Information night at the Community College
Computer student, Marge Healy (right) with her tutor, Bríd Íde Walsh (left) and Transition Year coordinator and teacher, Teresa Landers at the college. The course was one of the more widely appreciated and publicised aspects of the transition year... Credit: Photo by John Reidy
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A NOTICE from Castleisland Community College flags an information meeting for all junior certificate students and their parents on the Transition Year programme. This will be held at college on Thursday week, February 11, at 7.30pm.
Both students and parents are asked to note that a place on the course can not be guaranteed.
The Transition Year Programme — now available in 75 per cent of all post primary schools — gives a broad education and it's about learning in many different ways. Students will do so in the traditional way but also through practical experience and by meeting people beyond the classroom.
Students must study the established academic subjects: Maths; English; Gaeilge at honours Leaving Certificate standard - which is an important stepping stone for the leaving certificate.
They will also study over ten other subjects including: Sciences; Technology; Art; languages and so on. This helps to clarify what they will opt to do. Professional studies conducted by the ERSI and others have proven conclusively that students who completed Transition Year achieve better leaving cert results compared to those who do not.
"This year's class of 27 in the Community College has already undertaken an intensive, challenging and stimulating programme but also in learning experiences not catered for in the traditional Junior or Leaving certificate programmes. They have for example just completed a Holistic Health course over seven weeks. Professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians among others helped the students to look at a plethora of diverse areas such as physical and mental health, sexual and spiritual health, addiction, stress management etc. This holistic approach to health focuses on the development of a sound body, mind and spirit. The class is currently doing a First Aid course organised by the Red Cross," stated Teresa Landers, the TY co-ordinator in the college.
Students have also completed a course on the Law conducted by a qualified solicitor and they had to prepare for and act out a court room drama. Safety and health are vital issues today so the class will undertake a safety course organised by the Safety Authority as well as a road safety programme and a learn to drive safely course. A number of Engineering students are currently building their own car!
All talents are catered for in Transition Year. Budding journalists have designed, written and produced their own Community College Newsletter; the business driven have formed an enterprise mini company and have entered their projects in the county young enterprise competition and every student must undertake a work experience module. After Easter the students will participate in the Log on, Learn programme which was a huge success last year. Elderly citizens are assigned a student tutor who supports them in developing their computer skills that they want to develop for example how to access the web; send an e mail or scan a photo.
Sport and recreation are important elements in Transition. This year they will complete the GAA coaching skills course as well as classes in Karate and Kick Boxing and outdoor pursuits as well as the more traditional sports which are well catered for in the school and community.
