October 24th, 2017

My TY Journey So Far as a Transition Year student in Colaiste Bride -
 
After third year and the Junior Cert, I was looking forward to Transition year, and a change from the focus in academics to more practical learning.
 
We kicked off the year with our class retreats, to help us get to know our new classmates, and a week later, we had our bonding day in Gravity Adventure Centre in Courtown. We also went to the Ploughing Match in Screggan and just last week, we visited the Style Icon Museum in Newbridge, to help gather design ideas for our Junk Kouture dress.
 
Our Junk Kouture dresses are also getting well underway. Our first week back, we held the modeling auditions and by the next week, we had been sorted into our teams. We are also well into our mini companies, and most people are selling their goods at this stage.
We have had several guest speakers and workshops take place in the school. A representative the Local Enterprise office came to talk to us about mini company and this week, some of the TY classes are doing a Law and Mock Court Module. A speaker from Bank of Ireland came to set up student accounts. We are also doing weekly sessions of MMA with Mr Walsh.  All of 4th year are now qualified in first aid, manual handling, fire safety and food safety. We secured a foundation level certificate in each. Students have also collected for Down Syndrome Ireland and St Vincent de Paul.
 
And there is still more to come! In the next week, Transition years will be going on a trip to the Hook Peninsula and scary tour of Loftus Hall, holding a Hallowe’en makeup and craft competition, as well as assisting in the school's Open Night. Without a doubt, Transition years will not be bored this coming year!
 
Written by Ellen O’ Gorman, 4D