Transition Year

What is Transition Year?

Transition Year is an optional one-year programme undertaken by students following the completion of Junior Cycle and prior to commencing the Leaving Certificate programme.

Each year the Transition Year Programme (TYP) in CBS Secondary School Kilkenny is devised by the TY Coordinator, following consultation with the Principal, teaching staff and school management.

This programme is drawn up in accordance with the Transition Year Guidelines and the Resource Material published by the Department of Education.

​This programme considers students’ needs, the views of parents and the interests of employers and wider local community. It is subject to annual evaluation, with inputs from all stakeholders and is revised accordingly to meet the ongoing needs of students.

TY Coordinator: Mr Niall Tyrrell

Mission

“To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of the students and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society.”  (Dept. of Education)

General Aims of Transition Year

• To prepare for adulthood and working life, with a particular emphasis placed on developing personal responsibility.
• To educate for maturity, with a particular emphasis on social awareness and increased social competence.
• To promote general technical and academic skills, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary and self directed learning.

Specific Aims of Transition Year

Relationships

To provide opportunities to enhance the relationships between pupils and teachers.

Informed Subject Choice

• To enable the student to make informed subject choices for the Leaving Certificate by providing each student with a ‘taster’ of all Leaving Certificate subjects on offer in CBS Secondary School Kilkenny.
• To provide a learning structure that maintains/enhances development in the core subjects with a particular emphasis on encouraging higher level uptake.

Experiential Learning

To provide various opportunities for experiential learning through:

• Work Experience Module
• Enterprise Module
• Cairdeas
• Personal Safety Workshop
• Student Council
• Cycle Champions Module
• Forensic Science Workshop
• E-Portfolio Interview process

Personal Discovery and Development

• To create a safe, trusting and supportive environment for personal discovery and development
• An Gaisce President’s Awards
• Personal Development/Modular Courses
• Independent Living/Life Skills, Health Education, Health & Safety
• Debating
• First Aid, Defibrillator Training
• Ossory Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes & Taize
• Tour of Bavaria

Parental Involvement

To provide opportunities for parents to be involved in the education of their sons. Parents are encouraged to:

• Attend an Information Evening for parents in February of 3rd Year
• Track student progress using the school VSware system.
• Keep up to date with TY and school related news through the school app.
• Attend Parent Teacher meeting
• Liaising with TY Coordinator

Career Choice

• Career investigation in Career Guidance class.
• 3rd Level Course investigation (Points & Requirements)
• Subject Choice for LC
• Aptitude Tests
• Study Skills Seminar
• Guest Speakers
• Preparation for Work Experience

Transition Year Curriculum

Core Subject Layer

• Irish
• English
• Maths
• MFL (German/French/Spanish)

Leaving Certificate Subject Taster Layer

• Accounting
• Business
• Economics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Agricultural Science
• Technology
• Construction Studies
• Design,Communication & Graphics
• Geography
• History
• Home Economics
• Music
• Religious Education
• Computer Science
• Physical Education

Transition Year Specific Subjects/Modules

• Career Guidance
• BT Young Scientist/SciFest
• Microsoft Office Specialist
• Young Social Innovators
• Green Schools
• Debating
• Biodiversity
• Cycle Champions
• Health Education
• First Aid/CPR 4 Schools
• Enterprise
• GAA Future Leaders
• Swimming
• Public Relations
• Linguistics Olympiad

Assessment in Transition Year

Assessment should be an integral part of the learning process in Transition Year, not separate from it’ (DE Guidelines)

Assessment is a key part of this worthwhile learning programme. Transition Year provides our students with the opportunity to further develop the learning and assessment styles of the Junior Cycle programme, with heavy emphasis on continuous and formative assessment to strengthen their ability to identify their own learning strengths and weaknesses.

Students will be assessed regularly in the core subject areas. In addition to this, they will be assessed on each of the Leaving Certificate subjects that make up the subject taster layer.

Students are also obliged to create and develop an e-Portfolio of their work. This portfolio represents study in various Subject/Module areas and activities carried on throughout the year, utilising the skills learned in Digital Literacy class over the previous three years.

Samples of what might be included:

• Poems
• Essays
• Project folders
• Mini-company products
• Mathematics or problem-solving exercises
• Objects crafted in art or any other practical classes
• Reports of trips, exchanges, debates, musicals, plays and PE activities (using photographs or other souvenirs where appropriate)

e-Portfolio Interviews

The TY Coordinator along with one or two other teachers conducts formal interviews with each student where they are required to formally present and elaborate on the content and meaning of their individual e-Portfolios.

The TY students are encouraged to participate in various local and national competitions such as the Eircom Junior Spider Competition, Scifest and BT Young Scientist throughout the year in order to promote their academic and personal development.

Reporting Procedures

• Comprehensive report issued in both December & June
• Parent Teacher Meeting
• End of year certification based on:
  • A) Academic Performance
  • B) Willingness to avail of the opportunities for experiential learning
  • C) Determination to participate in a meaningful and positive manner
  • D) Commitment to establish positive and respectful relationships with fellow-students and teachers and also with our wider community

Programme Evaluation

• DE inspection carried out in 2019
• All partners in the programme regularly surveyed
• Weekly meeting with TY Core Team
• Weekly meeting with Principal & Deputy Principals