If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you

James Rossiter & Patricia Clancy

Junior Cycle Co-Ordinators

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 20 May 2018

• What subjects have changed so far?

Students who entered 1st Year in September 2015 are doing the new English course and Business and Science were introduced for 1st Years in 2016

• What subjects are being introduced in September 2017?    

Irish/Modern Languages/Visual Art

• What subjects are being introduced in 2018?

Maths/Home Economics/Music/History/Geography  

• What is Wellbeing?

New subject comprising of CSPE/SPHE and PE plus others –initially 300 hours over 3 years moving to 400 .

• Where can I see the subject specifications/curricula?

Subject specifications are online at http://www.curriculumonline.ie  

• Where else can I get information on the new Junior Cycle?

www.Juniorcycle.ie          

• What are the 8 key skills and 24 statements of learning feature spoke about in the new JCT?   

Across all subjects and across the school students should be given the opportunity to master 8 key skills and meet 24 statements of learning

• How many subjects do students currently study?

Between 8 and 10 as well as CSPE, SPHE and PE  

• How many subjects do students study from September 2017?

Between 8 and 10 subjects in addition to Wellbeing (PE/SPHE/PE). Students studying less than 10 subjects can also do short courses  

• What are other areas of learning?

Activities that students are involved in that fit in with the 8 key skills and 24 statements. E.g. If SPHE is not done as a short course, it is categorised as another area of learning  

• What is the minimum length of class period in Junior Cycle?

40 mins    

• What is a CBA?

This is a Classroom Based Assessment. It allows students demonstrate skills ad concepts and their ability to apply them in ways that may not be possible in standard exams.  

• How many CBA take place per subject?

Two, one in 2nd Year and one in 3rd Year  

• Will all subjects have two CBAs?

No, some subjects where the creation of an item for correction is part of the exam e.g. Woodwork/Metalwork/Art, the second CBA will be linked to this project work.  

• When do CBAs happen?

In class time and within a time frame set down nationally  

• How are CBAs graded?  

• Exceptional
• Above Expectation
• In line with expectations
• Yet to meet expectations  

• Who assesses the CBAs?

The teacher in question  

• What is a SLAR Meeting?

Meeting of subject teachers to discuss the work of students and agree a standard. It takes place after the Classroom Based Assessment (CBA)

• What subjects might not have a SLAR?

Practical subjects that have produced a project for correction by the State exams commission  

• What is an Assessment Task?

Work completed prior to the main exam –done in class time but sent away with the final exam  

• How will the final examination in June differ between Junior Cycle and Junior Certificate?

No exam will be over 2 hours in duration
Only Irish/English/Maths will have Higher and Ordinary  

• What are the grade descriptors for SEC examinations?
  • Distinction
  • Higher Merit
  • Merit
  • Achieved Partially
  • Achieved Not graded  
  •  
• How many days may a school close in 2017/18 for JC activities?

2 days

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 20 May 2018

Information for Parents

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 09 May 2018

The Junior Certificate is changing and will now be called the Junior Cycle.

As part of these changes the certification is also changing, as well as receiving an official certificate containing just your JC results, you will be receiving a Junior Cycle Certificate Profile of Achievement(JCPA) which will contain your State Certified Final Examination results, your Classroom Based assessment descriptors and a section called “Other Areas of Learning”

It will look like this: - 

You can have an input into what goes into the ‘Other Area of Learning?’ section of this Profile of Achievement. But the most important thing to remember is that Other Areas of learning must be school related-

So it happened here;

Or while you were representing Kilkenny College while wearing a variation of this;

You now need to think about things that could be included as an ’Other Area of Learning.’

You should write your OAL statement in the third person like this;

John/Joan played on the Badminton team, do NOT use “I” played on the Badminton team.

We also need teacher references for your OALS (eg) Mr O’Keeffe, Ms Slater, Mr Rossiter.

You now must state the skills you learned while completing these OALs;

Use the Key skills and Statements of Learning Handout to help you reflect on the skills you learned.

Examples of how other students combined their achievements with Key Skills and Statements of Learning 

• X successfully raised money for ISPCC in his CSPE action project where he was vice head of the question committee. This experience taught him to develop his organisational skills and his ability to work in a team.

• In her CSPE project, X made Christmas decorations to raise money for Downes Syndrome Ireland. This demonstrated how she recognises her responsibilities as a citizen in her wider community and how she is willing to take action to promote the wellbeing of others.

• X helped out at the open day for new first years. This shows how she takes an active role in the school community.

• X came first in an Easter cake competition in first year. This demonstrated the key skill of being creative.

• X was on the Hockey team who won the Schools South Leinster title in 1st year. This experience helped X develop his ability to work in a team and how to set achieve personal targets.

• X made a freestanding bed-side locker in his woodwork class. This project taught him the skills of research and how to think creatively. It also taught him to bring an idea from the concept to realisation.

• X was a cast member in our school Drama ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’. Performing in front of the school helped her to develop her confidence and to engage with people.

• In 3rd year X was awarded the Junior Girls Sports Person of the Year. This award highlights her dedication to excellence and her leadership skills.

• X was a member of the girls’ Badminton team. This developed her key skill of working with others and staying well.

• X took part in a geography project in 2nd year making a model of river transportation. This project taught her the skills of research and thinking creatively.

• X was on the finance committee for his third year CSPE action project on ISPCC. He was in charge of the allocation of our raised money throughout our action project. This demonstrates the key skill of working with others and particularly the aspect of contributing to make the world a better place.

• X was a member of the Rugby team in 1st year where we won the Leinster final. This experience highlights how well he works in a team and her ability to self-motivate.
• X participated in the school choir, during her 1st year. This developed her communication and co-operation skills and helped her to work on her own initiative

1^stOther area of Learning:- ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________Teacher Reference:- __________________________________________________________

2^ndOther area of Learning:- ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________Teacher Reference:- __________________________________________________________

3^rd  Other Area of Learning:- _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Teacher Reference:- __________________________________________________________

4^th  Other Area of Learning:- _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Teacher Reference:- __________________________________________________________

5^thOther Area of Learning:- ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Teacher Reference:- __________________________________________________________

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 04 May 2018

Kate Russell Sub Site coming soon

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 15 March 2018