Transition Year
At Scoil Mhuire Kanturk, our Transition Year (TY) program offers students a comprehensive and dynamic experience, bridging the gap between Junior and Senior cycles. This optional one-year program emphasizes personal growth, skill development, and community engagement through a diverse array of activities.
Academic Enrichment:
- Subject Sampling: Students explore a wide variety of senior cycle subjects, aiding informed decisions for the Leaving Certificate.
- ICDL Certification: The school integrates the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) into the TY curriculum, enhancing students' digital competencies essential for modern education and workplaces.
Skill Development Workshops:
- Self-Defence Training: A six-week self-defence program equips students with practical skills for personal safety.
- First Aid Courses: Students receive training in essential first aid techniques, preparing them to respond effectively in emergencies.
- Forensic Science workshop
- BT young Scientists
Creative and Cultural Activities:
- Culinary Challenges: Home Economics students engage in budget-friendly cooking projects, creating nutritious meals within a €5 budget.
- Film Production: Participation in events like the Rubbish Film Festival at Fota allows students to showcase their short films, fostering creativity and media skills.
Community Engagement:
- Toy Stories Project: Geography and Science students participate in initiatives that provide insights into societal issues and promote empathy.
- Hospital Outreach: Students engage with local community services, such as entertaining residents at Kanturk Community Hospital through activities like carol singing.
- Daffodil Day Collection: Transition Year students have been involved in collecting for Daffodil Day, contributing to cancer support services.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
- Educational Trips: The program includes visits to cultural and educational sites, enhancing learning beyond the classroom.
- Sports and Physical Activities: Students participate in various sports, promoting physical well-being and teamwork.
- Student Enterprise: TY students have the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills by creating and managing their own business projects, some of which have gained recognition at national competitions.
- School Tours: Integral to the educational experience, offering students opportunities to broaden their horizons and engage with diverse cultures. Over the years, TY students have embarked on unforgettable trips to Barcelona, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Paris, where they experience a mix of education, adventure, and cultural immersion.
Through these varied experiences, Scoil Mhuire's TY program fosters independence, responsibility, and a well-rounded skill set, effectively preparing students for their future academic and personal endeavours.
A New TY programme is currently under development in all schools for the Academic Year 2025/26. While much of the current TY programme will form part of this new programme, there will be some modifications to reflect the core values as outlined in fig 1 below
Students also engage in a TY Portfolio. An individual student portfolio, digital and/or physical, can be a powerful tool for capturing the uniqueness of the student experience in TY. The purpose of a portfolio is to give students the opportunity to apply reflective and critical thinking to their experiences across the four Student Dimensions.
Some of the essential elements of a TY portfolio include:
- Goal setting and ongoing review of goals.
- A chronological review of student experiences and learning over the year.
- Overall progress across each of the four Student Dimensions: Personal Growth, Being a Learner, Civic and Community Engagement, and Career Exploration.
- Critical reflections on key learning and achievement.