1. First Years 2014/2015 & Incoming First Years 2015/2016 Ms. Carmel Shannon Guidance Counsellor

2.  The Students interest in or liking for a subject  Their aptitudes towards a subject  The value of the subject for their personal/academic development  Whether or not it is necessary to keep options open  The relevance of the subject for future study/career options

3.  Exam Subjects  Irish *  English  Maths  History  Geography  Science  Religious Education *  CSPE (* Unless officially exempted)  Non-Exam Subjects  SPHE  Tutorial  Physical Education  3 Optional Subjects:  Art  French  Home Economics  Music  Business Studies  Metalwork  Woodwork  Technical Graphics

4. EXAMPLE : ART BUSINESS STUDIES FRENCH HOME ECONOMICS TECHNICAL GRAPHICS METALWORK WOODWORK MUSIC xx Please place a tick beside the three subjects you would like to study for Junior Certificate Cycle

5. At Present: NUI Colleges (NUIG, NUIM, UCC & UCD) require a 3 rd Language for entry to most courses. Other colleges require two languages: English and Irish/3 rd Language. Institutes of Technology require English or Irish. The Defence Force also requires Irish, English and a 3 rd Language. Garda Siochana Requires two languages: English and Irish/3 rd Language You do not need a 3 rd language to study Science, Nursing, Engineering or Primary School Teaching.

6. EXEMPTIONS MAY BE GRANTED IF: Primary Education up to 11 years was outside Ireland Students with a Specific Learning Disability Students with Serious Intellectual Impairment causing a learning disability Serious Sensory Impairment causing a learning disability Pupils from abroad who have no understanding of English when enrolled Irish Exemptions

7.  Students whose native language is not one of the following: Irish, English or French may have the opportunity to study their native language independently and sit an examination in this subject at Leaving Certificate Level.  This option is only available at Higher Level.

8.  These are a list of language options available for students to study Independently for Leaving Certificate State Examinations. CzechBulgarianDanishDutch FinnishHungarianLatvianLithuanian PolishPortugueseRomanianSwedish CroatianEstonianSlovakianModern Greek

9. French Language Business Studies Business Art Wood Metal Technical Graphics Music Home Economics Practical

10.  There is no such thing as an easy subject.  There are statistics showing some subjects obtain a higher number of A’s than others  This is often a reflection on the type of candidate that selects these subjects.  However It is important to consider the content of a subject and match it to student ability  Example if the student has an aptitude for practical tasks they would enjoy a subject with project work and ‘hands on’ practical activities.  Likewise if a student is very academic they will find theory subjects much easier to understand.

11.  Attached are Fact sheets on each Optional Subject available to 1 st year students in the school.  Website www.ncca.ie provide fact sheets on all subject selection at junior certificate.www.ncca.ie  Talk to Teachers and current students.  Also www.examinations.ie for past exam papers and curriculum structure.www.examinations.ie

12.  The FACT SHEETS on each subject will provide the following information:  The Content of each subject  What the Junior Certificate exam is like  How this subject would be useful to the student  If this subject is very different after the Junior Certificate.

21.  14 Subjects (10 Exam Subjects)  9 Classes a day.  Study includes homework and revision.  Advised to study for 1.5hours per night.  Study should be planned and encouraged at home.  Advised that students spend approx. 15-20mins on a learning task with a short break and then another 15- 20mins etc.  Balance in life in very important and extra curricular activities are encouraged e.g. sport/exercise as well as academic achievement.

22. Time Minutes Subject Activity Details 4:30 15 MathsQ1-10 4:45 15 IrishLearn verbs 5:00 20 GeographyQ1-3, Revise p20 5:20 20 ScienceLearn new topic 5:40 Dinner & TV 6:30 15 FrenchWrite letter 7:00 5 MusicPractice recorder

23. Subject ArtCourse Work Project chosen from a list of themes e.g. craft/3-D Piece/painting. Three Major Pieces from Oct- May: 75% Examination on Drawing of Object & person. 25% Exam in May MusicPractical Exam – Sing/instrument: 25% Aural and Written Exam in Composing and listening to Music (Traditional Music). 75% Home Economics Coursework Project: Craft 15%Cookery Exam: 25%Written Exam: 60% Business Studies OL: 1 Written Exam (20 Questions) HL: 2 Written Exam (20 short Q’s and 4 long Q’s) FrenchListening Exam Approx 40%Written Exam Approx 60% Metal WorkCoursework Project (37.5% HL or 75% OL) Written Exam - Theory 25% Practical Exam for HL ONLY 37.5% Wood WorkCoursework Project & Folder from Nov-April 66% Written Exam –Theory 33% Technical Graphics Written Exam: Short and long Q’s that relate to creating and reading drawings.

24. “ Life is full of choices but making choices would be easier if we stay true to ourselves.”