Home economics at junior cycle focuses on the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for living as individuals and as members of a family. Home economics is very relevant to the present and future social, creative and management needs and skills for living.
Students will engage in cookery, textiles and theory classes through the three year cycle. As part of textiles, students will complete a number of different textile projects including rug making and upcycling clothing. Topics visited in theory classes include nutrition, good home management, leading a sustainable life, how to be a competent consumer and managing home finances. There are several cross curricular links in Home Economics in particular with science and business.
In Ardscoil Phádraig we encourage students to be creative by celebrating their various skills through competitions including entering baking competitions ran by outside agencies (e.g Foróige, Association of Home Economics Teachers) and in-school competitions e.g St. Patricks Day baking competition. Home Economics is an enjoyable, practical subject which allows young people to learn how to live healthy, sustainable lives whilst also being creative throughout.
Leaving Certificate Home Economics endeavours to build on the knowledge learned during junior cycle Home Economics. It provides students with knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for managing their own lives, for further and higher education and work. The learning experiences in Home Economics develop flexibility and adaptability in students, prepare them for a consumer-oriented society and provide a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in food, textiles, science, design, social studies and tourism. Students complete research for their food studies journal (worth 20%) of their leaving certificate which encourages them to be critical thinkers, skills which they will require for their level.
Topics students study throughout the two year programme include nutrition, diet & health, resource management & consumer studies, social studies & home design & management.