The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme that forms the first year of a three-year senior cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate programmes. Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests. (Department Guidelines)
Transition Year offers learners an opportunity to mature and develop without the pressure of an examination. It also provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on, and develop an appreciation of, the value of learning in preparing them for the ever-changing demands of the adult world of work, further and higher education and relationships. (NCCA Guidelines)
All TY timetables consist of a mix of full year modules, half, eight and six week modules and a weekly Reflection, Work Experience and E-portfolio class.
Core subjects include English, Irish, Maths and either German or French.
Most will do History, Geography, Biology as these are generally popular subjects for Leaving Certificate.
All will do short 6 week modules in subjects like Career Guidance, Environmental studies, Mindfulness, Public Speaking, Mentoring.
Then students pick subjects for 3 eight week modules. The purpose is to develop interests, try different things but also try out some subjects they might be considering for the Leaving Certificate.
Some courses are very popular so we try to ensure that everyone gets a number of their top choices but it is impossible with the range of subjects that everyone gets exactly what they want.
TY Team Goals and Objectives
● To encourage students to become more independent learners.
● To enable students to reach their full potential and give them space to mature.
● To promote personal, social, educational and vocational development.
● To prepare them to become responsible members of society.
Student Goals and Objectives
● Students are encouraged to set goals for themselves for Transition Year.
● Students are encouraged to participate fully in the Transition Year Programme.
● Students are encouraged to push themselves to try new experiences and engage more in their school and local community.
Academic Advantages
Career and Work Experience
Self Confidence, Mature and Leadership
Students have opportunities to engage in many different courses and activities,allowing them to develop self confidence , grow in maturity and leadership skills.
Certification
Over the course of the year, students’ complete various certifiable courses and are encouraged to achieve the GAISCE president’s award. These will bolster CV and college applications.
Personal Development
Transition Year is a compulsory year with most students opting in.
A planning session with a group of the 3rd Year students going into Transition Year with the Coordinator is organised in March. This is used to gather suggestions from the students and to discover the type of year they would engage in.
In May, a presentation is made to all 3rd year students and an information evening is held for all parents/guardians of students partaking in the Transition Year Programme
Students have an induction into the Transition Year with the Coordinator ,year head and form teachers.
Bonding events are also organised for their first two days back in late August.
At Christmas, an evaluation will take place of the TY Programme . Feedback will be encouraged from parents, staff and students.
All TYs should receive three reports, one in November, one in February and the last in May.
November Report is worth 120 credits.
February report also 120 credits.
The final report in May is worth 360 credits.
In the final report 80 credits for portfolio,80 credits for TY project, 50 for Author project and 30 for community work will be awarded on top of subject credits.
All combined a total of 600 credits.
In most cases each teacher will award 10 credits per subject per report. (award between 0-10).
The final report will show total credits for the year and the award achieved.
The idea behind the TY project is that students have the time and the opportunity to engage in independent learning from September to March.
Some will learn a new skill,make a piece of furniture,make a model of something,write a book,revamp their garden,bedroom.
There are 4 components to the projects.The project will be awarded 80 credits that are accumulated at different stages.
All these are submitted through TY E-portfolio.
There should be two elements here:
1.Written account (25 credits).
AND
2.Finished product (e.g display,finished novel, Restored car,CD) (15 credits).
TY students create an online portfolio using ‘google sites’. It’s almost like an ongoing diary of TY and should be personal. It will look similar to a website with many different sub pages.
An e-portfolio should be a reflection of a student’s TY experience. Essay style information is not required and instead short details on different events and lots of photos.
This is set up at the beginning of the year in reflection class and requires students to regularly update it (weekly). The reflection teacher’s role during the weekly class period on the tablets is to ensure students are updating their portfolios.
The portfolio is personal to each student – no two portfolios will be the same.
ALL TY students need to find a regular volunteer placement in their local community. Students will receive 3 periods off on a Tuesday afternoon = 2 hours and will then volunteer for a MINIMUM OF 2 HOURS at a time of their choosing. PLACEMENTS MAY NOT BE DURING CLASS TIME. They may also be at the weekend.
Classes in school will end at 13.05 every Tuesday and students will be free to leave the school at this time.
Each week they will need to complete their community work record in their TY e-portfolio and also get their community work card signed by their supervisor as proof of attendance. The 2 hours may be divided between two different placements or done in segments over the week.There are a total of 24 weeks to complete.This will be checked each week in reflection class and used to assign credits.It should be done weekly excluding school holidays, work experience sports team looking for an extra pair of hands.
ALL TY students complete four weeks of work experience each year.
Students are not permitted to use part time jobs for work experience purposes and do not receive payment for work done. Some students go abroad on placements; anyone considering this should speak to the work experience coordinator as soon as possible. Insurance is in place for all placements and forms will be given to students before work experience or as the need arises.
Some companies organise work experience through the school and again students will be informed of these as soon as the school is made the offer. This includes the defence forces, RTE, the Law Society and RCSI.
Some students may find that they will be offered work placements outside of dates above. We would encourage acceptance of these offers but a form needs to be completed and returned before this placement to ensure relevant insurance is in place.
Students need to be aware that in addition they still need to secure placements for the four weeks mentioned also.
(See documents list at the bottom of this page.)
The Gaeltacht trip in Coláiste Uisce for Transition Years is organised for each May. This trip is open to all students including those exempt from Irish. However,numbers are capped at 90.
The college is located in a beautiful,scenic part of rural Mayo. The activities are very well organised and structured. The college prides itself on their water sports which include: kayaking, sailing, surfing and paddle boarding. The students also partake in language classes and a lot of other engaging activities in the halla.
There is a céilí each evening and a talent show on the last night.
The Gaeltacht trip has been a highlight of the transition year for our students in Mount Temple over the past 20 years as they have had a wonderful opportunity to learn and improve their Irish in a relaxed and tranquil setting. This experience also enhances their appreciation of their culture, heritage and traditions.
Mar a deirtear,”Beatha teanga í a labhairt”.(A living language is a spoken language.)
Foreign trips are organised each year to France and Germany. Numbers for each are capped at 40 students on each.
Please see the website www.gaisce.org or click on link below for full details of requirements for the bronze award.
There are 4 sections:
1. Community Involvement 13 weeks
NB The two hour school community work placement required by all Transition Year Students does not qualify for Gaisce.
Gaisce community service hours must be worked outside this time.
2. Personal Skill 13 weeks
3. Physical Recreation 13 weeks
A minimum of 1 hour a week is required in each of these areas.
Plus an additional 13 weeks in one of the above areas.
Therefore, there is a commitment of at least 26 weeks to complete the award.
4. Adventure Journey
A requirement of the Bronze Gaisce Award is that students must undertake a hike consisting of one overnight stay and walk 25-35 km over 2 consecutive days.
Each year a range of activities is offered outside of the timetables these include an induction day, Barista certified course, Living Skills workshops, trip to Mondello and driving lesson, RSA shuttle and roll over service, day trip to Causey Farm, Guest Speakers, Activity Weeks and a range of online certified courses.
An annual musical is organised and involves all interested students either on stage, working behind the screens on props and costumes or managing the shows finances and marketing.Past productions have included Little Shop of Horrors,Grease and West Side Story.
One Weekly mail is sent to parents from the Year head and Coordinator.
Students use Google classroom, TY noticeboard and weekly assemblies.
Check the App Calendar and use TY filter. A copy is also available on request.
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