Transition year

An overview of the year ahead 2009/10 

St. Mary’s College is particularly proud of its Transition Year curriculum. Although the school offers a broad-based curriculumfor all Transition year students it is by no means exhaustive and therefore alterations or subject changes may differ form one year to the next. It is the College’s objectives that Transition year offers pupils a broad educational experience, where emphasis is placed on the promotion of each pupil’s personal, social, academic and vocational skills. The school’s objectives are to provide a bridge that will enable pupils to make the transition from a highly structured and exam-orientated environment to one where they are expected to take greater responsibility for their own learning and decision-making.

Core subjects:

Transition Year in St. Mary’s College does not neglect its responsibility to present a curriculum where core subjects are concerned. Students are expected to continue their studies of following subjects throughout the course of the year.

Irish, English, Mathematics, French/German/Latin Religion

Decision-making:

The academic aspect of Transition Year is divided into three separate modules throughout the year. In assisting with each pupil’s individual subject choices and requirements for their future, Transition Year offers each pupil the opportunity to experience at first hand all potential subjects which will be on offer for his Leaving Certificate. Therefore, all pupils will be taught for a period of 8/9 weeks on each of the subjects below.

A fundamental knowledge of all subjects will be of particular help when pupils view their subject choices for their Leaving Certificate.

Sciences:

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Technology studies, Sports science

Humanities:

History, Drama, Music, Development Studies

Business:

Business Studies, Accounting, Economics

Computing 

In addition to the above the College also offers Computer classes for all pupils throughout the academic year. Certificates will be awarded upon successful completion of the City & Guilds examination.

Art & Crafts 

In order to further aid pupils subject and potential future choices, all pupils will attend a careers class provided on the timetable throughout the year.

Recreational Activities: 

The College is also pleased and best-suited to place emphasis on the mental and physical development of its pupils, hence an extensive range of certifiable activities is provided.

All pupils will be in a position to partake in physical education throughout the year.

On a Modular basis, all pupils are expected to partake in the following activities provided:

Karate, Wrestling, Sailing, Soccer coaching course and a First-Aid course run by the Order of Malta.

All of the above courses will be organised and run by expert personnel who are fully qualified in their particular field.  

Karate 

All pupils are expected to participate in this introductory module to Karate. The course will take place within the College. The instructor is a fully qualified Black Belt and is affiliated with the Shotokan Institute of Ireland.

This is a certifiable course.

Sailing 

A level one Sailing introductory course will be provided for all pupils of Transition Year. The course will take place in the Irish National Sailing School based in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Certificates will be awarded to students following successful completion of the course.

Football Association of Ireland

This is a Soccer course with a difference, pupils will be taught for one module on how to teach Junior children the basic skills of soccer. The instructor holds a F.I.F.A. A Badge the highest qualifications available under U.E.F.A.

Certificates will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.

Wrestling

A former World Champion Bulgarian International who is associated with the Irish Amateur Wrestling Association will instruct all pupils on the basics of wrestling and the physical skills involved.

Certificates and medals are awarded upon successful completion of the course.

Gaelic Football

An introduction to the basic skills of Gaelic Football will be presented to pupils, here it is envisaged that pupils will learn how to teach children of a younger age to themselves.

Certificates will be awarded.

First Aid

All pupils will be required to present themselves for a First Aid course, which is organised by the Order of Malta. This is a three-day course and it is expected that pupils will be introduced to basic First Aid and resuscitation procedures.

Certificates will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.

Public Speaking

Although this examination is voluntary, it is expected that all pupils undergo a Public Speaking examination. The College places importance on self-directed learning and self-motivation. Here Certificates will be awarded upon a candidate’s successful completion of this examination, which is run in conjunction with the Leinster School of Music and Drama.

Community Care:

It is important that pupils become more aware of their social surroundings and environment and on this note pupils will have the opportunity to serve the local community and perhaps better themselves during the year.

Students will be expected to make themselves available for three periods a week over a four-month period in order to visit, work and assist those of us within the community who are less advantaged.

It is envisaged that pupils will be better equipped both socially and mentally to later meet life’s various challenges.

Involvement:

At times throughout the year students will be asked to become involved in a particular project. Individual teachers will look to the student-body for their input; this is where Transition Year can differ from other years.

It is hoped that pupils will develop their social skills and become more self-reliant through becoming wholly involved in voluntary projects, these may include the setting-up of a Mini-Business Company, Charity work, Drama and Debating and Pupil Speaking.

Work Experience:

Transition Year offers all pupils the opportunity to experience a real working environment during the latter half of the year. It is recommended that pupils choose a work placement more closely suited to their talents and attributes, although this is not always necessary as many pupils may be unsure as to what career prospects they may prefer at this stage in their lives. However, work experience does ensure that pupils will learn to rely on themselves more in a serious working environment and also begin to improve their social skills.

Killary Tour:

The latter part of the year will provide pupils with an opportunity to improve their

all-round skills with a two-day overnight stay at Killary Outdoor Adventure Centre in Connemara, Galway. Again, emphasis will be placed on trust, self-discipline, and self-reliance and on a pupil’s ability to rely on others.

Overall objectives

Our aims, which follow Department of Education and Science guidelines, are interrelated and interdependent and are therefore strongly reflected in the College’s Transition Year Programme:

• Education for maturity, with the emphasis on personal

development including improvement in one’s 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 College has the responsibility for setting and defining the objectives necessary for achievement of its overall aims. 

Assessment:

Assessment of each pupil’s performance and learning is an integral aspect of the Transition Year course in the College, hence pupils will be assessed on all aspects of the programme and their participation is key to the continued success of Transition Year in the College.

Examinations:

All pupils will be expected to sit both Christmas and Summer examinations regarding their core subjects during Transition Year. 

Prizegiving Night:

At the end of May the Transition Year programme will end on one of the highlights of the year where all pupils and their families can come together and celebrate with the Transition Year staff. On the night each pupil will be presented with his individual portfolio of Certification, individual achievement awards will also be distributed on this occasion; this event normally takes place in the Fr. Barry Hall.