Transition Year is a one-year programme that forms the first year of the three-year Senior Cycle in Presentation Castleisland. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. Transition Year is an opportunity to develop the personal, social, educational and vocational needs of students and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative, and responsible members of society. In addition, education for maturity with a focus on personal development including social awareness and increased social competence is important. Transition Year aims to promote the general, technical and academic skills of students with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning. We also value education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and maturity. The aims and philosophy of Transition Year permeates the entire school body.
Many new activities and programmes have been incorporated into the Transition Year programme in Presentation Castleisland in recent years. Such examples include Fiona Dunne’s certified Food & Beverage Course, Andrea Murphy’s Special Effects MakeUp Workshop, Bernard Casey Comedy and Build Your Own Bodhrán with Michael Vignoles.
Work Experience is supported and enabled throughout the academic year. Transition Year students have work placement every Thursday, where they dive into the world of work by going out and experiencing a typical working day in a variety of local enterprises. One-off work placements are also available to students; these include nursing and diagnostic placements with University Hospital Kerry and work experience in An Garda Síochána, Radio Kerry and Astellas.
Online courses and certification provides Transition Year students with a varied mode of gaining key skills. Courses typically undertaken by students in Transition Year included the following: Look Into Law Online Bar of Ireland Programme, The Concussion Course Online Qualification, Volleyball Coaching Certification and Microsoft DreamSpace Experience.
Examples of learning experiences undertaken in Transition Year include:
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