In St. Benildus College we place the student at the centre of the learning process in preparing them for Junior Cycle.
All students undertake the core subjects of English, Irish, Maths, P.E. and R.E, along with Business Studies, C.S.P.E, History, Geography, Science, S.P.H.E, a language( we offer Spanish, French and German) and one other subject from a choice( Art, Music, PE, Technical Drawing, Woodwork, Classics or Computers). Students are afforded an opportunity to sample optional subjects prior to picking one. Students are welcomed from their first day, and encouraged to embrace the Lasallian ethos of the College community.
The Junior Cycle allows for new ways of learning and a broader range of skills to be properly assessed. Underpinning the new junior cycle are a set of principles, key skills and statements of learning. These will ensure that your child receives a rich educational experience that has both breadth and depth. Your child will have access to a varied curriculum of knowledge, understandings, skills and values. Eight principles underpin the framework for Junior Cycle. These inform the planning for, as well as the development and implementation of, junior cycle programmes St. Benildus College.
The eight principles of Junior Cycle are:
- Learning to Learn ● Choice and Flexibility ● Quality ● Creativity and Innovation ● Engagement and Participation ● Continuity and Development ● Inclusive Education ● Wellbeing
These eight key skills permeate across the entire curriculum Through engaging with the key skills students will:
- be more actively engaged with learning
- take greater ownership of their learning
- have a critical engagement with digital technology
- be encouraged to problem solve and think critically and creatively
How student achievement at Junior Cycle will be assessed
A dual approach to assessment, involving classroom-based assessment across the three years and a final externally-assessed, state-certified examination is how the students are assessed.
This dual approach enables the appropriate balance between preparing students for examinations and facilitating creative thinking, engaged learning and better outcomes for students.
At the end of the three years of junior cycle your son will receive a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA).
The JCPA will report on a number of areas, including:- 1. Subjects (State Examination and Assessment Task) 2. Classroom Based Assessments 3.Other Areas of Learning
The state examination that students sit in their subject at the end of their junior cycle will be marked using the following descriptors
Distinction- 90 to 100%
Higher Merit -75 to 89%
Merit- 55 to 74%
Achieved -40 to 54%
Partially Achieved- 20 to 39%
Not Graded- 0 to 19%
Classroom Based Assessments Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination, for example, their verbal communication and investigation skills. CBAs will be undertaken in subjects and will be facilitated by the classroom teacher.
The following descriptors will be used for CBAs:
Exceptional
Above Expectations
In Line with Expectations
Yet to meet Expectations