May 2010

‘Dance4life’ Transition Year Relationships and Sexuality Programme. On Monday of this week, nineteen of our Transition Year students will be involved in the second module focusing on sexual reproductive health, rights issues and basic life skills.  ‘Dance4life’ is an AIDS awareness sex education programme and uses music and dance to reach young people in a meaningful way.  
St Patrick’s National School Sports’ Day. This Wednesday, May 18th, Rang Monnet will be involved in helping to coordinate a Sports’ Day for tow hundred primary school pupils in St. Patrick’s National school.  We wish our students the very best as they represent our College. 

GAA Day for Primary Schools. The original eight students who participated in the Primary Schools’ Gaelic League will be involved in the annual GAA Day for primary schools. This will take place from 9 – 1pm this Friday, May 14th. The students involved are: Graham Hannigan (De Hide), James McLaughlin (De hIde), Joseph Murray (Rang Hillery), Donal Burke (Rang Hillery), Kevin Hartnett (Rang Hillery), Conor Malone (Rang Hillery), Darragh McCormack (Rang Monnet) and Ronan Sweeney (Rang Monnet).  These students’ names have been posted on the TY notice board in the staffroom.
Annual Taster Programme I.T.B.We are delighted that twelve of our current Transition Year students have been granted places on the annual ‘Taster Programme’ in The Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown.  The programme runs for two days from Tuesday, May 11th to Wednesday, May 12th inclusive.  Our students will have an opportunity to view the campus and meet some of the lecturing staff as well as attend a number of lectures in the areas of Sports Management, Social Care, Business Studies, Mechanics and Electronics.  
TY Portfolio Interviews. The portfolio interviews for our Transition Year students take place this Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the meeting room . All students will present for an individual interview with their portfolio and are each afforded the same amount of time to describe, analyse, reflect, discuss and evaluate their work/portfolio including their own progress during the year. 
European Studies Trip. Ranganna De hIde and Monnet will be travelling to the European Information Centre this Tuesday, May 11th. 
TY Fencing Competition. A number of our male TY students will be in a fencing competition this Thursday, May 13th.  The students will fence against Castleknock College.  We wish them well.
Teaching ICT. 12 TY students (from Ranganna Monnet and Hillery) will be teaching ICT skills to 12 students from St. Patrick's National School. The lessons will take place on Wednesdays 12th, 19th and 26th May from 12.30 - 1.30 in room 26.

Fundraising: A number of our Transition Year Students will be absent from classes on Tuesday, May 4th.  They will be involved in fundraising for the Irish Asthma Association in the city centre.  In addition, our students will also be involved in bag packing in Dunnes Stores in the Blanchardstown Town Centre Friday, May 7th.  All proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul

April 2010

Fundraising for Irish Asthma Society
A number of our students will be involved on Tuesday, May 3rd in the fundraising for the Irish Asthma Society. We wish our students well in their endeavour to raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause. 

St Patrick’s National School Sports’ Day
This Wednesday, April 28th, seven students from Rang Monnet will be involved in helping to coordinate a Sports’ Day for a number of primary school pupils in St. Patrick’s National school.  We wish our students the very best as they represent our College. 

End of Year Awards
We are currently in the process of organizing this year’s Transition Year Graduation to be held on Monday, May 31st. 

Poetry workshop
Youth speaks Ireland will be visiting our College this Monday, April 12th in order to conduct a poetry workshop with the students. 

History Trip to Kilmainham Jail & Museum
As part of their History Module, Ms Cotter will be taking Rang Hillery to Kilmainham Jail & Museum this Thursday, April 22nd.  The students will leave at 12.15pm and will receive a guided tour of the jail and be allowed to enter the cells of Irish historical figures as well as seeing where the 1916 execution took place.

Special Olympics Ireland Flag Day
On Friday, April 23rd, a number of our Transition Year students will be involved in fundraising for ‘Special Olympics Ireland’.  This is the main national flag day of the year for the organisation, with all proceeds going towards the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick next June. 

Castaheaney Primary School
We are delighted that a number of our Transition Year students were invited to help set up a school library in Castaheaney Primary School.  The following students will be involved this week: Sarah Fay, Julianne Kealy and Rory O’Connell (all Rang Monnet).  Next week, April 17th, Chloe Sheils (Rang Hillery), Desmond Bale (Rang Hillery) and Ciaran Delaney (Rang De hIde), will be helping to set up the library. 

Primary Schools’ Girls Gaelic League
The final of the Primary Schools’ girls Gaelic League will take place this Thursday in Tir na nÓg.  Matches will begin at 2.30pm.  The following Transition Year students will be involved: Sarah Fay (Rang Monnet), Gillian McAuley(Rang Monnet), Grace Hegerty (Rang Hillery), Niamh Keith (Rang Hillery) and Catriona Murphy (Rang De hIde).  We wish our students the very best in running the final.

‘Youthspeaks’ Poetry Workshops
On Tuesday, April 19th, our Transition Year students will be involved in a series of poetry workshop.  The workshop will run from 9 – 12noon.  There will be two consecutive workshops run simultaneously. 

March 2010

‘Dance4life’ Transition Year Relationships and Sexuality Programme
On Monday of this week, a number of our Transition Year students will be involved in a workshop focusing on sexual reproductive health, rights issues and basic life skills.  ‘Dance4life’ is an AIDS awareness sex education programme and uses music and dance to reach young people in a meaningful way.  It consists of four modules that will take place during the course of the current academic year.  The second workshop will take place in the canteen this Monday, March 22nd from 10-12pm and from 1.30-3.30pm. 

Setting up a Library – Castaheaney Primary School
We are delighted that a number of our Transition Year students have been invited to help set up the new school library in Castaheaney Primary School in Ongar.  This week, Laura Tobin (Rang De hIde), Lesley O’Hanlon (RangMonnet) and Rory O’ Connell (RangMonnet) will be helping out with the process each day.
Congratulations to Rory O’Connell in TY for his involvement in the IASC programme & his back to back discovery of two different comets!

Bodywhys ‘Focus Groups’
A new Education Officer has been appointed to the ‘Bodywhys’ organisation.  As part of a focus group process, a number of Transition Year and LC1 Mentors met with the Education Officer last week.  A number of TY Students in Rang Hillery will participate in the focus group this Friday, March 19th from 9-12.15.

Debriefing for TY Students Following Work Experience
Last week, the Guidance Department debriefed our TY students in Rang De hIde following their work placements.  In addition, the area of career choices and pathways were discussed.  Rang Hillery will have their workshop this Monday, March 8th.  Rang Monnet will participate in the same workshop at a later date.
School Tour
Fifty-five of our TY students will be travelling to Bundoran on Thursday of this week.  Students will leave at 2pm this Thursday and will return on Sunday evening.  TY classes will be amalgamated on Thursday afternoon and on Friday.
Bodywyse ‘Focus Groups’
A new Education Officer has been appointed to the ‘Bodywyse’ organisation.  A number of Transition Year and LC1 Mentors have volunteered to be form a number of focus groups and to meet with the Education Officer. 

Changeover of Transition Year Modules
Our Transition Year students will begin their third and final block of modules this Monday, March 1st. 
Work Experience
Our Transition Year students have completed their second and final session of work experience last week.  We are in the process of receiving feedback from each individual student’s employer.  Debriefing of all students will begin shortly in conjunction with the Career and Guidance Department.
YSI “Speak Out”
As part of their Transition Year YSI Module, a number of our students will be participating in the annual YSI “Speak Out” which is being held this Wednesday, March 3rd, in Griffith College.  The annual Speak Out invites schools to nominate a team to prepare and present a two-minute “Speak Out” piece about a project that they are involved in. The group will give a presentation on their Special Needs Project. The students taking the Asdan Programme as well as their SNAs will also be attending. Names of students who will be absent from class will be posted in staff room. Teams can use can use drama, dance, mime, animation, visual displays and/or props to get their message across to a new audience. We wish Ms Carroll and her team of students the very best of luck.
TYPE – Transition Year Physics Programme
We are delighted that both Donal Burke (Rang Hillery) and Michael Friel (Rang Hillery) have been offered a place in Trinity College’s TYPE Programme for Transition Year students.  The programme runs for the duration of this week, Monday, March 1st to Friday, March 5th inclusive.  The programme includes lectures and laboratory work.
TY School Tour Information Meeting
There will be a meeting this Tuesday evening in room 2 (The Library) of the parents / guardians of the current TY students who will be going on this year’s TY school tour.  Last October, we invited responses from the parents / guardians regarding their choice of destination.  The majority agreed that an Irish based trip would be more preferable given the economic circumstances.  With that in mind, a surfing trip has been organised in Bundoran.

Feb 2010

Changeover of Transition Year Modules: The second block of Transition Year modules will officially end Friday, February 26th.  However, this week will be the final week that the students will be involved in their current block of TY Modules as the students will be on work experience the week following the mid-term break.  Our students will begin their third and final block of modules on Monday, March 1st. 

Transition Year Survey: On Tuesday of this week, our TY students will be participating in a research survey focusing on adolescent attitudes.  Rang Monnet will participate in the survey

TY Themed week
Many thanks to all the TY teaching team who participated in last week’s TY themed week.  The students will be expected to reflect on the week’s activities, which will form part of their portfolio assessments.

Jan 2010

Crime Scene Investigation
On Monday of this week, as part of their Science Module taught by Mr Prosser, Ranganna De hIde and Hillery will be participating in a Crime Scene Investigation.

Starsearch Rehearsals
On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, a number of our Transition Year students will be involved in the’Starsearch’ rehearsals. 

Fundraising for Haiti
Our Transition Year students managed to collect over €2, 700 during tutorials last week.  Many thanks from all the Transition Year group for the grateful generosity shown by the staff and student body.

BT Young Scientist Competition
Well done to Ciara Molloy (TY) and Deirdre McGuane a former Transition Year student now in LC1 who represented our College last week in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition. The title of their project was "The study of micro-organisms using computer technology from the European Space Agency". 

TY Cross-Curricular Themed Week
At the start of this academic year, it was agreed that we would introduce the concept of a TY Cross-Curricular Themed Week during the week of February 1st – 5th, 2010.  Following a survey with the Transition Year students last week, it has been decided that the theme of the week will that of ‘Conflict’.  Students will be expected to reflect on the structure of the week and it will form part of their Portfolio assessment in May.

Fundraising for Haiti
On Thursday of this week, the Transition Year students will visit each Tutorial class/ assembly and will ask students to make a contribution for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.  Two Transition Year students have been allocated to each tutorial class.  In addition, Rang Monnet has designed a number of posters, which they have placed around the school

We wish Ciara Molloy  (TY) and Deirdre McGuane a former Transition Year student now in LC1 the very best of luck as the enter the BT Young Scientist Exhibition running for the week of January 12th.The title of their project is "The study of micro-organisms using computer technology from the European Space Agency".  Many thanks go to Mr Corcoran who mentored both students.

Dec '09

Fingal County Council/AXA Roadsafe Roadshow
On Monday of this week, all Transition Year students will be attending the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow aimed at Transition Year students.  Using a backdrop of contemporary music, video clips and television advertisements, presentations will be made by members of the Gardaí, ambulance personnel, fire officers and an A&E Consultant.

Irish Careers’ Association Art Competition
Well done to a number of students in Rang Monnet: Juxhin Rakipi (first prize), Laura Melia (second prize) and John Paul Salvaleon (third prize) who each won prizes in an Art competition organized by the Irish Career’s Association.  First prize was a voucher for €50 for the Blanchardstown Town Centre while the second and third prizes were a €25 voucher for each student.

Trinity College Transition Year Computer Science Workshop
Last week, Sarah Fay (Rang Monnet) and Qi Jie Lam (Rang Hillery) attended T.C.D. for a Computer Science Workshop aimed at Transition Year students.  Feedback from both students has been very positive.  This week, Kevin Harnett and Adam Perth (Rang Hillery) will attend the workshop from Tuesday to Friday (inclusive).

Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids Week
Later on the New Year, Anna Hourihane and Laura Tobin (Rang De hIde) are planning on fundraising for the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation which is organised in conjunction with Kelloggs.  All money raised will go to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.  We wish the girls all the best in their worthy endeavours.

Fundraising for The Central Remedial Clinic
Last week, a number of our Transition Year students were involved in fundraising for the CRC’s ‘Santa Bear Appeal’ in the Blanchardstown Town Centre.  We are delighted that the students rose close to €800.

St. Vincent de Paul’s ‘Christmas Giving Tree Appeal’
Our Transition Year students will continue this week to help out with The Society of St. Vincent De Paul’s ‘Christmas Giving Tree Appeal’ in the Blanchardstown Town Centre.  The rota operates each day from 9.30-4pm.

Changeover of Transition Year Modules
Our Transition Year students will begin their second block of modules this Tuesday, December 1st, which will last until Friday, February 12th, 2010. 

Christmas Giving Tree Appeal
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SVP) in conjunction with Fr. Dan Joe O’Mahony, who is based in the oratory at The Blanchardstown Town Centre, will be launching the ‘Christmas Giving Tree Appeal’ next Wednesday, December 2nd at 4pm in the town centre.  Members of the public are invited to take a card from the Giving Tree, buy a gift suitable for the child named on the card and put it into the collection point in the town centre.  The gifts will then be distributed to families in need within the Dublin 15 area.  We are delighted that Fr. Dan has extended an invitation again this year to our Transition Year students to help out during the appeal from Thursday, December 3rd to December 23rd.  Students will monitor the Christmas Giving Tree Appeal in terms of receiving the gifts at the collection point and thanking members of the public for their generosity.  A rota will be drawn up and it is expected that students will be asked to participate twice during the appeal.  The rota will operate each day from 9.30-4pm. 

Fundraising for The Central Remedial Clinic

A number of our students will be involved this week in the Central Remedial Clinic’s ‘Santa Bear Appeal’.  A number of students from Ranganna De hIde and Monnet will be involved in the fundraising efforts on Thursday of this week and Rang Hillery will be involved this Friday.  We wish our students well in their endeavour to raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause

Nov '09

“Three Hazards’ Presentation
This Monday, our Transition Year students will participate in a presentation by Mr. Patrick McKenna, which focuses on the use of emerging web technologies.  The presentation will cover aspects such as data protection, personal privacy and the role of social networking.  Mr McKenna has been involved in compiling a report on these areas each was commissioned by Barnardos, The report is due to be published later this year. 

‘Dance4life’ Transition Year Relationships and Sexuality Programme
On Tuesday of this week, our Transition Year students will be involved in a workshop focusing on sexual reproductive health, rights issues and basic life skills.  ‘Dance4life’ is an AIDS awareness sex education programme and uses music and dance to reach young people in a meaningful way.  It consists of four modules that will take place during the course of the current academic year.  The first workshop will take place in the canteen from 10.45-12.15pm. 

Waste Recycling Presentation
This Thursday, Mr Jim Fitzgerald will visit our Transition Year students and will make a presentation on the benefits of waste recycling with a particular focus on the recycling of batteries.  The presentation will take place in the canteen from 2.30 – 3.10pm and will include a question and answer session.  Teachers who are timetabled to teach our Transition Year students at that time are asked to supervise the students during the presentation.

Primary Schools' Gaelic League
On Tuesday of this week, a number of our Transition Year students will be involved in the organisation of the finals of this year’s Primary Schools' Gaelic League.  The schools involved are: St. Francis Xavier, St. Brigid's, St. Patrick's and Scoil Thomais.  Our students have been involved over the past number of weeks in referring and umpiring the matches and working in consultation with the coaches.  The final takes place at 3pm in Tir na nOg.  The Gaelic League for female students begins this Thursday and five of our female Transition Year students will be involved in the running of this league.  We wish the girls the very best in their endeavours. 

T.Y. European Studies Module
Prior to the Mid-Term Break, we received the wonderful news that Gerard Sheridan (Rang Hillary) has won a three day trip to Strasbourg as part of the European Studies module which is taught by Ms Boggs. Gerard will be joined by fellow students from all over Europe to take part in the European Youth Parliament, which takes place over three days in March 2010.  Last year, Ms Boggs was responsible for three of our TY students winning a similar trip and we are thrilled to hear that her students are busy trying to win more competitions.

Oct '09

Poetry Aloud Competition
Good luck to Ms O’Grady and a number of our Transition Year students who have entered the ‘Poetry Aloud’ 2009 competition.  The students will be required to recite by heart, poetry by W.B. Yeats as well as from a list of anthologies provided by the organisers.  Marks will be allocated for physical presence, voice and articulation, understanding, interpretation and overall performance.  The competition takes place on Monday of this week in the National Library of Ireland.  The Transition Year students competing are: Keith Kelly, Adam Kenny, Ciara Molloy, Caitriona Murphy and Laura Tobin.

Guest Speaker from CASA
Our Transition Year students will be given a presentation by Mr Peter Mehan who works with the charity ‘CASA’ which provides one-to-one support for people with disabilities.  The talk will take place this Friday in the canteen from 9.40-10.40am.  Teachers who teach the Transition Year students at this time are asked to attend the talk and help to supervise the students.

Irish Carers’ Association
Our Transition Year students recently helped to fundraise over €3,000 for the Irish Carers’ Association.  Ms Jacqueline Milliman will visit the Transition Year students this week during assembly to address and thank the students for becoming involved.  The students will also present Ms Milliman with a cheque for the charity arising from last week’s ‘Jersey Day’.

Alison O’Meara from Down Syndrome Ireland will be addressing T.Y. Students in the Young Social Innovators’ elective this Friday 16th October.

Information Evening for Parents of our Current TY Students on Monday, October 5th, we will be hosting an information evening for the parents and guardians of our Transition Year students.  The meeting will take place in the canteen and will begin at 7.45.

Transition Year Retreats
Rang De hIde will be on retreat this Monday, October 5th while Ranganna Hillery and Monnet will be on retreat on Tuesday October 6th.  The retreats will take place in the Emmaus Retreat Centre, in Swords.  The retreat will form a part of the students’ log of learning within the Transition Year Programme and the students will be required to write up a report which will form part of the assessment of their individual portfolios in May 2010.
 
Interview & C.V. Preparation Workshops
On Friday of last week, our Transition Year students participated in a workshop which focused upon putting together a respectable Curriculum Vitae as well as interview techniques.  It is hoped that this will support our students in the run up to their work experience placements. 

Fundraising for The Niall Mellon Township Trust’
Following on from a presentation to our TY students about the ‘Niall Mellon Township Trust’ which is a charity that builds houses for the underprivileged in South Africa, a number of our Transition Year students will be bag packing in Marks and Spencers in the Blanchardstown Centre. We wish our students well in their endeavour to raise as much money as possible for this worth cause

Sept '09

Fundraising for The Irish Carers’ Association

Last Wednesday, Ms Jacqueline Milligan from the Irish Carers’ Association gave a talk to our Transition Year students on the work that The Irish Carers’ Association does throughout Ireland.  As a follow on, a number of our Transition Year students will be involved in a fundraising campaign for the association from September 24th-26th inclusive where upon the students will be bag-packing from 3pm to 5pm in the Tesco store in Roselawn.  Names of students involved will be posted on the staff notice board.

The Gaisce Programme
There are four different challenge areas in the Award programme.  The four challenge areas are those of (1) community involvement (2) the development of a personal skill (3) involvement in physical recreation and (4) the completion of an adventure journey.  The structure of our college’s Transition Year Programme is structured to accommodate each of the four challenge areas.  A number of our current TY students have all ready signed up for three of the challenge areas.

Survey on Driver’s Attitudes

Trinity College Dublin are currently involved in a research project where they are conducting surveys with TY students in Ireland, focusing upon their attitudes towards driving.  The survey was completed in part last week with all three TY classes participating.  Our Transition Year students will participate in a follow up survey upon completion of their TY ‘Steer Clear Driver Education’ Module.

Primary Schools' Gaelic League
Following on from last year, a number of the Principals from some of our feeder primary schools: St. Francis Xavier, St. Brigid's, St. Patrick's and Scoil Thomais have set up a Primary School's Gaelic League.  Six of our male and six of our female Transition Year students have been invited to help organise the running of the Primary Schools' Gaelic League.  This will involve the students referring and umpiring the matches and working in consultation with the coaches.  The league for primary school boys begins this Tuesday, September 22nd and on Thursday, September 24th for the girls.  It will run from 2.30-4pm in Tir na nÓg.  A list of the students involved has been posted on the TY Notice board.

Transition Year Induction Programme

Transition Year Retreats
Rang De hIde will be on retreat next Monday, October 5th while Ranganna Hillery and Monnet will be on Tuesday, October 6th, which one again will afford our TY students the opportunity to bond with one another.  The retreats will take place in the Emmaus Retreat Centre, in Swords.  Many thanks to Sr. Marie for organising the retreats.

Speaker from the ‘Dublin Simon Community’
The Simon Community are organising the ‘Dublin Simon Fun Run’ charity event, which will be held in the Phoenix Park on Saturday, October 10th.  Their target this year is €100k, which is equivalent to funding their Soup Run for over two years.  A speaker will give a presentation to our Transition Year students this Tuesday, September 29th from 1.15-1.55pm in the gym about the work of the charity and the ‘Dublin Simon Fun Run’ charity event. 

Speaker from The Niall Mellon Township Trust’
This coming Tuesday, Ms Siobhan Lyons will be giving a presentation to our TY students about the ‘Niall Mellon Township Trust’.  The presentation will take place in the canteen (to be confirmed) from 11am – 11.40am.  The charity builds houses for the underprivileged in South Africa.  On Friday, October 9th, in order to help raise funds for the charity, a number of our TY students will be bag packing in Marks and Spencers in the Blanchardstown Centre.

SEPT - NOV '08

Bonding Session
Each year, we organise a bonding session for our Transition Year students.  This year, the sessions were held at the Táin Adventure Centre, in Carlingford, which included an overnight stay.  The aim of the bonding session was to enhance the students’ confidence and to build a strong bond amongst the students, through experiencing group activities in a challenging environment.  Our students had a fun packed session and engaged in a wide range of team-based activities designed to develop the students’ leadership, communication and problem solving skills.  Upon the students’ return, it was great to see how so many students had acquainted themselves with their new classmates.  Feedback from the staff at the Táin Adventure Centre was also very positive with many comments being made about the sense of friendliness shown by the students to one another.

Creative Writing Workshop
In October, Rang Monnet, as part of their English course, participated in a creative writing workshop.  The workshop was activity based and involved the students reflecting upon and implementing the key skills necessary for imaginative writing.  We are currently planning on running this very worthwhile workshop for the remaining Transition Year classes in January.

Primary Schools' Gaelic League
A number of the Principals from some of our feeder primary schools: St. Francis Xavier, St. Brigid's, St. Patrick's and Scoil Thomais have set up a Primary School's Gaelic League for boys.  Eight of our Transition Year male students have been invited to help organise the running of the Primary Schools' Gaelic League.  This involves the students referring and umpiring the matches and working in consultation with the coaches.  We are very proud to report that we have received fantastic feedback from Mr. Parker, the Principal from St. Francis Xavier who has informed us that the students are displaying great leadership skills and the ability to work as part of a team. The league is running on Thursdays from 2.30-4pm in Tir na nÓg.  Plans are underway to set up a similar league for girls and we will soon be asking for some of our Transition Year female students to volunteer to become involved in the programme.

TY Module “Alcohol Awareness and Peer Teaching”
We are very pleased to be able to offer our students the opportunity to study a TY module entitled “Alcohol Awareness and Peer Teaching” which is taught by Ms. Boyd.  This has involved the students learning about alcohol and teaching first year students about this important issue.  Rang Hillery are the first TY group to have completed the module which is run in conjunction with the Lions Club.  We were delighted that in order to mark this important occasion, Rang Hillery received certificates to acknowledge their contribution as “Peer Teachers” to first year students.  A presentation took place in The Mansion House on Monday, October 20th with Rang Hillery proving themselves to be wonderful ambassadors for our college.

Work Experience
Following the mid-term break, the Transition Year students began their first session of work experience (Monday November 3rd-Friday, November 7th).  We received wonderful praise from employers regarding the commitment shown by our students.  Work is already underway in terms of preparing the students for their second work experience placements which takes place from February 23rd-27th 2009.

Transition Year Retreats
Rang De hIde and Rang Nic Roibin had their retreat on November 11th and Rang Monnet and Rang Hillery had their retreat on November 20th.  The retreats took place in the Emmaus Retreat Centre, in Swords.  We are very grateful to Sr. Marie for organising such a wonderful series of retreats that once again, afforded our TY students the opportunity to bond with one another.

Road-Safe Road Show
Following the wonderful Lifestyle Health and Safety week organised by the Parents Association last September, we decided to organise a trip to The Helix for a road-safe road show, which was facilitated by Fingal County Council.  The theme of the show was to encourage young drivers and those about to commence their driving career to adopt a more responsible attitude towards safe driving behaviour.

Business Studies Quiz
As part of the students’ Business Studies module, taught by Ms Boggs, eight of our TY students entered the annual CIMA Dublin & District Branch Schools’ Table Quiz which was held in the Red Cow Inn on November 11th.  There were 39 school groups competing and our students came 17th.   Congratulations goes to all the students involved who proved themselves to be worthy ambassadors for our school.

Science Trip
Rang Monnet, as part of their Science module, taught by Mr. Prosser, had an enjoyable and informative trip to the Marble Arch cave in Co. Fermanagh.  The trip included a Geopark limestone field study as well as a subterranean tour.

Transition Year Modules
The first round of Transition Year modules ended on the Friday before the mid-term break.  Students began their second round of modules on Monday, November 10th.  We are delighted that we are in a position to offer our students a wide range of modules that consist of an academic and a practical nature.  The current block of module will last until January 23rd 2009.

Launch of Intel’s “Log On, Learn” initiative
On October 1st, Minister Maire Hoctor T.D., Minister for Older People, officially launched Intel’s “Log On, Learn” programme in our school, which is currently a pilot school for the programme.  We also had the honour of having Mr Michael O’Leary, the national Transition Year Coordinator present at the launch.  This is an initiative, which sees a number of our Transition Year students, as part of their Young Social Innovators’ Elective, buddy up with older people from the community to teach them PC skills.  The programme also enables each generation to gain an insight into the lifestyle of the other.  This is also an opportunity for our students to further develop their communication and interpersonal skills.

Young Social Innovator (Y.S.I.)
A guest speaker from the charity ‘Alone’ gave a very informative talk to all our students who are studying our Transition Year Y.S.I. elective.  The theme of the talk was looking at the issue of the elderly in our community.
Youth Speaks Poetry Workshop
Rang DehIde and Rang Monnet took part in a poetry workshop which as facilitated by Youth Speaks Ireland.  The main focus of the workshop was to teach our students about how language can be used as a creative tool and writing different genres of poetry.  We are delighted that many of the skills that our students developed during the workshop have been translated into the reality of the classroom.

European Studies Module
Congratulations to Rang Hillery students, Juilija Zotova and Cathal Peelo who recently won an all expenses trip to Strasbourg next March, which will incorporate a visit to the European Parliament.  Juilija and Cathal took part in the European Studies Transition Year Module, which is taught by Ms Boggs, which enables students to win prizes as part of the programme.

Transition Year Retreats
The annual Transition Year retreats took place this November in the Emmaus Retreat Centre, in Swords.  We received very positive feedback from the facilitators about the positive contribution that our students made.  We are also very grateful to Sr. Marie for organising such a wonderful series of retreats that once again, afforded our TY students the opportunity to bond with one another. 

History Trip to Kilmainham Jail & Museum
As part of their History Module, Rang Nic Roibin and Rang De hIde visited Kilmainham Jail & Museum, a place steeped in Irish political and social history.  The students received a guided tour of the jail and were allowed to enter the cells of Irish historical figures as well as seeing where the 1916 execution took place.  Many of our students reported that during their trip, they felt the foreboding atmosphere of this awesome monument.

Legal Studies Trip
As part of the TY Legal Studies Module, Mr. Cusack organised a very successful visit to St. Patrick’s Institution for young offenders.  The Governor of the institution, Mr. Sean Quigley pulled out all the stops for our Transition Year students with the head prison guard, Mr David Walsh leading the tour and showing our students every part of the prison from the wash rooms and cells and even the Governor’s office.  The trip was an excellent supplement to the L Legal Studies Module and added a practical element to the theoretical aspects that our students have studied in class.

A.I.B. Build A Bank Challenge
The A.I.B.’s ‘Build A Bank Challenge’ involves Transition Year Students through out Ireland setting up, marketing and running a bank in their school during one lunchtime a week.  We are delighted that a number of our Transition Year students have become involved in this exciting and creative challenge.  The positions are designated through an interview process, which were held at the beginning of this year.  The Bank Manager’s role will be held by Nicola Bent, Assistant Manager will be Rian Smith, Nicky Tsang will be the bank’s auditor, Katie Holloway will be the bank’s teller and Rachel Rush will be fulfilling the role of Sales and Marketing Manager.  The grand opening of the bank will be on December 2nd.  We wish Ms Kenny and our students the very best as they embark upon this exciting adventure.

Art Elective
The Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is now the annual venue for the ‘Sculpture in Context’ exhibition.  This beautiful location displays the work of both Irish and International sculptors throughout the gardens, the glasshouses, the water areas and in the gallery in the visitor’s centre.  Last October, our students who are studying our Art elective had the opportunity to be part of this experience with the Transition Year students taking part in a rich visual and sensory experience where upon each student received a map of the sculpture trail and were allowed to touch and walk around the art work.  Sketches and ideas came to fruition and upon their return to their Art class, the students were equipped to bring a fresh approach to their Art studies and created their own unique sculptures.

Lego League Competition
Along with their teacher, Ms. Byrne, number of our Transition Year students were recently involved in the first ever Lego League competition.  This international event is designed to solve global issues through an interactive game.  Our students were asked to design and programme a robot to perform a range of tasks, using computer programming and lego parts.  In addition, the team produced a research project focussing on combating climate change in the Blanchardstown area.  Our students were very committed and training sessions were held on Wednesday afternoons with the team competing in Galway on November 22nd last.  We are delighted that our students came second in the section where they had to make a presentation of their research project.  The students’ involvement in this competition gave them the opportunity to display their practical design and research skills which are key skills that the Transition Programme aims to develop in students.  Many of the students who participated in the competition had never taken a practical subject before.

Dec '08

Upcoming Geography and History Trips
On Monday, December 3rd, Ms Cobbe and Ms Cotter will be taking Ranganna De hIde and Hillery on an outing to ENFO, for a workshop on climate change, which has an emphasis on sustainable development and on a historical bus trip of Dublin.  On Thursday, November 18th, Ranganna Monnet and Nic Roibin will go on the same trips.  Students will leave at 9am and return at 4pm.

Jan '09

Irish Carers’ Association Talk
On Friday, January 16th, Ms Jacqueline Milligan from the Irish Carers’ Association will give a talk to our Transition Year students on the work that the association does throughout Ireland.  The talk will take place in the canteen from 9am to 9.30am.  Teacher who are timetabled to teach Transition Year classes at that time are asked to supervise during Ms Milligan’s presentation in the canteen.

Transition Year Cake Sale & Seven-A-Side Football Tournament
This will take place on Tuesday and Friday of this week, as part of their Young Social Innovators’ Elective (Y.S.I.), a number of our Transition Year Y.S.I. students will be holding a cake sale in the canteen.  Prior to Christmas, the students had a guest speaker from the Irish charity ‘Alone’ and consequently they decided that all profits made from the cake sale will go to this charity.  In addition, another group of our Y.S.I. students have organised a seven-a-side football tournament for our second year classes.  It will be held this Thursday, January 15th in the canteen from 12.30-1pm and once again, all profits will go to ‘Alone’.  Both teachers and students are welcome to attend to ‘cheer’ their ‘favourite’ team on.  We wish all the students well with their fundraising.

Peer Mediation Module
We are delighted that Castleknock Community College has been chosen as one of six pilot schools where a pilot module entitled “Peer Mediation” will be taught.  The module has been designed by the Second Level Support Service (S.L.S.S).  A regional Development Officer has been appointed to us who will offer us support as we pilot the module and will take our feedback as we evaluate the materials.  In addition, the five other pilot schools will use the scheme of work that we here in CCC have designed for the module as per the N.C.C.A. Transition Year Unit Template.  Many thanks to Tom for enabling us to become involved in this pilot programme.

Changeover of Transition Year Modules
The second block of Transition Year modules will end this Friday, January 23rd.  Students will begin their third block of modules next Monday, January 26th, which will last until Friday, March 20th, 2009. 

European Studies Module
Well done to Ronan Hourican (Rang Monnet) who won a 120GB Classic iPod as part of the European Studies Module taught by Carla Boggs.

Creative Writing Workshop
Next Monday, January 26th, Ranganna De hIde, Hillery and Nic Roibin, as part of their English course, will participate in a creative writing workshop.  The workshop will be activity based and will involve the students reflecting upon and implementing the key skills necessary for imaginative writing.  The workshops have been organised on a class-by-class basis.  Details will be posted later this week on the staff notice board.  Teachers who teach these classes may be required to supervise other classes.

Changeover of Transition Year Modules
Transition Year students begin their third block of modules this Monday, January 26th, which lasts until Friday, March 20th, 2009. 

Creative Writing Workshop
This Monday, January 26th, Ranganna De hIde, Hillery and Nic Roibin, as part of their English course, are participating in a creative writing workshop.  The workshop will be activity based and will involve the students reflecting upon and implementing the key skills necessary for imaginative writing.  The workshops have been organised on a class-by-class basis.  Rang Nic Roibin are scheduled to have their workshop from 9-10.20am, Rang Hillery are scheduled to have theirs from 10.20-12.15pm and Rang De hIde are scheduled to have their workshop from 1.15-3.10pm.  Each workshop will be held in room 2. 

Mental Health Questionnaire
On Tuesday, January 26th, Ms Karen Brennan will be distributing a questionnaire to our Transition Year students on mental health, which forms part of her research project for her social science project.  She will visit the four Transition Year classes on Tuesday and will distribute the questionnaire, which should take on average ten minutes for students to complete.  She will visit Rang De hIde at 9am, Rang Hillery at 9.20am, Rang Monnet at 9.40am and finally Rang Nic Roibin at 10am.

Irish Carers’ Association Talk
On Friday, January 30th, Ms Jacqueline Milligan from the Irish Carers’ Association will give a talk to all our Transition Year students on the work that the association does throughout Ireland.  The talk will take place in the canteen from 9am to 9.30am.  Teacher who are timetabled to teach Transition Year classes at that time are asked to supervise during Ms Milligan’s presentation in the canteen.

Feb '09

Congratulations to Ronan Hourican who won a brand new Apple 120G iPod on the Graduate online civic awareness completion.  The project, in Association with South Dublin County Council,  encourages students to develop an understanding of how various public institutions work, how they interact with young people an how thy impact upon their everyday lives, as well as developing their internet and computer skills.

TY Trip to Barcelona
On Monday, February 16th, a number of our Transition Year students are heading off to Salou / Barcelona and will return on Friday, February 20th.  A series of excursions have been organised for the students including trips to Montserrat and Tarragona.  We wish the accompanying teachers and students a great time.

Work Experience
Following the mid-term break, the Transition Year students will begin their second session of work experience (Monday February 23rd-Friday, February 27th).  Our students have already received the necessary documentation including an introductory letter for their employer, a copy of the school’s insurance details and a student work experience evaluation form.  Our TY students will receive feedback based on employers’ evaluations in a structured way that will focus on personal strengths and areas that can be improved upon.

Congratulations to Cormac Keaney, Transition Year who won a four day trip to Strasbourg on The Graduate online civic awareness competition. The aim of The Graduate Quiz is to increase students’ civic, social and political awareness in an innovative, fun and engaging manner. The Quiz encourages students to develop an understanding of how various public institutions work, how they interact with young people and how they impact upon their everyday lives, as well as developing their Internet and computer skills.

Mar '09

Work Experience
Our Transition Year students have completed their second and final session of work experience last week.  We are in the process of receiving feedback from each individual student’s employer.  Our TY students will receive feedback based on employers’ evaluations in a structured way.

YSI “Speak Out”
As part of their Transition Year YSI Module, seven of our students will be participating in the annual YSI “Speak Out” which is being held this Wednesday, March 11th, in Griffith College.  The annual Speak Out invites schools to nominate a team to prepare and present a two-minute “Speak Out” piece about a project that they are involved in.  Teams can use can use drama, dance, mime, animation, visual displays and/or props to get their message across to a new audience.  The students involved are: Cathy Dalton, Aisling Farrell, Cormac Keaney, Sam McCabe, Kevin McConnell, Eamon O’Donoghue and David Sweeney.  We wish Oonagh and her team of students the very best of luck.

Transition Year Computer Science Workshop
We were delighted last week when Trinity College offered four of our current Transition Year students an opportunity to participate in a four day Computer Science Workshop specifically designed for Transition Year students.  The students had a very positive experience and enjoyed participating in the activity based workshops.  The students involved were: Tudor Costica, Conor Doyle, Ayrton Farrell and James Gregory.

Transition Year Video

The video is Transition Year on Trial, written by the transition year students of CCC, directed by Rowan Oberman and Jenny Macdonald and produced by Michael Morritt. Click Here To View

May '09

• Gaisce Adventure Trip

            A number of our Transition Year students have participated in the Gaisce Programme throughout the year.  There are four different challenge areas in the Award programme.  The four challenge areas are          those of community involvement, the development of a personal skill, involvement in physical recreation and the completion of an adventure journey.  Consequently, a number of our current TY student will be traveling to Glendalough on Monday and Tuesday of this week in order to participate in   an adventure journey.

• TY and LCVP Student Information Talks

On Monday, May 18th, we plan to host an information session for our current Third Year students who have been provided with a place in next year’s Transition Year Programme.  This will take place in the canteen from 11 – 11.40am.  Likewise, all of our Third Year and Transition Year students who have expressed an interest in participating in the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme next year will have an information session on Monday, May 18th in the canteen from 11.40 – 12.15pm. 

• Transition Year Graduation

Plans are well under way for our Transition Year students’ graduation next Monday, May 25th.  The graduation will take place in the gym at 7.30pm.  All teachers are welcome to attend.  The students’ end of year exams will run from Thursday, May 21st to the Monday morning of the graduation.  Preparation and rehearsals will take place on Monday morning from 10.30am. 

• Ciak Junior Film Festival

Congratulations to Mr Egan and the TY Students from Rang Monnet  who won the Award for best script at TG4 Ciak Junior Film Festival at the IFI last Wednesday.

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