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SUB JEC T
GEOGRAPHY

All St. Mary’s Junior Cycle students study Geography. Our
enthusiastic Geography teachers have expert knowledge in the
subject and will virtually transport you from the classroom to the
far corners of the world where you will learn all about important
issues you may hear about in the news such as global warming,
natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, Tsunamis, volcanoes),
different cultures and their customs and how people interact
with each other and their environment. In addition to this, you
will learn to use and interpret maps, diagrams, graphs, charts,
and photographs of geographical significance. Teachers and
students will be using the latest digital technology to make learning Geography more exciting
and enjoyable.

Type of Homework/Projects/Assignments related to Geography.
Homework assignments may be completing a textbook exercise, undertaking research, or completing
an online quiz.

Who would this subject suit?
It is suited to students of all ability and interests and has lots of links with other subjects.

What is the Junior Cycle Exam like?
In 3rd year you will complete a Junior Cycle Exam which is worth 90% of your overall grade. The other
10% is based on a classroom-based research project.

Progression after the Junior Cycle
You have the option to continue studying Geography after Junior Cycle. The Leaving Cert Exam comes
at the end of 6th year. 80% is based on a written exam and 20% is based on a report you write in class
following an outdoor Geography field study. St Mary’s Junior and Leaving Certificate students have
consistently achieved grades that are higher than the national average.

Note on further study and careers
Although Geography is not currently an essential requirement for entry onto third level courses in
Ireland, the skills developed by studying Geography are transferrable, and will benefit students in
all avenues of further study and careers. Former Geography students of St. Mary’s have gone on to
have successful careers in teaching, surveying, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, architecture,
tourism, urban planning, engineering, environmental studies, weather forecasting, overseas
development, and science/environmental areas, to name but a few.

St. Mary's Secondary School First Year Subject Choice 11