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All students entering the senior cycle take Transition Year and the year is now firmly established as an integral part of our six year educational programme. In devising its programme the school has at all times borne in mind that the primary purpose of the year is to assist each boy in the process of maturation. In our most recent revision of the programme, six aims were identified:
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| Educational Area | Subjects |
| Humanities | Gaeilge, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, French, German. |
| Sciences | Chemistry, Physics, Biology. |
| Business | Accounting, Business Studies, Economics. |
| Technology | Technical Graphics, Building Technology, Computer Studies. |
| Religion | Religious Education. |
| Social Development | Personal Development, Civil, Social and Political Education. |
| Physical Development | Physical Education. |
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| Subject / Module | Description |
| Applied Mathematics | The Applied Maths course deals with topics relating to both maths and physics and requires a sound knowledge of mathematics - especially trigonometry. Students are continually assessed on their work and only those who reach an acceptable standard should continue into fifth year when the course continues with after-school classes. |
| Art, Craft and Design | The Transition course for Art, Craft and Design is structured so as to give all pupils a basic knowledge and appreciation of the variety of different areas that come under the heading of Art, Craft and Design. The year will be divided into four sections: Art and the environment, Art and society, Art and performance and Art and technology. It is not necessary to have studied Art before. The areas to be studied include: fine art paintings, principles of drawing, graphic design, environmental design, fine art appreciation, ceramic design, printing, three dimensional studies, history of art and photography. |
| Desktop Publishing | Desktop publishing (DTP) is one of the major categories of computing in the commercial world and in the community at large. It is used to create a wide range of informational and promotional material, including books, magazines, manuals, flyers and newsletters. In an era when communication and presentation are inextricably linked, where the medium becomes part of the message, the area of desktop publishing is essential. The course includes an introduction to text and graphic manipulation. Stress is laid on the effective presentation of material. In addition, the scanning and manipulation of graphics are explored to enhance the use of the DTP programme. A series of graded lessons progressively introduce relevant computer programmes and what they can do. The course also incorporates a section on making web pages. It introduces students to the rudiments of web page creation, incorporating text and graphic formats, creating and using buttons, linking to other pages and using anchors. No previous experience of desktop publishing or web page creation is required. |
| Navigation (Marine and Mountain) | This course is designed to introduce students to the Practice and Theory of Sailing and Mountaineering. The practical course consists of a week's sailing instruction at Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre with the objective of gaining the Level One Certificate in Dinghy Sailing as well as one evening at the climbing wall in Midleton and at least one hill walk in which Navigation Skills will be tested. The Theory Course consists of two modules on the skills involved in each sport. For Sailing this includes basic navigation skills, use of charts and compass, understanding tides and weather, knots and safety at sea. For Mountaineering this includes: basic navigation skills, use of O.S. maps and compass, weather on mountains and safety on mountains. |
| Latin and Classical Studies | The Fourth Year Transition course is a preparation for senior cycle Latin with a view to sitting a Higher course paper in the Leaving Cert Examination. Since students are expected to cover a three-year course in one year, only those who have a linguistic flair and who are well motivated should apply. It is envisaged that by the end of the transition year, students will be competent enough to tackle prose composition and unseen Latin passages. It must be stressed that in order to achieve this standard students have to familiarise themselves with formal grammar, a difficult task in itself but very rewarding when completed. As part of their preparation for senior cycle, students will study Roman civilization and all that it embraces - Art, Literature etc. |
| Other courses available in Transition Year, subject to demand, include: Young Enterprise Political Studies |
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| Six-Week Modular Courses | Description |
| Drama | The aim of the drama course is to provide an outlet for self-expression and to develop the imagination and the artistic awareness of the students. Through role play and improvisation, the self discipline and self-confidence of the student is enhanced. The benefits to students accrue not only from their participating actively in drama - they also learn from observing others, particularly if they are encouraged to watch positively and critically by being asked to comment and give praise afterwards. The drama module is both a source of enjoyment and a means of providing students with valuable life skills. |
| European Studies | This course is aimed at developing our understanding of the impact of the European Union on our lives in Ireland in the 21st century. It also aims to help students realise our role in the EU and how our notion of citizenship is changing. The course examines questions such as: How is the EU run and organised? Where does Ireland fit into the way the European Union is run? How did the EU evolve into its present state? Why have we given up our currency for the Euro and how will the Euro operate? Is Ireland gaining from its membership of the EU? What are the expected changes in the EU in the next few years? |
| Film and Media Studies | As the course title implies, there are two quite distinct elements in this course. The first, media studies, examines the impact of the mass media in shaping our lives. In this part of the course we examine: the ways in which the different types of newspapers cover a story; how photographs are used to tell stories (photo journalism); the impact of print and television advertising; and developments in television in recent decades (issues of quantity and quality). In the second part of the course, the focus is on film studies. A short study is made of the history of film which is followed by an examination of how films tell their stories through shooting, editing, soundtrack etc. A number of classic films are viewed and examined, ranging from silent movies, through to the classics of the 1940’s and 50’s and on to some modern masterpieces. |
| First Aid | The First Aid course involves a brief study of basic first aid. This includes definitions of First Aid; priorities of First Aid; action at emergencies; asphyxia; wounds and bleeding; circulatory disorders; unconsciousness; fractures; dressings and bandages. A brief study will also be made of sport related injuries and dangers in the home (poisons, burns and scalds, sharp instruments etc.). The aim of preventing injuries and accidents will be stressed at all times, with reference to travelling (e.g. to and from school), sport, the home and the work place. |
| Heritage Studies | The main aim of the course is to introduce the students to the concept of "heritage" and to give them an insight into the many and varied aspects of our culture and heritage. The course is divided into the following areas: Genealogy, Heritage tourism, a study of Cork City, the origin of townlands, our musical heritage and the G.A.A. |
| IT | Although under the general heading of 'Information Technology', this module concentrates on one of the ECDL modules that students are required to do in Fourth and Fifth Year. Typically, the module concentrates on either the Presentation or Database module. Students are examined in the module at the end of the six week period and the results go towards achieving the ECDL award. |
| Leadership Course | The main objectives of this course are to identify students' leadership qualities, to build up students' confidence and develop their communication skills and to acquire skills in facilitation and leadership of groups. Students taking this course are given the opportunity to use their learning within the school community to organise events and to get involved in some social action. |
| Lifeskills Project | This course is designed to give students a theoretical and practical understanding of how successful learning takes place, thus empowering students to plan for their Leaving Certificate and maximise their points in a more positive way. The course challenges students to become more individually responsible in the learning process and to provide students with the skills to cope successfully with the Leaving Cert. programme and subsequent education programmes. The content of the course includes: The Psychology of Learning, Time Management, The Role of Exercise and Diet in a healthy lifestyle, Stress Management and Study Skills. |
| Marketing | The Marketing course consists of one period per week class on marketing and two periods per week of practical application. This is made up of the following elements:- Forming and running a mini company, visiting businesses, visiting speakers from the marketing world, conducting a survey within the school, conducting the same survey outside CSN and an educational tour. |
| Music Appreciation | The aim of this module is to expose students to various styles of music so that they may gain a greater understanding and appreciation of each of these styles. The music module offers students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with musicians and groups from the seventies, eighties and nineties. Various styles of music including rock, reggae, pop and dance are listened to and their origins and development are examined. For example, we trace the main developments in black music since it arrived in America 300 years ago and students can gain an insight into how this style of music has evolved and influenced other types of music. Connections can then be made between black music and white rock music. Some time is also be spent examining classical music, examining particularly the life story of Mozart - focusing on the atmosphere of the times and listening to some of his compositions. |
| Refugees in the Community | This module will explore the developing phenomenon of refugees and asylum seekers migrating into Ireland with particular reference to the Cork region. The six week module will be interactive with students being afforded the opportunity to meet with the newly arrived immigrants and to discuss issues such as racism, political/social discrimination and the development of Ireland as a multicultural society. |
| Tourism | This is a national programme developed by CERT and the Dept. of Education and Science which has been specially designed for second level students as an introduction to tourism at home and abroad. The programme is comprised of four components: the economic and social aspects of tourism, the geographic and ecological aspects of tourism, tourism and heritage and tourism and Irish culture. Students who complete their work experience in a tourism-related area may apply for a CERT certificate in Tourism Awareness. |
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| Activity | Description |
| Work Experience | A two week work experience programme in which all Transition Year students participate is organised in February or March of each year. This is usually the highlight of the year for students and has invariably been a great success. Preparation for work experience begins towards the end of October with the distribution of letters for potential employers. Students are encouraged to find their own placements and most (approximately 90%) manage to do so. All employers are contacted by the school prior to the commencement of the programme to verify details and to provide the employer with important information regarding insurance etc. About four preparatory lessons are held in January as part of the Lifeskills programme and a seminar on safety in the workplace is also held at this time. Students are required to complete a log-book while they are in the workplace and each student is visited by a teacher during the fortnight. The teacher completes an evaluation of each student having spoken to both the employer and the student himself. |
| Cope Foundation | A Community Care Programme operated in conjunction with the COPE Foundation. |
| Gaisce - the President’s Award. | Gaisce enables students to proceed through a wide variety of self-starter projects that allow them to improve their own skills as well as getting a better understanding of the world around them. The award scheme operates at different levels of involvement, awarding different levels of certification accordingly. |
| Outdoor Pursuits (either in Ireland or abroad). | Provided there is sufficient demand, an outdoor activities week is organised each year for Transition Year students. Students generally travel to an Outdoor Education Centre in another part of Ireland and participate in a range of activities ranging from hill walking and canoeing to archery and team building exercises. Some years, a ski trip is organised for Transition Year students. An outdoor activities day (or days) is generally organised at a local centre in years when there isn't sufficient demand for a week away. |
| Theme days | Special events days based around a particular theme are organised from time to time. Such events in the past have included such things as a Refugee Awareness Day, a European Day or an Arts Day. |
| Excursions | Excursions are an integral part of the Transition Year programme in many subject areas. For example, fieldwork is regularly undertaken is subjects such as geography while visits to exhibitions are an important part of the Art, Craft and Design course. Excursions often take place to cultural events such as the Cork Film Festival while Transition Year students will generally visit the theatre on at least one occasion during the year. |
| Seminars, Visiting Speakers etc. |
Visiting speakers address Transition Year students quite regularly. The topics vary from year to year but examples from recent years include subjects as diverse as The Developing World, Drugs Awareness, Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Energy and Conservation, the Cork Main Drainage Scheme to name just a few. |
| Special Events | Once-off events are held from time to time which sometime turn out to be the highlight of the year for many students. Examples of such events would be the Songwriters’ workshop, the video production course, the Rosemary Smyth Driving Programme or the annual Transition Year Youth Forum, run in conjunction with the Mount Mercy Transition Year group. Perhaps the most important special event is the end of year Certification Ceremony. This takes the form of a review of activities that the Transition Year students have been involved in during the year and is attended the entire year group along with their teachers and parents. The ceremony culminates in the awarding of the Transition Year Certificates. |
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