Subject Choices 2015
Good Counsel College
Good Counsel College 2015
Transition Year
Good Counsel College
Ms. S Dempsey
Ms. S Murphy
Mr. P.J. Walsh
Good Counsel College 2015
What is Transition Year?
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Transition Year is a one-year
programme after Junior cycle and
before Senior cycle.
It is an extra year optional programme
It acts as a bridge between Junior and
Senior Cycle, by facilitating the
smooth transition from the more
dependent learning of the Junior
Cycle to the more independent selfdirected learning of the Senior Cycle
and beyond. Good Counsel College 2015
Aims of Transition Year
 It develops confidence, independence, selfreliance and maturity in students.
 It encourages students to take
responsibility for their own learning while
improving on areas of Academic Weakness
 It prepares students for further study or
working life while giving them time to think
about the Future and potential Career Options
 To experience a Broad Curriculum of subject
options
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Transition Year Subjects
Many parents express a fear that their son will lose touch with
Leaving Certificate subjects in Transition Year. In fact, TY offers your
son a chance to experience;
Academic Subjects
 Broad subject range to keep students engaged with
many core and important subject areas.
 Flexibility to offer a more tailored tuition to suit the ability levels
and interests of the students.
 Ample opportunity to engage in valuable learning experiences
without the pressure of examination.
Developmental Subjects.
 Students experience new subjects that are not examined within
the constraints of the Leaving Certificate.
 The emphasis is on a ‘hands on approach’ from students,
allowing them to engage as learners and to really become
involved in the subject area.
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Leaving Certificate Subjects
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English
Maths
Irish
History
Geography
Economics
Business Studies
Accounting
Art
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Technical Drawing
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Ag. Science
Spanish
German
French
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Developmental Subjects
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Religion/Mindfulness
Physical Education
Health Education
Speech & Drama
Pottery
Photography
Web Design
Programming
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Music
Computers
Young Social
Innovators
Literacy
Cultural Studies
Environmental
Studies
Road Safety
Career Guidance
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St. Mary’s Module
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Students from G.C.C. &
Subjects offered at the
St. Mary’s have combined
moment are:
modules on Tuesday
 D.C.G.
afternoons.
 Electronics
Four are held in St. Mary’s  Anthropology
and four in G.C.C.
 French Culture
Students rank their
 Enterprise: Mini Company
preferences and we try to
 Coaching
give them 2/3 of top 4
choices. The modules
 Cooking
rotate four times, every 7/8  Space Science
weeks.
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D.C.G
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Cookery
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Key aim : To develop new skills
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such as:
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Social and Interpersonal
Skills
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Through project work &
teamwork
Co-operation & group work
Personal Skills
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Maturity/Confidence/
Independent learning
Leadership
(Competitions/An Gaisce)
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Practical Skills
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Woodwork
Art & Crafts
Cooking
Presentation Skills
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Self - At Interview
Work - through projects
World Wise/Europroject
Creativity Skills
Time Management
Enterprise Skills
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Mini Enterprise (Group &
Individual)
Build a Bank
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Community Module
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Each T.Y. class has the
opportunity to work within
the community for 7/8 weeks
on Tuesday mornings.
At the moment students are
volunteering in:
C.B.S Primary School
New Ross Community
Hospital
Green Schools Initiative
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Other Opportunities
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Team Building Activity Day
Law Module
Road Safety Seminar
Car M.O.T.
Ireland International
Ice- Skating
Collins Barracks
Strategic Management
Bowling
I.C.T.U. Talk
Matrix Training/Study Skills
Young Scientist
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Interviews
Cyber Bullying & Internet
Safety Talk
CoderDojo
European Youth Parliament
Waterford Mini Med
An Gaisce
First Aid Course
Gowran Reptile Zoo
Safe Pass Course
Samba Drumming
Film Making
Barcelona Trip
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Student Leaders
Congress
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Positive Mental
Awareness
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Baltinglass Team Building Day
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Law
Module
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Matrix Study Skills
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CAR
M.O.T.
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Work Experience
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Two sessions, which generally take place for two weeks in
November and February after the midterm breaks.
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Students are expected to secure their own work experience,
although a small number of students can go on school
organised work placements: - Waterford Mini Med.
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Students are briefed before they go on work experience on
punctuality, attendance, etc.
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Employers are asked to complete and return student
evaluation forms.
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Students complete their own assessment forms and work
experience diaries.
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Assessment
•Some class tests
•Projects
•Homework
•Continuous Assessment
•Work Experience Evaluations
•Oral tests
•Certificates
•Reports
•Parent Teacher Meetings
•End of year presentation night and receipt of Certificates.
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Credit system in TY
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Students will receive a total of 500
credits
• -100 per term for work presented, effort
and participation.
 -100 for written/ project work presented in
their portfolio.
 Parents will receive a credit update at the
end of each term.
 Pass( 200) - Merit (300) – Distinction (400)
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Should your child do Transition Year?
NB
Transition Year does not suit every student.
Students must be open to new ideas and
willing to participate.
Students get out of Transition Year what
they put in!
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Why your child should
consider Transition Year.
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More mature for Leaving Certificate.
Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
New skills are acquired.
Challenging, new experiences.
Use the year to improve on exam subjects.
Gain a variety of cultural experiences.
Work experience.
Achieve a wide variety of certificates.
Time to pursue other interests.
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What others say about
Transition Year?
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www.careersportal.ie
www.independent.ie
ESRI report
• A REPORT BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
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RESEARCH INSTITUTE SHOWED THAT
STUDENTS WHO DO TRANSITION YEAR
TEND TO SCORE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER
POINTS ON THE LEAVING CERT.
TAKING SOCIAL BACKGROUND INTO
ACCOUNT, THE AVERAGE CAO POINTS
ADVANTAGE IS 25.
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What next?
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Each student will be informed of all of their
options by Coordinators.
Interested students will be asked to complete
and submit an application form to the TY
Coordinator.
Students will be interviewed by the coordinator
and if deemed necessary the Year Head, Deputy
Principal and Principal.
Teachers views and student discipline records
will be considered.
Parents will be informed of the decision to
accept or refuse entry to the programme.
Parents and students may appeal the decision.
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For more Information
Visit
wwwgoodcounselcollege.ie
www.slss.ie
Thank You
Good Counsel College 2015