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Maryfield College

Senior Cycle Options

Welcome

• Information on choices available to students entering Senior Cycle

• First decision TY or 5th year?• If 5th year – which subjects?• If 5th year LCVP?• Please listen to information provided• Questions and clarification at the end.

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Maryfield CollegeSenior Cycle Options

Transition Year

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Why do T.Y.?

“The mission of the T.Y. Programme is to promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society.”

(Dept. of Education and Science, 1994)

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Aims of T.Y. in Maryfield

• To provide a wide and varied curriculum which allows for personal, social, vocational and academic development.

• To help students to appreciate and interact with their own community and the world of work.

• To provide the students with opportunities which will allow them to make valid subject choices.

Aims of T.Y. in Maryfield

• To provide a year which is free from examination pressure where personal and social development can be facilitated.

• To help students become self-directed learners and to help them “learn how to learn” .

• Provide the students with the opportunity to take part in An Gaisce.

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Multiple-Intelligence Theory

• Proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983.

• There are many different forms of intelligence as well as mathematical and linguistic

Multiple Intelligence Theory

• Logical - Mathematical• Spatial• Linguistic• Bodily-kinesthetic• Musical• Interpersonal• Intrapersonal• Naturalistic• Existential

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What will the Students study?Core Subjects

• Irish• English• Maths• French/German

• Religious Education• P.E.• Community Action• Careers/Work Experience• SPAD

Sampling Subjects

• History• Music• Physics• Biology• Business

• Chemistry• Art• Geography• Home Economics

Other

• Green School• Mini Company• Computers• Film Studies• Drama• Guest Speakers• Visits to places of Interest• Gaisce

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Transition Year ProgrammesCommunity Action Programme•6 week preparation in school•18 week Community Placement

Work Experience Programme•Weekly Careers class• I day per week - Friday Placement

Extra Mural Programme•14 week programme of activities•14 week programme of Catering & Crafts

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Assessment

• Journals – Reflective, Community Action, Work Experience

• S.P.A.D – ‘Soap Box’ Presentation • Project Work• Class Work, Class Participation, Class Tests• Self-Assessment• Group Interviews

Certification of Participation

• Department of Education & Skills Certificate of Participation In Transition Year

• Distinction• Upper Merit• Merit• Pass

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Costs Associated with TY

• Outdoor Pursuits Trip • All other activities, outings, workshops • Voluntary Subscription Transition Year

• Book List – Stationery, Dictionaries, Calculator

Street Map Book,

English Textbook & Novel

Costs Associated with TY

You should budget for:

•An Gaisce – Not Compulsory– €10 for An Gaisce Registration– Additional cost of lessons/classes

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Costs Associated with TY

• Bus Fares – 2015/2016 €25 approx.– Additional bus fares may be required to travel

to Community Action/Work Experience Placements.

– Students are encouraged to bring a packed lunch on outings so to avoid extra cost.

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Maryfield College

5TH YEAR

SUBJECT OPTIONS

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Choosing 5th Year

• VALID CHOICE -MAKE A CHOICE

• Pupils should not be over influenced by friends’ choices

• Preferred style of learning –directed structured learning

• Knowledge of subject strengths

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SUBJECT CHOICE

for SENIOR CYCLE

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Important to make right decision

• The choice of subjects for Senior Cycle is a very important one

• There are 3 main areas to be considered

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CONSIDERATIONS

• Strengths: i.e. abilities, aptitudes, academic achievements– look at the subjects you have achieved well in so far.

• Interests: Subjects in which you have a strong interest and those you like – this can be the best incentive to study

• Careers/courses: Subjects required in order to pursue various careers/courses in the future

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What are my choices?

• The compulsory subjects : English , Maths and Irish (unless exempt), French/German will be studied by all students

• Three optional subjects must be selected from the subjects on offer

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Optional Subjects

• Physics• Chemistry• Biology• Home Economics• Music

• Art• History• Geography• Business• Accounting

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THEREFORE:NOTE:

• Students study seven subjects – • the best six subjects in one sitting of the

Leaving Certificate will be counted for points

• A balance of subjects is advisable• Some subjects desirable, some essential

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SCIENCE REQ.FOR MANY CAREERS

• A laboratory science subject is necessary for entry to a range of third level courses—from the Medical/para medical /Nursing area to Engineering/Architecture/Computers and all Science courses.

• Some courses require two science subjects and some require a specific science subject such as chemistry, physics or biology.

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Examples of specific science requirements:

• TCD-Dentistry and Medicine: any two• TCD-Pharmacy- Chemistry and another• UCD-Veterinary Medicine: Chemistry• UCC- Dentistry& Medicine: Chemistry &

either Physics or Biology• DIT-Human Nutrition: Chemistry• British Universities: Medicine: 2 sciences

required, usually require Chemistry

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NOTE:

• Ability in Maths/Science to do Physics &/or Chemistry

• Biology–advisable if considering Nursing, Beauty Therapy

• Essential for Dental Hygiene UCC• Choose Science subjects carefully

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Languages

• It is advisable to have a modern language as most colleges require a language

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LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Irish, English & another language for:• NUI (National University of Ireland): • UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth,

Royal College of Surgeons, St. Angela’s College, Sligo, NCAD, Shannon College of Hotel Management, Institute of Public Admin & Milltown Institute.

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More about Languages !

• Trinity College & University of Limerick• Two languages-English & another, Irish

accepted as “other”• Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of

Technology and most Institutes of Technology : English or Irish

• NCAD: Irish, English, a third language or Art

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Languages 3:

• Colleges of Education for Primary Teaching: Irish at C3 Honours level

• Any course that includes a language requires that L.C. Language, usually at Higher level e.g.

• International Business & Languages, DCU requires Honours C3 in language other than English/Irish

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Mathematics

• Requirement for most courses & jobs• Ordinary level but some courses accept

Foundation level• Higher level for Engineering, some

Computer courses, Actuary, Mathematical Degrees, some Sciences, some Medical/Para Medical areas:

• Essential to check specific requirements.

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BUSINESS SUBJECTS

• It is possible to study Business at third level without taking any of the subjects at second level- but advisable to take one if you are good at, like and are interested in this area.

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ART

• Essential for all Art & Design courses

• All require portfolio• Useful for Architecture, Engineering• Some Media courses require

portfolio and Art can be useful for this area

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MUSIC• Leaving Certificate Music necessary if you

wish to study it at third level (standard of Grade 7 at an instrument expected)

• Audition /music test required for 3rd level• Even if you do not want to pursue it at 3rd

level– if you are good at music and like it as a subject you should consider it - might be useful for points for third

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SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC

• Traditionally known as Home Economics

• Useful for hotel and catering, teaching, nursing, child care, social work, fashion design etc.

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HISTORY

• Gives great insight into world around you

• Most enjoyable, can develop many skills

• Not essential at LC in order to study history at college

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GEOGRAPHY

• Gives great insight/greater understanding of the world around you

• For Science, Pharmacy & Medicinal Chemistry-TCD- it is accepted as one of the Higher Level C’s -- science subjects

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REMEMBER!

• Choose with care• What you like/are good at• Some subjects essential• Some subjects desirable

• Know subject content• Don’t get too hung up on career subject

links• Spread choices – open options!• Enjoy your subjects

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WHAT YOU ENJOY

• Subjects you enjoy greater effort

• Greater effort = greater success

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DO NOT base choices on :

• “it’s what my friends are doing”• “that subject is a doss”• “there’s too much work involved ---”• “even though I really hate it I’ll do it

because I’ll need it for college”• “only swats/nerds– do that subject”!

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GET HELP & ADVICE

• Information on subject content:– 1 Dept. of Educ. & Sc. Website– 2 Text books for L.C.– 3 Talk to subject teachers

• Talk to Guidance Counsellor about careers/courses/essential subjects

• Consult College Prospectuses, Career Books, College websites for specific subject requirements.

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Useful Websites

• www.education.ie• www.qualifax.ie• www.careerdirections.ie• www.careersportal.ie• www.dcu.ie• www.ucd.ie• www.cao.ie

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We are here to help!

• Students can make appointments with Guidance Counsellor

• Parents can make appointments or get advice over the phone

• Thank you for listening• Questions welcome• Best of luck to all students.

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Maryfield College

Senior Cycle Options

LCVP

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LCVP

• What is it?

• Can everybody do it?

• Link Modules

• Assessment

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Link Modules

• Preparation for the world of work

• Enterprise Education

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Portfolio

• Core items:

– CV– Career Investigation– Summary Report– Enterprise/Action Plan

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Portfolio

• Optional items: any 2 of

– Diary of Work Experience– Enterprise Report– Recorded interview– Report on ‘My Own Place’

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Assessment

• Portfolio of work 60% of total marks

• Written exam (May) 40% of total marks

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Written Exam

• Audio-visual presentation

• Case study

• General questions (4 out of 6)

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KEY DATES

DECISION DAY for

T/Y or 5th Year

Tuesday February 10th

Choice of Subjects for 5th Year

TuesdayFebruary 10th

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QUESTIONS