Junior Cycle Subjects
- Irish
- English
- Maths
- French
- Business
- Science
- History
- Geography
- C.S.P.E
- S.P.H.E
- P.E
- Religion
- Wellbeing Modules
There are a range of optional subjects and students must choose two from the following:
- Music
- Spanish
- Technical Drawing
- Technology
- Art
- Home Economics
Options are made in advance of starting 1st year. Information on these options is available at the 1st year Induction Night where teachers are on hand to explain the subject content in detail. Tours of the subject rooms are also available at this time.
Description of Junior Cycle Music
Junior Cycle Music focuses on giving students the opportunity to develop their musical knowledge, skills and cultural awareness through the practical and cognitive engagement with music. This can be achieved through the three interconnected strands: Procedural knowledge, Innovate and ideate, and Culture and context. (NCCA) This is covered within the Maestro Textbook and Music Portfolio that will be used in music class for the three years.
Within the classroom context, the students will focus on Music theory, Music history/styles, Music Composition and Music performance. They all have the opportunity of learning an instrument and participating in external musical activities such as music club and other school events.
Junior Cycle Music comprises of two CBA’S - including a composition Portfolio- and a common exam at the end of 3rd Year worth 75%. A performance exam is also undertaken in 3rd year where the student is expected to perform four pieces of music to the standard learned in three years of music classes within school. This exam is worth 25% and will be examined by an external examiner.
By studying music in school, it gives the student another skill and an opportunity to create, express themselves and hopefully enjoy music.
Further information can be found within these links.
https://ncca.ie/en/junior-cycle/curriculum-developments/music/
https://www.jct.ie/music/music
Applied Technology
Applied Technology for Junior Cert is an engaging and practical course designed to ignite the curiosity and creativity of young minds. It is quite a diverse subject which covers many different topics including but not limited to: Electronics and circuits, structures and forces, mechanisms gears and pulleys, Control systems and logic gates. Through hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving, students explore the fascinating world of technology. From designing and building structures to understanding the inner workings of machines, this subject encourages students to think critically and innovatively. Students develop a deep understanding of how technology shapes our world and how they can contribute to its advancement. Whether it's experimenting with circuits, programming robots, or crafting prototypes, Applied Technology in the Bish focuses on learning, understanding and then implementing this learning through hands on project work.
Junior Cycle Spanish
Junior Cycle Spanish students are actively engaged in activities and tasks which integrate the five language skills of listening, reading, spoken production, spoken interaction and writing. As a result of studying Spanish students will communicate with increasing independence, confidence and creativity. Learning Spanish also broadens students’ horizons and enables them to develop a lifelong skill for education, leisure and work, and to develop a positive attitude towards other languages and cultures.
Why study Spanish?
- Nearly 400 million people speak Spanish, making Spanish the second most spoken language in the world.
- Make your Summer holidays and travel experiences more rewarding. There are 21 countries in the world that have Spanish as an official language. Knowing the language will make your travel experiences in beautiful Spain & Latin America much easier.
- Enjoy Spanish music, theatre, film and literature in their original Spanish forms.
- Relish the challenge that learning a new language brings.
More information on the course program can be found on the following link:
https://curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Junior-Cycle-Subjects/Modern-Foreign-Languages/
Junior Cycle Art
Visual Art is a subject that promotes teaching and learning through art, craft and design. For adolescents and young adults, this involves becoming familiar with and applying the elements of art and principles of design, and the knowledge and skills associated with these processes, their histories and their contemporary practices. Visual Art also recognises and rewards a number of different forms of intelligence, including emotional intelligence; it develops personal qualities of expression and empathy.
Visual Art encompasses art, craft and design and involves practical work in a wide range of media leading to a specific outcome, e.g. an artwork, a design, architectural study, an installation or an event. Making art develops the learner's imagination through developing an idea or concept and allows them to exercise personal responsibility for specific tasks.Students will develop skills in, for example, creativity, collaboration, an ability to question, they will practically engage with art to improve their skills in a space safe to experiment, to fail and to learn.
More information on the course program can be found on these links:
http://www.jct.ie/perch/resources/art/junior-cycle-visual-art-information-leaflet-2017.pdf
Celebrating their Junior Cycle Results - September 2023
Class Teacher and Year Heads
Every class group at Junior Cycle has a Class Teacher and Year Head. The Class Teacher is responsible for seating arrangements and general classroom management. The Year Head is often the first port of call if there is a concern around attendance, behaviour or academics. The Year Head can be contacted through the main school office.
2024-2025
1st Year Head - Mr. Robert Grealish (can be contacted at r.grealish@bish.ie)
1A - Mr. Michael Quain
1B - Ms. Amy Considine
1C - Mr. Derek Cahalan
1D - Mr. Dylan Thornton
1E - Mr. Alan Glynn
2nd Year Head – Mr. Eoin Tarmey (can be contacted at e.tarmey@bish.ie)
Class Teachers
2A - Mr. Eoin Tarmey
2B - Ms. Darragh Loughnane
2C - Ms. Caitriona Duggan Lee
2D - Mr. Diarmaid O' Conghaile
2E - Ms. Ciara Greaney
2F - Mr. Robert Leonard
3rd Year Head – Ms. Stefanie Carr (can be contacted at s.carr@bish.ie)
Class Teachers
3A - Mr. Michael Quain
3B - Mr. Darren Burke
3C - Mr. Paul deHora
3D - Mr. Alan Glynn
3E - Mr. Dylan Thornton
3F - Mr. Darren Burke