St. Kevin’s CC decided to re-introduce Transition Year into the school in September 2012, after a 10-year absence.

The main reasons for this decision were:

  • To enable students to make better decisions in subject choice for their Leaving Certificate
  • We had found that several of our students were leaving school at a very young age [16], and that an extra year in the education system would be of benefit.
  • Statistically students who participate in Transition Year get on average higher points in their Leaving Cert than students who do not do Transition Year.

It was decided that students would be offered a wide and varied programme in Transition Year, so that they would be able to experience a range of subjects, some of which would be new to them. The subjects open to TY students are:

 

Irish English Maths
History Geography Engineering
Business Horticulture Spanish
Communications Safety Computers & Coding
Digital Media Hair and Beauty Legal Studies
Enterprise Drama Technical Graphics
Music Religion Careers
Woodwork Art Science
Home Economics Science Leisure & Recreation

On top of this, it would be expected that students would come out with a number of certificates/qualifications that could be used on their Curriculum Vitae by the end of 4th year.

Qualifications could be gained in:

  • 1st Aid
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Digital Media
  • Safety
  • Computers

Furthermore, TY students are encouraged to participate in a selection of other initiatives that would be available to them throughout the year. Some of these initiatives include:

  • Gaisce – The President’s Award
  • Concern
  • Older & Bolder
  • FAI Coaching Certs
  • Mini-companies
  • Build a bank
  • Christmas Fair
  • Business in the Community

An important aspect of Transition Year is work-experience. Every Friday has been timetabled for students to participate in work experience in order to have a taste of working in different areas/professions that they may wish to pursue when they leave school. Each student should have 3 different work placements in 4th year, each of which will last about 10 weeks.

Trips and visitors to the school are a fundamental part of Transition Year and each subject is encouraged to organise something.

Some of the trips being organised for the year include:

  • Overnight in Carlingford Adventure Centre
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Croke Park – GAA Museum
  • Gaiety Theatre
  • Camping Trip
  • Irish Film Institute
  • Spanish Tapas Restaurant
  • Early Drive Course
  • Hillwalking

Some of the visitors include:

  • John Lonergan – former governor of Mountjoy
  • Liam O’Neill – President of GAA