_Band3If you choose to take transition year in Coláiste Mhuire, it will offer you the space and time to learn, mature and develop away from the pressure of State exams.  The programme content will combine academic and non-academic areas.  Some of the skills and content will be of direct benefit to you at Leaving Cert ; others will prepare you for life outside and after school.

_Acorn02Transition Year involves a high-level of pupil participation.  Pupils, working with their tutors, initiate many activities.



Core Subjects

Maths : The Maths course will provide a solid basis for Maths at Leaving Cert level. It will favour more practical applications of Maths.
Irish : The course will concentrate on both language and culture.  Since there is a high emphasis on the spoken word at Leaving Cert, Irish in TY will emphasise the oral component.
English : The programme will engage pupils with different media available in English studies : film studies, theatre and debating. The course will also prepare pupils for the challenges of Leaving Cert by improving practical skills such as composition and practical writing.
Physical Education : Students will sample a wide variety of sports and will benefit from specialist coaching.  They may also take a GAA level 1 training course.
Modern Languages : Pupils will be offered the modern language they took at Junior Cert.  They may also have the opportunity to sample other modern languages.  The TY language course will involve considerable use of Information Technology to allow the student more direct contact with the target language.
Religious Education : As well as exploring Faith issues, pupils will have the opportunity to involve themselves in the very wide variety of social activities which we sponsor in Coláiste Mhuire : visiting older people, working for GOAL, understanding disabilities, working with SVP.
Pupils will also take modules in the optional Leaving Certificate subjects : Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Business, Accounting, Construction, Technical Drawing, Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music. The approach in these subjects will be different to Leaving Cert but pupils will be better able to make more informed choices for Leaving Cert.
In Business and Enterprise, for instance, students will establish and run a mini-company.  The mini-company will be a practical business learning opportunity.  The overall module will give students an introduction to business and will help students gain an appreciation of the place of enterprise in their lives.
As well as the core and sampler subjects students will undertake a wide variety of life-skills modules during Transition Year including Health Education, Home Economics, Furniture Design and Making, Information Technology (ECDL), Business and Enterprise Education, Bridge, Horticulture, European Studies.
Pupils will have the opportunity to study for the ECDL certificate which gives them a high level of computer skills in wordprocessing, spreadsheets, databases, life on the internet, powerpoint and website design.  This certificate is a very useful addition to any young person’s curriculum vitae.  The course will also be of great practical benefit to the young student.
Vocational Education and Career Guidance : Students will be given the opportunity to study the 3rd Level courses and other career opportunities available to them. Occupational Interest Tests will be administered.  3 weeks work experience will allow pupils to sample various careers and to work shadow professionals.  Students will also attend college open days and career talks with guest speakers from Universities and 3rd level colleges.  At the end of the year, pupils will be in a better position to make informed subject choices for Leaving Cert.

Some of the more common other activities include :

Theatre trips
Public speaking
Debating
President’s Award
Educational Tours
Outdoor Pursuits