TY Newsletter: 24th February - 14th March
- copelandaaron
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
Work Placement Fortnight
Subject Choice Process
4.6 Dublin Tour
Ireland to Oxbridge
A quick note to remind you that Module 5 will begin, 10th March, on return from the Work Placement Fortnight. New timetable will be available then.
Work Placement Information
Thank you to all who have submitted their information on the upcoming Work Placement Fortnight (24th Feb - 7th March).
These Work Placement Information submissions were due by WEDNESDAY 12th Feb. There are still a number of forms that have not yet been received.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please ensure that you have spoken to your son and reminded him to submit his form via the TY 24/25 Google Classroom if he has not done so already(the specific form is linked HERE: https://classroom.google.com/c/NzA5NjEwMTUzMzky/a/NzQ5MDk2NzA5Mzc0/details)
Insurance details can be downloaded from the TY webpage:
🚨Please send this EMPLOYER FEEDBACK FORM to your WP coordinator/employer ASAP and ask them to fill in by the end of your WP:
Subject Choice Process
A very special thank you to Messrs Hogan and O'Connor for all the work and coordination of the Subject Choice Process outlined below (please pay particular attention to point 6: March 10th, Subject Choice Information Event):
The process of subject choice at St Michael’s College begins after Christmas. This timing allows school management to confirm which subjects can be offered. The finalised list of available subjects has now been published, and each student will receive a subject choice form during their individual meeting with their Guidance Counsellor. This form must be returned by 1st April. Since there are 140 students to meet in a short timeframe, some students will have their meetings closer to the deadline. The subject choice sheet has also been shared via Google Classroom with all TY students this week.
Throughout weekly careers classes, students have been guided on how to approach subject choice since September. Various tools have been introduced, including Careers Portal, the Reach+ programme, and Unifrog. These platforms offer interest profiles and other tools to help students understand their subject preferences. Additionally, during Career Awareness Month in November, specific talks were delivered to TY students about careers and the subjects required for different fields of study.
Unifrog and Careers Portal are valuable online resources that provide personality and interest profiles, free webinars, and detailed information about subject choices. Students can access these platforms at www.careersportal.ie and www.unifrog.org using their individual access codes.
In the first term of this academic year, all students present at the time completed the GL Assessment CAT4 Level G. The results of this aptitude test form part of the subject choice discussion, alongside Junior Cycle results and interest profiling tools. The test is widely used across schools in Ireland, though the list of subjects it suggests is based on national offerings rather than specific subjects at St Michael’s. For example, Home Economics may appear on the results, even though it is not available at the school. The aptitude test serves as an indicator rather than a prediction, and students should interpret the results accordingly.
Individual meetings with Mr O’Connor and Mr Hogan, the school’s Guidance Counsellors, are a key part of the subject choice process. Every student has the opportunity to discuss their options in these meetings, where aptitude test results are explained, and students are encouraged to share them with their parents. Junior Cycle results, work completed on Careers Portal and Unifrog, and minimum college entry requirements are also reviewed. Any further queries can be directed to Mr O’Connor or Mr Hogan.
A Subject Choice Afternoon will be organised for TY students to meet with 6th Year students. Subject to any changes due to an SCT match, this is planned for Monday, 10th March. The event is structured like a parent-teacher meeting, allowing TY students to speak directly with Leaving Certificate students about their subject choices. This initiative has been well-received since its introduction and continues to provide valuable insights for TY students.
Online resources such as www.curriculumonline.ie provide access to all Leaving Certificate subject syllabi. From 2025, some subjects, including the sciences and business, will introduce an assessment component worth up to 40% of the final grade. This information is clearly indicated on the syllabus. Additionally, teachers of all subjects are available for TY students to discuss subject options, as highlighted in recent assemblies. Students are encouraged to approach their teachers to assist them in making informed subject choices.
All students, including those spending the year abroad, were contacted about the aptitude tests. Those who missed the initial sitting were given a second opportunity after Christmas. As ample chances have been provided, no further sittings will be arranged.
Individual meetings with students can be facilitated via Zoom upon request. Meetings are scheduled up to the 1st April deadline for returning subject choice forms. However, some students may not be available due to planned absences, which could limit opportunities to meet with their Guidance Counsellor before the deadline.
Finally, St Michael’s College has followed this subject choice process for many years with great success, as reflected in the strong academic results achieved by our students. If a student realises they have made an unsuitable choice when starting 5th Year, changes may be facilitated, subject to availability. However, certain subjects have class size restrictions that may prevent movement. While we aim to provide students with their top three subject choices, it is crucial to be satisfied with the fourth option, as it may come into play.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Guidance Counsellor:
Mr O’Connor for 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
Mr Hogan for 4.4, 4.5, 4.6.
Both of whom look forward to supporting you throughout this process and beyond as you progress towards your Leaving Certificate and CAO 2027.
4.6 Dublin Tour
Meeting at the Trophy Cabinet at 8:45am
Mr Cleary's current tourism class will be taking a tour of Dublin this Tuesday, 11th March.
Please be sure to bring DART fare and appropriate outdoor clothing.
Irish to Oxbridge
Past pupil Conor Hall has gotten in touch about an exciting opportunity for those interested in applying to top UK universities.
Conor is currently President of Irish to Oxbridge, an organisation dedicated to helping Irish students gain admission to Oxford, Cambridge, and other elite UK universities. As part of this initiative, they have created a pamphlet detailing the Oxbridge application process. If you're considering applying or just want to learn more, this could be a great resource!
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