Transition Year was re-introduced into St. Patrick’s College in September 2010. This exciting and dynamic course provides for a wide range of activities whilst also safeguarding the core subjects. All students in Transition Year experience new subjects. These new subjects open up new possibilities for the future when choosing their subjects for Leaving Certificate.
The core subjects during Transition year continue as usual, (Irish English, Maths and French) These subjects are tested in the schoolhouse exams with all the other years. This ensures no loss of key knowledge in preparation for their future Leaving Certificate. It strengthens and reinforces the material and leaves them better prepared for their Leaving Cert in these crucial subjects.
Students also get the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of activities throughout the year including:
- Gaisce Awards
- Social Action Projects
- Road Safety Course
- Instructed driving lessons
- First Aid
- Safefood for Life
- Fitness
- Public Speaking
- Junk Kouture
- visits to the Theatre
- Day trips
This gives students concrete achievements by the end of the year.
Transition Year students travel abroad to Europe on an educational tour. They will also be involved in staging at least one school production during the year.
Overall, this diverse programme provides the opportunity to develop and hone skills that the curriculum in other years may not have had the time to do so. It also develops self-confidence and a level of maturity that helps students face the challenges ahead.
The school now operates a one day per week closely monitored work experience programme for the Transition year.