The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Make the most of your Leaving Cert results
THE eagerly awaited Leaving Cert exam results are being issued today by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to about 60,000 Leaving Cert candidates. Hopefully, the results will contain good news for all candidates.
Of course, celebrate your achievement, but during the next few weeks carefully consider your options and keep a close eye on the important dates. There are deadlines to be met and loose ends tied up in order to secure a place on your course preference. As results achieved by students in the south-west region are usually the best in the country, offers of third level college places will flood into the region on Monday, 22nd August, when the first round of college offers is issued by the Central Applications Office (CAO).
PERSONAL
Leaving Cert results are personal and private. It’s your prerogative as to whom you share them with. However, if you have any concerns or if you need some advice, avail of the confidential helpline which opened today. During the next few weeks, Guidance Counsellors will be staffing that invaluable helpline, providing advice and guidance for candidates and their parents. The helpline operates on Wednesday 17th August (10am-7pm), Thursday, 18th August (10am–7pm) and Friday, 19th August (10am-1pm). The helpline will also be available on Monday, 22nd August (8am-7pm), Tuesday,23rd August (8am-7pm) and Wednesday, 24th August (8am-1pm) following the release of CAO offers. The free phone number is 1800 265 165 and the email address is helpline@npcpp.ie.
VIEWING
Leaving Cert results are available early in schools today and online from 12noon at www. examinations.ie. If you wish to view one or more of your marked Leaving Cert Exam scripts return your completed application form to your school by Tuesday, 23rd August. The viewing of marked scripts will be held on Friday, 2nd September from 6.00pm to 9.00pm (Session 1), Saturday, 3rd September from 9.00am to 12.00 noon (Session 2) and Saturday, 3rd September from 2.00pm to 5.00 pm (Session 3).
Having viewed your marked scripts you may decide to appeal one or more of your grades. The closing date for receipt by the SEC of Leaving Cert appeal applications is Wednesday, 7th September. The appeal fee is €40 (LC) or €15.50 (LCA) per subject. Results of Leaving Cert subject appeals will be released in Mid-October.
CAO OFFERS
CAO Round One offers and points requirements will be available at www.cao.ie from 6am on Monday, 22nd August. CAO Round One offers may be accepted up to 5.15pm on Monday, 29th August. CAO Round Two offers and points requirements will be available at www.cao.ie from 6am on Thursday, 1st September. CAO Round Two offers may be accepted up to 5.15pm on Wednesday, 7th September. Thereafter, offers will be issued as necessary until October to fill any vacancies which may arise. In addition, the CAO vacant places facility opens on Tues., 23rd Aug. at www.cao.ie. This facility is open to both those who have already made an application to CAO, whether placed or not, and to those who have not applied to CAO.
PLC COURSES
Interviews for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, which are practical and vocational in orientation, take place in the period after the Leaving Cert results are released. If you haven’t applied for a PLC course and would now like to do so, contact the colleges of your choice. There may be vacancies on a variety of PLC courses. The majority of PLC courses are offered at Level 5. A number are offered at Level 6 and the entire list of PLC courses can be found on www.qualifax.ie.
SOLAS
If you are interested in undertaking an apprenticeship in a trade or a traineeship, register at your local Training Centre if you have not already done so. Check the Solas website, www.solas.ie, or Kerry Education and Training Board website, www.kerryetb.ie, for further information.
FAILTE IRELAND
The excellent marketing of Ireland as a holiday destination, both at home and abroad, resulted in 2015 being the country’s best tourism season for some years. 2016 is also shaping up to be a great year for tourism in Ireland. If you are attracted to a career at the craft level of work in the hotel, catering and tourism industry make contact with Failte Ireland if you have not done so already.
Many Failte Ireland craft courses are in the CAO application system. However they may not all fill and they also have a range of other training courses to suit a variety of circumstances. Keep an eye also on the CAO website, www.cao.ie, for vacant places. Failte Ireland website address is www.fáilteireland.ie.
TEAGASC
The agri-food industry is the fastest growing sector of the Irish economy and offers excellent career prospects at all levels. If a career in agriculture and horticulture appeals to you, then make contact with Teagasc, which provides a variety of courses in the agricultural and horticultural areas. Teagasc website address is www. teagasc.ie.
GAPYEAR
An increasing number of young people are now availing of a year out after the Leaving Cert in order to gain work experience or to travel. It’s widely acknowledged that Irish students are very young when they enrol in further and higher education. A year out is a maturing experience and allows an extra year to make the transition from second level education. In addition, many colleges are also very accommodating of students who wish to defer taking up the offer of a course for one year.
REPEAT LC
If you feel that your results don’t adequately reflect your ability, it is well worth considering a return to school to repeat the exam. Most repeat students considerably increase their points. A more competitive result in the Leaving Cert Exam might be in your best interests in the long run.
So, even though you’re relieved that the waiting is over and your Leaving Cert results are in line with your expectations, don’t take your eye off the ball. Be aware of closing dates, read your correspondence carefully and take the appropriate steps to finalise your next move.
Good luck to all candidates, who are receiving Leaving Cert results today. Enjoy your achievement and move on confidently to the next phase of your young life. Seize the moment!