Core subjects
English, French, Geography, History, Irish, Maths, Religion and Science
Option subjects
Art, Business Studies, German, Materials Technology Wood, Music, and Technical Graphics
Wellbeing subjects
Computer Studies, CSPE, PE and SPHE
The Junior Cycle programme is comprised of Core, Option and Wellbeing subjects.
Core subjects
English
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
In Junior Cycle English, you will have many opportunities to be creative, to use your imagination, and to find out about great writers. You will also learn how to communicate more effectively with others and to express your point of view in many different ways.
By the end of the Junior Cycle English course, you should have developed your knowledge of language and literature and also improved your speaking, reading and writing skills.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, can be taken at higher or ordinary level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessments Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Oral Communication. CBA 2- Collection of Student’s Texts
French
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
The Specification is organised around three integrated strands:
Communicative Competence: Communicative competence is concerned with developing students’ ability to communicate meaningfully in the target language. This strand incorporates five elements, representing the five language skills of listening, reading, spoken production, spoken interaction and writing.
Language Awareness: Language awareness enhances the students’ general awareness about languages, and incorporates the three elements of reflecting on how the target language works, comparing the target language with other languages students know, and reflecting on their own language-learning strategies
Socio-Cultural Knowledge and Intercultural Awareness: Socio-cultural knowledge and intercultural awareness, gives students access to new cultural dimensions and encourages them to reflect on their own culture. The three elements of this strand develop students’ knowledge of the countries and cultures related to the target languages, and enable them to make comparisons with their own country and culture.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Oral Communication, CBA 2- Student Language Portfolio.
Geography
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
In Geography you will study about places, people and what shapes the environment. You will learn how the environment influences people, and how they change the environment. You will develop your ability to draw and understand maps, graphs and diagrams, as well as studying photographs and collecting information outside the classroom through fieldwork.
The Geography Specification consists of three main strands. Exploring the Physical World, where students develop knowledge and skills to understand and explain the physical world; Exploring How We Interact with the Physical World, where students explore how we depend on, adapt, and change the physical world and Exploring People, Place and Change, where students engage with topics related to globalisation, development, population and interdependence. Students interact with topics while exploring interrelationships and the implications those topics might have for their lives.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at Common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Geography in the News, CBA 2-My Geography
History
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
The study of History at Junior Cycle aims to enable students to see the relevance of the past in the modern world, allowing them to engage more meaningfully in current local, national and international issues. Students also enjoy learning about interesting human experiences in the past and how they have impacted on and shaped the world we live in today.
The specification follows three strands of learning:
Strand 1: The Nature of History – where students can develop historical skills and form students as historians
Strand 2: The History of Ireland is the study of historical personalities, issues and events from Irish History
Strand 3: The History of Europe and the Wider World is the study of historical personalities, issues and events from European and World History.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at Common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- The Past in My Place, CBA 2- A Life in Time.
Irish
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
The aim of Junior Cycle Gaeilge is to improve your ability to communicate through Irish. You will focus on improving your language skills through concentrating on four areas; your spoken language through speaking; your listening skills through listening to others, CDs and tapes; your written skills through writing in Irish, and your reading skills through reading passages, poems and stories written The Junior Cycle Gaeilge course consists of three main strands:
Communicative Competence: This strand encourages students to deepen and enrich their competence and language skills.
Language and Cultural Awareness: This strand involves students’ understanding and reflection of how Irish works as a language of communication.
Learner’s Self-Awareness: Learner’s self-awareness refers to students’ self-awareness as language learners. Each language learner is different and students concentrate on their individual style and attributes as language learners in Irish.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, can be taken at higher or ordinary level, worth 90% of overall grade.
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Language Portfolio. CBA 2- Oral Presentation.
Maths
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
In Mathematics, you will develop your problem-solving skills and your ability to present logical arguments. You will be better able to use what you learned in Mathematics in real life situations in everyday life and work.
The Unifying Strand builds a foundation that is used to explore the contextual strands. It focuses on six key elements: building blocks, representation, connections, problem solving, generalisation and proof, communication.
The Number Strand focuses on different aspects of numbers, laying the groundwork for the transition from arithmetic to algebra.
The Geometry and Trigonometry Strand focuses on analysing characteristics and properties of two and three dimensional geometric shapes.
The Algebra and Functions Strand focuses on representing and analysing patterns and relationships found in numbers.
The Statistics and Probability Strand focuses on determining probability from random events and generating and investigating data.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, can be taken at higher or ordinary level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1 – Mathematical Investigation & Report. CBA 2- Statistical Investigation & Report.
Religion
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
In Religious Education (RE) you will learn about what people believe, why they believe and how these beliefs influence their own lives, the lives of others and the world around us. You will explore how many religions, particularly Christian religions, have shaped the Ireland you live in today. The specification for Junior Cycle Religious Education is built around three inter-connected strands: expressing beliefs, exploring questions and Living our values and these are underpinned by a set of cross-cutting elements of enquiry; exploration and reflection and action.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- A Person of Commitment, CBA 2-The Human Search for Meaning.
Science
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
We come across science in everyday things in the world around us, both living and non-living. Studying Science in school can help you to understand the importance of science in our lives and in the environment. The specification for Junior Cycle science focuses on the development of students’ knowledge of and about science through the unifying strand – Nature of science, and four other strands: Physical World, Chemical World, Biological World, and Earth and Space.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Extended Experimental Investigation, CBA 2- Science in Society Investigation.
Option subjects
Visual Art
100% Practical Art Pieces
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
Visual Art is a subject that promotes teaching and learning through art, craft and design. For adolescents and young adults, this involves becoming familiar with and applying the elements of art and principles of design, and the knowledge and skills associated with the processes, their histories and their contemporary practices. Visual Art also recognises and rewards a number of different forms of intelligence, including emotional intelligence; it develops personal qualities of expression and empathy.
The curriculum consists of three strands:
Art: Art, or fine art, is the expression of creative skills in a visual form. It emphasises ideas, feelings and visual qualities through imaginative and/or technical skill. Apart from the creation of artworks, fine art also encompasses the study of art through appreciation and critical discussion.
Craft: Craft is the application of a range of particular artistic skills and knowledge to produce artefacts of aesthetic worth. With an emphasis on processes and materials, the artefacts created may represent either traditional crafts or a more individual approach by the craftsperson.
Design: Design is the process of planning, problem-solving and creating. It can be a response to a brief, a need or a situation. Emphasising the process of planning, problem-solving and completion, with drawing as a means of thinking, formal visual elements and imagery are used to communicate messages and ideas.
There is no final drawing examination for Visual Art.
Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- From Process to Realisation, CBA 2- Communicate and Reflect.
Students reflect on feedback received after CBA 2 and significantly develop their ideas to create two artefacts. These are then sent to the SEC for marking. Worth 100% of overall grade.
Business Studies
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
The Junior Cycle Business Studies specification aims to stimulate your interest in the business environment and how you interact with it.
It develops skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that allow you to make informed and responsible decisions with all of the resources available to you, ensuring your own, and society’s well-being, while becoming more self-aware as a learner.
The Business Studies Specification has three strands:
Personal Finance – In this strand, you will learn about managing your finances, responsible consumer behaviour and the value of using resources ethically and efficiently for the benefit of individuals and society.
Enterprise – In this strand, you will learn about being enterprising, the functions of an organisation and the business environment.
Our Economy – In this strand, you will learn about the demand and supply of goods and services, the role of the government in managing the economy, and about economic issues such as trade, employment and Ireland’s membership of the European Union (EU).
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Business in Action, CBA 2- Business related presentation.
German
90% Exam, 10% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
The Specification is organised around three integrated strands:
Communicative Competence: Communicative competence is concerned with developing students’ ability to communicate meaningfully in the target language. This strand incorporates five elements, representing the five language skills of listening, reading, spoken production, spoken interaction and writing.
Language Awareness: Language awareness enhances the students’ general awareness about languages, and incorporates the three elements of reflecting on how the target language works, comparing the target language with other languages students know, and reflecting on their own language-learning strategies
Socio-Cultural Knowledge and Intercultural Awareness: Socio-cultural knowledge and intercultural awareness, gives students access to new cultural dimensions and encourages them to reflect on their own culture. The three elements of this strand develop students’ knowledge of the countries and cultures related to the target languages, and enable them to make comparisons with their own country and culture.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at common level, worth 90% of overall grade
Assessment Task – Students complete a specified written reflection task which is sent to the SEC for marking, Worth 10% of overall grade
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs), Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Oral Communication, CBA 2- Student Language Portfolio.
Our students have the opportunity to take part in our German Exchange Programme.
Wood Technology
30% Exam, 70% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
Materials Technology Wood (MTW) is one of the technology subjects offered at Junior Cycle. In MTW you will learn to design small projects and the skills required to use tools and equipment to make your designs. You will work mainly with wood but also with other materials. You will learn about wood as a material and how it is produced. In Junior Cycle Wood Technology students learn woodworking skills, use design thinking and finally create projects as well as learning about sustainability and the importance of trees to the world around us.
Final Exam – 1hour 30min paper, taken at common level, worth 30% of overall grade.
Assessment Task – Students complete a project set by the SEC after CBA 2 in 3rd Year. Worth 70% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Wood Science in Our Environment, CBA 2- Student Self-Analysis and Evaluation.
Music
70% Exam, 30% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
Music is an important part of everyone’s life. In Junior Cycle Music, you will sing and possibly learn how to play an instrument. You will listen to many types of music such as pop, classical and traditional Irish music. You will also start composing.
The course consists of three strands:
Procedural Knowledge: To explore fully their musical imagination, creativity, and potential requires students to develop their music literacy and skills in a range of ways. Students learn through engaging in, reflecting upon and evaluating their musical experiences.
Innovate and Ideate: In this strand, students draw on their personal and professional experiences and perspectives to develop, refine, showcase and seek feedback on their musical ideas. They develop and awareness of different sounds and the potential of sound for resourcing and generating ideas, and for communicating feelings.
Culture and Context: The understanding of music in context and its cultural positioning helps to shape our ability to create, perform and appraise the music we engage with. In this strand, students will investigate the contextual and cultural environments that impact on purpose and intent in music.
Final exam – 1hour 30min paper. Taken at Common level. Worth 70% of overall grade.
Assessment task – Students complete a practical examination made up of three solo and /or group songs/pieces. Worth 30% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Composition Portfolio, CBA 2- Programme Note.
Graphics
70% Exam, 30% Assessment Task
[2 Classroom-Based Assessments]
Graphics is recognised as the underpinning language of the technology disciplines and is transferable across a wide range of subjects such as mathematics, science and art. Students will use a variety of media to communicate their ideas and designs through this unique language. Throughout the course, students will explore the geometric world to gain an appreciation of the importance of graphics in the world around them. They will develop cognitive and practical skills such as graphical communication, spatial visualisation, creative problem-solving, design capabilities and modelling, both physically and through the use of computer-aided design.
The course consists of three strands:
2D Graphics: In this strand, you will engage with, understand and apply the fundamental concepts and principles of 2D constructions, 2D shapes and projection systems. Throughout your studies, you will gain an appreciation of the application of 2D graphics to problem solving and develop an understanding of the role of 2D graphics in the creation of 3D objects and representations.
3D Graphics: In this strand, you will engage with, understand and use the fundamental concepts and principles underpinning 3D objects, modelling systems and graphical conventions. This strand is of specific importance in developing each student’s ability in visual imagery and representation. You should, as a result, be able to accurately represent objects in three dimensions and apply these skills to problem solving.
Applied Graphics: In this strand, you will draw on the knowledge, principles and techniques developed through the 2D Graphics and 3D Graphics strands to create and communicate solutions and information graphically. You should be encouraged to investigate their physical environment and to apply the principles of 2D Graphics and 3D Graphics to the solution of a variety of problems. You should be able to select the most appropriate methods to communicate their solutions to solve these problems, both in terms of their selection of graphical media and the mechanism for their utilisation.
Final Exam – One 2-hour paper, taken at common level, worth 70% of overall grade.
Assessment Task – Students complete a project set by the SEC after CBA 2 in 3rd Year. Worth 30% of overall grade.
Classroom-Based Assessments – Two CBAs to be taken over 2nd & 3rd year. CBA 1- Communicating through Sketching, CBA 2- Graphical Presentation Skills.
Wellbeing subjects
Computer Studies
[International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Certified]
Strand 1 – Computer Science
Computer Science enables students to understand the basics in the theory, experimentation and engineering that form the basis for the design and use of computers. It encourages students to identify opportunities and turn them into practical and targeted activities that potentially could benefit wider society through the development and application of their understanding of computer hardware and software.
Strand 2 – Internet Safety
Internet Safety focuses on students developing a set of skills, knowledge and values that allows them to make informed decisions to effectively and responsibly manage their digital life. In this strand, students learn about managing their online presence, responsible online behaviour and the value of using digital media ethically and efficiently for the benefit of individuals and society. This strand promotes a smooth transition into secondary school life, and develops personal responsibility in areas of physical and mental well-being.
Strand 3 – Digital Diary
The Digital Diary offers students the opportunity for collaboration and creativity, where they build a website to display their digital work throughout their time at Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh. It also enables students to reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning, where they monitor their progress of school curricular and extra-curricular activity.
Strand 4 – ICT Skills
ICT focuses on the students developing a set of skills that enables them to survive in a digital dependent workforce. It develops student’s ability to re-train and keep up to date with ever changing computer software. Students are encouraged to adapt and apply their digital learning to all other areas of study. Students are certified in Strand 4 by the world recognised International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). Modules include:
- Online Collaboration Google Drive
- Documents
- Presentation
- Computer Essentials
- Online Essentials
- Cyber Security
- Digital Marketing
- Spreadsheets
- Computing
- Information Literacy
CSPE
[1 Classroom-Based Assessment]
Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) contributes to building the skills students will need to contribute positively to a democratic society and to promote sustainable living. It gives them an understanding of social, economic and political structures at local, national and global levels and the opportunity to imagine and create ways in which they can make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities.
The strands are as follows:
Strand 1: Rights and Responsibilities, explores what it means to live with rights and responsibilities and examines the main human rights instruments that protect people’s rights.
Strand 2: Global Citizenship, explores issues of poverty, inequality and sustainable development and look at ways to bring about effective change.
Strand 3: Exploring Democracy, enables students to examine how democracy works and the role of the media in a democracy.
There is no terminal examination in this short course. One CBA to be taken towards the end of the short course. CBA – Citizenship Action Record. There are no assessment tasks for short courses.
Physical Education
[1 Classroom-Based Assessment]
Physical Education (PE) is a subject where you can take part in and learn about physical
activities. You learn about how important keeping fit is for the health of your body and mind. In some activities you work on your own and in others you work with your classmates as part of a team. The PE specification is structured around four strands:
Physical activity for health and wellbeing, Games, Individual and team challenges and Dance and Gymnastics.
There is no terminal examination in this short course. One CBA to be taken towards the end of the short course. CBA – Selecting Evidence of Learning. There are no assessment tasks for short courses.
SPHE
[1 Classroom-Based Assessment]
In Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) you learn about what might help you to make choices for a confident and healthy life. In SPHE class you will learn how to get on with your classmates better, as well as help each other to be healthy, safe and well.
The Junior Cycle short course in SPHE is designed to enable students to develop a positive sense of themselves and a commitment to caring for themselves and others. It has four strands- Who am I?, Minding myself and others, Team up and My mental health.
There is no terminal examination in this short course. One CBA to be taken towards the end of the short course. CBA – Final Project. There are no assessment tasks for short courses.
Source: www.careersportal.ie
More detailed information available on Curriculum Online and Careers Portal.