LEAVING CERTIFICATE ESTABLISHED

The SC is a two year programme which caters for students in the 1518 year old age group.

 The SC aims to encourage and facilitate students to continue in full-time education by providing a stimulating range of programmes suited to their abilities, aptitudes and interests. It offers students some specialisation towards a particular career option. The Leaving Certificate State examinations are held at the end of the two years. Students following the established Leaving Certificate (LCE) must study at least five subjects, one of which must be Irish. In OLM students take SEVEN subjects for examination.

Senior Cycle

Subject Options
The following subjects are COMPULSORY in Senior Cycle in Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School: Irish: The subject is studied at Ordinary, Higher or Foundation Level. Some students are withdrawn from this subject if they have an exemption or if a parent makes a request. A number of students are given the opportunity to study Irish at the Gaeltacht in the summertime of 5th Year. English: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Students attend a variety of events linked to coursework throughout the school year. Maths: The subject is studied at Ordinary, Higher or Foundation Level. The Trinity Access Programme offers a 10 week Higher Level revision course for 2 students. Also, there is an additional revision 2 day course at both levels for 2 students.

Optional Subjects:
Students must select 4 subjects from the list below to complete in their LC exam: French: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Additional French Oral classes are offered to students for 2 hours on a Wednesday afternoon. Accounting: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. History: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Geography: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Art: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Design and Communication Graphics: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Business: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Biology: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level. Home Economics: The subject is studied at Ordinary or Higher Level.

Art
The Art course for the LC consists of 2 main parts. The practical side of the course is about developing your ability in a range of artistic activities. You can chose from a number of media, from the fine arts such as sculpture, drawing, and painting, to puppetmaking, embroidery, calligraphy, metalwork and pottery. The practical examination takes place over the course of a week in supervised sessions of up to 5 hours, during which students are to complete several artistic projects. The art course also has a written exam on History and Appreciation of Art, which counts for 37.5% of the marks. The exam is divided into 3 sections, 1 on Irish Art, 1 on European Art, and 1 on artistic appreciation.

Art
Many of the skills that students learn while studying Art are very useful outside of school and in whatever job they choose to do in the future. There are many career opportunities in Art. These include careers such as architecture, graphic design, industrial design, fashion design, interior design, stage design, crafts, video production, marketing, cosmetics, photography, art therapy, sign-writing, advertising, landscaping, hairdressing and beautician. It is a wonderful opportunity to be creative.

Why study an Artistic subject?

Tick all that apply: You are creative and artistic You enjoy expressing yourself through art You know who Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael were You are always sketching and doodling You are prepared to practice and work at your talent You love beautiful things

HOME ECONOMICS
In HE you get knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for managing your life. The subject combines theory with practice. You learn about the management of resources (material & human) to meet physical, emotional, intellectual, social & economic needs of individuals and their families. You study: Food Studies - 45%, Resource Management & Consumer Studies- 25%, Social Studies- 10%, & one elective- Home Design & Management: 20% /Textiles, Fashion & Design :20%/ Social Studies: 20%. You must do Practical Coursework during the 2 years which will be sent to the Department of Education and Science for inspection. This is 20% of final marks

Home Economics
A wide variety of careers are open to students who take HE at LC. These include careers such as food technology, food science, food engineering, general sciences, HE teaching, dietetics, textile sciences, dress designing, chef, management in the tourist industry, hairdressing, nursing, social worker, and childcare.

Why should you study HE?

You want to learn how to cook and care for yourself away from home. You are interested in social problems like alcoholism, drugs and abuse. You want to learn more about vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats You are interested in social work, nursing, childcare or catering. You want to learn about design and management. You want to know how electrical equipment works.

Biology
Biology is the study of life. Through the study of biology students employ the process of science to explore the diversity of life and the interrelationship between organisms and their environment. They become aware of the use of living organisms and their products to enhance human health and the environment. The syllabus consists of approximately 70% biological knowledge, understanding and skill; the remaining 30% deals with the technological, political, social and economic aspects of biology.

Biology
Biology is useful for students who are interested in a career in agriculture, ambulance driver, audiologist, biochemist, biologist, biology teacher, chiropodist, dental craftsperson, dentist, dietician, doctor, forester, medical/ laboratory technician, nurse, occupational therapist, optician, pharmacist, beautician, dietician, health inspector, physiotherapist, veterinary, surgeon and many other careers. Many colleges require at least one science subject and sometimes a specific one for entry into any science and sport related courses

Why study a science subject?

You are interested in going to college to study science, engineering, medicine or nursing. You are concerned about the environment. You want to use forensic science to help to solve crimes. You want to ask Jedward if they are monozygotic or dizygotic. You want to find out about the amazing life cycle of the liver fluke. You want to understand the nature and danger of radiation

Accounting
The main aims of accountancy are to contribute to the personal and social development of each student together with fostering the concept of accountability; to create an awareness of the business environment, to encourage the development of selfreliance, to enhance numeracy skills and to expose students to aspects of business and enterprise. The topics covered include: Financial Statements Preparation, Farm Accounts, Club Accounts, Company Accounts, Budgeting, Breakeven analysis, Accounting Theory and Principles. You need to be good with numbers. Being able to think logically, and present information clearly and concisely is important. It is important to choose Accounting as a subject if you are interested in a career such as accountancy, sales , banking, management, clerical work, taxation, insurance, advertising, business law and finance

 This is a practical and vocational orientated subject that introduces students to the world of Business in a straightforward and logical way. It aims to create an awareness of the importance of the Business activity and to develop a positive and ethical attitude towards it. The course sets out to illustrate the process of setting up a business and developing a new product or service. It emphasises the importance of good management and deals with skills and activities necessary for good management practice. It also deals with the impact of technology, foreign trade, global firms and competition with business structures and the national economy. It is important to choose business as a subject if you are interested in a career such as industry, banking, accountancy, sales, finance, marketing and law.

Business

Why should you study a Business subject?

Tick all that apply: you enjoy the world of commerce and business You follow the business news in the paper, radio & TV you enjoy dealing with people you know the different between a bank draft and a cheque. You are good at accounting and statistics You want to know about taxation and law

Design and Communication Graphics

Design and Communication Graphics provides students with the opportunity for visualizing and comprehending information presented verbally or graphically. Problem solving and creative thinking skills are developed through analysis and solution of both 2 and 3 dimensional graphics. It consists of a core section comprised of (a) plane and solid geometry and (b) communication computer graphics. There is also an option section of applied graphics: 2 options are to be taken. The exam is worth 60% and the Student assignment 40%. Graphics and design are communicated using freehand sketching skills, traditional draughting equipment and CAD.

Design and Communication Graphics

Design and Communication Graphics will be of use to students if they want to progress into career areas such as architecture, all engineering and engineering technician careers, aircraft technician, apprenticeship, construction trades, bricklayer, carpenter, industrial designer, maintenance and service personnel, motor mechanic, technical sales, structural design, printing, town planner and industrial engineer.

Why you might study a Practical subject?

Tick all that apply you enjoy making things You took apart your toys to see how they worked You may be interested in an apprenticeship You do neat, accurate work and meet deadlines You like to design and plan things You love DIY

French
There is a common syllabus framework for the teaching and examining of modern languages in the LC. The aims are that students will develop communicative skills in the target language so that they can participate fully in classroom activities. To give learners a critical awareness of how meaning is organised and conveyed by structures and vocabulary. To help learners develop strategies for effective learning and to equip students with the cultural, social and political complexities of countries in which the target language is a normal medium. Some 3rd level colleges/ universities require one continental language as an entry requirement. UCD, UCC, NUIG, NUI Maynooth. Some courses in Trinity and IT Colleges also require it. It is important to select French as a subject if you are interested in a career in tourism, catering, education, business and translation services.

Why should you study a Modern Language?

Tick all that apply: You want to keep all your college options open You enjoy travelling and discovering new places You can express yourself and your own opinions You enjoy the different sounds of a foreign language You want the possibility of new and interesting opportunities having a language offers You want to enjoy and appreciate the literature and culture of another country.

History
History deals with the experience of human life in the past. History looks at the world of politics, economics, religion and philosophy. The study of history involves an investigation of the surviving evidence relating to such experiences. It brings students into contact with human experiences that are often very different from their own and fosters their developing understanding of the human condition and human motivation. Through its focus on the evaluation of evidence, it contributes significantly to the development of students skills of critical thinking. Through its focus on research, it allows students the opportunity to develop their skills of independent learning. Students have to complete a special research topic on a subject of your own choice which is worth 20% of the final mark It is important to choose History as a subject if you are interested in a career linked to heritage, tourism, research, politics, sociology, archaeology, researcher, broadcaster, garda, and the environment.

Geography
Geography is concerned with the study of people and their environment. The subject will help students develop an understanding of the changing relationship between the physical and human worlds. Through their study of geography, students will develop geographical skills that will help them make informed judgements about issues at local, national and international levels. Geography is regarded as a science subject and is accepted as such in Trinity for science and pharmacy. Geography is a very useful subject as regards employment. Career areas include tourism, travel agency, lorry/bus driver, taxi, town planning, outdoor pursuits, education, weather forecasting, business, and transport.

Why you should study History or Geography?

Tick all that apply: You want to find out more about where you live and your environment You want to know how the war to end all wars led to another soon afterwards You want to know how the Irish landscape took shape You have an interest in current affairs and topical issues You want to read a map and navigate by it Youre concerned about climate change and desertification.

Selection Process
Students will receive a subject option form about selection of subject options. Each student will number their subjects in order of preference, that is, what subjects they want to do the most. Management and Ms. Brady will create 4 subject lines from the student lists and students will select 4 subjects that they are interested in completing. Subject choice isnt guaranteed, but we will try our best to give your choices.

WHAT CAN HELP YOU DECIDE?

Mock Results How you generally get on at the subject Do you like the subject? Does the subject link to a career of interest to you? Ask your teacher for advice, guidance counsellor, parents, and friends etc.

The Points System

Points for entry to third level courses are calculated on the six best subjects. 25 extra bonus points will be added to the points score for LC Higher Level Maths. Check the points scoring system on the next slide. Foundation Maths receives 20 points for an A1, 15 points for an A2, 10 points for a B1 and 5 points for B2 in some colleges. Check each college you apply to.

Leaving Certificate Points Scoring System

Percentages 90-100 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 40-44 25-39 10-24 0-9 Grade A1 A2 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 E F NG Higher 100 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 Ordinary 60 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 -

Life after the LC

Students can apply directly to Colleges of Further Education (PLCs) such as Crumlin College, Liberties College etc. to complete courses like Art Portfolio, Pre-Nursing, Computers, Chef, Security, Beauty etc. Students can apply to go third-level colleges such as universities and institutes of technology through the CAO system to complete degree courses such as science, teaching, architecture, arts etc. Students can apply to complete apprenticeships through Fas/ Solas. Students can apply directly to the world of work and get a job of interest to them.

Look at the school website for more information

www.olmdrimnagh.com click on career/ vocational guidance and click on each heading to get further information on the CAO, PLCs, Apprenticeships.