TRANSITION YEARSalesian College is proud of its very successful Transition Year (TY) Programme. The planning of our programme involves the whole-school. In addition to each subject department having developed its own syllabus, much cross curricular planning has generated new and innovative modules over the years. Our TY programme is reviewed annually based on students' , teachers' and parents' reactions, opinions and experiences. In keeping with our school motto "We care, we develop, we believe, together we achieve", Transition Year is a great opportunity for our students to develop their personal and social awareness skills and competence.
The Department of Education & Skills stresses that there must be a clear distinction between the Transition Year Programme and the Leaving Certificate Syllabus. We have taken great care in drawing up our programme to allow for this while at the same time including sufficient content to provide a very solid foundation for the Leaving Certificate. We acknowledge that the establishment of the Transition Year Programme represents one of the most important and exciting changes to the second level educational system. Correspondingly, we as a staff, are wholly committed to its successful implementation. Aims of the Transition Year Programme • To provide opportunities for personal and social development. • To help discover latent skills and talents in students. • To improve students self-esteem and self-motivation. • To assist students to take responsibility for their learning and decision making. • To provide opportunities for students to improve their academic progress. • To provide students with an experience of the world of work and the work environment. • To enable students to make an informed choice of subjects for the Leaving Certificate. Programme Content Communications & Languages: • Communications through English • Irish Studies/Gaeilge • Modern Languages: French & German Mathematics & General Science: • Mathematics • General Sciences Social Studies: • Heritage Studies • Environment • Social Studies Artistic & Cultural Studies: • Craft & Design • Music Appreciation Life Skills: • Faith Development • Physical Education • Career Education/Personal Development • Mini-Company Module / ICT Coding Programme • Computer Graphics & Design • Information Technology • Architectural Technology • Ornamental Metalwork • Personal & Social Development Work Experience Activity Afternoon Assessment & Certification The Students The number of places offered in Transition Year generally depends on school resources. The Transition Year group will stay together as a unit and then join the Fifth Year students of the following year. Their curriculum will be different from the other Fifth Year group, but their classes will be organised as part of the normal timetable of the school. School rules regarding attendance, punctuality, discipline, uniform, etc. will apply to students of the Transition Year as to the rest of the school body. Criteria and Procedure for Admission to the Programme Since the number of places to be offered is limited, we have established certain criteria and procedures for admission. When allocating places for the programme, the school will consider the suitability of each applicant and his inherent potential to develop and benefit from the programme. Suitable applicants will have demonstrated in the Junior Cycle a willingness to co-operate and accept instruction. They will possess a known record of good behaviour in the school as well as the potential for self-discipline. Furthermore, each applicant must exhibit a genuine level of motivation and enthusiasm for the programme. Students who wish to do the Transition Year Programme must make a formal application to the school by filling in an Application Form and must be interviewed. Aims The aims of our Transition Year Programme are to provide students with an opportunity to mature within a framework of general education, which includes: Academic Studies The promotion of study skills and self-directed learning habits in order to provide a bridge between Junior Cert and Leaving Cert courses. Research , project work and assignments will form the basis of all modules. Personal Development The provision of opportunities for students to grow in self-confidence and acquire social competence through structured learning experiences. The fostering of our students vocational capacities and aptitudes through work experience. The Curriculum In planning our Curriculum, we have aimed at a balance between academic and transitional subjects. Each subject on our Leaving Certificate curriculum is given space in the Transition Year Programme but with a different emphasis. Teachers will introduce and assess academic subjects in new and challenging ways. The academic content of the Curriculum is balanced by a number of transitional subjects – Heritage & Environmental Studies, Information Technology, Social Studies, Music, Computers & Graphics Design, Mini-Company etc. Additional components of the Curriculum include a work-experience programme, a weekly activity afternoon and a variety of significant learning days/weeks. Students also have the opportunity to complete the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), participate in Gaisce (The President’s Award) and in the Young Scientist of the Year competition. It is envisaged that this Curriculum will lay a solid foundation for the Leaving Certificate. It will also provide opportunities for the personal development of our students and for their preparation for adult and working life. Assessment Students will be assessed on all aspects of the programme, as part of the normal assessment in the school. Subject Teachers will assess each student throughout the duration of the module. This will provide accurate information with regard to students strengths and weaknesses in order to facilitate improved pupil performance. Assessment records will be kept by the co-ordinating team. Certification will be given at the completion of certain modules. At the end of the course, a general certificate will be awarded by the school, subject to the student attaining a satisfactory level of achievement. A certificate of participation and completion of the Transition Year programme will be awarded by the Department of Education and Skills. |
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