Through the Transition Year Programme, we wish to enable our students to reach their full potential both academically and socially, to have an appreciation of the spiritual and aesthetic dimension of life and the ability to use leisure widely.
What Is The Transition Year?
Transition year is offered to students who have completed the Junior Certificate. It is intended as a year of study which provides a transition between Junior and Senior cycles and gives students the opportunity to learn mature and develop. There is a strong emphasis on academic subjects.
Principal Aims of Our Transition Programme
To provide a transition between Junior and Senior cycles and to give student’s the opportunity to learn, mature and develop.
To introduce students to a new range of experiences beyond the scope of the traditional curriculum and thus encourage higher educational, occupational and life ambitions.
To create a positive approach to leaving school and give students an orientation to the world of work.
To develop study and research skills to enable students to become more effective learners and foster self-management skills.
ENGLISH
English is a core subject. The study of English emphasises the development of a range of literacy and oral skills in a variety of domains, personal, social and cultural. Students learn to interpret, compose, discriminate and evaluate a wide range of materials. Students engage with the voice of literature, learn to dialogue critically with it and come to understand its significance and value.
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, English is timetabled for four periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February, and May.
Other Information
A wide variety of extra- curricular activities take place in all years including debating, theatre visits, cinema visits and film screenings, public speaking, writing competitions, poetry competitions and spelling competitions. The use of I.C.T (Information and Communication Technology) as a teaching tool is used frequently in the classroom.
Mathematics
Mathematics is a core subject. The study of Mathematics emphasises the development of a range of numeracy skills.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Mathematics is timetabled for four periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February, and May.
Other Information
A wide variety of extra- curricular activities take place in all years including. The use of I.C.T (Information and Communication Technology) as a teaching tool is used frequently in the classroom.
GAEILGE
Irish is a core subject. The study of Irish emphasises the development of oral, aural, reading and writing skills and also gives students an insight into Irish literature.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Irish is timetabled for four periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in November, February and May.
Other Information
A wide variety of extra- curricular activities take place in all years including Club Na Gaeilge, debating, theatre visits and film screenings. During Seachtain na Gaeilge, students take part in céili dancing, table quizzes and other activities “as Gaeilge”.
The use of I.C.T (Information and Communication Technology) as a teaching tool is used frequently in the classroom.
FRENCH
French is suited to anyone with an interest in French culture, history, and language and/or those who may consider careers in France, Canada, international relations or International frameworks.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, French is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February and May.
What is French?
It aims to improve fluency in French. It develops knowledge of literature, culture, geography, and national history to provide a context for communication. It provides continuity from Junior Cycle and develops skills in oral, aural, comprehension and written proficiency, thereby leading to proficiency in the language.
Associated careers and 3rd level courses” style=”simple”] A third language is a requirement for entry into a number of third level courses. Teaching, translation, interpreting, journalism and media, International Relations, Tourism, Hospitality.
SCIENCE
Students who are good at maths and science and are self- motivated learners. Students who scored well in Numeracy or Spatial Reasoning in their CAT 4 exam in TY. Students who are motivated to prepare for careers in high skilled global Knowledge Society ,
The science course is divided into 3 modules.
Module 1 – Biology
Module 2 – Physics
Module 3 – Chemistry
All involve basic theory and experimental work (where possible once the laboratories are completed.)(www.smartfutures.ie)
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Science is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February and May.
GEOGRAPHY
Students who performed well in this subject at JC and have a good standard of written work. Required aptitudes/skills are spatial awareness, ability and motivation for numerical interpretation, sketching and analysis of information.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Geography is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in November, February and May.
HISTORY
Any student can prosper at History. If you like learning about how the world works, how world- changing decisions are made, researching projects as part of a team and using visual resources as a way of learning about your recent past then History is for you. Any person who wants to be able to argue their point of view will be suited to the course. A student who wishes to make a real difference in the future must learn from the mistakes of the past
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, History is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February and May.
Classical Studies
All students can be successful at Classical Studies. If you like Art, Philosophy, History, Drama, Literature, then there is something there for you. An interest in people of the past and what they teach us helps as does an ability to structure arguments. This will be practised through essay writing.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Classical Studies is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February and May.
MUSIC
Music suits students with an interest in music and those who wish to pursue further studies in music or careers mentioned below. The syllabus provides continuity and progression from Junior Certificate Music-emphasising the integration of the three activity areas introduced at Junior Certificate level i.e. performing, listening and composing.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Classical Studies is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in November, February and May.
Art & Craftwork
The ability to draw is the basic skill required for Art. A good command of the English language will help formulating Art History essays. Art is suited to students who are creative, who enjoy expressing themselves using visual media, enjoy history, developing ideas and enjoy learning by doing.
Time allocation
All class periods are 40 minutes.
In Transition Year, Art is timetabled for three periods a week.
Assessment
Ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Students also have formal in-house examinations in February and May.