Mission

To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society.

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Overall Aims

The following aims are inter-related and interdependent and should be strongly reflected in our Transition Year programme.

  • Education for maturity with an emphasis on personal development including social awareness and increased social competence
  • The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning
  • Education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and maturity.

The aims and philosophy of Transition Year should permeate the entire school.

Core Subjects Layer

  • Gaeilge, English, Maths, French/German (4 periods per week)
  • RE, PE, Computers* (2 periods per week)
  • Career Guidance (1 period per week)

Subject Sampling Layer

 Six subjects to be sampled from the following list:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics 
  • Accounting
  • Business
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Art
  • Music
  • Construction Studies
  • DCG (Design and Communication Graphics) (only for students who have already been informed that they have a place in this class)
  • Computer Science
  • Applied Maths 

TY Modules Layer

    (a) Fixed Modules

    Students have an opportunity to participate in a very wide range of Transition Year Modules.

    There are 4 ‘fixed’ i.e. year-long modules. Students are asked to pick 1 of the following:

    • Film-making
    • Horticulture
    • Mini-Company
    • Sports Studies (Future Leaders, GAA programme)

    An outline of all of these courses will be given on Induction Days by the teachers/facilitators and by 5th Year students who completed the programmes.

    (b) Rotating Modules

    All students will take part in the rotating modules for 5/6 week periods:

    Rotation (1) 

    • Drama
    • Information Technology*
    • Road Safety

    Rotation (2)

    • Environmental Studies
    • First Aid
    • Music Appreciation

    Rotation (3)

    • Chinese
    • Craft
    • Social Justice
    • Yoga
    • Astrology

    Rotation (4)

    • Bystander Intervention 
    • Safety in the workplace
    • Sign Language
    • Wellbeing

    * ECDL/ICDL
    The ECDL/ICDL programme will continue for students in Transition Year.

    Calendar Layer 

    Students will be offered the chance to get involved in several events throughout the year. It is really important that they engage in as many activities as possible in order to benefit from the year.

    Examples of events/activities:

    • Induction Process
    • Leadership Training Programme
    • Participation in the Gaisce – bronze award
    • School Bank
    • Trend Micro Internet Safety programme. TYs act as mentors for 1st Year students
    • Variety Concert
    • Hurley Repairs course (certified by The Munster Council)
    • BT Young Scientist
    • Psych Slam in UCC
    • Organising the Christmas Food Appeal, the Readathon, fundraising Coffee mornings etc.
    • Involvement in the Young SVP (Vincent de Paul) project
    • Collecting for various charitable organisations in Wilton Shopping Centre
    • TY retreat and tour of the Honan Chapel 
    • Paired Reading for 1st Year students
    • Engineering, Maths, Science courses in UCC and MTU
    • College Open Days for TY Students 
    • UCC Guided Tour 
    • Prep for Med day
    • ‘Introduction to Law’ day
    • Podcast Workshops with Elaine Smith, Sound Engineer & Podcast Producer
    • Money Management Programme 
    • Cookery Workshops 
    • Internet Safety Day
    • Past Pupils speak to TY students about their careers 
    • Green Schools Work 
    Transition Year in Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh

    Work Experience Programme 

    (Takes place in the first two weeks of March)

    Work Experience is a very important part of Transition Year. The aim of the programme is to give a student the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in an area of employment he is considering as a career option. We encourage students to begin the process by talking about possible placements with parents and Career Guidance teachers. Past pupils return to school to speak about the courses/careers they have pursued. Students will be assisted in this work in Careers class and through the use of the Careers portal. CVs and letters/emails are prepared and forwarded to prospective employers. As we are in competition with several other schools for work placements, it is imperative that students put in their application by late September.

    Students can apply for permission to do “extra” work experience (maximum 2 weeks). This must be a course or placement that cannot be undertaken during the designated time of work experience and it must be in keeping with the aim of the programme as outlined above. Students complete an application form and submit it for approval to the work experience co-ordinator.

     

    Community Involvement

    In keeping with the ethos of the school and the curriculum guidelines for Transition Year, students are encouraged to immerse themselves fully in the Community Involvement programme. Students are required to account for 20 hours of work in the school and wider community. 

    There are several opportunities to participate in this and some are listed below:

    • Working in the S.H.A.R.E. day-care centre
    • Completing a Leadership Programme and organising events/workshops for 1st Year students. Examples are: welcoming them to the school, organising the Readathon and the Trend Micro, Internet Safety programme, running quizzes for them during Catholic Schools’ Week, accompanying them to events in Dennehy’s Cross Church etc
    • Helping out at various school events, such as the Open Night and the Academic Awards ceremony etc
    • Assisting teachers in organising the TY Soccer Marathon, coaching Junior students and accompanying them to matches.
    • Organising the Christmas Food appeal and other fundraising events.
    • Collecting for various charitable organisations in Wilton Shopping Centre.
    • Representing our school on the S.H.A.R.E. executive.

    Outdoor Pursuits

    A team-building day trip to Ballyhass Lakes will take place for all TY students in early October. More details will be available on Induction Days. 

    Students who have completed their Leadership Programme, will have the opportunity to participate in a trip to the Kilfinane Outdoor Pursuits Centre. It will take place after Work Experience.

    Evaluation and Assessment

    • Students take formal exams in the core subjects and in their academic ‘sampling’ subjects in December and May.
    • Students are required to keep a Digital Diary.

    This is an important record of the student’s involvements that can be shared with his teachers, parents and prospective employers

    • The TY Graduation Ceremony is a highlight of the year as it is run by the students and offers the parents a revealing and perhaps unexpected insight into what makes up a Transition Year.
    • Students are asked to attend an Interview to outline their experience of Transition Year.
    • Students will receive a Certificate of Completion which reflects their participation in the Programme