Junior Cycle
The Junior Cycle at the Marist provides students with a broad and balanced education, helping them to develop academically, socially and personally during their first three years of secondary school. The programme is designed to encourage curiosity, creativity and independent learning, while also helping students build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for senior cycle and beyond. Throughout Junior Cycle, students are supported in becoming active learners who can think critically, work collaboratively and take responsibility for their own learning.
In the Marist, all students study a strong core curriculum that provides a solid foundation across a range of subjects. Core subjects include Irish, English, Mathematics, Religion, Geography, History, Science and Wellbeing (PE, SPHE, CSPE). These subjects help students develop essential literacy, numeracy and life skills while also encouraging a deeper understanding of the world around them. Through Wellbeing, students are supported in their personal development, resilience and overall health and wellbeing.
A unique feature of the Junior Cycle experience in the Marist is the opportunity for all incoming First Year students to participate in a comprehensive taster programme. During their first term, students will have the opportunity to sample all nine optional subjects available in the College. This allows students to experience each subject first-hand, meet their teachers and gain a genuine understanding of the content and skills involved before making any subject choices.
Importantly, there is no pre-selection of optional subjects before students begin secondary life in the Marist. We believe that students make better-informed decisions when they have had the opportunity to explore every option available to them. The taster programme ensures that each student can identify their interests, strengths and talents before selecting the subjects they will continue to study for the remainder of their Junior Cycle journey.
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs)
Classroom-Based Assessments, commonly known as CBAs, are an important part of the Junior Cycle programme. They are tasks completed by students in the classroom under the guidance of their subject teacher and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their learning in ways outside the traditional examinations. For each CBA, the subject teacher selects an appropriate task from the CBA options. The assessment is then undertaken and completed within a specified window of time during the school year. Most CBAs are completed in 2nd year.
Other Areas of Learning (OALs)
The Junior Cycle also formally recognises student achievement, involvement and participation in areas of school life, outside of the curriculum across a broad range of areas. These are termed Other Areas of Learning (OALs). OAL’s highlight activities where the student led, participated in, represented, and attended school events, e.g. Extra-curricular sports and events, Co-curricular Clubs, Musical, Chaplaincy, 5K Run etc.
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement. (JCPA)
The Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) is the certificate students receive following completion of their Junior Cycle. It is a summary document which outlines your child’s performance and achievement in Junior Cycle examination, Classroom-Based Assessments, Other Areas of Learning and Wellbeing. In this way, the JCPA provides parents and students with a broader picture of a young person’s learning and achievements throughout Junior Cycle.