Transition Year
Transition Year in St. Mary's is designed with the following guiding principles in mind based on the NCCA TY Programme Statement 2025:
- Wellbeing and relationships
- Inclusive education and diversity
- Challenge, engagement and creativity
- Choice and flexibility
- Continuity and transitions
- Participation and citizenship
- Learning to learn, learning for life
- Learning environments and partnerships
The Aims of the TY Programme are:
- Nurture the development of the student as a whole person by building on their previous experiences, through a curriculum designed by the school that is aligned to the TY Programme Statement
- Create space and opportunities for meaningful, enjoyable learning experiences through which the key competencies of the student can be developed in the classroom and school, in the home and in their role as local, national and global citizens
- Expand the student’s experience and awareness of diverse future pathways and nurture the student’s capacity to sustain their growth and development through a process of lifelong learning
- Evolve continuously to support the learning and development of the student through a reflection and renewal process involving students, teachers, school leaders, parents and community partners.
Student Dimensions
| Student Dimension |
Description |
| Personal Growth |
Students mature socially and emotionally over the course of the year, developing in areas that include health and wellbeing, autonomy, identity, empathy and leadership. |
| Being a Learner |
Building on their previous experiences, students begin to develop as senior cycle students, embracing opportunities and strategies for learning that work best for the student now and into the future. |
| Civic and Community Engagement |
Students make a positive difference in their schools, communities and society. They learn to act on their responsibilities and exercise their rights as local, national and global citizens in ethical and sustainable ways. |
| Career Exploration |
Students explore diverse future pathways in a guided and coordinated manner, gaining first-hand workplace experience, and developing career related competencies. |
The following subjects are studied for the full year:
- Maths
- Irish
- English
- French
- Community Outreach
- Guidance
- Religion
- SPHE
- Form Class
Students also study a wide range of modules and participate in various projects and competitions.
TY Portfolio
An individual student portfolio, digital and/or physical, can be a powerful tool for capturing the uniqueness of the student experience in TY. The purpose of a portfolio is to give students the opportunity to apply reflective and critical thinking to their experiences across the four Student Dimensions. In this way, they can evaluate their own experiences and generate a more personalised profile of themselves as a learner and as a maturing young adult. Students can showcase learning and achievements, and review their developmental goals from the start, middle and end of the year. The integration of the student’s use of a portfolio into teaching and assessment practice, and the inclusion of a reflective practice component, are intended to support students in the creation of their portfolio. The developmental indicators of each of the four Student Dimensions can be used to inform reflection within the portfolio.
Some of the essential elements of a TY portfolio include:
- Goal setting and ongoing review of goals
- A chronological review of student experiences and learning over the year
- Overall progress across each of the four Student Dimensions: Personal Growth, Being a Learner, Civic and Community Engagement, and Career Exploration
- Critical reflections on key learning and achievement.
A full range of presentations are held ranging from road safety to careers. External certification such as the Fingal County Council Sports Management Awards.
- Work experience
- The Musical an integral part
- Visit to Achill each September
- Full range of trips
