We hope you enjoy this update on our busy Transition Year Programme.
Eagles Flight Workshop
All TY students have participated in a team building workshop with Eagles Flight. They were broken into groups of five and played a game called Kings of the Dessert where they worked as a team to overcome many challenges to complete their journey through the dessert. While getting to know their strengths and weaknesses the students got to learn to compromise and delegate while having fun and getting to know each other. Following the team game the full class group had to build a large bridge like structure across the room again depending on team work to build a stable structure. The students enjoyed the experience.
Work Experience
The students had a two week block of work experience at the end of January and first week of February. Some students took the opportunity to do work experience abroad while others followed possible career paths and tried out many various placements. I would like to acknowledge that some students have looked to Universities, pharmaceutical companies, multi-national computer companies and the Gardaí for extra placements and had great experiences. Well done to these students who went to extra lengths to gain these placements.
Voluntary Work Placements
The students are participating weekly with Voluntary work and the college has received many positive reports regarding the hard work that the students are involved in. It is great to see so many of them helping out in various areas of their local community.
Dyslexia Collection
A group of TY students battled cold, wet miserable conditions to raise nearly €900 for the local dyslexia association group. The money will be used to pay for educational supplies for the students some of whom are from our college. All money goes directly to our local dyslexia group.
Gluais Interviews
These interviews took place in February. Any student who was interested filled out an application form and were interviewed by an outside body responsible for Gluais. Ten students were chosen and they will go forward to a training week end at Easter. They will then have the task of looking after the incoming first years for next September. Their work will begin in late May when they visit the local primary schools to speak with the sixth class students and then bring them to visit the college, all of which helps the sixth class students become familiar with the school and settle in more easily. Thanks again to Ms Clifford for her hard work with these students.
Maynooth University
March 3rd saw all TY students head to Maynooth University. This trip was organised by the careers department for the students of Lucan Community College only. They had an introduction talk in one of the lecture hall before being divided into groups and been shown around the college by some third year students. The TY students got to see the hustle and bustle of the college and ask many questions. Thanks to Ms McManus and Ms O’Gara for organising the trip.
Irish Culture
Inion Ni Chonaola has been stepping it out with some of the Irish students taking them to Arás Chronain for Irish dancing. We hope their skills in Irish dancing can be practiced over the St Patrick’s festival period.
End of Year Assessment
The students will all be preparing for their end of year assessments. Please encourage your sons/daughters to gather their work and prepare their portfolio boxes for their interviews. They must also update their MYTY site to show what they have been involved in during the year. While some students have been greatly involved there are some who could apply themselves a little more. Students will be interviewed by their tutor and another TY teacher and graded accordingly. Interviews take place the Friday before graduation, students will not be in class that day but will attend for their interview only.
Young Social Innovators
This year we introduced a new module called Young Social Innovators. The students have taken a topic which they feel affects teenagers and have developed a booklet and short video on positive mental health. To see their video which has been short listed for the CAST Film Festival please click on this link. The students have put a lot of work into this and we wish them and Ms McKeever all the best in the film competition.
Coming Soon…
Paris Trip
36 TY’s head to Paris on March 11th we wish them a safe and enjoyable experience. We will find out how the trip went in the next newsletter.
Youth Venture Trip
Each year the students are offered a place on a survival trip through the Wicklow Mountains. This year fifty students will take the opportunity to hike through the mountains, wading through rivers sleeping under the stars after hiking in the dark and cooking their dinner in a tiny pan they will have plenty of stories to tell on their return. These trips take place on April 4th to 5th and 12th to 13th.
TY Charity Walk
Each year the TY students participate in a 10km walk and using sponsorship cards raise money for charity. We will let you know the date after Easter. Last year the TY students raised €2800 for the LauraLynn Hospice for Children.
Musical
The students are busy rehearsing for their upcoming Musical The Addams Family. Make sure to keep these dates free when they are confirmed to come see the wonderful work of the students under the direction of Ms Conway and Mr Duffy.
Wishing all our students and parents a very Happy Easter.
Johanna Williams (Ty Coordinator) & John Grimes (Year Head)
