CBA Letter.pdf
First Years
- Every effort is made to help your son/ daughter settle in to their new school as quickly as possible and ease the transition from primary to secondary school.
- A tutor is assigned to each class to meet with them daily. Pastoral care is an important part of our school ethos.
- The year head acts as a link between tutors, teachers, the Learning Support and Guidance departments with parents.
Entrance Assessment and Formation of Classes
All students who have been offered a place will be assessed via an entrance exam prior to entry. All classes in first year are mixed ability. This assessment is not an examination in the competitive sense; it is merely to help to arrange the students in classes of mixed ability and to identify any student who may need extra help.
In Second Year students will be set in Higher, Ordinary or Foundation Level Irish and Mathematics classes based on:
- Teacher's assessment
- Tests during First Year
Balance
- Development of moral and spiritual growth through Religious Education or Philosophy.
- Development of emotional and social growth through Social, Personal and Health Education and Wellbeing.
- Development of physical growth through Physical Education.
- Development of a critical sense throughout.
Content
All subjects are offered at Higher/ Ordinary level and, where relevant, foundation level. Most students study 11 subjects up to Junior Certificate Level. The new Junior Certificate Programme is under way in English, Science and Business Studies, whilst other subjects will be rolled out over the next few years.
The following subjects are compulsory for all students: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science, CSPE (Civic, Social & Political Education), Religious Education/Philosophy, Physical Education (PE) and SPHE (Social, Political, Health & Education).
However, in certain cases an exemption from Irish may be obtained from the Department of Education and Science.
Students choose three further subjects from the list below:
- Art
- Business Studies
- French
- German
- Home Economics
- Materials Technology Wood:
- (Please see the attached link for more information on Materials Technology Wood): MTW info for Website.pdf
- Metalwork Materials and Technology
- Music
- Spanish
- Technical Graphics
It is recommended that all students study a modern language in the interest of balance and career options.
When the number of students electing for one of the above choices is low, the Board of Management reserves the right to cancel the option.
The syllabus for each subject is prescribed by the Department of Education and Science. All subjects are offered at Higher/ Ordinary Level and, where relevant, Foundation level.
Additionally, basic ICT instruction is offered to all first-year students.
Methods of Assessment
- Regular assessment in each subject throughout the year.
- Christmas and summer examinations followed by reports (1st and 2nd).
- Junior Certificate Examination at end of Third Year (Pre-mocks in October and Mock exams in January/February).