TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME

Our Transition Year Programme consists of 27 subjects, many of which pupils will not have had the opportunity to sample at Junior Certificate.

The subjects on offer in this programme are as follows (in alpha order):
Agriculture Science, Art, Biology, Business Studies, Car Maintenance, Career Guidance, Chemistry, Child Care, Construction, Cookery, E.C.D.L. (European Computer Driving Licence), English, Film Making, First Aid, Food Safety, French, Geography, History, Irish, Maths, Metalwork, Mini Company, Technical Graphics, Physical Education; (including Swimming, golf, keep fit and outdoor pursuits) Spanish and Religious Education.

‘Guest Lectures’ are given by outside experts on a wide range of topics.

Transition Year Events 2011/12

All Transition year students are taking part in a 'Cook it' programme over the 2011/12 year. This programme includes the following topics in relation to healthy eating: The Food Pyramid, Healthy Meals, Food Safety, Fibre, Fruit + Vegetables, Calcium, Protein Foods etc. As well as instruction on the above topics there are lots of practical classes where the students get to try out the meal planning taught in the course. At the end of the session they will be visited by Orla Duffy, nutritionist from the local health service executive, who will discuss the advantages of a healthy diet etc. The class will be presented with a certificate and a '101 square meals' cook book

Transition year returned on 9 September. Their first trip of the year was to Dublin where they visited the Elements exhibition at Trinity College followed by a tip the Natural History Museum. All agreed that it was a worthwhile and enjoyable learning experience.
The following week those wishing to be a little more adventurous and willing to get involved in team building activities attended Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre Cootehill.
Friday’s continue to provide the students with First Aid Training and visiting speakers to whom we are very grateful.

On October 7 the Fire Brigade attended giving an insight into their work and how not to meet with them while they are on duty.
Friday afternoon students attended ‘stop food waste’ in conjunction with Taste of Monaghan.
This was followed by Disability Awareness and a theory and practical demonstration by the Wheel chair Association on October 14.

Further talks included Social Inclusion and its importance and an opportunity to improve interview skills and CV preparation. This proved very valuable as October was a busy month preparing CVs and finding suitable placements for Work Experience. Students were on Work Experience for the two weeks after the mid- term break and by all accounts thoroughly enjoyed the varied activities.
Term examinations provide an opportunity to evaluate progress and following these students will have the opportunity of selling Holly badges for the ISPCC and will also take a trip to Armagh to see Jack and the Bean Stalk.
After the success of lasts years event four students are once again participating in the Peer Education Programme. On completion of training they will deliver a number of classes to first year SPHE classes. We have also had three students take part in the annual Glencree Programme at Kippure Estate organised by COMPASS
At the moment the Build a Bank team are very busy putting ideas together to encourage fellow students to save some money….