TO: Parents/Guardians of Students of Forms 3L and 3R

FROM: The Principal, Trinity College

DATE: 14​th​ February 2020
SUBJECT: Form 3 Choice of Subjects

Your son/ward has come to that important point of his school career where he selects the subjects
for his final examinations (CSEC) in May/June 2022.

It is an exciting time for us all at Trinity College. In an effort to afford our students the most
comprehensive and meaningful subject clusters, we have recently:

1. re-designed our subject choice clusters so that our students can:

a) be exposed to the most relevant and useful subject groupings possible, and
b) upgrade their examination performance.
c) pursue the Ministry of Education’s directed CVQ programme

2. a) re-organised our Sixth Form programme and time-table to accommodate

the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) which fully replaced the GCE
Advanced Level examinations in 2007
b) added ​“Entrepreneurship”​ to the Group 1 subject line and ​“Tourism”​ to the
Group 3 subject line

In considering the choices you are about to make, Parents/Guardians should carefully examine:

i) the student’s​ aptitude

ii) the student’s​ career goals, and
iii) the student’s​ performance

Trinity College will do its best to accommodate the requests of students; however, ​other factors
may help to determine the choice of subjects allowed.​ These are:

i) available space
ii) the performance of the student
iii) the teachers’ recommendation(s)

Parents/Guardians will know what choices have been granted ​on June 8​th​ 2020.

Form Teachers will be available for Parent / Teacher conference on Wednesday 4​th​ March
2020 ​between 8:30 am and 10:00 am​ to address any queries parents may have as regard
specific subject areas.

This year’s choices afford your son/ward the opportunity to do eight subjects in preparation for
his CSEC Examinations in 2022.

He must choose Groups 1 and 2 as well as six (6) other subjects from Groups 3 to 8.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. At least ONE Science subject must be chosen. ​In the case of students pursuing
Agricultural Science, Agricultural Science will count as a science subject.
2. Students choosing to do Physical Education must also take EITHER Biology or Human
and Social Biology (HSB).
3. Students choosing HSB in Group 5 are ​NOT​ allowed to choose Biology in Group 7.
4. At least ONE Foreign Language must be chosen.
5. Students pursuing Technical Drawing will be required to pursue Physics and Additional
Mathematics as well.
6. It is advised that any student wishing to pursue Biology at the CAPE level must have
some Chemistry.

7. Music is being offered at the CAPE level.

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 8. Students doing Human and Social Biology (HSB) at the CSEC level may now pursue
Biology ​or​ Environmental Science at the CAPE level.

9. Students who plan on choosing ​Physics​ the following applies:

a) Those who wish to pursue Physics in form 6 must pick Physics (1) ​with​ Add Maths

b) Those who wish to purse Physics only up to form 5 should pick Physics (2) without Add Maths

10. Students who intend to pursue Environmental Science at the CAPE level must have
Biology or Human and Social Biology ​and​ either Geography ​or​ Agricultural Science at
the CSEC level.
11. HSB students who intend to pursue Biology must also have done Chemistry at the CSEC
level.
12. Students who wish to pursue Tourism or Entrepreneurial Studies at CAPE, must have a
business subject at the CSEC level.
13. Students choosing Theatre Arts are encouraged to choose English Literature​.

NOTE:
X No requests for the ‘dropping’ of subjects during Year 4 (Form 4) will be entertained​.

X PLEASE NOTE WELL: ​NO REQUESTS FOR SUBJECT CHANGES WILL BE

ENTERTAINED AFTER MID-TERM OF TERM 1 YEAR 4 (FORM 4).

X Physical Education, Social Studies, English Language, Agricultural Science and Human
and Social Biology (see bulleted item above) are not offered at Form 6 level.

SUBJECT CHOICES
Please note that subject switches must be made only along the horizontal line along which
the subject occurs.

Group Number Subjects

Group 1 Mathematics ​(compulsory)

Group 2 English Language ​(compulsory)

Group 3 Spanish
French

Group 4 Physical Education Art

Music History (1)
Principles of Business

Group 5 Physics (1) Physics (2)

Human and Social Biology Agricultural Science

Group 6 Chemistry Information Technology

Economics Theatre Arts
Social Studies

Group 7 English Literature Additional Mathematics (1)

Biology Technical Drawing

Group 8 Geography Principles of Accounts

History (2) Additional Mathematics (2)

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………………………………………
Carl Tang
Principal

TRINITY COLLEGE
CHOICE OF SUBJECTS (FORM 4) 2019 / 2020
REPLY SLIP

CHOICE A

In ​BLOCK LETTERS​ write the names of the six (6) subjects you have selected.

Group 1 Mathematics ​(compulsory)

Group 2 English Language ​(compulsory)

Group 3 ______________________________________________

Group 4 ______________________________________________

Group 5 ______________________________________________

Group 6 ______________________________________________

Group 7 ______________________________________________

Group 8 ______________________________________________

OR

CHOICE B

In ​BLOCK LETTERS​ write the names of the six (6) subjects you have selected.

Group 1 Mathematics ​(compulsory)

Group 2 English Language ​(compulsory)

Group 3 ______________________________________________

Group 4 ______________________________________________

Group 5 ______________________________________________

Group 6 ______________________________________________

Group 7 ______________________________________________

Group 8 ______________________________________________

This reply slip must be returned to your Form Teacher by Tuesday March 10​th​ 2020 or
via online submission on ‘Google classroom’.

________________________________________ _____________ _____________

Name of Student Form House

____________________________________ ______________________________
Name of Parent / Guardian (Please Print) Signature

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_____________________________________ ______________________________
Telephone Contact Date

________________________________________________________________________
For official use only

TRINITY COLLEGE
GUIDELINES FOR CAREERS AND SUBJECT CHOICES IN FORMS 4, 5 AND 6

Below are some ​guidelines​ which may be useful in helping you choose the courses for Forms 4 and 5.

1. Ensure that your chosen range of subjects is wide enough not to severely restrict your
career choice in the future, even if you think you know what you want to do already.

2. Mathematics and English Language are essential for several careers and for entry to courses
in higher education. Good work in these two compulsory subjects is expected from all
students. You should strive to earn at least 65% in all exercises.

3. At present some career choices are still possible with Grade I, II or III in four or five CSEC
(General Proficiency Level) subjects alone, eg. Banking. Some, such as the Police, Fire and
Defence Force, accept less than four subjects but expect further study for promotion. Primary
School Teaching requires five subjects: a Natural Science, Mathematics, English Language
and two other subjects, but having Advanced Level subjects too is an advantage.

4. Further study at Technical Institutes is becoming more important as the economy moves to
self-employment and small business. Four or five CXC passes (including Mathematics and
English) is the basic requirement for many courses including Draughtmanship; Mechanical
and Electrical Engineering Technician; Business Management; Auto Mechanics and Welding.
Check the Institutes to find out which subjects are required for the various courses.

5. The following ​guidelines​ ​indicate the subjects useful for ​some s​ pecific careers.

Subject Career

Art Art and Design; Architecture; Environmental Planning, Advertising;

Textiles and Clothing Design
Biology Dental Work; Pharmacy; Medicine; Agriculture; Marine Scientist;
Biochemist
Chemistry Medicine; the Food Industry; Engineering; Forensic Scientist; Pharmacist
Foreign Languages Diplomatic Service; (other Degree programmes at Some Universities);
International Law; Travel Service; Airline Stewardship; Business; Shipping; Marketing
Physics Physiotherapy; Engineering; Medicine; Aviation
Technical Drawing Engineering; Commercial Art; Construction; Electronics; Auto-
Mechanics; Architecture
English Literature Law; Journalism. Advertising; Theology/ Psychology; Political Science; the
Performing Arts
Princ. of Accounts Banking; Insurance; Business
History Law; Political Science; Theology; Diplomatic Service
Music Music Educator; Music Therapist; Sound Engineer; Music
Journalist; Producer; Publisher (Researcher); Cultural Officer;
Arranger/Composer; Conductor

6. Certain career programmes require CAPE for entry. Admission to the University of the West
Indies, Universities in Canada and the United Kingdom and some Universities in the United
States of America may require at least 6 CAPE units including Caribbean Studies and
Communication Studies. Polytechnics in Canada and the United Kingdom are less expensive
and offer more practical and applied courses than the Universities. For these, CAPE units,
though not required, are preferred.

7. Form Four Choices (with Sixth Form Options considered)

In selecting subjects for Form 4, the CAPE subjects which may be required by a

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career programme should be borne in mind. In addition, passes in related subjects are
sometimes considered when students are being selected for the Sixth Form.

If a student at Trinity College wishes to enter Form 6, he should note the Ordinary Level
subject requirement (Grade I or II).

8. Students wishing to pursue Management or Economics degrees at the University of the West
Indies are advised to select Additional Mathematics.

Please turn over…

CAPE O’ Level Subject Requirement

Geo. and Mech. Engineering Drawing Technical Drawing, Maths and Physics

Geography Geography and Maths

Economics Maths and Economics

French French and English Literature

Spanish Spanish and English Literature

History History and English Literature

Biology Biology and Chemistry

Chemistry Chemistry and Physics

Physics Physics, Maths and Add Maths

Pure Maths Maths ​and​ Add Maths

Accounts Principles of Accounts and Maths

Management of Business Maths, English Literature/Language,

Principles of Business

Art and Design Art, History and English Literature

Literatures in English English Language and Literature

Environmental Science Biology, Geography, Physics and/or

Chemistry

Statistical Analysis Maths and Physics

He must also have the potential to succeed and a record of adequate performance,
regular attendance and good behaviour in the Fourth and Fifth Forms.

9. Apart from the guidelines above, please note ​CSEC grades in many subjects are not based
on the performance in final exams alone. Work done in Forms 4 and 5 in school is also
considered. This is called the School Based Assessment (SBA). In some subjects as much
as 30% of the final mark can be earned before the final examinations, through the SBA.

A student who does not complete SBA assignments will not be graded at all, even if he wrote an
excellent final examination.

10. The Profile Statement from CXC is also considered and the required subject must have at
least one A. This is taken as an indicator of the student’s ability to go further in that subject.
The quality of the results in Form 5 depends on the work during the three terms in Form 4,
regular revision and your determination to do well. Please be guided accordingly.

11. In the College Library, there is a collection of resource material on careers which students
would find useful in helping to resolve any difficulties in making the choice of subjects. The
Forms Teacher and Deans are also available for consultation.
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The list below is the current choices available in Form 6 at Trinity College. As such, this list may be
subject to change and should be used ​as a guide only.​

Group 1: Chemistry / Economics / Spanish / Art / Building and Mechanical Engineering

Drawing and Design / Geography / Entrepreneurship
Group 2: Physics / History / Accounts / Environmental Science / Applied Maths /
French / Music
Group 3: Pure Maths / Literatures in English / Biology / Management of Business / Tourism
Computer Science
Group 4: Caribbean Studies / Communication Studies ​(compulsory for ALL students)

NB: Only ONE subject is chosen from each group.