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Study Skills Week (Nov. 2025)We place great importance on our student's understanding how learning works and how to maximise the impact of their study through it's understanding.
With a whole-school, whole-staff approach, we endeavour to nurture confident andorganised young learners who develop good study habits. 1st Year
We recognise that secondary school is a very different kettle of fish to primary school. The skills that students need to harness to do well in assessments here need to be explicitly taught and learned. We do not apply homework until after the Halloween Break to allow all students to settle in socially.
Each class teacher prepares students of their subject in how to specifically study their subject throughout the year. In term#1 and term #2, first year students receive two lessons dedicated to preparation for these exams. Content covered can be seen here: 2nd Year
The content covered in 2nd year is considerably harder than the introductory elements of 1st year. Students can find this the hardest academic change in secondary school. It is expected that results even take a little dip in 2nd year as students adjust to the faster pace
To help with this, it is important that students develop a routine about study and not just homework. Flashcards are a great resource which can reused over and over to improve memory of key terminology. New languages and key terms must be practiced to be recalled in later assessments to help at home is a great idea. Assessments in 2nd year are similar to 1st year but students will also have a CBA in most subjects. This is a Classroom Based Assessment and completed like a project which the teacher assesses. More information can be found here: JUNIOR CYCLE CBAS In term#1 and term #2, first year students receive two lessons dedicated to preparation for these exams. Content covered can be seen here: 3rd Year
Junior Cycle year can seem very daunting. Consider it a great opportunity for students to settle and apply their learning in a more structured setting. The real goal with Junior Cycle is to bridge the gap from introductory concepts to the trickier concepts at Senior cycle and prepare the students with a skillset they can apply to get their best potential out of their Senior Cycle programme.
Students in 3rd year will have the following major assessments:
The start of the year is key to preparing well so we deliver the following assembly to 3rd years early on each year. Transition Year
In term #2, as students near completion of TY, they will complete a 2 week transitioning programme called Learning to Learn in which they will engage with the Why and How of Learning in detail and examine subject options which might best suit them in 5th year.
The students will produce a digital study skills portfolio which they will take with them into 5th year using all examples of the best study practices. 5th Year
5th year students often take a few weeks to settle into routine. The jump to senior cycle learning can be sharp. We try to assess all students twice in their optional subject in September to be able to advise them if they have chosen a well suited subject or not.
Students will undergo structured assessments at the following times;
As in all years, they will receive 2 lessons in SPHE to help them strategise their study well but they will also receive a workshop in the area of study which is shared below:This presentation outlines how to start study on any topic and how to make the most of your time. It covers the following:
6th Year
It is common for students to panic in the first few weeks of 6th year - "I'm behind! I haven't worked enough in 5th year! I don't know what I need to know!"
We will do our best to reassure the students that they are on track and to guide them in how to revise effectively and build a routine of study if they don't already have one. The structured exams for LC students will take place at the following times and will be held in similar conditions to their LC exams.
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