Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

We hope this newsletter finds you well. We have several items that we would like to bring to your attention as your son/daughter completes the first half term of Transition Year.

TY Theme

This year the theme for TY is “The Beatles”. Throughout the year this theme will feature in the TY programme from modules to artwork to class symbols and activities both inside and outside of school.

TY Portfolio & Hoodie

All TY students have now been given a TY portfolio. Students should bring this to school every day and it should be placed on their desk in each class along with their school dialann.  All TY students have also been given a hoodie.

TY Volunteering 

On occasion, it is both useful and desirable for TYs to volunteer to perform certain tasks in school and outside of school. Student contribution to the school and wider community can be beneficial in various ways. We would like you to encourage your student to get involved with volunteering when opportunities present themselves in school. Volunteering for activities outside the classroom allows students to give back, increase social skills, learn new skills, explore new interests, challenge themself and boost their CV. 

Dialann

As you are aware we use the Dialann as the main form of communication between school and home. Teachers will regularly write notes informing you of areas where your son/daughter is excelling or areas where they need improvement, also of any important notices or discipline issues. It is also a record of their TY points. It is imperative that you check the Dialann on a daily basis to monitor and keep abreast of your son/daughters progress. Please sign notes in the comment section daily to let us know you have received and read the same.

TY Points System

Our code of behaviour is a positive one. We place more emphasis on positive behaviour. TY students will receive positive notes (plus points) from teachers for participation, effort, extra-curricular, etc. Students receive negative notes for poor behaviour. Negative notes will result in minus points. It is important that students stay on positive points or they will not be allowed to attend workshops or trips. 

Green Schools

We are making strides with our Green Schools Policy and efforts to reduce the amount of plastic waste used by the school community. All students should have a lunch box and reusable water bottle labelled with their name as single use plastic items are now prohibited in school. We commend all the efforts being made by TY students to date. 

Uniform 

Thank you for your support with the uniform policy. We are very proud of our uniform and the respect our students have for it. It is important that we maintain high standards so can you please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform to school each day. Students are not permitted to wear non-uniform items of clothing. If, for any reason, a student is missing an item from their PE uniform they must wear their usual uniform to school and will be facilitated to change for PE class. If a student arrives to school not in correct uniform they will be sent home to change. 

Homework / Key Assignments 

We are continuing to emphasise the importance of the Dialann for students in recording key assignments. If a student is absent they should consult the information shared on their subject Teams pages.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams must be checked daily by students as it is the main platform for announcements in relation to work experience, upcoming events, TY workshops, etc.

Mobile phones

A reminder that mobile phones must be switched off during the school day. Phones will be confiscated from students if they are switched on. Students are not permitted to contact parent(s)/guardian (s) during the school day via their own phone, this must be done through their Moltóir Ms.O’Neill or the main office. 

Medical Updates

If your son/daughter has any new allergies or medical concerns you feel we need to be aware of, in order to provide best care, please inform us by phone, email or letter.  

Work Experience

All TY pupils will attend work experience for four weeks throughout TY. There are 3 blocks, the dates for these are:

• Monday November 11^th – Friday November 15^th (1 week)
• Monday January 13^th – Friday January 24^th (2 weeks)
• Monday April 7^th – Friday April 11^th (1 week).

The opportunity to undertake work experience is a fantastic way for pupils to gain an insight into a field that they ae interested in so we would urge them to carefully consider possible options. If students wish to undertake a TY work placement outside of these times you must apply on their behalf in writing to Ms. Savage giving adequate notice. These will only be facilitated for TY specific programmes or exceptional placements which could not be facilitated during the given weeks.

Students have been given a TY portfolio which contains a work experience diary to reflect on their work experience placement. This diary should be completed each day each day of their placement. There is also a space in the diary for parents/guardians to reflect on the work experience placement, if convenient, this should be completed and signed also. A letter and form for their employers is also included in the portfolio, this letter and form should be given to their employer on the first day of their placement.

Attendance & Punctuality

We would first like to congratulate the majority of the students who have excellent attendance records through Junior cycle; this is commendable and a credit to them and to you. It is imperative that every effort is made for students to attend on a regular basis. If your son/daughter is sick please contact the school and leave a message on Ms.SONeill’s extension before 8:30am or send an email to [email protected] and CC their caomhnóir. Please keep us informed of any planned absences and may we remind you that a written explanation in the Dialann is required when your child returns to school following an absence. Where possible holidays and medical/dental appointments should be made for outside school hours. Registration is recorded during assembly and any student who does not present will be marked absent on the official register. Students should be in their classrooms prior to 8:40 to ensure that they have time to get their books and materials ready for their classes. Where students are unavoidably late they must sign in via the main office.

Trips

It is important to note that staff accompanying any trips are doing so on a voluntary basis with a view to enhancing the Transition Year experience for all students.

• The aforementioned TY contract must be signed
• A Permission slip for each trip must be completed, signed and shown to the caomhnóir/class teacher/ Moltóir or Co-ordinator as instructed at least two days prior to the date of the trip.
• Attention must be paid to the correct uniform. Students will be notified if they may wear their full P.E. uniform otherwise full uniform is required. Only the appropriate P.E. uniform is acceptable.

Please sign in your son/daughter’s Dialinn to indicate that you have read, and understand, the above procedures in place for TY trips.

All TY students attended their first TY trip on Thursday August 29^th, they travelled to Kilruddery House Bray in Co. Wicklow to complete the Ireland’s Fittest Family/Hell & Back obstacle course. Despite the somewhat challenging nature of the course, the students gave it their all and had a wonderful day. Hopefully this is the beginning of many great days to come.

TY Trip – Tuesday October 8th

A reminder that all TY students will attend a one-day trip on Tuesday October 8th, 2024. Students will be travelling to the Laughter Lounge in Dublin where they will be participating in a comedy workshop.

All students must have a signed permission slip in their Dialann (page 195) giving consent for them to attend. This must be shown to their caomhnoir. On the day, students must attend in full school PE uniform and their TY hoodie.  Students will have an opportunity to visit Grafton Street after the workshop where they can purchase food but should also bring a packed lunch.  Students will leave school directly after morning assembly and return to school at an estimated time of 15.30. We look forward to a great day.

TY Musical – High School Musical

This year we are delighted to announce that all TYs students will have an opportunity to participate in the school musical which will be a production of “High School Musical”. The dates for the musical are March 19^th – March 21^st and we are looking forward to what we know will be a fabulous show.

Upcoming Important Dates

• Tuesday October 8th trip to the Laughter Lounge
• Drama Workshop November 18th and 19th with actor George McMahon
• Movie Magic workshop October 23^rd, December 4th to 6th
• Monday – Friday November 11th -15th Block 1 of work experience.
• Christmas at RC Friday December 13th
• Trip to Butler’s Chocolate Factory Thursday December 19^th
• Monday January 13^th -Friday January 24^th Block 2 of work experience
• Friday February 7^th and Friday February 14^th Chinese culture workshops
• Wednesday March 17^th -Friday March 21^st TY Musical High School Musical
• Eisht Workshops March 25th, 26th, 31^st and April 1st, 2nd, 3^rd
• Thursday March 27^th Trip to Causey Farm
• Monday April 7^th -Friday April 11^th Block 3 of work experience

Yours faithfully,

The Transition Year Team

Sarah O’Neill
TY Moltóir

Aisling Savage
TY Programme Coordinator

John McCarthy
Deputy Principal

Deirdre O’Reilly, Emily McKeon, Edel Conlon, Ronan Mitchell, Mollie Ennis, Deborah Dalton
Caomhnóirí