1 S4 Prelim Examinations cont
5 Issue S1 Interim Report
Silver Jubilee Burns
Celebration and Ceilidh
7 Catholic Education Week begins
8 Parent Council Meeting
11 Life Mass: 7p.m.
12 Staff Development Day 4
15 & 16 Holidays
17 Ash Wednesday
Class Lenten Services
S1 Retreats
S5/6 Prelim Examinations begin
25 Lenten Service for Parents/Pupils
26 Issue S3 Full Reports
- Catholic Education Week
- Summer School Cambridge
- Burns Supper Programme
- Weekly Prayers
- Holocaust Document 1
- Holocaust Document 2
- Summer School - St Andrews
- Summer School - Oxford
- Jobs Fair
- Parent Newsletter Dec/Jan
- The Week Ahead
- PSHE Newsletter
- 2010 Rome Trip
- Ethnic Minorities Meeting
- Calendar of Events 09/10
- Supported Study 2010
- S5/6 Prelim Schedule 2010
- Glasgow University Admissions Information
- S4 Prelim Schedule 2010
- Information on Influenza H1N1
- Public Performance Report
- Parent Consultation Evenings
S1 and S2 Curriculum
All pupils in first year follow a common course. The subjects studies are:
- English
- French
- History/Modern Studies/ Geography
- Religious Education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Technical Subjects/Home Economics
- Art & Design/Music
- Physical Education
- Information communications technology (ICT)/Drama
In First Year we continue to develop and consolidate the work done the later stages of primary school. The emphasis is very much on pupils as individuals, each moving at his or her own pace.
The pupils are in mixed ability classes in all subjects apart from Maths, English and French. Some subjects are grouped to allow rotation to take place. For example, a pupil in first or second year would study geography for three periods each week for 12 weeks, followed in turn by history and modern studies. Other subjects organised in this way are art & design and music and technical/home economics.
In Second Year pupils have an element of choice in the subjects they study choosing, for example, to specialise in one of the three Social Subjects: History, Modern Studies and Geography.
S3 and S4 Curriculum
Our S3 students face a curriculum which mainly comprises of National Qualifications
at Intermediate Level. These courses are available at Intermediate 1 or Intermediate
2 levels. Students are required to sit internal assessments (NABs) as part of their
course during S3 and S4 before facing an external final examination in May of S4.
Further
to this all S3 and S4 students take courses in Religious Education, Physical Education
and Personal and Social Education.
To ensure a broad base to your son/daughter's education,
students select eight subjects covering different 'modes' of the curriculum. The
modes are Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Subjects, Technology, Creative,
Religious Education and Physical Education. This wide ranging programme enables our
students to sample a rich variety of subjects before facing a more focused choice
of fewer subjects in S5
At the end of S4 all students will receive a certificate from
the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) detailing their examination performance.
The certificate will also give information about their progress in areas of Core
Skills, namely Numeric, Communication, Problem Solving, Working with Others and Information
Technology.
To aid our students in their choices we have a programme of guidance to assist pupils and parents in their decision about the course of study to be followed in third and fourth years.
This programme seeks to advise pupils and parents about:
the range of courses available in the new National Qualifications framework.
their own strengths, aptitudes, interests and weaknesses.
the contribution and importance of individual subjects.
Entrance qualifications, careers opportunities
The factors to be taken into account when deciding on a course of study, especially
the importance of choosing a broad and balanced course so that opportunities are not closed off at this early stage.
Work experience for S4 students takes place each October. For one week, the students exchange their classrooms for offices, factories, shops and other workplaces and the reaction of students to this first taste of work is varied but all gain a widening of their knowledge and experience.
S5 and S6 Curriculum
Fifth year students have to reach decisions not only about what subjects to study but also what level (Higher, Intermediate 2 and Intermediate 1). Sixth year students will have the same opportunities but will have Advanced Higher as an additional course which they might follow. Choice of courses is much influenced by the student's previous examination work. For example, in fifth year entry to most Higher grade courses is dependent on the student having gained a pass at Intermediate 2 in that subject in fourth year. Fortunately the linking if Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher courses provides a wide menu, which enables us to provide suitable work for all senior students.
School Based Courses
All senior pupils must study Religious Education,Physical Education and PSE as part of their curriculum. The S5/S6 RE Programme continues to support the aim of the Catholic School. It strives to continue the religious, moral and spiritual development of students.
National Qualifications Courses available for Fifth and Sixth Year students:
- Art & Design
- Drama
- Business Management
- Biology
- Administration
- Chemistry
- Computing
- English
- French
- Geography
- Graphic Communication
- History
- Hospitality
- Information Systems
- Italian
- Mathematics
- Modern Studies
- Music
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Practical Craft Skills
- Product Design
- Spanish/Italian
The following subjects available for S6 only:
- Media Studies
- Psychology
- Law
- Retail
- Construction
- Engineering
- Culinary Excellence
- Early Years Childcare
- Mandarin
- Sports Leadership
- Video Editing
For more information see the Departments section.
College and University Visits
Our students show an interest in a wide range of colleges and universities. We provide opportunities for those interested to go to the institution of their choice, to visit departments and to meet with staff. Our students have visited St Andrews, Aberdeen, Dundee, Oxford, Cambridge, as well as our local universities. Such contacts make the school and out students, more knowledgeable and more able to make correct choices about further education.