker.
JC Exam:
Practial Coursework: 37.5%
Practical Exam: 37.5%
Written Exam: 25%
Metal Work

32. 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.

33. Art Careers: Students will: JC Exam:
Learn a variety of new crafts.
Learn to work in 3D.
e.g. sculpture or clay work.
Learn about the design process.
Apply these skills to create and design new objects and images .
Students will:
Careers:
Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Education, Architecture.
JC Exam:
Practical: 100%
2 life drawing practicals
15% is Art Appreciation
Art

34. Music Careers: Students will: JC Exam:
Learn about many types of music.
Learn how to read & write music.
Learn how to sing songs and maybe how to play an instrument.
Students will:
Careers:
Teacher, Lecturer, Sound- Engineer, Composer, Performer, Conductor.
JC Exam:
Practical: 25%
Written Exam: 75 %
(Same for Higher & Ordinary)
Music

35. Business Studies Careers: Students will: JC Exam:
Learn to collect, organise and record financial information.
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.
Develop communication skills such as letter writing and report writing.
Students will:
Careers:
Accountant, Entrepreneur, Economist, Financial Advisor, Banker, Business Manager.
JC Exam:
90% Written Exam.
10% Classroom Assessment
1 Paper Common Level
Business Studies

36. Study Skills
This is offered to students who may find it difficult to cope with three choice subjects.
This focuses on text heavy core subjects.
It is on the same band as the Languages, hence it is not possible to do a Language and Study Skills.

37. Languages (French & German)
Learn to converse in the language.
Learn to listen, read and write in the language.
Grammar skills.
Learn about the different cultures and their way of life.
Students will:
Careers:
Translator, Interpreter, Tourism, Jounalism, Management, International Marketing,
Teacher, Catering – and more!
JC Exam:
Aural 41%
Written Exam 59%
Languages (French & German)

38. 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.

39. 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 - Air Corp Flight Officer
**Science, Engineering, Ag Science - Exemption in some Universities
Please see

40. 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)
***Defence Forces

42. 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.

43. Research, Discuss & Reflect
So, how do you choose?
Research, Discuss & Reflect

44. Research Subject Websites Career Websites www.scoilnet.ie
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)
Subject Websites
Career Websites

45. Discuss Discuss your thoughts with: Subject Teachers
Guidance Counsellors
Current Pupils
Parents/Guardians, Older Siblings

46. 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?

47. Supports You can speak to: Senior Management Year Head
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

48. JUNIOR CYCLE OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN METALWORK
BUSINESS STUDIES MUSIC
FRENCH STUDY SKILLS
GERMAN TECHNICAL GRAPHICS
HOME ECONOMICS 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: _______________________________

49. 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.

50. 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.