Transition Year

Transition Year (TY) within St. Al’s is an optional one-year programme that acts as a bridge between Junior and Senior Cycle.

Our TY programme is designed to help our students grow from the dependent type of learner found primarily at Junior Cycle into a more independent and creative learner. The programme is learning-led rather than exam-led, and the variety and breadth of learning experiences encourages our girls to grow on a personal and social level.

Our Transition Year helps St. Al’s girls educational progress through developing their self-awareness, enhancing their knowledge of work and career possibilities, increasing their understanding of roles and responsibilities and crucially developing their critical thinking, creative problem-solving and communication skills.

There is a cost to the year and this is to cover the large amount and variety of options and activities that are provided for the benefit of the students. Financial support for TY Fees is available through the Mother Magdalen Awards, this can be applied for by students coming from 3rd Year wishing to do TY.  Details of the policy and application forms are available from school on request.

IS TY SUITED TO ALL STUDENTS?

While every student would benefit from TY, TY may not be for every student. Transition Year in particular, is a year where a student’s atitude to their own progress has a huge affect on the progress they make. Ask any teacher of TY and they will tell you, ‘it is a year you will get out what you put into it’, if a student puts in a lot of enthusiasm and effort it can be spectacular and memorable.

TRANSITION YEAR SUBJECTS

• English
• Mathematics
• Irish
• French/ German
• History
• Geography
• Religion
• Information Communication Technology
• Chemistry/Physics/Biology
• Business Enterprise
• Career Guidance
• Music
• Art
• Home Economics
• Young Social Innovators
• SPHE
• Chinese

TRANSITION YEAR ACTIVITIES

• Trip to Delphi for Team building Skills
• Gaisce Presidents Award
• Self-Defence Classes
• First Aid Classes with CPR
• Zumba
• HSA Digital Badges in Health and Safety
• Driving Instruction & Lessons
• Wlaking & Hiking Activities
• Cooking Classes
• Gym
• English Drama & Poetry Workshop
• Irish Dancing Classes
• Coaching and Refereeing Course
• Paired Reading with Primary School Students
• Maths Initiative with First Year Students
• Fáinne Oral Irish
• Garda Talk on Drug Awareness
• Driver Education
• Open Days for Universities and Colleges
• Junk Kouture
• Retreat Day
• School Musical
• CV Building
• Ice skating
• Community/Charity Work
• Mini –Company Enterprise Activities
• BT Young Scientist
• Film Production
• Gaeltacht trip
• Fire Brigade Training
• Counsellor workshops
• Ploughing Championships