St. Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School, Killester, Dublin 5
Guidance on Junior Cycle Assessment, May 2020
Announcement
On April 29th the Minister announced details of the school-based assessment and reporting arrangements for students who are concluding Junior Cycle in May 2020. These details were finalised following advice received by the Minister from an advisory group of stakeholders for contingency planning for the 2020 state examinations which he set up. The group membership includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the National Educational Psychological Service and the Department.
The Minister also announced that these assessments should be completed and marked by schools before 29 May 2020, and not early in the new school year as originally advised. Each student will be awarded a certificate for the completion of Junior Cycle by the Department of Education and Skills.
Our Response
As a school we welcome this decision not least because of the clarity it brings but also because we feel that the students will be able to enjoy their summer break and not have the anxiety of exams hanging over them until September. Ultimately, what is paramount is the health and well-being of all of our students, teachers, parents/guardians and families and that remains our primary focus.
May we take this opportunity to commend the students for their resilience and commitment to their studies over the last two months. They have been exceptional. When the school re-opens, we look forward to a new chapter as the students transfer into senior cycle.
Arrangements
In line with the advice from the Minister, St. Mary’s wishes to communicate the following information which will be used to assess student achievement at the end of three years. The following breakdown will be used by teachers to award marks in the majority of subjects. We believe that this approach is fair and will help to keep our 3rd year students focused and engaged the last few weeks of school.
Assessment Category
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Percentage Award
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Average achieved in 2nd and 3rd year up until school closed on March 12th. To include: Class tests, house exams, ongoing assessment results, project work, CBA (where applicable).
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60%
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Mock Exams
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20%
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Final assignments: Each subject teacher will set assignments which will account for the final 20%
These will be carried out between May 11th- May 25th.
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20%
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Total
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100%
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Each student will receive a report on e-portal in June
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|
(NB: In some exceptional cases where there was no mock exam the banding of marks will be changed and this will be communicated clearly to students.)
Examination Fees
Students will not be required to pay an examination fees to the SEC in relation to the 2020 Junior Cycle examinations, the SEC will be issuing a refund to all students who have already paid. There is no need to contact the State Examinations Commission as refunds will be made automatically. Further details will be sent to all schools in the coming days.
Queries
If you have any queries regarding the arrangements, please email Ms. McLoughlin at admin@hfk.ie