Transition Year

The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme that forms the first year of a three-year senior cycle in Coláiste Chiaráin. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Programmes. Transition Year is optional for students in Coláiste Chiaráin.

Transition Year offers learners an opportunity to mature and develop without pressure of an examination. It also provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on, and develop an appreciation of, the value of learning in preparing them for the ever-changing demands of the adult world of work, further and higher education and relationships.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Coláiste Chiaráin designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.

ASSESSMENT

There is no state examination at the end of Transition Year. Assessment is usually carried out on an ongoing basis and can include school-based assessment of projects or portfolios, oral, aural, practical and written activities.

The following are some of the activities that take place:

The “Log On, Learn” program involves transition year students ‘buddying up’ with older people
from their local communities to teach them how to use computers and the internet. In 8 weekly training sessions (of between one and two hours each), the student tutors share their knowledge of how to use a PC and mouse, basic Microsoft Word and the Internet. In addition to this, student tutors will also boost older peoples’ confidence to overcome the ‘fear factor’ surrounding ‘new’ technologies.