What is Transition Year?
Transition Year is a one year school based programme between Junior and Senior cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the two by facilitating the smooth transition from the more dependent learning of the Junior Cycle to the more independent self directed learning required for the Senior Cycle.
Cross and Passion College Transition Year Mission Statement
Learning for personal effectiveness seeks to promote the personal development and social competence of Cross and Passion students. In concentrating on the development of existing skills and the acquisition of new skills, the students will assume greater responsibility for their own learning.
Teaching Methodologies
As Transition Year is learning led rather than exam driven there is the opportunity to use a much wider variety of methodologies.
The Transition Year Calendar
Transition Year is made up of Four Layers
1. Core subject layer
2. Subject sampling layer
3. TY specific and subject layer
4. Calendar 'once off' layer
The calendar shows the ‘shape‘ of the Transition Year programme.
Students receive a new timetable when changes in subject sampling and TY specific layers occur. The Transition Year calendar is posted on the Transition Year Information Google Classroom with updates as necessary.
Induction of Transition Year Students
Students are inducted into the programme on the first day of Transition Year. They are given practical information and engage in group work and team building activities.
Discipline
As with all students in Cross and Passion College, Transition Year Students are expected to abide by the school code of behaviour.
Homework
As with other year groups throughout the school, Transition Year students have a journal to record their homework. As different methodologies are often employed when teaching Transition Year programmes, the form homework takes may vary. However, each student is expected to complete homework on time and to an appropriate standard. Should the student not attempt or complete homework without a valid reason, sanctions should be applied.
Significant Learning Experiences (SLEs) and Significant Learning Days (SLDs)
There are a number of Significant Learning Experiences and Significant Learning Days during the Transition Year Programme. Students may experience the Significant Learning Experiences and Significant Learning days as a class group or a year group depending on the suitability of the activity. Students are asked to complete an evaluation form after each Significant Learning Experience.
Work Experience
All Students undertake Work Experience. Each student must secure their own placements. It is recommended that students reflect very carefully on the career options they wish to pursue and use this opportunity to get valuable insights into possible future careers. Students are assisted in their preparation for their placement during careers, guidance and Work Experience classes. Information on all aspects of the Work Experience Programme is posted on the Work Experience Google Classroom.
Opportunities
A wide variety of opportunities are available to Transition Year students throughout the year. Students are encouraged to participate as much as possible.
Expenses and Support
Due to the experiential nature of learning in the Transition Year Programme costs are incurred. As such it is necessary to charge expenses which currently stand at €400 per student. This money is carefully used to provide a broad range of activities and experiences only. It is not used to pay day to day school expenses such as light, heat etc. As Transition Year is a compulsory element within Cross and Passion College all students are expected to pay these expenses. However, some families experience genuine financial hardship and in these cases a full or partial expenses waiver may be applied for. Transition Year is designed to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and decision making. Financial responsibility is a vital life skill to learn and as such we strongly encourage students to pay some or all of their expenses through part time work such as baby sitting and/ or savings from birthday or Christmas gifts.
School Administration costs, books and stationary are not included in the TY Expenses. Students are encouraged to buy second hand books where available.
School App and Website
Our school App and website www.cpckilcullen.com provides the most up to date information on Transition Year.
Assessment
A wide variety of assessment procedures are employed during Transition Year. Each subject teacher decides on the best way to assess their particular area.
Reports
Reports are completed by subject teachers twice yearly. The reports are available via VSWare to parents.
Portfolio Interviews
Portfolio Interviews take place twice yearly at Christmas and summer. Dates of these interviews are posted on the TY calendar. Students present a Portfolio of Work using their Google Site. The Portfolio Interviews form 30% of overall certified grade.
Evaluation
Evaluation forms an important part of the programme. Teachers, students and parents are asked to evaluate the programme at the end of each year so positive elements may be maintained and less positive aspects changed. Work providers are asked to evaluate the students' work and the systems employed by Cross and Passion College. Teachers also evaluate their individual course or subject area. The Cross and Passion College Transition Year Programme is subject to evaluation by The Department of Education.
Student Awards
Personal Development Award
Enthusiasm and Dedication Award
Creativity and Innovation Award
Environmental Award
Community Award
Class Student of the Year: Students vote for the person they believe embodies the spirit of Transition Year within their class.
Overall Student of the Year: Students vote for the person they believe embodies the spirit of Transition Year within their year group. This person developed personally, socially, vocationally and educationally. Teachers also vote using the same criteria. There is a 50%/50 % weighting of votes.
Certification
The five categories of award are
Distinction 85-100%,
Higher Merit 70 - 84%,
Merit 55 - 69%,
Achieved 40-54%,
Partially Achieved 30-39%,
Not Achieved 0-29%,
There are four elements within the certification system
Portfolio Interviews 30%
Continuous Assessment, Punctuality, Class Attendance, Homework Completion 30%
Work Experience Research and Report 20%
School Attendance 20%
Students receive a certificate indicating their results in each area and their overall award. Students also receive a wide variety of certificates acknowledging their participation and achievements in various activities such as charitable work, public speaking etc during the year. Should a student receive partially achieved, the student and their parents will be interviewed by the Principal before the student will be allowed to continue their studies on a Leaving Certificate Programme in Cross and Passion College.
Celebration of Learning
Near the end of Transition Year, students participate in a celebration of learning ceremony. This is a celebration and acknowledgement of the work carried out during the year. Certificates and Awards are presented.
Transition Year is a one year school based programme between Junior and Senior cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the two by facilitating the smooth transition from the more dependent learning of the Junior Cycle to the more independent self directed learning required for the Senior Cycle.
Cross and Passion College Transition Year Mission Statement
Learning for personal effectiveness seeks to promote the personal development and social competence of Cross and Passion students. In concentrating on the development of existing skills and the acquisition of new skills, the students will assume greater responsibility for their own learning.
Teaching Methodologies
As Transition Year is learning led rather than exam driven there is the opportunity to use a much wider variety of methodologies.
The Transition Year Calendar
Transition Year is made up of Four Layers
1. Core subject layer
2. Subject sampling layer
3. TY specific and subject layer
4. Calendar 'once off' layer
The calendar shows the ‘shape‘ of the Transition Year programme.
Students receive a new timetable when changes in subject sampling and TY specific layers occur. The Transition Year calendar is posted on the Transition Year Information Google Classroom with updates as necessary.
Induction of Transition Year Students
Students are inducted into the programme on the first day of Transition Year. They are given practical information and engage in group work and team building activities.
Discipline
As with all students in Cross and Passion College, Transition Year Students are expected to abide by the school code of behaviour.
Homework
As with other year groups throughout the school, Transition Year students have a journal to record their homework. As different methodologies are often employed when teaching Transition Year programmes, the form homework takes may vary. However, each student is expected to complete homework on time and to an appropriate standard. Should the student not attempt or complete homework without a valid reason, sanctions should be applied.
Significant Learning Experiences (SLEs) and Significant Learning Days (SLDs)
There are a number of Significant Learning Experiences and Significant Learning Days during the Transition Year Programme. Students may experience the Significant Learning Experiences and Significant Learning days as a class group or a year group depending on the suitability of the activity. Students are asked to complete an evaluation form after each Significant Learning Experience.
Work Experience
All Students undertake Work Experience. Each student must secure their own placements. It is recommended that students reflect very carefully on the career options they wish to pursue and use this opportunity to get valuable insights into possible future careers. Students are assisted in their preparation for their placement during careers, guidance and Work Experience classes. Information on all aspects of the Work Experience Programme is posted on the Work Experience Google Classroom.
Opportunities
A wide variety of opportunities are available to Transition Year students throughout the year. Students are encouraged to participate as much as possible.
Expenses and Support
Due to the experiential nature of learning in the Transition Year Programme costs are incurred. As such it is necessary to charge expenses which currently stand at €400 per student. This money is carefully used to provide a broad range of activities and experiences only. It is not used to pay day to day school expenses such as light, heat etc. As Transition Year is a compulsory element within Cross and Passion College all students are expected to pay these expenses. However, some families experience genuine financial hardship and in these cases a full or partial expenses waiver may be applied for. Transition Year is designed to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and decision making. Financial responsibility is a vital life skill to learn and as such we strongly encourage students to pay some or all of their expenses through part time work such as baby sitting and/ or savings from birthday or Christmas gifts.
School Administration costs, books and stationary are not included in the TY Expenses. Students are encouraged to buy second hand books where available.
School App and Website
Our school App and website www.cpckilcullen.com provides the most up to date information on Transition Year.
Assessment
A wide variety of assessment procedures are employed during Transition Year. Each subject teacher decides on the best way to assess their particular area.
Reports
Reports are completed by subject teachers twice yearly. The reports are available via VSWare to parents.
Portfolio Interviews
Portfolio Interviews take place twice yearly at Christmas and summer. Dates of these interviews are posted on the TY calendar. Students present a Portfolio of Work using their Google Site. The Portfolio Interviews form 30% of overall certified grade.
Evaluation
Evaluation forms an important part of the programme. Teachers, students and parents are asked to evaluate the programme at the end of each year so positive elements may be maintained and less positive aspects changed. Work providers are asked to evaluate the students' work and the systems employed by Cross and Passion College. Teachers also evaluate their individual course or subject area. The Cross and Passion College Transition Year Programme is subject to evaluation by The Department of Education.
Student Awards
Personal Development Award
Enthusiasm and Dedication Award
Creativity and Innovation Award
Environmental Award
Community Award
Class Student of the Year: Students vote for the person they believe embodies the spirit of Transition Year within their class.
Overall Student of the Year: Students vote for the person they believe embodies the spirit of Transition Year within their year group. This person developed personally, socially, vocationally and educationally. Teachers also vote using the same criteria. There is a 50%/50 % weighting of votes.
Certification
The five categories of award are
Distinction 85-100%,
Higher Merit 70 - 84%,
Merit 55 - 69%,
Achieved 40-54%,
Partially Achieved 30-39%,
Not Achieved 0-29%,
There are four elements within the certification system
Portfolio Interviews 30%
Continuous Assessment, Punctuality, Class Attendance, Homework Completion 30%
Work Experience Research and Report 20%
School Attendance 20%
Students receive a certificate indicating their results in each area and their overall award. Students also receive a wide variety of certificates acknowledging their participation and achievements in various activities such as charitable work, public speaking etc during the year. Should a student receive partially achieved, the student and their parents will be interviewed by the Principal before the student will be allowed to continue their studies on a Leaving Certificate Programme in Cross and Passion College.
Celebration of Learning
Near the end of Transition Year, students participate in a celebration of learning ceremony. This is a celebration and acknowledgement of the work carried out during the year. Certificates and Awards are presented.