Transition Year Update
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
The Transition Year Programme is now up and running and I am writing to inform you of the academic and TY specific parts of the programme.
Compulsory modules Class 7 & 8 Monday
Each student will study the following modules for a double class for 5/6 weeks in rotation;
Health Education, First Aid, Cookery, Digital Media Literacy, Driver Theory Test preparation.
Health Education-mindfulness, positive psychology and mind set, physical health, resilience, self-care and self-esteem.
Vocational Module: Class 4,5 & 6 Wednesday
Each student is required to choose one Vocational module to study for a triple class per week for the full school year. At this stage, your son/daughter has chosen their Vocational module. These include Farming, Woodcraft, Food & Hospitality, Applied Art, Coding and Sports Administration & LGFA Future leaders.
Activity Modules: Class 1,2,3 & 4 Thursday
Students who selected Outdoor Pursuits have a schedule of events for 27 Thursday (Surfing, Kayaking, Sailing, Water Safety, Hill Safety, Orienteering, Pitch & Putt, Sport Science, Local walks, Team Challenges, Training programme, Cycle Event and a Hike) from 9:00 to 11:50 AM. Students who selected Mini-Co or Musical have a double class from 9:00 – 10:20 AM followed by a double PE 10:30 – 11:50AM
Optional Leaving Cert subjects:
Students will study six optional Leaving Cert subjects in total. These subjects are taught for 3 classes per week for the full school year. At the end of TY, students will then choose four of these subjects, to study for their Leaving Cert. It is an important opportunity to try different subjects and make an informed subject choice for senior cycle.
Work Experience
The first week of Work Experience is scheduled for Nov 2nd – 6th. The next week of Work Experience is scheduled for Feb 22nd – 26th. Garda Vetting is needed for work experience in primary schools or play schools, council offices, etc. Students should collect these forms In G85 to allow time for the Garda Vetting process to be completed. The forms and paper work
to support work experience will be given to students over the next week.
Finance
The Transition Year fee is currently under review and you will be informed of the amount over the coming days.
New Exciting opportunities at SCS
Driver Education Programme. See website irishsoe.com/courses.
This is great value for money as we got a 50% discount ie cost is €25.00 per student. Each student gets the opportunity to:
· Drive a Vehicle with a qualified instructor
· Change wheels safely
· Experience ‘Beer Goggles
· Use Sat Navigation Systems
· Practice Theory Test
· Buying and Taxing a Vehicle
· Green Energy Module
· Road Safety Module
· Basic Mechanics
4 Zoom virtual classes at 1.5 hours followed by an onsite practical driving campus.
Dates of the course: Sept 25, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23.
Parent Action: If you would like your son/daughter to participate in this programme, please go to the online payments section and pay €25.00 for the Driver Education Programme, by Thursday 24th of September. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis. 24 Spaces available. I will take the payment as parent permission granted for this course.
‘Make That Course’ See website makethatcourse.com.
‘Make That Course’ is a 30-hour Programme which allows students to create their own online course. Make That Course is a group of three courses, there are 10 steps in each course with student tasks and explainer videos. Is there some skill or hobby that your son/daughter is really good at, that could help other people to learn this particular skill or solve a problem?
That’s what this platform is designed for, to help students think of a good idea, build an online course, and publish their course online in Academy.com
Parent Action: If you would like your son/daughter to participate in ‘Make That Course’, please go to the online payments section and pay €25.00 for the ‘Makethatcourse’ Programme, by Monday 28th of September. The Students will have access to the Platform until August 2021.
Communication
Thank you
Finally, a very big thank you for your support and patience while we were in the process of getting the TY programme up and running. Students will receive information in Tutorial class, Office 365 email and the school App. Parents will receive information in the TY News and
Events part of the school website and on the new school App.
If you have any queries regarding the TY programme, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school number 028 51172 or grettaburchill@skibbereencommunityschool.ie.
Kind Regards,
Ms. Gretta Burchill
Programme Coordinator