Coláiste Naomh Cormac

Transition Year is an optional one-year, school-based programme between Junior Cycle 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. The Transition Year Programme is designed so that the courses/modules are tailored to the needs and interests of students. Transition Year offers students an opportunity to develop a broad range of social, personal and academic skills. It gives them the opportunity to reach a greater maturity to face the Leaving Certificate and make more informed decisions for the future.

The students in Coláiste Naomh Cormac study an academic programme which includes:
Media, French, Irish, Religious Studies, Local History, Business/Enterprise, Home Economics, Biology, Science, Construction Studies, Technology and Information Technology leading to ECDL certification for those that are successful in the seven modules.

However, as well as the academic programme, other activities are included on the curriculum to broaden the students’ perspective on education and life such as:

• Young Social Innovators, Tourism, Links with the Local Community, Road Safety, Green Schools, Fitness Improvement Programme.
• Workshops on:

Art and Crafts, Law, Film Making, Preparation for Third Level and Health Education.

• All students are entered for the Bronze section of the President’s Gaisce Awards.

Visiting guest speakers are invited to speak on a wide range of issues. Work experience is a very important element of Transition Year. Students go on two one week Work Experience blocks, which they choose themselves with parental guidance. This experience also provides them with a natural and realistic base on which to make informed choices for the future.

At the end of the year, students are presented with a certificate from the school. External validated certificates are presented to students who have reached the required standard.

The Transition Year offers students an opportunity to engage in independent, self-directed learning, to develop general, technical and academic skills, and to mature and develop without the pressure of an examination. Students get the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas and can make more informed choices about the kind of Leaving Certificate programme they want to follow after the Transition Year.