Tyndall College

Transition Year Policy

Transition Year Programme

Overall Aims In Transition Year

We aim to promote maturity in our students, assisting each and every student to develop as an individual, to become an independent and self -motivated learner.

We also aim to help prepare for adult life through contact with work places and developing career interests, skills, aptitudes relevant to working life

In addition, we aim to develop a civic awareness in our Transition Year students through serving the local community on a voluntary basis, through fund-raising and a variety of social awareness projects.

Evaluation

The Transition Year Programme is constantly evaluated, reviewed and modified by the Transition Year Core Team in accordance to consultation with school management, staff, pupils, parents, as well as the community in general.

The Programme is regularly reviewed at staff meetings, Core Team meetings, as well as formal and informal input from the wider school community.

A time-tabled weekly meeting with the Principal, Deputy Principal and Guidance Counsellor are vital to the ongoing assessment and evaluation of the success of the Programme.

Role of the Core Team

The role of the Transition Year Core Team is simple. Regular weekly meetings mean that the TY Programme is always focused on its aims, is always evolving according to the needs of the students, staff and community and that the support structure is evident for teachers of TY so that the best educational experiences are offered to the students and that they are reaching their full potential as learners.

Introduction to the Transition Year Programme

Both parents and students first come into contact with the Transition Year Programme in the final term in third year. Information is relayed to students and parents via the TY Coordinator, Year Head and the Principal.

Information is given to each student along with an application form, an application form for work experience and a handout outlining the layout of the programme, from a PowerPoint presentation.

Parents are encouraged to contact the TY Coordinator if there are any unanswered queries regarding the Programme provision.

Selection for the Transition Year Programme

Any student who wishes may apply for the Programme.

They are given instruction regarding the application process: application form / interview/ weighted questions/ external interviewer.

They are also informed of the Appeals Procedure in the event of a refusal.

Previous behaviour and attendance are integrally linked to a student’s success in achieving a place on the Programme.

Financial difficulties would in no way influence the possibility of any student being successful in their application to TY.

The current 3^rd year students will have to undergo an interview to apply for the programme which will be assessed both internally and externally. A points system is proposed to monitor student’s behaviour and success criteria.

Transition Year Calendar

The calendar for the TY Programme is ever evolving due to the diverse nature of events and modules available and student cohort.

The calendar is structured at present so that the students go on Work Experience every Thursday, however this may be subject to change and will be decided by Senior Management.

Assessment of Transition Year

Assessment is conducted within each subject by the subject teacher. The assessment, depending on the subject matter, can take varying forms, ranging from oral, aural, project, portfolio, written or practical work.

Each student maintains a Portfolio of Achievement into which he / she places certificates of achievement, completed projects, assignments, reports on modules / subjects / visiting speakers etc, work experience evaluations and community service updates. Evaluations of guest speakers/outings/modules are also included here having been completed by students.

At the end of the academic year, students are interviewed, and their Portfolios are assessed.

The students can receive a Certificate of Participation, Merit or Distinction, depending on the quality of a completed Portfolio and the recommendations of each subject teacher.

Transition Year Finances

The total cost of the Transition Year Programme in Tyndall College is €300. This is paid in three instalments:

Students will pay a deposit of €100 at the end of May, this deposit guarantees your place on the TY Programme.
A further €100 is payable in August prior to the commencement of the school year.
A final instalment of €100 is due by the end of January.
Please note: The above price does NOT include the end of year TY Trip.

What does the €300 cover?

Bogathon €10
Ploughing Championships €10
Zeminar €10
The Chocolate Garden €15
Christmas Trip (ice-skating) €20
Tayto Park €20
Surfing €20
Croke Park Stadium tour and skyline €20
Mount Leinster €10
First Aid Responder Course €20
Ger Carey Comedy Show €10
Self- Defence Classes €20
Driver Ed Programme €20
Modules €50
Bus Costs €65

Please Note: It is a requirement of TY that each student participates fully in ALL elements of the Programme. Failure to participate may result in the removal from the Programme. Furthermore, the full cost is €300 regardless if students participate in the events or not.

Schemes of Work

Each subject submits their own scheme of work for the year.

Where possible we incorporate cross curricular elements at all times.

Informal discussions about co and cross curricular activities take place weekly in the staff room.

All staff are highly engaged in promoting the ethos of the TY Programme in their own subject areas.

Management are highly supportive of any and all initiatives in the TY Programme and remain committed to its success at all times.

Teaching & Learning

A key feature of the TY Programme in our school is the wide range of teaching /learning methodologies and situations. The goals and objectives of the Programme can best be achieved by emphasising the following;

Negotiated learning
Personal responsibility in learning
Activity based learning
Integration of appropriate areas of learning
Team teaching approaches
Group work/discussion/debates/interviews/role-play
Project work and research
Visiting speakers and workshops
Study visits and field trips
Work experience – including work simulation/community work/volunteering etc.

Educational activities are undertaken to enable students to have a valid and worthwhile learning experiences while emphasising the development of study skills and self-directed learning.

Work Experience

Those students who are applying for the Transition Year Programme MUST secure work experience placements.
This work experience for the current academic year 2017-2018 falls on a Thursday however this may be subject to change at the discretion of Senior Management.
Students are asked to confirm placements with employer and school in the first week of the academic school year.
Students are required to carry out a log of work experience prior to Christmas and one after it which should be kept in the students Portfolio of Achievement which will be assessed by the Coordinator at the end of the year.
Students are required to present a reference from their employer
Students who do not secure a work placement may be removed from the TY Programme.

Main Calendar Events (possibilities)

Induction trip to an adventure centre/Bogathon
Ploughing Championships
Volunteer Fair
Ty Expo fair
Trip to Mount Leinster
Visual Arts theatre
Ger Carey Comedy show
Tayto Park
Ice skating
Surfing/Kayaking
Paintballing/karting
The Irish Aid Centre
Croke Park
Carlow Museum

List of Modules/Workshops

Mini Company
KAS Programme
School Bank (BOI)
Beat the Blues Mental Health Workshop
Music Generation
Road Safety Workshop
Cyber Bullying Workshop
Youth Connect workshop on the world of work and workers rights
The Driver Ed programme
The Harmony programme (Substance Abuse workshop)
Development Education Workshops
First Aid Responder course
Self Defence
Wassa Wassa African Drumming
Maths week workshop
Science week workshop
Cyber Bullying workshop
Fair Trade
Disability (IWA Carlow)
Sports Leadership Programme
Wheelchair basketball
C.P.R
This list is not exhaustive.

Possible visiting speakers

Carlow Volunteer Centre
Road Safety Officer
Animal Welfare
First Aid
Trocaire
Concern Worldwide
Saint Vincent de Paul
Amnesty International
The Hope Foundation
Youth Connect
Aware
Marie Keating Foundation/Éist
Mabs
Enterprise speakers

Attendance

It is a requirement that all students must attend school on a regular basis while on the Transition Year Programme. Attendance is monitored on a weekly basis as per the Tyndall College Attendance Policy.

Students must maintain a 90% attendance in school in order to remain on the TY Programme for the academic year. Attendance reports will be communicated to parents on a monthly basis.

Transition Year Subject Teachers 2017-2018

IRISH	Ms. Lorrraine Lawler
ENGLISH	Ms. Laura Creegan
MATHS	Ms. Ann DeVries/Ms. Paula Kennedy
SCIENCE	Ms. Fiona O’ Reilly
FRENCH/SPANISH	Ms. Clare Halpin
DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION	Ms. Aoife Gordon
ART	Ms. Lena Bolger
ENTERPRISE	Mr. Danny Cottrell
MUSIC	Ms. Maria Quinn
CONSTRUCTION	Mr. Finbar Laffan
SOCIAL EDUCATION	Ms. Bridget McAssey
COMPUTER STUDIES	Ms. Maria Tyrell
CAREER GUIDANCE	Ms. Gemma Lawlor
P.E.	Ms. Ally Carter
PERFORMING ARTS	Ms. Aisling Phelan

It is the intention in Tyndall College that Transition Year Students would have the opportunity to sample all available Leaving Certificate Subjects. This however, may not always be possible due to timetabling constraints.

Appendix 1 – Transition Year Application Form

TYNDALL COLLEGE

TY ADMISSIONS POLICY

An information afternoon for students will take place as well as an information evening for parents on what the TY Programme entails
Transition Year Application Forms will be made available to all interested students from the TY Co-ordinator. Accompanying this form will be the application process, clearly detailing the application process for TY.
Completed application forms must be returned to the TY Year Head or Coordinator by the specified closing date. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Completion of the application form does not guarantee a place on the programme.
External applicants may fill in the Enrolment Form for Tyndall College and may request to complete a TY Application form. On doing so these students are then subject to the same applications process as all other students.
A TY Selection Committee will be established by the school Principal.

Name ________________________

Date of birth _____________________________

Why would you like to do Transition Year ? ________________________________________________________
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What research have you done about the Programme in Tyndall College ? ________________________________________________________
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Name the ways you have been involved in the school community or your own local community in the past. ________________________________________________________
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What skills or qualities do you possess that would be of benefit to the TY Programme? ________________________________________________________
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Which part of the TY Programme are you most looking forward to and why? ________________________________________________________
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Which part of the Programme are you least looking forward to and why? ________________________________________________________
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If you could make 2 suggestions to alter the Programme in any way what would they be and give a reason for your suggestion .
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Where would you like to do your work experience? ________________________________________________________
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Any further comments?
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Signed ______________________________

Date _______________________________

Appendix 2 Transition Year Programme Application Process

Tyndall College management recognises the right of all students to apply for the Transition Year Programme.

It is important to note however, that due to varying curricular needs of the school, places on the Programme are limited.

On an annual basis, Tyndall College management will decide whether it can accommodate one or two Transition Year classes and the number of students we can accommodate on the Programme. This will primarily depend on the resources available to the school.

The Transition Year Application Process is split into five categories. Each category carries a score. Scores will be made available to students and parents on request.

Category A: Attendance – 20 marks

The applicant’s attendance in his/her 3 years of Junior Cycle will be taken into consideration. Marks will be deducted for poor attendance. Students who have a certified absence from a medical practitioner will not lose marks in this category.

90-100% Attendance = 20 marks

80-90% Attendance = 15 marks

70-80% Attendance = 10 marks

60-70% Attendance = 5 marks

50% or less = 0 marks

Category B: Contribution to the school – 10 marks

The applicant’s contribution to the school community in his/her 3 years of Junior Cycle will determine these marks. Contribution in areas such as sport, clubs, student council, fundraising, scholarships, awards for example. It is important to note that full marks in this area will not be given for playing sport only.

Involvement in 5 or more activities = 10 marks

Involvement in 4 activities = 8 marks

Involvement in 3 activities = 6 marks

Involvement in 2 activities = 4 marks

Involvement in 1 activity = 2 marks

Students should clearly outline their contribution to the school clearly on the application form.

Category C: Behaviour – 20 marks

The applicant’s behaviour record in the school in his/her 3 years of Junior Cycle will determine these marks. Marks will be deducted for the following:

Detention: 1 mark deducted per recorded detention

Placed on Report: 2 marks deducted per stage 1 report

3 marks deducted per stage 2 report

4 marks deducted per stage 3 report

5 marks deducted per stage 4 report

Suspension: 8 marks deducted per suspension

Category D: Work Ethic – 20 marks

The applicant’s application to work in his/her 3 years of Junior Cycle will determine these marks. These marks will be extracted from the students reports which are sent home to parents. Parents receive four reports in First Year, four reports in Second Year and three reports in Third Year. Please note it is not the result that will determine the marks, but the application and effort from the student to the subject.

Poor Work Ethic as per teacher comment: 2 marks deducted per comment

Disrupting Teaching and Learning: 5 marks deducted per comment

Poor work ethic: 1 mark deducted per comment

Category E: Interview – 30 marks

All applicants will sit an interview. The interview may be conducted by an independent person (non-staff member) and/or Deputy Principal and/or TY Coordinator and/or TY Assistant Coordinator.

All applicants will be given the interview questions prior to interview and will have an opportunity to do some research on the questions.

Letters

Tyndall College will endeavour to send out offer letters to all successful and unsuccessful applicants within 10 school days of the final interview.

Appeals

Appeals must be made in writing to: The Principal, Tyndall College, Kilkenny Road, Carlow within 5 school days of the date of letter sent to unsuccessful applicants. Appeals must state clearly your reason for appeal.

Please Note: The applicants age will not be considered as a reason for appeal.

The school Principal will consider each appeal and inform parents of his decision in writing within 7 school days of receipt of appeal.

Please note that the decision of the school Principal on appeal is final.

Acceptance and Fees

Successful applicants must return their acceptance form accompanied by the TY fee deposit of €100 in order to secure their place on the TY Programme. All applicants must have their full deposit paid by the end of May. Failure to do this may result in their placing going to another student.

Payment Plan

Tyndall College management will put a payment plan in place for families who may not be in a position to pay the full fee or deposit in a lump sum. This payment plan will be limited to a payment of €20 per week until the fee is paid in full. The deposit however, must be paid by the end of May to secure placement.

Waiting List

Unsuccessful applicants may be placed on a waiting list. Should a place become available, applicants will be offered a place based on their position on the waiting list.