Transition Year in St Dominic’s College is a one-year programme taken after Junior Certificate and before Leaving Certificate. The purpose of Transition Year is to promote maturity. Maturity in studies by making students more self-directed learners, developing of their academic skills. Maturity in relation to work and careers by developing work-related skills. Personal maturity by providing opportunities to develop communication skills, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. Social Maturity by developing greater ‘peoples’ skills and becoming more aware of the world outside school. Transition Year can be an opportunity to allow a student to develop their multiple intelligences- Linguistic, Logico-Mathematical, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalist. Students can also develop key skills for our 21^st Century, the three Ts, Thinking, Teamwork and Technology.

Core academic subjects are Irish, English, Mathematics, French or German, Geography, History, Home Economics, Business Studies/Mini-Company, Computer Studies/IT using MOS, Choir, Religion and World of Science.

Possible Modular subjects may include Media Studies, PE and Sign Language, Public Speaking/Drama, Applied Maths, Music Technology, Animation/Digital Media Literacy, Music Production, SPHE, Sport & Recreation, Careers, First Aid, Beginner’s Russian and Beginner’s Chinese, Art and Technical Graphics.

Many different involvements take place over the year, for example, Community Care Week and Work Experience.

For Community Care, the student finds a placement in a charity/voluntary organisation of their choice.

Work Experience is where students find work placement(s) for a two-week period, usually during first two weeks of February. Other involvements include Gaisce, Respect, Peer to Peer Drugs Awareness Programme and our 6^th Class Transfer Programme.

St Dominic’s College Transition Year 2019-2020

MISSION: To promote and aid the overall development of the pupil

AIMS:

To give the pupils a love of truth, a desire for knowledge and a love of learning.
To give pupils a broad educational experience where they discover the value of education without outside examination pressure.
To help students develop and mature in all aspects of their lives, to promote a sense of mutual respect and a spirit of community amongst themselves and within society.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS:

To help students recognize what positive contributions they can make in society.
To assist students in taking responsibility for their own learning and decision making.
To aid personal growth through participation in social activities, voluntary work and work experience.
To help students recognize and develop their own interests and aptitudes. (As far as possible).
To lay a good foundation for the demands of their Leaving Certificate programme or whatever course of further studies undertaken by the student.
To help students make more informed choices with regard to their future studies and work.
To help students gain self-confidence in learning.

Transition Year: update September 2019

Well, Transition Year 2019 has taken off! Our TY students have started to settle down to the opportunities and challenges of a very different educational experience. On Friday 23^rd August they were introduced to the year, signing their Commitment to Work page and learning about their new subjects and modules. This year, as well as continuing with most of our very successful modules from last year eg Sport & Recreation, Chinese and Russian, we are also involved in exciting new modules eg Philosophy and Public Speaking!

The students are now looking forward to their trip to the Carlingford Adventure Centre on Thursday 12^thand Friday 13^th Sept with great anticipation. Their rain gear and wellies are being packed (as well as the suncream!) so that they arrive on time at 8.15 for early assembly. The trip to Carlingford helps students bond, to get to know each other, gaining insight into group tasks and activities, and working together to solve challenges.