Transition Year

TY Information for School Website

Transition Year in HCCS is a unique year. It is an opportunity to grow up, develop new skills, to mature and to try new things.

Transition Year provides a bridge between Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate. It offers a broad educational experience promoting key skills that will help the personal, social, educational and vocational development of each student. It provides us with chances to create new learning opportunities in which each student can discover their individual strengths and develop skills that will help them going forward.

Our aim is to prepare each student for the role they will play as an independent and responsible member of society.

Subject Choice

Students maintain a focused academic approach to their core subjects during transition year

The core subjects in TY are English, Irish, Maths, French/Spanish, PE, Religious Education and Science. These subjects are taken all year and are assessed in October, February and in May.

A number of additional subjects run for the year on a modular basis. These include: Business, Heritage Studies, Career Guidance, RSE, YSI, Film Studies, Geog/Green Flag, Music, Art, Home Economics and Woodwork.

There are numerous opportunities for cross curricular activities within the modular subjects which will help students make a more informed choice when deciding what subjects to take in 5th Year.

Work Experience

Students take part in work experience twice throughout the year; one week in October and one week in February. Each student is responsible for finding their own placement as the process of job-hunting is a vital part of the work experience programme. It is an opportunity to experience a taste of jobs/careers that are of interest. Work experience placements are fully insured and relevant documentation can be obtained from the TY Co-ordinator when needed.

Sample Work Experience Placements HCCS students have attended

St Vincent’s Hospital - So you want to be a Doctor Placement

Looking into Law – TY Law Society Placement

STEM Camp – Lexicon Library

Viatech Security Systems

Foxrock Nursing Home

The Dog House, Dog Groomers

IADT

First Stop Dun Laoghaire

Benson Dixon Pharmaceuticals

Dublin Fire Services

Busy Bees Childcare

DLR County Library

Holy Family Primary School

St. Kevin’s Primary School

Sample of our Extra-Curricular Activities

Looking in to Law Programme - Team Building Activities

Headstrong Programme - EiSHT Personal Development

Localise Volunteer Programme - Variety of Guest Speakers

Musical - Personal Safety Ireland

Sign Language - RSA Roadshow
TY Radio- College Mentor Programme

Day Trips and Educational Outings

The first full day trip takes place early in September – this trip plays an important role in developing group unity and gives students an opportunity to get to know each other. Over the past number of years this trip has been to Causey Farm.

Other day trips may include – BT Young Scientist, Zipit Adventure Centre, National Ploughing Championships and a 2 day overnight trip to Colaiste Uisce. These outings are an integral part of TY as students develop independence, interpersonal relations and broaden their knowledge and experience.

Numerous visits to places of interest are organised through the year. Tours of special interest may include: