Subject Departments

Coláiste Phádraig CBS Lucan English Department

Students at Coláiste Phádraig will be exposed to a wide array of interesting and popular works of literature, many of which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. The English Department is fully committed to the challenge of inspiring a life-long appreciation of reading, writing, composing and acting in our students. Reading for pleasure is especially encouraged in Coláiste Phádraig, with a particular emphasis on fiction. We believe that stepping into someone else’s life through fiction fosters a deeper understanding of how others live their lives.

We are very mindful at Coláiste Phádraig that as English teachers we are privileged to be able to play an important part of our students’ lives at such a crucial stage in their emotional, psychological and intellectual development. We are very mindful of the rich potential of every student in our English classes and it is one of our primary aims to help each one fulfil this potential. We are deeply passionate about our subject and we are confident that this passion will be transmitted to our students in a manner that will hopefully motivate, encourage and inspire them in their individual journeys.

While we are very mindful of the importance of the state exams, our focus as English teachers is more than just trying to attain the highest grades. Indeed, in recent years some of our happiest, most fulfilled and most appreciative students have been students who understood that the final grade should not determine how they looked back on their experiences in English class. We value more than just the academic side of English teaching. One student put it well last year when he wrote to his English teacher to assure him that although he was slightly disappointed with his final grade in the Leaving Cert, he got more out of the English class than he could ever have anticipated. Below is an extract from that letter:

“I would like to thank you for teaching me about life during English class. I am a different person now compared to that shy, awkward, reticent young man who first entered your English classroom in 5th year. I grew as a person in your class and you opened my eyes up to so many different aspects of life that I never contemplated before. You taught me to think for myself and to accept and embrace myself for who I am. You nurtured and encouraged my creativity. You saw a spark in me and turned it into a blazing inferno with the passion you displayed for your subject. You fostered a love of drama in me, a love that I will carry for the rest of my life. You pushed me to explore and to experiment in my writing. You embraced my individuality and used it as a teaching and learning tool in class and this was great boost to my self esteem. You taught me about travel, beauty, family, loss, injustice, depression, friendship, hope, joy, love. The list is endless really. Your English class was a ray of sunshine on many a cloudy day I had in school. I always looked forward to English class because it made me feel and express emotions that I struggled to express in my life outside the doors of your room”.

As English teachers, we are committed to helping our students embark on the voyage of their life and we will endeavour to gently push them as far as we can into the ocean of opportunity that awaits them. As they make their journeys across these oceans, they may reflect on the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald in “The Great Gatsby”:

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”.

We will endeavour as English teachers to encourage our students to never lose their optimism, to run faster, to stretch out their arms farther and be the person they were meant to be in life.

An Ghaeltacht
Freastalaíonn lear mór daltaí ón scoil ar na coláistí samhraidh gach bliain.

Useful link:

• Irish Summer Colleges: www.concos.ie

Why choose German as a Subject?

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart” – Nelson Mandela

There are many reasons why you should choose German as a subject in secondary school, only a few of which I will touch on here.

The decisions you are about to make in the next few months might have a greater impact on your future than you think. So please choose wisely!

• German is an important and interesting language that certainly should be considered carefully when a choice between various languages must be made.
• Here’s a little known fact: German and English belong to the same language family tree. That’s why German is easy for English speakers. Unlike French, Italian and Spanish, which are Romance languages, both English and German belong to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.
• Some German words and expressions are still used regularly in English, such as Angst and Kindergarten. English was later influenced by French, Greek and Latin. However, if you strip English back to basics, the language most resembles German. Not convinced? Look at words such as Bruder (brother), Wasser (water) and Freund (friend).You’ll be surprised by how many words you already know if you choose to learn German as a foreign language. If you’re an English speaker learning German, you’re at an advantage.
• In terms of career prospects, foreign languages have been found to add significantly to student’s life time earnings, with German leading the field in this regard.
• Language skills help you to communicate, understand and deal with all the different information you face daily. In difficult economic circumstances each additional skill, such as a foreign language, is of added value.
• In Europe more than 100m people speak German as their mother tongue, and it is therefore the most commonly used language. German is not only spoken in Germany. There are other countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, and regions such as South Tyrol in Italy where the language is spoken as well.
• Germany is well-known for its leading and trade-orientated economy. It is not only the EU’s biggest economy; it is also Ireland’s fourth largest trading partner. There are 300 German companies in Ireland employing more than 20,000 workers, including world leaders like Siemens, SAP, Deutsche Bank and Allianz. An article written by Joe Humphreys on August 29th 2014 in the Irish Times said “employers have cited a shortage of graduates in Languages, such as German saying this could threaten Ireland’s competitiveness”. The former West German chancellor Willy Brandt once explained the laws of linguistic engagement thus: “If I am selling to you I will speak English, but if you are selling to me dann müssen Sie Deutsch sprechen.”
• What is expected from you at Junior Cert Level /Leaving Cert?
• Over the period of 3/5 years the student will complete a Final Written Exam in June.
• Junior Cert Written exam is worth 320 marks. The Listening section of the exam accounts for 140 marks (44%) comprises of questions in English and students answering in English (checking their vocabulary on the topics learned). In the Written section of the paper, the students are expected to complete Reading comprehensions worth 100 marks (31%) again with the questions in English and answers in English. The Written section expects students to write a letter in German and a Postcard or Message – worth 80 marks (25%).
• Each week students will receive 4 periods of German on their timetable, one of which is a double period. At leaving cert level, the students get allotted 5 periods in the week. These German classes are taught through the communicative approach with the students gradually getting immersed week on week in the language. There is an opportunity on the double period to visit our language room where students get to discover vocabulary in the multimedia setting and is often a welcome break from the books!
• German at Leaving Cert level comprises of 4 sections totaling 400 marks. The Oral Exam accounts for 100 marks (25%) and includes a general conversation, 5 Picture Stories (1 of which is examined on the day) and 5 Role Plays (again 1 of which is examined on the day). The Listening sections accounts for 80 marks (20%) and the Reading Comprehensions account for 120 marks (30%) of the paper The Written Section of the paper 75 marks (19%) and the grammar accounts for just 25 marks (6%).

Ms.Elizabeth Looby

Leaving Cert Physics in Colaiste Phadraig builds on the knowledge the students gain during their Junior cycle and Transition year courses. The syllabus covers many of the classical areas such as mechanics, thermodynamics, and optics light and sound. This gives the students a foundation on which to delve into the modern discoveries such as radiation, electronics, and subatomic and quantum theory.

Physics students in the school are encouraged to explore the mathematical concepts that underpin the physical world we live in and to test these concepts through vigorous experimentation in the lab.

The course combines Lab work with theory and this is reflected in the Leaving Cert test, where 30% of the marks on the paper are dedicated to the experiments they have done in the lab. A good grasp of maths is essential access the more advanced aspects of the course and an ability to work independently beneficial to those who take up physics.

Why Biology?

There are countless reasons to study biology in school. Having a fundamental understanding of biology will provide you with the necessary skills needed to succeed in life and is a great investment to your future career. Plus the journey along the way can be quite fun!

Here are some reasons why you should consider studying biology.

• It explains the changes in the human body.
• It open doors to careers such in medicine, physiology, zoology, veterinary among others.
• It solves large scale problems facing the planet and humanity.
• It teaches concepts on healthy living such as nutrition and exercise.
• It helps answer the fundamental questions of life.
• It paves the way for scientific investigations and discoveries.

Course Aims

Program Goals:

1. To provide a comprehensive education in biology that stresses scientific reasoning and problem solving across the spectrum of disciplines within biology
2. To prepare students for a wide variety of post-secondary school paths, including undergraduate courses, professional training programs, or entry level jobs in any area of biology
3. To provide extensive hands-on training in electronic technology, statistical analysis, laboratory skills, and field techniques
4. To provide thorough training in written and oral communication of scientific information

The Basics

• An interesting and challenging subject.
• The subject contains a theory, practical and mathematical element.
• HL Maths not needed.
• The Syllabus is manageable.

Syllabus

• Main Areas
  • The Atom
  • Reactions
  • Analysis
  • Organic Chemistry
• Experiments
  • 28 Mandatory and more non-mandatory.

Leaving Cert Paper

• 3 hour paper.
  • Usually timetabled at the end.
  • Answer 8 of 11 questions.
• Section A (25%)
  • Practical based.
  • Answer 2 of 3.
• Section B (75%)
  • Theory based.
  • Answer 6 of 8.

Job Prospects

Pharmaceutical Industry

• Directly employs 17,000
• Grange Castle
  • Pfizer
  • Takeda

• Fingal
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Ipsen

Others

• Medicine
• Engineering
• Food
• Business
• Teaching
• Sports Science

Technical Graphics

Technical Graphics is taught at Junior Cycle level. It is a hands on subject enables students to make the most of their practical skills. It covers a number of interesting topics which ensures the students are engaged and interested all the time.

The main areas are as follows:

• Orthographic Projection
• Isometric Projection
• Circles in Contact
• Developments
• Transformation Geometry
• Ellipse and Parabola
• Auxiliary Elevations
• Rotation of Objects
• Area & Scale
• Freehand Sketching

The Technical Graphics/DCG department are fortunate enough to have excellent facilities in a purpose built state of the art classroom which is designed to facilitate the individual needs of the students while drawing. Each student has their own individual workstation which is equipped with a drawing board and T-square as well as having storage for their drawing equipment within the classroom. The room also has 20 personal computers which the students use at senior cycle when Technical Graphics changes to Design and Communication Graphics (DCG).

History in Colaiste Phadraig

What is History?

History is the study of events from the past with a particular emphasis placed on human life and how it has changed over the course of generations. History involves a study of humans in terms of how they lived in pre historic times as well as how they interact with each other during periods such as war and famine. 

Why study History?

History provides students with a terrific insight into the past in relation to both pre historic and more modern times with a view to how these events have shaped society today. History in Colaiste Phadraig gives students a chance to engage with key historical events in Ireland, Europe, Asia and the United States. This wide range of material allows students to not only engage with the material but to also critically analyse key periods of history.

Who are the History teachers?

• Mr. Lyons
• Mr. Rafter
• Mr. Tarpey
• Mr. Casey
• Ms. Kirby
• Mr. Sweetman

What will you study in History?

1st Year (Ancient Ireland, The Celts, Ancient Rome, Medieval Times and The Renaissance)

1st Year Activities: Students will carry out a mock Archaeological dig and students will also go on a trip to Collins Barracks and the National History Museum.

2nd Year (The Explorations, Plantations, The Reformation, The Revolutions (American, French, Irish and Industrial).

2nd Year Activities: Trip to Newgrange and Knowth.

3rd Year (Ireland from 1900- 2000s, Europe from pre war times to 1963 and India)

3rd Year Activities: Trip to Ferrycarrig national park.

5th Year (Build up to WWII, Russia under Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, France and Britain during the early 1900s period + an in-depth look at the United States in relation to foreign policy, Vietnam, race relations, cold war and the boom and bust economy)

6th Year (Ireland and home rule, war of independence, civil war, Irish free state and Northern Ireland from 1920-49 + an analysis of 3 case studies on Ireland in the EU, fisheries in Ireland and the impact of RTE)

6th Year Activities: 1916 Walking tour of Dublin

Careers in History:

Studying history in secondary school opens up a wide range of avenues for students moving forward. The variety of the material covered also allows for great choice in terms of a career in the future. The following is a small selection of potential career paths for history students:

• Archaeologist
• Teacher
• Lecturer
• Museum Employee
• Historian
• Foreign Affairs

Geography in Colaiste Phadraig

Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. Fundamentally it is about the world in which we live. Geography offers a 21st century education by uniquely bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). Human geography focuses on understanding the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, while physical geography focuses on understanding the dynamics of physical landscapes. In Colaiste Phadraig, Geography also covers increasingly important environmental issues where humans affect physical environments and vice versa.

The Geography Team:

Mr. Tarpey (Co-ordinator)

Ms. Winters

Ms. O’Brien

Mr. Downes

Ms. Kennedy

Mr. Rafter

Mr. Casey

Graduate skills and career opportunities

A wide range of career options is potentially available to Geography graduates. The combination of a broad-based discipline and training in highly relevant transferable skills is valued in today’s job market, where adaptability and flexibility are widely regarded as assets. Careers taken up by graduating Geography students in recent years include urban and regional planning, environmental consultancy and research, teaching and overseas development as well as positions in such areas as financial services (including insurance), foreign affairs, leisure and tourism.