ELECTIVE A

Pupils take the following subjects for half year (except Player Pathway).

1. Advanced Technical Drawing:

This course will be based on the latest CAD (Computer Aided Design) packed of Solid Works which is the industrial standard design tool of today.

The aims of this course are to develop the decision making capabilities of students in the activities associated with design through three principal areas of study:

1. Design and Communication Graphics.
2. Plane and Descriptive Geometry
3. Applies Graphics.

This course is designed to take cognisance of importance developments in the modes of communicating design information.

It is intended to develop the creative thinking and problem solving abilities of students.

2. Advanced Woodwork:

This half-year course is for those who wish to consolidate and improve upon woodwork skills obtained for Junior Certificate Programme. The course seeks to challenge the students with the construction and detailed finishing of furniture pieces.

3. Applied Maths:

This is the Maths of Physics. Pupils learn to solve “real life” problems using mathematical modeling. The mains elements of the Transition Year Course are: Speed, Acceleration, Projectiles, Relative Velocity, Collision Theory. Apart from being a good foundation for Leaving Certificate course, Applied Maths is also useful for future study at third level in the sciences, engineering, architecture, biophysics (dentistry) etc.

4. Building Construction and CAD:

This course will cover basic architectural design with regard to designing a 2/3 bed roomed home or holiday home and cover building construction from foundation to ridge. Class time will be given over to manual drawing of the necessary plans and elevations required, followed by transferring drawings onto computer using AutoCad. Building regulations, planning permission and by-laws will also be covered.

5. Classical Studies:

Greece and Rome. Pupils study the foundation of Greece. The course encompasses a study Greek philosophers especially Plato and Socrates and study of Greek architecture and drama. Within ancient Rome pupils study profiles of the Roman emperors, Caesar and Constantine. Pupils also study Latin, the language of the Law, Medicine and the Church.  Pupils are introduced to the Leaving Certificate Classical Studies course.

6. Home Economics:

Pupils learn the basics of Home Economics at a practical level. Emphasis is on cooking, hygiene, health and safety. This is ideal for pupils who did not do Home Economics at Junior Certificate level and wish to study it at Leaving Certificate or indeed those who would just like to cook.

7. Player Pathway:

A programme of skill acquisition and game appreciation from the player’s point of view. The boys would need to be fully fit and able with a basic level of athletic competence. The emphasis will be on field sports.

8. Art:

Pupils concentrate on practical work and learn how to prepare a portfolio of Art Work. Such a portfolio is an essential part of the Leaving Certificate Art Examination. Pupils need not have taken Art at Junior Certificate to apply for this Semester.

9. Craft and Design:

This provides students to explore the world of design from the perspective of art. Discussion will range from fashion to architecture, from functionality to style. Students will be encouraged to design and create craftwork – for example ceramics and pottery.

10. Computer Applications:

Pupils learn to use Microsoft word and Excel to an advanced level and to explore the many capabilities of each package. They learn of the many practical applications of same. Pupils will be introduced to the mechanics of creating and publishing their own website. Pupils will also be introduced to the Department of the Environment Driver Theory Test.

11. Holiday Spanish (Beginners):

The course will be less focused on grammar and more on communication with learning basic phrases to enable students in basic conversation e.g. looking to make bookings on trains or in hostels, as well as ordering food in restaurants in Spain etc. In addition, it will be a review of how to be politer asking basic questions, getting directions and learning about Spanish pronunciation to enable them to communicate on a basic level when on holidays in Spain.

12. European Film:

The course is not a film course per say. It is reviewing  a stage in European history, the Second World War and studying it from the French, the German and Italian viewpoint to a much closer extent and in addition the American involvement, to a lesser extent. There will also be a study of the precursor of the Second World War, the Spanish Civil War too. All the history will be studied firstly of this period of the 1930’s to 1945 in the various countries. Then, the films (all being foreign language films), which are about these points in history will be studied in great detail. It combines two aspects of the Leaving Certificate course – the English course, where as part of the Comparative Study course, reviews films and observes them for a stylistic viewpoint not merely an entertainment angle. Observing the films form a historical, costume, lighting viewpoint and examining how these sustain the story and history, is fundamental to this course. In addition, it obviously builds on the Junior Certificate history course where they would have reviewed this section of history, but at Leaving Certificate they examine it form a much closer level learning the key figures, battles etc.

ELECTIVE B

Pupils take the following subjects for half year.

1. Beginners Woodwork:

This course introduces the students to the variety of tools used in connection with Woodwork and how to use these tools correctly. This subject helps the student coordinate both hand and mind and gives them practical knowledge of wood and its uses. A good quality pencil and a willingness to work is all that is required

Projects that are covered during the course are: Small Footstool, Tape and CD Box, Wine Table and Coffee Table.

2. Beginners Technical Drawing:

This will be a basic course in Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) aimed at developing the student’s cognitive and practical skills. These skills include graphicacy and graphic communication, creative problem solving, spatial abilities/visualisation, design capabilities, computer graphics and CAD (Computer Aided Design) modelling.

This course will be particularly useful to students who did not do Technical Graphics for Junior Certificate but are interested in taking it up for Leaving Certificate.

Students who think they may want to take up the subject at Leaving Certificate level must do the first module in September.

Some drawing equipment will be required. This is available for purchase in the school

3. Media Studies:

In this class students research, present and produce their own radio show. The show airs on the Dublin Station, Dublin City FM. It is called ‘Student Talk’ and it deals with issues that relate directly to students such as drugs, alcohol, education, etc. The show is recorded  every Wednesday evening and every student must be available to come into the station in Dublin City centre on a few occasions throughout the year. Research and script writing for the show are carried out during class and at home. This option would suit students who have an interest in the media or sound engineering. Although most of the class is centered around the radio show Film Studies is also an element of this course.

 

4.   Engineering – Design and Discovery:

This elective introduces students to basic electronics and engineering. It offers students a combination of hands-on practical experience as well as training in the design process. The elective tasks students to complete a project by firstly identifying a design challenge, creating a workable solution, carrying out a cost analysis and finally, designing a model.

5. Safety:

This elective will comprise of Basic First Aid, Water Safety/Life Saving and Motor Safety. The First Aid course will be given by an Order of Malta Ambulance Corps instructor and each pupil upon passing will receive a Basic Adult First Aid Certificate.

Life Saving will be carried out in the swimming pool once a week by a qualified instructor.

The “Rules of the Road” will make up the majority of this course on Motor Safety and will prepare each student for the Drivers Theory Test. Guest speakers from the Ambulance Corps, Fire Brigade and An Garda Siochána will make this course very beneficial and worthwhile to all who take part.

6. Fitness Management:

Semester will cover academic and practical elements of the Department of Education Draft Syllabus for Senior Cycle Physical Education at Leaving Certificate. The theory and practice of the following will be covered; Components and Principals of Fitness, Strength, Power, Speed, Agility, Endurance, Fitness Testing, Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness, Flexibility Development, Diet and Nutrition, Basic of First Aid in Sport.

7. Music Appreciation:

Category One (Beginners): Students who would like to develop an interest in Music and the ability to play an instrument.

Category Two (Advanced): Students who have achieved a more advanced level of Musicianship

Students are introduced to three key areas of Music.

• Listening:
The aim of this module is to expose students to various styles of music (Popular, Ethnomusicology etc) so that they may gain a greater understanding and appreciation of each of these styles. The music module offers students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with musicians and groups from the seventies, eighties and nineties. Various styles of music including rock, reggae, pop and dance are listened to and their origins and development are examined.

• Composing:
Students are introduced to musical notation, different rhythms, melody and song writing.

• Performing:
Students are provided with and encouraged within a forum to express their musicality and become accustomed to performing in front of an audience.

8. P.E.:

Coaching and Refereeing Course:

Aim:  To develop among the pupils an interest in coaching and /or refereeing.

Objectives:

1. That each pupil learns the basic principles of coaching in a sport they are familiar with.
2. That each pupil experiences refereeing a game involving their pear group or a younger group of players.

Content:

(A) Pupils will learn basic coaching techniques such as planning sessions, how to structure a coaching session, safety precautions necessary in a range of activities, key factors in group organisation, evaluation and feedback from the sessions and other elements of good coaching. Sports will include rugby, gaelic football and basketball.

(B) Pupils will take part in a basic course in refereeing the above sports. The referee must be well-versed in the laws/rules of the game, be authoritative, observant and aware of on and off-field factors and primarily the safety of the players.

Evaluation: Pupils will be observed and informed on an ongoing basic throughout the course, with a final practical session to be completed and assessed at the end of the course.