TY class of 2019
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Summary
The Transition Year programme is intended to facilitate the integrated development of the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, social and vocational capacities of each individual student through a structured learning experience. The general aim of the Transition Year is the preparation of young people for their roles as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society. The programme, therefore, aims to provide young people with the skills and support necessary to develop their own individual talents, aptitudes and abilities with regard to future educational and/or vocational preparation.
Emphasis is placed on- Education for maturity, and spiritual and personal development, including social awareness and increased social competence.
- The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with an emphasis on self-directed learning.
- Education through experience of working life as a basis for personal development and maturity.
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Aims of Programme
TY European Studies Class of 2019
- To provide an opportunity for all students to mature intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually.
- To consolidate and develop the learning experience of the student which has taken place during the Junior Cycle.
- To develop study habits more suited to Senior Cycle and Third Level and to encourage the development of self-directed learning in all students so as to enable them to achieve at 3rd Level.
- To foster a growing sense of responsibility in the student for his/her own life so that he/she may become a responsible socially conscious citizen, able to cope successfully with the demands of society and of life.
- To encourage students to value inter-personal relationships and to inculcate this through team-work and project work.
- To introduce the student actively to the world of work so that they will learn to work with others and develop a good working relationship with others and learn to engage in dialogue with others in a respectful way.
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Main Components of Programme
Academic Studies
TY’s in character for history week 2019
Aspects of the following subject areas are included:
Gaeilge, English, Mathematics, French, Spanish, German, History, Geography, Science (including modules of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Applied Maths), Business Studies (including modules of Economics, Accounting and Business), Home Economics, Metalwork, Woodwork and Psychology.
Study, homework and regular evaluation are required. In the area of languages, the emphasis is on literacy and fluency, with elements of literature which are not prescribed for the Leaving Certificate programme.General Education
Modules are also provided in Music, Art, Drama, Dance, Social and Health Education, Religion, Personal Development, Mini-Company, Physical Education and Tourism Awareness, a Law Module, an Environment Module, sign language, GAA Coaching course, Chinese and Outdoor Education.
Students have opportunities in I.T. with courses in programming and computer skills. Students also get a chance to try out film production – see this clip (filmed, edited and produced by our TY’s) of our day with the Cycle against Suicide initiative to get a glimpse at their handy workwww.youtube.com/watch?v=-W_LqKx3rDQ
Careers Education
This section includes Work Shadowing one day each week for 13/14 weeks. During this period, students will spend 3/4 days in each of 4 workplaces where they will shadow a member of some particular profession or workforce.
Students also have one class period of Guidance each week during which they receive a comprehensive preparation for the world of work. This will include interview preparation, compiling a C.V., writing letters, study skills and an overview of Third Level, subject choices for Fifth Year and careers information.Activities
Students are encouraged to enter in a wide range of competitions, from Leadership and Community Involvement awards, to the Young Social Innovators Awards, and the Gaisce Awards (Bronze Medallion). There is also a range of competitions from web design to magazine design, film making, sound engineering and student drama. Other activities and projects include Schools Banking with Bank of Ireland, Special Olympics, Disability Theatre, Creative Writing, Dance and a Fashion Show.
The year begins with a team Building day in Cappanalea. Tours and outings are organised on a regular basis for instance to the University of Limerick Activity Centre in Killaloe, the cinema, field study trips, sports events, hill walks including Torc, Mt. Brandon and Croagh Patrick in Mayo, museums, the Young Scientists Exhibition, the Cork Circuit Court, the Eco-Unesco young environmentalist Awards and the Gaeltacht.
Produce from the TY Garden 2018 – 2019
TY’s 2019 Surfing at Banna Beach
The Stage is set for the Fashion Show , November 2018
There is an optional School Tour in the second term – destinations vary from year to year.
There is an End of Year ceremony in Centenary Hall at which certificates and awards are presented. The guest speaker on the night is somebody whose involvement in the business world or in public life befits a Transition Year function. A magazine produced by the students is also available on the night. The students in their art, woodwork and metalwork classes make all sets and scenery required for the production – highlighting the inter-disciplinary nature of the Transition Year Course.
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Click here for a short video from our TY’s of 2019 highlighting some of the events they were involved with.
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What’s life like in TY?
Each year the TY group have a varied programme of activities. Below is a sample of a typical year’s activities. It will give you a flavour of what TY is about in all its energy and diversity. -
Outdoor Activities and Charity Events
During the year our pupils took part in many events: surfing in Banna, diving in Castlegregory, rock climbing and kayaking in Cappanalea, hill walking, orienteering and mountain climbing in Killarney and Dingle. There were trips to the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Cork, the National Ploughing Championships and Killarney. They walked the old Kenmare Road from Muckross House and on to Kenmare, they climbed Mount Brandon in aid of The Irish Cancer Society and they ran a 10k for the Carers’ Association. They bag packed for the Autistic Unit in Balloonagh and gave assistance to several local charities who needed extra manpower during the year. In all the T.Y. class of 2012 helped raise almost €20,000 for charity.
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European Studies
Other highlights during the year were the European Studies Group that won “My Vision for Europe” in the Euroscola Competition and received a prize of a trip to Strasbourg for the group of 26 and their very deserving teacher Ms. Sherma Carey.
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Fashion Show
We cannot forget the fashion show in November which was coordinated by Ms. O Leary
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YSI Groups (Young Social Inventors)
The YSI Project ‘WOULD YOU PAY FOR POISON?’ came second place nationally in the YSI competitions in Dublin. The students involved in the project have done Trojan work during the year to raise awareness about the hazards of fluoride in our water supply. The YSI group have spoken at a Tralee Town Water Quality Meeting where councillors and the Mayor of Tralee were in attendance and where the students premiered their song ‘Wake up Zombie Nation’. As a result of their efforts, Kerry County Council held a vote on the issue last December and they unanimously voted to remove the chemical. However, this is not within their power at present as water quality is a national question. YSI voiced their concerns on Kerry Radio and Youghal Community Radio. They have set up a Facebook page and a Twitter page to educate the public on the quality of our drinking water. The group plan to continue this project again next year.
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Young Entrepreneurs
We had a very successful Young Entrepreneur class this year with excellent ideas and prototypes from Conor O’Mahony, Cillian Cusack and Peter Karim. Peter reached the final fifteen and had a wonderful showcase of his “Safelite” high visibility jacket at the Young Entrepreneur Awards in Killarney in May.The Young Entrepreneur Programme encourages young people to think creatively and provides guidance on setting up their own business. This is a unique programme which is the result of educators, state bodies, entrepreneurs, private sector companies and individuals pooling their resources for the common good and to provide an enriching experience for all. This year, 27 students opted for this programme in TY.
Peter Karim (developed a prototype high visability vest with LED lighting) and Conor O’Mahony (created a water meter to monitor water usage in showers) were shortlisted for the semi-final. Peter got through to the final which was held in the Malton Hotel, Killarney. All 15 finalists in the competition were invited to Dublin where they met with successful entrepreneurs and also had a meeting with the President Michael D. Higgins.
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The TY School Tour
There was also the trip to northern Italy which proved to be very worthwhile even though we endured Arctic temperatures for four of the five days. The trip was a feast of cuisine, culture and fun. We visited and had walking tours of Milan, Forence, and Verona. We experienced the Venice Carnevale with exotic masks and costumes. We managed to tour the Lake Garda region and the beautiful town of Sirmione. It was such a success that the class of 2012-2013 will be offered a similar experience. Euroscola in Strasbourg
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Each year ends with the Ty Awards Night. On this occasion students receive their certificates for their achievements during the year and recognition is given to those who have particularly excelled in their application during the year. Click below to see the most recent awards photos:
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A thorough process has been developed to ensure the suitability of candidates for Transition Year.
- Teacher Reports
Students who submit an application are initially scored on their reports from mid-term. Comments are allocated a weighted score according to the qualities that are considered indicative of suitability for Transition Year.
Academic comments are considered relatively irrelevant (eg ‘Has difficulty with Honours level’) and are marked as zero.
Comments such as ‘Frequently disruptive’ and ‘Inconsiderate of others in class’ incur a stronger negative score.
As some students are given a mark from 12 subjects where others may have only comments from 10 or 11, an averaging calculation is next carried out on the gross score.
- Disciplinary/Attendance
A disciplinary report is provided by the Year Head and Deputy Principal. Red cards, yellow cards etc are scored. Lunch time detentions are not generally included. However, failing to attend for detention is considered very serious and is included. Merit cards can earn a positive score at this stage.
Attendance is included but only where the absence is not subsequently explained. The Assistant Year Heads provide information on which students have not provided notes for their absences.
Punctuality on arrival to school is also included in the marking.
- Interviews
A number of the applicants with the lowest scores after the above scoring process are offered the opportunity to attend for an interview to boost their score. Interviews are carried out by two external, highly experienced people. The score from this interview is added to the original score.
