At Firhouse we offer a huge assortment of different subjects to help our students develop into well rounded individuals.
This high level of choice also gives each individual the opportunity to try a range of subjects helping them on their path to becoming their best self.
French:
Modern Foreign Languages aims to enable students to explore the interdependence between language and culture, to develop their appreciation of the relevance of languages to their lives for personal, social, educational, vocational and leisure purposes, and to derive enjoyment from language learning.
More specifically it encourages all students to
- actively engage in language activities and tasks, developing the capacity to understand written and spoken language
- communicate effectively and confidently in the target language in familiar contexts through a range of media
- develop their capacity to use appropriate structures and vocabulary for the purposes of communication, both written and oral
- enjoy a language-learning experience that will facilitate and encourage them to continue learning languages in future
Music aims to contribute to the development of artistic awareness and understanding, self-expression, self-esteem, imagination and multicultural sensitivity, and therefore, to the development of the whole person. Students will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to produce and engage with authentic and original music, that is both theirs and the music of others. In doing so, they will develop the music literacy, critical skills and language necessary to engage with today’s musical world.
Geography focuses on developing students' knowledge and skills to explore and understand the world around them. This is achieved through the study of three main areas:
- Exploring people, place and change
- Exploring the physical world
- Exploring how we interact with the physical world.
Students will create case studies and projects that focus on a range of geographical areas. We aim to focus on interpersonal skills and personal accountability, hoping that through independent learning students will find a love of geography.
History: The study of history at junior cycle aims to enable students to develop the necessary conceptual understanding, disciplinary skills and subject knowledge to investigate the actions of people in the past and to come to a deeper understanding of the human condition. Students also come to see the world, and their place in it, from a historical perspective; and understand how the people and events of the past have shaped the contemporary world.
The study of history instils in students a respect for integrity, objectivity and looking at issues from different perspectives. This capacity for critical thinking helps them to interrogate sources of evidence and make judgements about the viewpoint expressed, including the capacity to identify propaganda.
Home Economics develops students who are well informed, environmentally conscious and dedicated to a sustainable and responsible way of life through the exploration of three strands:
- Responsible Family Living
- Food, Health & Culinary Skills
- Textiles & Craft
Students develop practical food and health literacy skills, creative design and textile skills while nurturing students’ resourcefulness, innovation, adaptability, and competency as consumers.
Science is strongly student-centred, having a clear focus on what the students can do to develop and demonstrate their scientific literacy. Science at Firhouse ETSS will seek to promote inquiry-based teaching and learning in five learning strands.
- Strand 1: The Nature of Science
- Strand 2: Earth and Space
- Strand 3: The Chemical World
- Strand 4: The Physical World
- Strand 5: The Biological World
Visual Art: Through practical engagement in the areas of art, craft and design, students will develop self-confidence, inquisitiveness, imagination, and creativity. They will also develop authentic, real-world problem-solving capacities and the capacity to work over time, as an individual and in groups, on the design and execution of artistic and aesthetic tasks.
Students will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to produce and to engage with authentic and original art, craft and design work. In so doing, they will begin to develop the visual literacy, critical skills and language necessary to engage with contemporary culture. This will further contribute to the students’ understanding of the rich and diverse roles of art, craft and design in historical and contemporary societies and cultures.