St Joseph's Secondary School First Year 2021/2022 - Core Subjects Option Subjects Wellbeing Junior Cycle Assessment

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St Joseph's Secondary School First Year 2021/2022 - Core Subjects Option Subjects Wellbeing Junior Cycle Assessment
St Joseph’s Secondary School
      Newfoundell, Drogheda, Co. Louth

    First Year 2021/2022

         Core Subjects
       Option Subjects
            Wellbeing
   Junior Cycle Assessment
St Joseph's Secondary School First Year 2021/2022 - Core Subjects Option Subjects Wellbeing Junior Cycle Assessment
What core subjects will I study in St Joseph’s?

All students study the following subjects in first year and continue then for 3 years as part of
their Junior Cycle;

                   Subject                        Maximum Number of
                                                  Students in Each Class
                   English                        30
                   Irish                          30
                   Maths                          30
                   History                        30
                   Geography                      30
                   Religion                       30
                   Science                        24

What are option subjects?

In St Joseph’s, every student chooses three option subjects from the list below. They study
these for 3 years as part of their Junior Cycle. Typically students choose a continental
language (French, Spanish, German) and two other subjects from the list below.

                 Subject                          Maximum Number of
                                                  Students in Each Class
                 German                           30
                 Spanish                          30
                 French                           30
                 Classics                         30
                 Business Studies                 30
                 Applied Technology               24
                 Wood Technology                  24
                 Graphics                         24
                 Visual Art                       24
                 Music                            24

Do I study ICT (Computers) in St Joseph’s?

Yes. All first years have 2 computer classes each week. They will learn how to use Microsoft
Office, as how to code using a BBC Microbit and get an introduction to Robotics. These skills
are very valuable to allow students to solve every day problems and form a key component
of our STEM subjects in the school.
Why do I have to choose a continental language as one of my 3 option subjects?

College may be a long way away when you are entering secondary school for the first time.
However, a small number of NUI colleges require you to have studied a continental
language to gain entry to courses in that college/university. By studying a continental
language from first year, you are giving yourself the option of studying in one of these
colleges when you leave school.

Can I put off studying a continental language until I choose my subjects for my Leaving
Certificate in 5th year?

No. If you choose to study a continental language for your Leaving Certificate, it is not at
beginners level. It is a continuation on from three years of study at Junior Cycle. Therefore it
is not possible to choose French, German or Spanish for the first time in fifth year. We
recommend that each student studies a continental language for Junior Cycle and then
makes up his mind whether to continue with it or not in fifth year.

Parent: My son has an exemption from doing Irish because of SEN. Should he still do a
continental language as one of his option subjects?

No. If your son has educational needs and has an Irish exemption as a result, we don’t
recommend that he chooses French, German or Spanish as one of his options. If your son
has SEN, please contact the school to arrange a meeting with our SENCO, Mr Crummey. Mr
Crummey will advise you on what subjects best suit your son’s needs.

What is the subject sampling day?

The subject sampling day is when incoming first years are invited in to the school to
experience each of the 10 option subjects available. When you arrive in the school, you will
be divided into groups and each group will be given a coloured sticker. Each group will move
between the subjects on the day, guided by a member of staff. During the day, you will be
able to see the rooms where the subjects are taught, meet the teachers and ask any
questions that you have. Our current first years and their parents have found the subject
sampling day very helpful when it comes to choosing the option subjects.

After the sampling day is over, you must speak to your parents about how you got on and
talk through which subjects that you liked the most. This will help you fill in your options
form.

How do I choose my option subjects?

You will be given a form to fill in to choose your option subjects. The 10 subjects will be on
the form and you must place a number from 1 to 6 beside the 6 subjects that you like the
most. Number 1 will be your favourite subject and so on down to number 6.
Why do I have to choose 6 subjects when I will be doing 3?

When you enter 6 subject choices, the school uses software to generate 3 option lines. The
software works out the option lines so that the majority of students get their top 3 choices.
A small number of students may not get one of their top 3 choices. This means that instead,
he will be offered one of his 4-6 choice subjects.

What are the subject option lines?

The software generates 3 lines of roughly 5 to 6 subjects based on the demand from the
students. Every student does one subject from each of the 3 lines. The option lines are
based entirely on student demand and are not altered after the software generates the best
solution so that the majority get their top 3 choices. Once the option lines are generated,
they are final. The following table is the 2020 option lines. This is for illustrative purposes
only. The 2021 option lines will be different.

 Line 1                           Line 2                           Line 3
 Applied Technology               Applied Technology               Business Studies
 Business Studies                 French                           Applied Technology
 Classics                         German                           Visual Art
 Graphics                         Spanish                          Spanish
 Music                            Graphics                         Wood Technology
 Spanish                          Wood Technology                  Wood Technology
 Wood Technology                                                   Wood Technology

Can there be more than one class of a certain subject?

Yes, as you can see in the table above there can be more than one class of a certain subject,
such as Wood Technology in Line 3. This is based entirely on student demand. When you
choose your options, we will look at the numbers that want to do each subject. That will
then determine how many classes of each subject we will run. This changes from year to
year based on the demand at the time.

Is it possible to change an option subject in September if I don’t like it?

Yes, it is possible to switch a subject if you don’t like it. Every student must give the subject a
go and we don’t allow students to move without consulting with the teacher first to see
what the issue is.

All students and parents should be aware that it may not be possible to switch subject in the
new school year. If you look back at the table of subjects, you will see that there is a
maximum number of students allowed in each class. In the new school year, many of these
subjects will be full and it will not be possible to move. The option lines will be formed at
this stage and it may not be possible to move to a subject that you like on the same line. It is
highly recommended that students consider this when choosing their subjects to avoid
disappointment.
Wellbeing
What is Wellbeing?

As part of the new Junior Cycle, every student must receive 400 hours of Wellbeing across
the 3 years of Junior Cycle. The school’s Wellbeing policy is available on the school website
www.droghedacbs.ie and clicking on the ‘Reports & Policies’ tab. We advise that all parents
read this policy as it contains a lot of information on the various care structures that exist in
the school. Wellbeing is comprised of the following subjects;

                   Subject                        Number of Classes a
                                                  Week
                   PE                             A double class
                   SPHE                           1 class a week
                   CSPE                           1 class a week
                   Wellbeing                      A double class

                                 First Year Wellbeing
 PE                                 1 double class a week
 45 hours
 SPHE                               1 class a week
 23 hours
 CSPE                               1 class a week
 23 hours
 Induction to Secondary School      This 3 double class programme introduces students to
 4 hours                            St Joseph’s. Students are given tours of the school and
 (3 double classes)                 shown the offices of their year head, principal and
                                    deputy principals, as well as the guidance counsellor.
                                    They are shown how to use their locker and lock. They
                                    will be taught how to use their student journal
                                    effectively. The teacher will go through the school rules
                                    in the code of behaviour and draw their attention to the
                                    school’s rules on no physical fighting, anti-bullying
                                    procedures and the mobile phone policy.
 Get Up Stand Up                    This is a personal development /social skills programme
 8 hours                            for young people, developed by NEPS. It explores the
 (5 double classes)                 skills they need to understand themselves and to
                                    respond well to others. It covers topics like
                                    getting to know myself, friendship, dealing with
                                    emotions, resilience and coping skills, teasing, bullying
                                    and intimidation and decision making skills. The
programme includes discussion and stories, class room
                             activities, Group work and targets the students can set
                             themselves to assist them in different situations.
Swimming & Life Saving       Students enjoy an additional hour a week of fun,
8 hours                      physical activity which develops their confidence,
(5 double classes)           friendship groups and feeling of connectivity to the
                             school community, There is a developing group and
                             advanced group within the session. Pupils learn
                             anything from the basic front crawl strokes right up to
                             butterfly. They also have the time to play at the end
                             enjoy a little water polo in the pool. Students learn
                             basic life saving techniques, such as information about
                             cold water shock, floating when in danger and pulling
                             somebody in using a pole. The swimming module costs
                             €40 per student for the 5-week course.
First Aid & CPR              This course introduces students to First Aid. They will
8 hours                      learn the basics of First Aid, as well as how to check a
(5 double classes)           pulse rate, how to treat somebody with a nose bleed,
                             how to put on a sling and how to put somebody in the
                             recovery position. Students will be introduced to the
                             CPR4schools programme which is run by the Irish Heart
                             Foundation. CPR 4 Schools is a programme for post
                             primary schools supported by Bank of Ireland. CPR 4
                             Schools gives students the confidence to perform
                             hands-only CPR, use an AED and know what to do when
                             someone is choking.
Nutrition & Healthy Eating   This course allows students to understand the
8 hours                      importance of food and diet in making healthy lifestyle
(5 double classes)           choices. They will learn about the food pyramid, the
                             sugar content of foods, food allergies and coeliac
                             disease.
Choir                        This course introduces students to singing as part of a
8 hours                      choir where they emphasis will be on having fun and
(5 double classes)           participation. It will be led by one of the school’s music
                             teachers and aims to allow students to participate
                             regardless of musical ability. Singing as part of a group
                             enhances teamwork and collaboration.
The Junior Cycle Programme
The new Junior Cycle spreads assessment throughout the three years of Junior Cycle giving
students the opportunity to demonstrate their learning away from the exam hall.

                   Classroom Based Assessments explained
What is a C.B.A?
Classroom-Based Assessments will provide students with opportunities to demonstrate
their understanding and skills in a way which would not be possible in a formal examination.
The tasks will cover a broad range of activities including oral presentations, written work of
different genres, practical or designing and making activities, artistic performances,
scientific experiments, projects or other suitable tasks. A particular purpose of the
Classroom-Based Assessments will be to facilitate developmental feedback to students in a
timely manner to reinforce their learning and aid them in reflecting on their progress.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) are best described as the occasions when the teacher
assesses the students using the specific tasks set out in the curriculum specification for each
subject. They are completed within the teaching time allocated for each subject. All subjects
with the exception of Gaeilge will have their first CBA in second year and their second one
before Christmas in third year. Gaeilge will have both CBAs in third year.

In deciding the level of achievement for the Classroom-Based Assessments, there are four
level descriptors of achievement for each CBA. Teachers use the Features of Quality set out
in The Assessment Guidelines for each subject to decide the level of achievement in each
CBA. The Features of Quality are the criteria used to assess the student work as best fitting
one of the following descriptors:

EXCEPTIONAL; describes a piece of work that reflects the Features of Quality for the
Classroom-Based Assessment to a very high standard. While not necessarily perfect, the
strengths of the work far outstrip its flaws, which are minor. Suggestions for improvement
are easily addressable by the student.

ABOVE EXPECTATIONS; describes a piece of work that reflects all of the Features of Quality
for the Classroom-Based Assessment very well. The student shows a clear understanding of
how to complete each area of activity of the investigation, and the work is praised for its
rigour. Feedback from the teacher might point to the necessity to address some aspect of
the work in need of further attention or polishing, but on the whole, the work is of a high
standard.

IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS; describes a piece of work that reflects most of the Features
of Quality for the Classroom-Based Assessment well. It shows a good understanding of the
task in hand and is free from significant error. Feedback might point to areas needing
further attention or correction, but the work is generally competent and accurate.

YET TO MEET EXPECTATIONS; describes a piece of work that falls someway short of the
demands of the Classroom-Based Assessment and its associated Features of Quality.
Perhaps the student has made a good attempt, but the task has not been grasped clearly or
is marred by significant lapses. Feedback will draw attention to fundamental errors that
need to be addressed.

NOT REPORTED; describes when a student has not submitted any piece of work for
assessment

It is important to acknowledge and affirm that it is not only the grade that matters but also
what the students have actually learned about themselves throughout the CBA experience.
In particular students should reflect about how their project work, experiments or
presentations have helped them engage with their subjects and how the feedback they have
received will enable them to progress further in the future.

Does the CBA count towards the SEC grade at the end of third year?

CBAs do not form part of the SEC component. The Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement will
document achievement in CBAs and for the SEC component separately. The SEC component
includes student achievement in the Assessment Task and the final assessment towards the
end of third year. It should be noted that ‘The Assessment Task’ is directly related to the
nature and focus of the second Classroom-Based Assessment, which will vary in each
subject.

                     Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA)
The JCPA reports on the broad spectrum of student learning and experience over the
three years of the Programme. Although there are plans by in place by the State
Examinations Commission to expediate this, it is currently awarded in January of TY/5 th
year.

CBAs: Classroom-Based Assessments.
SEC: State Examination awarded grades (90% from the terminal exam & 10% from the
Assessment Task).
WELLBEING; has become a core part of the Junior Cycle programme. This area of learning
includes, amongst others, Physical Education, Civic, Social and Political Education, Social,
Personal and Health Education and Guidance as well as a vibrant Wellbeing programme
which is established here in St. Joseph’s.
OAL: Other Areas of Learning
New Grading system explained
With the rollout of the Junior Cycle a new language of learning has been introduced which
takes the emphasis off grades-based achievement for students. As well as formative
assessment and feedback language being a core aspect of the classroom experience, the
final award is described in a different manner. Please see the table below which breaks this
down for you.

The core subjects (English, Irish and Maths) are assessed at Higher and Ordinary Level and
all other subjects are now assessed at common level for all students.

The L1LP (Level 1 Learning Programme) and L2LP (Level 2 Learning Programme)
programmes are also available to some students.

 State Examinations                            Classroom Based Assessment

    •   Distinction (90 -100%)                     •   Exceptional
    •   Higher Merit (75 – 89%)                    •   Above expectations
    •   Merit (55 – 74%)                           •   In line with expectations
    •   Achieved (40 – 54%)                        •   Yet to meet expectations
    •   Partially Achieved (20 – 39%)
                                                   •   Not reported
    •   Not Graded (0 – 19%)

For further information, please see:

www.curriculumonline.ie

www.jct.ie

www.ncca.ie

www.stjosephscbs.ie
General Questions
What time does the school start and finish at?

                 1st/2nd/TY Class & Break Times
                               Mon      Tue      Wed   Thur   Fri
             8:45 - 9:25
             9:25 - 10:05
             10:05 - 10:45
             10:45 - 11:00
             11:00 - 11:40
             11:40 - 12:20
             12:20 - 13:00
             13:00 - 13:40
             13:40 - 14:20
             14:20 - 15:00
             15:00 - 15:40

             3rd/5th 6th Year Class & Break Times
                               Mon      Tue      Wed   Thur   Fri
             8:45 - 9:25
             9:25 - 10:05
             10:05 - 10:20
             10:20 - 11:00
             11:00 - 11:40
             11:40 - 12:20
             12:20 - 13:00
             13:00 - 13:40
             13:40 - 14:20
             14:20 - 15:00
             15:00 - 15:40
Are students allowed to leave the school at lunch time?

No, students are not allowed to leave the school at lunch time. We are operating a ‘closed
school community’ during the day as part of our Covid safety measures.

Small break for 1st years is 10:45 to 11:00. Big break is 1:00 to 1:40.

Does the school have a canteen?

Yes, the school has an excellent canteen and is extremely popular with the students in the
school. The canteen service run by Get Fresh is available at lunch break each day. Get Fresh
have a new pre order and pre-pay online service for students. It is a cashless system and
makes using the canteen safer as it will be a cash free environment. The canteen is not open
at small break and students must bring their own snack and drink to eat then.

How long should students spend on homework each night?

Students should spend 2 hours on homework each night. This includes homework that is
given by teachers on a day to day basis, as well as studying for tests and assessments. Every
student has a homework journal to write his homework in and to help him keep organised.

The school runs a supervised homework club from Monday to Thursday each week for first
years who need support doing their homework.

The school also runs supervised after school study each evening for 2 hours Monday to
Friday.

Do students have lockers?

Students currently don’t have lockers because of the Covid restrictions. All students in first
year currently have a plastic box in their base room where they can keep their books and
coat.

What are the Drumcondra Tests?

All incoming first years sit the Drumcondra tests in February in the school. The date will be
sent out to you closer to the time. These used to be known as entrance exams. They are not
entrance exams and have no implication whatsoever on your son getting a place in St
Joseph’s. The Drumcondra tests assess student’s literacy and numeracy and give us a picture
of what learning supports may be needed to put in place for students when the start in
September.

Are classes in the school streamed?

No, first year classes in St Joseph’s are not streamed. All classes are mixed ability and there
is no top, middle or bottom class. Students are assigned a class which will be one of
1F/1N/1R/1S/1T/1U. There is no distinction between any of the classes. Students will be
streamed in maths and Irish in second year. All other classes are mixed ability.
How will he be assigned to one of the classes named above?

The Drumcondra tests allow us to see what a student’s broad ability is like once he
completed the test. We form the classes so that there is an equal mix of students based on
the Drumcondra tests in each of the first year base classes. Therefore, we obtain each of the
base classes as being equal in terms of ability and learning needs.

What is the St Joseph’s School Uniform?

Junior Cycle Uniform (1st/2nd & 3rd Years)
        • Grey Trousers
        • Light Blue Shirt
        • School Tie
        • Grey Jumper with the school crest
        • Navy Blue School coat
        • Black or Brown Shoes or Runners. No white soles or markings on runners are
        allowed.
Senior Cycle Uniform (TY/5th & 6th Years)
        • Grey Trousers
        • White Shirt
        • School Tie
        • Grey Jumper with the school crest
        • Navy Blue School coat
        • Black or Brown Shoes or Runners. No white soles or markings on runners are
        allowed.
The school jumper/coat/tie can be purchased at any of:
        • Loop Clothing (beside Greenhills School),
        • Bestwear on Shop Street
        • The Children’s Shop on West Street.
        • The shirt and trousers can be purchased in Tesco, Penneys etc.

There is no PE uniform. Students can wear their own sportswear to PE class.

Can I monitor my son’s attendance when he is at school?

Yes, we use the VSware administration system in the school and parents have their own
VSware mobile app. This can also be accessed on the laptop or computer. Parents can
monitor their son’s class by class attendance and submit absence/late notes to the school
via the app. Parents can also receive messages from the school, view their son’s timetable
and term reports on the app.
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