The Curriculum>Junior Certificate

First Year Induction Programme

On their first morning in school, first year pupils are welcomed by their year head. They are introduced to the principal, form tutors, prefects and some subject teachers. They are then allocated to their classes and each group is taken care of by their form tutor. Pupils are given their timetables. School rules and procedures are explained to them. Each boy meets the prefect who will be responsible for him during his first year in St. Declan's College. The prefect takes his pupils on a tour of the school.

During the month of September, class tutors, year head, counsellor, learning support teacher, chaplain and prefects meet the boys on a regular basis to ensure that the transition into secondary school is as smooth as possible and that the pupils settle into their new school life.

First year pupils have their own yard for break-time and lunchtime. This is of great benefit to them as it enables them to get to know each other more quickly. There are always a number of prefects in this yard so break-time and lunchtime afford a suitable opportunity for prefects and first years to get to know each other. First year pupils also have their own queue in the canteen.

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Coffee Mornings

A coffee morning is held in October for the parents of each first year class. Parents meet their son's class tutor, prefect and year head. They may also meet a number of subject teachers, the counsellor and learning support teacher. This informal occasion provides an early opportunity for parents to assess how well their son is settling into school.

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Christmas Tests

The Christmas tests are held in the first week of December. They are common tests for all first year pupils. If the results of these tests indicate that a pupil is misplaced in a particular class, after consultation with his parents, he will be moved to a more suitable class.

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Parent-Teacher Meetings

A parent-teacher meeting is held in March for first year pupils. It is very important that all parents attend.

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Class Tutors

Each class has a class tutor who deals with the day to day affairs of the classroom. He/she takes responsibility for specific problems such as absenteeism, uniform, homework etc. If a parent needs to contact the school, the class tutor will normally be the first port of call.

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Prefects

Prefects play an important role in the school life of a first year pupil. Each prefect is responsible for about seven first year pupils. The prefect helps them to settle into secondary school. They show them the way around, help with lockers, books, timetables etc. They meet up initially on a daily basis and then less frequently as time goes on and new pupils become familiar with the school and more confident in themselves. Prefects are available to pupils for the entire year to provide a helping hand and lend a friendly ear.

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Homework

Pupils have homework every night. It is essential that they have a suitable place and time in which they can do it. Parents should always check that homework is done. For pupils with specific learning difficulties, a homework facility is made available to them whereby they can do their homework in school from 4.00 until 5.30 with the help of and under the supervision of a teacher.

The Junior Certificate Curriculum

All pupils take the following subjects for the Junior Certificate:

English, Irish, Mathematics, Religious Education, History, Geography, Science, Business Studies, Civic, Social and Political Education.

Pupils study French or German.

Pupils with special needs may be exempted from the study of Irish and / or French or German.

Pupils also study Art, Craft and Design and Technographics or Art, Materials Technology (Wood) and Materials Technology (Metal) in First Year. At the end of First Year pupils opt to continue the study of one of the options for Junior Certificate.

Subjects taken by all pupils but not examined in the Junior Certificate include Physical Education and Computer Studies.

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Organisation of Classes

An assessment test takes place in March for all prospective First Year pupils. It is held on a Saturday morning from 9.00 a.m until 1.30p.m.There are tests in Irish, English, Mathematics and reasoning. Pupils are allocated to classes on the basis of the results of these tests. Usually there are three upper band classes and two lower band classes. In the upper band, the expectation is that pupils will take each subject at higher level in the Junior Certificate. Some pupils in band 2 will be offered learning support, where appropriate.

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Learning Support

St Declan's has a fully qualified Learning Support Teacher.

Pupils with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, or who have significantly low scores in Cognitive Abilities Tests, are offered extra help. Where appropriate, such pupils are withdrawn from their base class for a number of class periods each week to receive specialized tuition in reading and mathematics in groups of four or five. This takes place in a superbly equipped specialised room where each student has a laptop computer available to him and where a vast range of materials and aids to learning are to hand.

These pupils are tested regularly and return to the standard classes when the deficit in attainment levels has been substantially reduced.

For pupils who need help with homework, a Homework Study Class is available from 4.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. after school where they can do their homework under the supervision of and with the assistance of a teacher.

Special consideration in the Junior and Leaving Certificates is applied for under the Department of Education and Science's scheme to enable qualifying pupils to give of their best in the state examinations.

The special consideration may entail the use of a computer or the services of a reader or a scribe to assist the candidate. Candidates with hearing or other physical disabilities are also accommodated.

Physical Education

Aims

1. To help each and every child reach optimum development, encouraging "exercise consciousness" and enabling students to experience the pleasure of fitness.

2. To give the pupils the opportunity to share the value of Physical Education and games, thus enabling them to meet one another in a "play" situation.

3. To provide a challenge and adventure in life, to experience achievement and appreciation.

4. To lay the foundations for optimum use of leisure time in the lives of our students after leaving St. Declan's.

Some of the activities in P.E include:

Athletics, Cross-Country, Basketball, Badminton, Gaelic Football, Health-Related Fitness, Minor Games, Soccer and Volleyball.

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