The Curriculum
Second-level education in Ireland accomodates students from ages 12
to 18 approximately. This level of education is compulsory for all children
up to 16 years. There are two state examinations, the Junior Certificate
and the Leaving Certificate. There are variations of Leaving Certificate
available and these will be explained later. After Junior Certificate
students may opt to do Transition Year. This programme offers students
the opportunity to learn life skills and a break from a totally academic
routine. As numbers on the programme are limited, a selection process
is required. The criteria for selection may be viewed in the Enrolment
policy which is available here. All students,
except those who have been granted an exemption by the Department of
education and Science, must take Irish as a subject.
Junior Certificate
In St. Mary's Academy the following range of subjects is offered to
students:
| Irish |
| English |
| Maths |
| Science |
| Business Studies |
| Religious Education |
| Physical Education |
| Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE) |
| Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) |
| Materials Technology Woodwork |
| Technical Drawing |
| Art |
| Music |
| History |
| Geography |
| French |
| German |
The following changes were introduced in September 2008 and we will review the curriculum in two years, following feedback from students, parents and teachers:
At the beginning of their first year in the school each pupil studies
all these subjects but as the year progresses they must make a choice
between:
French or German
At the end of First Year students select four subjects from the following list:
Business, Science, Modern Language, Music,Materials TechnologyWoodwork, Drawing and Art
Pupils sit 11 examination subjects for their Junior Certificate.
Transition Year Programme
Transition Year attempts to increase the skills-base of
students and develop initiative. Students engage in a wide range of
activities and there is less emphasis on academic subjects. The following
programme will be offered in 2002/ 2003:
Maths, English, Irish
Heritage Studies, a combination of History and
Geography
French or German and Spanish
Computer programming, to include HTML and PHP
Moodle - Virtual Learning Environment
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Development Education
Art
Construction Studies/ Materials Technology
Social Personal and Health Education
Physical Education
First Aid
Business, including Mini-company
Religious Education, including an active community
-involvenment role
Science and Young Scientist
Career Guidance
The programme offered will vary from year to year, depending on demand the availability of resources.
Leaving Certificate
The choice of subject available at Leaving Certificate
level depends on the selection by students in that year group. The subjects
offered will therefore vary from year to year but will always include
Irish, English and Maths.For the school year 2007/2008 the following
subject choices are available in senior cycle:
Fifth Year
Maths, Irish and English and one subject from each of the following
four lines:
| Bio, Hist, Ag Science, Geog, DCG |
| French, Art, German, Const, Business |
| Bio, Geog, Physics, DCG, Business |
| Accounting, Geog, Chemistry, Const, Econ, Business |
Music is available on Fridays, from 2 to 4 pm.
Sixth Year
Maths, Irish and English and one subject from each of
the following four lines:
| Chem, Bus, Geog, DCG, Biology |
| Physics, Econ, Business, Hist, Const |
| French, German, Const, Business, Geog |
| Biology, Acc, Geog, Const, Art |