Rockford Manor Secondary School

Stradbrook Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.

Tel: 2801522 Fax: 2845091 E-mail: info@rockfordmanor.ie

Re: Leaving Certificate 2019-21 Subject Choice

Dear Parent/Guardians,

Selecting the right subjects for the Leaving Certificate and the level at which to take them is a
critical task faced by Rockford Manor students every year. The wrong choice here can have
unintended consequences in two years’ time, when students find paths into college are
blocked by unfortunate subject gaps.

In the next few weeks our incoming 5th year students will be asked to make decisions around
what Leaving Certificate subjects they wish to choose. To make a good decision it is essential
to have good information. At Rockford Manor we arrange the following to help our students
make informed decisions regarding subject choice:

1. Careers classes on subject choice.

2. Individual subject departments will give a presentation on their subject.
3. Students undertake (CAT 4) Cognitive Abilities Test which will assist our guidance
counsellors in advising students on subject aptitude.
4. Representatives from our present 5th and 6th year students will give presentations on
individual subjects
5. Students will have an individual appointment with one of our guidance counsellors to
discuss subject choice.
6. Subject Choice Parent Information night.
 PTO

Students are also advised to;

 Study the subject choice information booklet which will be distributed to them.
 Do research (e.g. www.qualifax.ie, careers portal).
 Consult textbooks and past papers of subjects they may be interested in.
 Talk to students who have been, or are presently, studying the subjects which interest
them.
 Discuss subject choice with teachers and parents/guardians.

Students should choose their ‘package’ of subjects to satisfy their interests and to keep as
many careers options open as possible. Our subject choice programme is designed to help
students access as much up to date information as possible and in doing so make effective
subject choice decisions.

Finally all parents/guardians are invited to attend a subject choice information evening which
will take place on Wednesday March 13th from 7-8pm. During this information evening I
will give advice regarding subject choice and discuss the implications of taking various
Leaving Certificate subjects in terms of college application. I will also present information
on the implementation of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) in
Rockford Manor.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Kelly

Guidance Counsellor
 March 2019
5TH Year Subject Choice Programme Timetable
Date Time Group Activity
6th March 9:00-12:00 ALL TRANSITION CAT 4 Testing
YEARS and 3rd Years
going into 5th year

8th March 9:00-10:15 ALL TRANSITION Individual Teacher

(approx) YEARS and (3rd Years Presentation on their
going into 5th year) subject (Study Hall)
IN STUDY HALL
8th March 10:15-10:55 ALL TRANSITION Guidance Presentation-
YEARS and (3rd Years Subject Choice
going into 5th year)
IN STUDY HALL
12th 11:10- 12:30 ALL TRANSITION 5th and 6th year student
March YEARS and (3rd Years presentation of
going into 5th year) subjects
IN STUDY HALL

13th 7:00-8:00 Parents information Parents Subject Choice

March session information Evening

14th-3rd Individual Guidance Appointment- distribute results of CAT

until 18th- Test and discuss subject choice
3rd
19th 11:50-12:30 All TYS AND 3RD Student can complete
March YEARS WILL options form on VS
COMPLETE SUBJECT Ware
OPTIONS FORM
ONLINE IN
COMPUTER ROOM

26th STUDENTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THEIR SUBJECTS

March