Ringsend College Leaving Certificate Curriculum
The Leaving Certificate in Ringsnd College is a two-year programme of study during which we support and guide students towards the successful completion of the Leaving Certificate exam. We offer a wide variety of subjects from practical to theoretical studies. For example: English, Maths, Irish, French, Home Economics, Engineering, Geography, Business, Biology, Information Technology, Music and so on.
English is a core subject for all students from first year to sixth year.
What will the Leaving Certificate exam look like?
Paper 1 is divided into two sections: Comprehension and composition
Students are expected to answer questions based on their understanding of two reading comprehensions. They must also compose a written piece (essay, debate speech, short story, etc) considering their audience and purpose.
Paper 2 examines the students’ understanding of a range of literary texts which have been prescribed for study:
Students must choose a single text for close study, three or more texts to form a comparative study, and must follow a prescribed course in poetry.
Students can decide to study English at Ordinary or Higher level for the Leaving Certificate.
The aim of Leaving Certificate Irish 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; your written skills through writing in Irish, and your reading skills through reading passages, poems and stories written in Irish.
Students can take Irish at Foundation, Ordinary or Higher level for the Leaving Certificate exams.
What does the exam paper look like:
Paper 1 is divided into two sections: Aural and composition
Students are expected to answer questions based on their understanding of the conversations that they hear on the CD being played. They must also compose a written piece (essay, debate speech, short story, etc) considering their audience and purpose.
Paper 2 examines the students’ understanding of a range of literary texts which have been prescribed for study:
There are a selection of short stories, book extracts and short films as well as poetry to be studied.. Students will study five poems and five stories in preparation for the exam. Higher level students are also expected to answer questions based on a Drama they have studied.
There will also be 40% of the marks going towards the Oral exam which takes place in the school before the written exams in June.
The foundation level exam consists of one paper where the students will be expected to answer a selection of aural questions, reading comprehensions and complete some short written pieces.
https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects/Gaeilge/
Maths is a core subject that can be studied at higher, ordinary or foundation level. 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.
Home Economics is a subject where you will learn how to take care of yourself, others, your home and your environment. As Home Economics is a very practical subject, you will carry out a lot of activities in school and at home.
Students have the option to take Home Economics at Senior level. Students complete both a practical coursework journal in 5th year and a written examination for their state exams in 6th year.
What will the exam look like:
The written exam is made up of one paper worth 80% of the total grade. It is divided into three sections. Section A consists of a selection of short questions relating to all aspects of the Home Economics syllabus. Section B consists of five longer questions, which the students are expected to answer Q1 and any other two questions. Section C is the elective question where students will answer one long questions on their elective area which can be:
1. Home design management
2. Textiles fashion and design
3. Social studies
The practical journal work completed through 5th and 6th year comprises of four food studies assignment briefs. Students must investigate the given brief, plan, prepare, cook and evaluate their chosen dish. This course work is worth 20% of the overall grade.
https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects/Home-Economics/
Biology is the study of life.
Through the study of biology students employ the processes of science in their investigations and explore the diversity of life and the inter-relationship between organisms and their environment.
Students develop an understanding and knowledge of the unit of life – the cell – whose structures and processes are shared by all living organisms and, in so doing, gain an insight into the uniqueness, function and role of organisms, including themselves.
In addition, they become aware of the use by humans of other living organisms and their products to enhance human health and the human environment and make informed evaluations about contemporary biological issues.
The syllabus is composed of science for the enquiring mind or pure science, which constitutes approximately 70% of the syllabus, and the technological, political, social and economic aspects of biology, which constitutes the remaining 30%.
The syllabus consists of three units:
● Unit One: Biology - The Study of Life
● Unit Two: The Cell
● Unit Three: The Organism
In Art, Craft, Design you will have the opportunity to create images and objects using a variety of tools, materials and special equipment. To understand Art, Craft, Design it is important to make things yourself so that you learn and understand by doing.
Business Studies helps you to make more informed decisions in the everyday business of living. It gives you a better understanding of the world of work. It encourages you to think about how and why people start up in business and why you too might also consider starting a business.
French can be studied at both Higher and Ordinary level for the Leaving Certificate exam.
The Leaving Certificate French Paper at the paper is divided into four sections:
● Oral
● Reading comprehension
● Written production
● Listening comprehension or aural.
The oral exam is worth 25% of the final grade.
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.
Students study a variety of topics throughout their time in Ringsend College. This provides the student with the opportunity to interact with both the theory and practical side of the subject. Students will participate in numerous field trips/studies.
Leaving Certificate
Example of topics in Leaving Certificate:
Physical:
Plate Tectonics
Volcanoes & Earthquakes
Coastal Processes
Rocks
Weathering
Regional:
The Greater Dublin Region
The Western Region
The Mezzogiorno
The Paris Basin
The Amazon
South West USA
Economic & Environment:
Multi-National Companies (Danone &Dell)
Colonisation
European Union
Globalisation
Fossil Fuels
Maps, Aerial Photographs Skills
Biomes:
The Amazon Biome
The Desert Biome
Field Study:
Based on coastal processes and their impacts on the environment
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.
What will I learn in PE?
Some of the things you will learn include:
● how to take part in many activities, from reading maps in orienteering to doing gymnastics with a partner
● how to be part of a team, but also fun activities you can do on your own
● why physical activity is good for you
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is a senior cycle Programme of the Department of Education & Science Candidates taking the LCVP have a unique opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills. These skills are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.
https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0040_2013.pdf
What is the structure of Construction Studies?
Practical work: Craft furniture design and manufacture. Model Making of building details and heritage structures. Development and refining of woodwork hand craft skills that are examined in LC by means of a Skills Test.
How is Construction Studies examined?
Theory Exam = 300 Marks (50%)
Project and Portfolio = 150 Marks (25%)
4 Hour Skills Test Exam = 150 Marks (25%)
RSE
The Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Programme in school aims to provide opportunities for children and young people to learn about relationships and sexuality in ways that help them think and act in a moral, caring and responsible way.
All senior cycle students are timetabled RSE.
RSE, which is located in the overall framework of SPHE, has as its specific aims:
- To help young people understand and develop friendships and relationships
- To promote an understanding of sexuality
- To promote a positive attitude towards one’s own sexuality and in one’s relationships with others
- To promote knowledge of and respect for reproduction
- To enable young people to develop attitudes and values towards their sexuality in a moral, spiritual and social framework
Linked to SPHE:
- To enable the students to develop skills for self-fulfilment
- To promote self esteem and self confidence
- To enable the students to develop a framework for responsible decision making
- To provide opportunities for reflection and discussion
- To promote physical, mental and emotional health and well-being
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