Transition Year

Bridging the gap between Junior and Senior Cycles. The modern world requires confident, independent, self-motivated and adaptable people.

The emphasis in Transition Year is on self-directed learning and on encouraging initiative in managing tasks. Transition Year offers a wide range of opportunities which enable students to develop skills and personal talents. More immediate to their needs, students gain considerable maturity which enables them to become independent learners and to engage more fully with the Senior Cycle Programme.

TY Core Team 2020-2021

Programme Coordinator - Laura Ryan (replaced by Máirín Gallagher for maternity leave duration)

Word Experience Coordinator - Laura Ryan (replaced by Máirín Gallagher)

TY Year Head - Olivia O’Dowd

TY Tutors - Enda Whelton & Laura Ryan (replaced by Declan Rynne)

Deputy Principal - Elizabeth Collins

Principal - Seosaimhín Uí Dhomhnalláin

TY Students

Transition Year is optional for students who have completed their Junior Cert. The class groups are mixed ability and are reorganised alphabetically from the 3rd Year groupings. Visiting students are often welcomed into Transition Year for varying durations (most often Sept - Dec, Jan - May or the whole year). These students are generally arranged in the class groups in the same manner as other students. Exceptions to this may occur if it will imbalance class sizes (in the case of students arriving during the academic year) or if it means to students of the same language are placed in the same class group.

The TY Year Head meets with the students on a weekly basis and the Coordinator meets them regularly in class.

TY Activities

TY is a very busy year for students with activities happening in and out of class all year round. A google Doc file is updated throughout the year with all activities relating to TY. This file is shared with Teachers and all TY Students.

Booking of all extra curricular events/activities must be approved by the Programme Coordinator. When approving/booking such activities a the following considerations are always taken:

Day/date & timing. It is ideal not to impact on the same classes or same day where possible
Cost & value for money
Educational value to students
Qualification of speaker/teacher/instructor where applicable
Interest of students
Previous evaluation of students

All bookings must be notified to the Principal for inclusion in Staff Information. All students are expected to attend all events/activities unless ill or having previously notified absence to the Programme Coordinator.

Some specialised activities are not available to all students. In each case there are different criteria for selecting students. Examples include Build A Bank, Young SVP, Comhairle na nÓg and Personal Development Workshop.

Homework

A key objective of our Transition Year Journal is to help the pupil keep a record of the work required for each class.

Homework may also include independent research work in some subjects at different times.

If a pupil is absent from class for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to find out details of the work she has missed. This applies to pupils who miss class due to sporting or extra curricular activities as well as illness.

Homework during TY will often be of a highly varied type. All homework assignments are of educational value and merit. Students must complete all homework assignments on time and in the format requested by the subject teacher.

Assessment

Methods of assessment in Transition Year vary. Individual subject teachers plan their in-class assessment methods to best complement the learning experience encountered by students in the respective subject areas.

An overview of the assessment methodologies practised in Transition Year includes the following:

Written assessment
Oral assessment
Aural assessment
Report writing
Skills development analysis
Practical assessment
Skills recording
Presentation
Project based assessment
Paired and group work assessment
Homework assessed

A report with comments from each teacher issues from the school via VSWare in December and June.

Along with individual subject assessments, all students complete an ePortfolio through Google sites. This ePortfolio gives students the opportunity to reflect upon their learning and experiences in all areas of Transition Year. For the ePortfolio, each teacher supplies a “Learning Statement” for their subject. Students in turn create a page within their site for this Learning Statement and provide evidence (in any form) and a written account of their reflection of how they have accomplished this Learning Statement.

Evaluation in Transition Year

The evaluative process is a crucial aspect of our Transition Year programme. Our approach to evaluation is both qualitative and quantitative. The uptake and participation rates in our programme are indicative of the quality and success of this optional educational programme. Transition Year at our school grows, changes and develops in order to best serve the needs of our students whilst taking into sensitive consideration, the resources of our school community and the families of our students.

The following overview provides an indication of the importance of evaluation to all facets of the Transition Programme at our school. Other evaluative methodologies are also employed by teachers within the classroom context.

Formal evaluation of students takes place at a number of times during the year to get their feedback on activities and events in which they have taken part. There is also an end of year evaluation form as well as a random focus group of students for evaluation discussion chosen at the end of the year.

Work Experience

Work experience is an integral part of the Transition Year and LCVP programmes. It is designed to develop the skills and knowledge which will enable students to participate fully and succeed in the workplace and in society. Students attend Work Experience for a full day every Wednesday, with the year split into two placements.

Further Details

If you would like any further details about TY for your daughter or if you are interested in offering a programme/activity to students, please contact the Transition Year Coordinator ty@scoil-mhuire.ie