Well there you go.. grade 8 theory and I'd never ever heard it described as a circle of fifths (well not done on a clock face anyway.. is this an American thing?)...... we used a sentence ..

for order in which flats appear

Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father

and for sharps

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

basically you just take that one sentence and start with whatever letter is appropriate...

Basic rule of theory to change key to any other key.... stick in the 5th of the key you want to change to before you change key and your key changes will sound smoother.

slainte

alison