Transition Year Greeting
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are all keeping well and I look forward to seeing our TY students back in Lucan Community College for their Induction presentation on Friday morning, 4th September. The Department of Education has planned a full return to school for all students and this has had considerable impact on how we would normally run our Transition Year programme. I ask for your support and understanding while we attempt to navigate these unchartered waters. I intend to proceed with TY with the same spirit, enthusiasm and dedication as was the case pre Covid19 but, of course, there may be sudden changes along the way. However, I can ensure you that I will endeavour to think positively and creatively if faced with such changes.
The scheduled Transition Year programme is dynamic, varied and provides great learning opportunities. I am confident that the timetable and any activities that are planned will be beneficial and meet the social, educational and developmental needs for all our students.
Many students may experience difficulty securing work experience in Term 1 and they will instead continue to follow their scheduled timetable in school during those two weeks in October. We hope that the situation may have changed by the February slot. If you have secured work experience (that follows all HSE guidelines) you may proceed with this during this two-week window before October mid-term.
Students usually participate in voluntary community work experience on a Friday afternoon and again it is unlikely that many students will be in a position to secure these placements this year. I have arranged for an on-line module called ‘Make That Course’ that each student will be obliged to complete in lieu of this component. This will be completed at home but the student’s progress will be monitored and credits will be awarded accordingly. All details will be given to the students at their induction.
Many thanks to all of you who have submitted the TY Application forms to me in June, however there are still some outstanding. This form must be completed on-line (available on the school website www.lucancc.ie) before the TY students return on 4th September. Thanks also to those of you who have paid the first instalment of the TY fee which is to be paid by September 11th through the school’s on-line payment system. I am mindful of the financial constraints facing some families and at all times trying to get best value when sourcing TY programmes and courses. For now, this first instalment is required and we will seek payment of the second instalment later in the Term.
I look forward to re-engaging with the students and building on their progress over the junior years. All of us in Lucan Community College continue to have high expectations for our students in terms of attendance, punctuality and crucially, participation in all class work and all activities. The more positive the student’s attitude this year, the more positive the outcomes will be for them. We are all here to support and guide them at this juncture but we are mindful that Transition Year demands more independent engagement from our students. Together we will make this a rewarding and enjoyable year, one that will enhance them as people and learners and a memorable one for all.
I look forward to working closely with Ms Twyford, as Year Head to this group and her team of tutors and to getting to know your sons and daughters.
If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact me at imeldahiggins@lucancc.ie
Yours sincerely,
Imelda Higgins Programme Coordinator
