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Junior Cycle Assessment Information
The Junior Cycle in St. Louis fully subscribes to and reflects the principles of junior cycle education through the following:
- our programme meets the requirements of the twenty-four statements of learning;
- and emphasises the development of the eight key skills;
- we facilitate the process by which evidence of learning is generated, gathered, assessed and reported throughout the cycle to students and shared regularly with their parents/guardians;
- our assessments include classroom-based assessments, assessment tasks and state-certified examinations for subjects;
- assessment supports and documents student learning in a balanced range of knowledge, skills and competences;
- we support continuity with primary education and progression to senior cycle education;
- we provide students at the end of the three years with a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) which will report their achievement in subjects in the examinations and assessment tasks marked by the SEC in each subject and report on their progress and achievement in the classroom-based assessments of subjects, in short courses, or PLUs where relevant. We report on students’ achievement in other areas of learning, including Wellbeing
During junior cycle, a student will learn through:
- A number of subjects or a combination of subjects.
- An area of learning called Wellbeing.
- Other learning experiences.
- Our programme will be evaluated by St. Louis secondary School through its ongoing process of self-evaluation and improvement.
In St. Louis you will find that we place the needs of students at the core of teaching and learning.
Subjects
Subjects continue to play an important role as part of the new junior cycle programme. Students will study a maximum of ten subjects for assessment by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
From 2020 students who commence post primary school will follow the Junior Cycle examination in all subjects; English, Irish, Math, History, Geography, French, Science, Home Economics, Business Studies, Music, Visual Art and Religion. First year students will sample our optional subjects for the first five weeks and then select three out of the five options. These optional subjects are : Science, Music, Art, Home Economics, Spanish and Business
The Junior Cycle focuses on 8 key skills. Key skills help learners develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to face the many challenges in today's world. They also support students in learning how to learn and to take responsibility for their own learning.
Wellbeing
The Junior Cycle also provides for a new area of learning called Wellbeing. Wellbeing will cross the three years of junior cycle and build on substantial work already taking place in our school in support of students’ wellbeing. It includes learning opportunities to enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students. It will enable students to build life skills and develop a strong sense of connectedness to their school and to their community.
For this reason, the school places a strong emphasis on the role that Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE), physical education (PE short course), Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Guidance can play in supporting learning about wellbeing and learning for wellbeing.
Other Learning Experiences
Students will have the opportunity to engage with a range of other learning experiences in their junior cycle programme. These will play a critical role in ensuring that students are provided with a broad and balanced educational experience. Learning experiences could include activities relating to guidance, pastoral care and student support; co-curricular activities that complement the taught curriculum for example, students engaging in a science fair; students participating in a musical performance; students participating in a debating competition; students participating in a dance performance etc.