St. Aloysius’ College

Transition Year

A Bridge Between Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle. 

Our Transition Year programme is designed to help our students grow from the somewhat teacher-dependent learner found primarily at Junior Cycle into the more independent, autonomous and creative learner that will thrive in Senior Cycle and beyond. The programme is student and parent driven meaning that it is learning-led and aims to prepare students appropriately for the academic demands of the Leaving Certificate while providing a variety and breadth of developmental learning experiences that will encourage our students to grow on a personal and social level.

Our Transition Year programme helps our students' 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 which is directly linked to the price of trips, activities, events, programmes and workshops  that are provided for the benefit of the students. Financial support for TY Fees is available to parents of students moving into their fourth year at the college. Parents can make an application to the Mother Magdalene Awards by contacting the the main office for an application form (office@saintals.ie)

We believe every student benefits from a well-structured Transition Year, which supports both academic and personal growth. Our TY programme provides students with a valuable opportunity to begin their journey toward Senior Cycle by engaging in meaningful learning experiences that focus on the knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions needed to thrive.

As part of this preparation, students are introduced to essential research skills and begin exploring the responsible and effective use of AI tools - skills that are increasingly relevant for the new Leaving Certificate’s Assessment and Accreditation Components (AACs). Through project-based learning, cross-curricular modules and increased learner autonomy, TY in St. Al’s acts as a bridge between the structured learning of Junior Cycle and the greater independence expected in Senior Cycle.

Amongst the personal areas focused on are:

  • Thinking and Problem-Solving

  • Being Creative

  • Communicating Effectively

  • Managing your Learning

  • Working with Others

  • Participating in Society

  • Cultivating Wellbeing

  • Literacy & Numeracy

Participation in TY contributes to the continuing personal, social, emotional, intellectual, civic and career readiness of students giving them space and opportunities to flourish as individuals and as a collective. 

Our Transition Year Core Team meets weekly to plan all matters related to the TY programme and has recently developed a new TY Programme Statement with reflection on the Department of Education’s recently published guidelines (May 2025). The school’s statement will be available on this website with other policies.

Subjects, Modules, Learner Experiences and Assessment

At the end of third year students choose their option subjects for Transition Year. They must choose to study at least one foreign language (French, German or Spanish) with three other optional subjects (open choice). Students may reselect their subjects again in November and again in March of TY. Students will sit exams in their chosen subjects at the end of October (Autumn Assessments) and at the Easter (Summer Assessments). The results and formative feedback are communicated with home via VSware and students are also required to keep an e-portfolio of other learning, activities and events and experiences.

Core Subjects:

  • English

  • Mathematics

  • Irish

  • Modern Foreign Language: French/ German/ Spanish (if exempt, four options selected without language - parent is responsible for applying for NUI exemption)

  • SPHE

Three Option Subjects from:

  • Agricultural Science

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • History

  • Geography

  • Accounting

  • Business Studies

  • Economics

  • Music

  • Art

  • Home Economics 

  • Physical Education (LCPE)

  • Religious Education

  • Second Modern Foreign Language; French/ German/ Spanish

  • Applied Maths is offered as an 8th subject or extra at Senior Cycle and is only recommended as an extension subject for exceptionally able students.

  • Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) is offered as an 8th subject or extra at Senior Cycle.

Core Learning Experiences:

Students also choose to study one of the following to complete for the year:

Students engage in Theatre production annually as a core part of their learning:

  • On stage roles

  • Orchestra/ Chorus Singing

  • Dancers

  • Stage and Set Design

  • Stage, backstage & Prop Management

  • Sound and Lighting production

  • Enterprise & PR management 

When the show has been completed each February, students engage with ongoing workshops and developmental experiences including:

First Aid: All students complete a First Aid Course which provides students with the knowledge and confidence to assist in case of an accident or medical emergency in school or at home. This provides students with training in CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and more.

Module Based Learning Experiences

During our Transition Year programme students complete various modules to enhance their learning and promote student development. These run in 6 - 8 weeks blocks and students rotate as the year progresses. We are always updating these each year to cater for students' interests etc.

Some Current Modules:

  • Astronomy Programme

  • Driver Safety Programme

  • Holocaust Studies

  • Marine Biology

  • Media Development and Podcasting Programme

  • Interior Architecture & Design

  • Financial Planning and Budgeting

  • Climate Justice Calor Rewrite Energy Programme - Rewrite Programme

  • Sugar Crafting - the Art of Food Programme

  • Film Studies 

  • Farm to Fork Food Studies

  • Be Fire Safe Programme - Bfire Safe @School

  • Comhrá Gaeilge - Oral Irish & Communication

  • Applied Mathematical Applications

  • Communication Writing Skills

  • Financial Planning and Budgeting

  • Comhrá Gaeilge - Oral Irish & Communication