Craic On

Last night saw the TY students from Moville Community College graduate at the Castle Inn in Greencastle. This group of students embarked upon the TY year in September 2013.

‘The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme that forms the first year of a three-year senior cycle in many schools. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. It is available to all second level schools and currently approximately 75% of schools offer the programme. Transition Year is optional for students in most schools.
Transition Year offers learners an opportunity to mature and develop without the pressure of an examination. It also provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on, and develop an appreciation of, the value of learning in preparing them for the ever-changing demands of the adult world of work, further and higher education and relationships.’

Having had two older sons educated at MCC, neither were interested in TY, so I had no previous experience on this programme. I was aware of it, but never looked into the structure or format of it. In February 2013 my youngest son was preparing for his Junior Certificate. He announced that he would like to do TY before embarking upon the Leaving Certificate programme. I was a little hesitant as I felt he may find it difficult to settle back into formal studying again in 4th year. However I went along to the meeting at MCC and came home that night an advocate of the TY programme. Just hearing the tutors and past TY students speaking had me convinced that this was indeed a very worthwhile programme.
So, after sitting the Junior Certificate in June 2013, my youngest son set out on TY in September. Last night only served to further my new belief in this programme and I realised that it was not only my son who benefited from the past year, but each and every other student who took part.
Ms Mulhall spoke of each students achievement over the past 9 months. And one feature seemed to apply to each individual…she and the other teachers all saw a great maturity develop in each student. She said that ‘this year is a life experience for the students’. This it certainly was. Not only did they continue to study the core subjects, English, Irish and Maths, but they embarked upon business ventures, camping trips, educational trips, lifesaving courses, and so very much more. Each student developed and matured in a variety of ways. Mr Duggan emphasised that the students themselves would not see the benefit of the year until they were in college or possibly finished college! But he is certain that the benefits would become real when the time is right.
Many of these students didn’t know each other well before the TY year commenced. By the time they gathered for graduation last night they were clearly a very close bunch and a bond is certainly formed.
If anyone is considering or contemplating doing this programme, just do it. It’s a year of learning, growing and developing. And one that will be of benefit for many years to come.