THE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME

1. THE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME Parents’ Overview 2013-2014

2. TRANSITION YEAR • INTRODUCED IN 1973 • MAINSTREAMED IN 1994 • APROX. 75% OF ALL POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS OFFER THIS PROGRAMME • CERTIFIED by Dept.of Education and Science in2000 SLSS /, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

3. TRANSITION YEAR • Transition Year is a one year school based programme between Junior and Senior Cycle. • It is designed to act as a bridge between the two by facilitating the smooth transition from the more dependent learning of the Junior Cycle to the more independent self-directed learning required for the Senior Cycle. SLSS /, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

4. TRANSITION YEAR Mission Statement of Transition Year “To promote the personal, social, vocational, and educational development of students and to prepare them for their role as autonomous and participative members of society” (Dept of Education , Transition Year Guidelines 1994/1995 ) SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

5. AIMS of Transition Year Education for MATURITY with emphasis on social awareness & increased social competence Promotion of general, technical and academic SKILLS with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning Education through experience of ADULT & WORKING LIFE as a basis for personal development & maturity SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

6. To provide a learning structure which promotes maturity To develop a wide range of cognitive and emotional skills To be learning led rather than exam driven To ensure breadth and balance in the curriculum To provide experiential learning To challenge students in all areas of development To facilitate interdisciplinary and cross-curricular links To develop life skills To learn through networking with other schools and social agencies To encourage variety in teaching and learning styles To enable students to become independent, self-directed and self-regulated learners To encourage a more professional use of assessment To promote compensatory and remediatory education. To co-operate with all educational partners in providing a broad and enriching experience. Transition Year Rationale SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

7. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory in T.Y. • Bodily-Kinesthetic –Sport, Body Language, Craft, Drama, Touch • Logical/ Mathematical – Maths, Science, Debating, Analysis • Linguistic – Languages, Oral Presentations, Writing , Poetry , Novels • Visual/Spatial – Graphics, Maps, Design, Art, 3-D imagery, Collage • Musical – Musical, Learn/play instrument, Write Lyrics, Languages • Interpersonal – Teamwork, Group projects, Lead, Mediate , Share • Intrapersonal- Reflection,Individual goals , Self directedlearning • Naturalist – Environment, flora, fauna, animals,collections, series. SLSS / D. Hickey, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

8. Planning and Timetabling Transition Year ……. • LEARNING LED not EXAM DRIVEN • SCHOOL BASED –UNIQUE TO EACH SCHOOL • STUDENT FOCUSED • TEACHERS’ EXPERTISE IS USED • INDIVIDUAL SYLLABII WRITTEN • VARIED TEACHING & LEARNING • VARIED MODES/TECHNIQUES OF ASSESSMENT SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

9. TRANSITION YEAR Why do Transition Year? • Time to mature and develop • Space to reflect and plan • Develop new competencies • Preparation for challenges that lie ahead SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

10. Benefits Associated with Completion of TY • Leaving Certificate : • More Informed on Subject Choice • Independent self-directed learning • Assessment (AFL)/Self assessment • CAO choices/Course requirements SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

11. Benefits Associated with Completion of TY • Third Level : • Self management skills • Time management skills • Study skills –independent self-directed • Group/Project work/Research skills • I.C.T. skills SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

12. Benefits Associated with Completion of TY • Adult and Working life : • Self esteem/awareness/assertiveness • Relationships • Teamwork Skills • Maturity/critical judgement • Careers/Work experience/Work simulation • Interviews –C.V., • Social/Personal/Health Education SLSS / Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

13. Recent Research NCCA Longitudinal Study Report of Commission on Points System Skills Initiative Unit Report NCCA – Senior Cycle Consultative Paper ESRI Evaluation 2003 ESRI Assessment of the TYP 2004 NUI Maynooth 2007Report to DES – “Attitudes to Transition Year” ‘War on Attrition’ –HEA Types of issues investigated Impact on LC performance Enhanced capacity of TY students to ‘navigate’ Personal / Ed./ Voc. benefits of TY Issues for Transition Year SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

14. NCCA LONGITUDINAL STUDY • RESULTS OF STUDENTS WHO SAT LCE IN ‘96 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF ‘97 • TY STUDENTS DO BETTER BY AN AVERAGE OF 26 POINTS • REPEAT STUDENTS ONLY GAIN BY AN AVERAGE OF 5 POINTS • TY CANDIDATES LIKELY TO BE MORE ‘EDUCATIONALLY ADVENTURUS’ SLSS / D. Hickey, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

15. ESRI Assessment of TYP 2004 • On average, students who took part in TY achieved higher Leaving Certificate exam grades and were more likely to go on to higher education than non-participants, all else being equal. • Transition Year is found to have definite academic benefits for students and is thought by the majority of principals nationally to have a positive impact on student development. SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

16. Attitudes to TY – NUIM 2007 Report to DES • Perceptions of Outcomes of T.Y. : • Students more mature as result of TY experience • Promotes young people’s confidence • Improves bond between classmates • Facilitates better relationship between students and teachers • Opportunities to explore adult & working life seen as distinct benefits • Teachers indicate that TY has positive impact on school climate SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

17. Attitudes to TY – NUIM 2007 Report to DES • Young people enthusiastic about the programme • They highlight TY activities that involve learning beyond conventional classrooms • They value classes in which their opinions are sought and listened to • 5th & 6th Yr students spoke about TY in terms of personal freedom and becoming responsible for their own learning SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

18. Attitudes to TY – NUIM 2007 Report to DES • Parents highlighted variety of learning situations as valuable opportunities that enabled their children to relate to each other & to their teachers in more varied way • Teachers indicated most important external factors for TY’s success are: • Work experience opportunities • Engagement with local community • Involvement and support of parents SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

19. THE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME 2013-2014 Loreto College St. Stephen’s Green

20. PEELING THE LAYERS OF A TY PROGRAMME SLSS , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

21. Core Subject Layer • English (4 periods per week) • Irish (3 periods per week) • Mathematics (4 periods per week) • Religious Education (2 periods per week) • Careers– Vocational & Personal Guidance (1) • French/Spanish/German (3 periods per week) • Science (3 periods per week) • P.E. (2 periods per week) SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

22. Subject Sampling Layer • Home Economics (Cookery for Today) • Art • Commerce – Business, Accounting & Economics • History • Geography • Biology • Chemistry • Physics SLSS / Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

23. T.Y. Specific Module & Subject Layer • Information Technology – e portfolio, students build their own websites • Choir or Drama • Relationships & Sexuality Education • Aerobics • Chinese Language and Cultural Studies • Mind Gym (helpful for Project Maths) • International Relations SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

24. Set Module (as anticipated for 2013/14): a double period per week) • Italian For Fun – 16 places • Horticulture – 18 places • Young Environmentalist Award – 12 places • Mini Company – 12 places • City Quay student teaching/learning initiative – 8 places • Social and Political Studies: Northern Ireland – 16places (Incorporating Glenlola Collegiate exchange) • Craft – 18 places SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

25. METHODOLOGIES • Active & learner-focused • Teacher as facilitator • Collaborative learning encouraged • Group work / Pair work • Role-play /simulations • Project work /Fieldwork • Out-of-school activities • Visiting speaker • Practical work SLSS /, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

26. Calendar – ‘Once Off’ Layer Placements: • Work Experience Placement Monday 14th October – Friday 25th October 2013 • Community Work Placement Monday 3rd February – Friday 14th February 2014 • Designated period for Language Exchanges: Monday 14thMarch – Friday 28th April 2014 incl. Additional Work Experience or Community Work Placement – 26th - 30st May 2014 SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

27. Work Experience • In the last term the 3rd years will receive instruction and guidance from the Careers Guidance Teacher Ms Hynes, on how to approach companies, letter writing etc • The Chaplain Ms Fitzpatrick will also address the girls about Community Care Placements.

28. What is Community Care? • Experience in any of the community care services is a relevant element in the preparation for adult life. Services such as those concerned with social and economic disadvantage; physical, sensory and mental disabilities; and for special groups such as children, the chronically ill and the aged are most appropriate for this placement. SLSS /, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

29. Calendar – ‘Once Off’ Layer Lectures/Workshops: • Accord – Relationships Workshop • Adventure Centre (2 nights) • Aromatherapy Workshop • Visit to Cloughjordan Cookery School • Dance (Contemporary) Workshop • Fire Safety Workshop • First Aid Workshop • Health Matters – Nutrition; Mental Health; Physical Well-being & Fitness; substance abuse prevention. SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

30. Calendar – ‘Once Off’ Layer • Martial Arts • Public Access to Law – Visit to Central Criminal Court • Road Safety Awareness – Gardai • Samba Music Workshops • Skiing lessons (4) • Skincare & Hygiene Workshop • Songschool – Students write and produce music • Visits to Museums & Art Galleries; chocolate factory • Conservation module – Dublin Zoo • Retreat – Reflection towards end of year • Photography workshop/ Film making SLSS /, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

31. T.Y. Competitions & Projects include: • Debating Competitions • Gaisce President’s award - Bronze • Model United Nations • Young Scientists’ Exhibition/ Scifest • Young Environmentalist Awards/Mini Company • Marketing Institute of Ireland - Step into Marketing • Subject related competitions/projects – e.g Junk Kuture Fashion Competition SLSS / D. Hickey, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

32. ASSESSMENT ‘Assessment should be an integral part of the learning process in Transition Year not separate from it’ (D.E.S.Guidelines) • Portfolio assessment • Oral/Aural assessment • Project work • Self-assessment • Peer-assessment • Written/Practical Class tests SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

33. Homework & Assessment in T.Y. Homework: • Aural / Oral / Written • Project • Research Reading: • Additional reading requirement – read and review 8 books – 6 in English, one Irish and one foreign language Assessment: • Assignments • Examination (Oral / Written) • Port Folio • Interview & Presentation SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

34. EVALUATION ENCOURAGED AS A REGULAR FEATURE External – • INSPECTORATE / Dept. of Education and Skills Internal – • SCHOOL – WHOLE STAFF • TRANSITION YEAR TEACHING TEAM • TRANSITION YEAR CORE TEAM • INDIVIDUAL SUBJECT TEACHER • STUDENTS • PARENTS • PLACEMENT PROVIDERS SLSS / , Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

35. Certification • DES Certificate • BT Young Scientists’ Competition • First Aid Certificate • Gaisce Bronze Medal Award • Model United Nations • IMRO Certificate - Songschool • Mini-Company/Young Environmentalist SLSS / D. Hickey, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

36. Parents – How can you help? • Understand importance of school attendance – it is vital for overall success of the programme • Encourage your daughter to avail of the learning opportunities provided • Show interest in her projects & activities – question • Read and sign her school journal on a weekly basis • Endeavour to adhere to school recommendations re times for language exchange programmes, work experience etc. • Share with us your skills and ideas • Read materials provided - TY Programme; TY section on website; correspondence sent home etc. SLSS /, Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.

37. TRANSITION YEAR Transition YearMotto “You will get back from T.Y. what you put into it.” Be Active! Be Involved! SLSS / Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.