In Sandymount Park ETSS, we strive to create a vibrant, welcoming school community in which every student feels a sense of belonging. Our aim is for Sandymount Park ETSS to become a school of teaching and learning excellence where students will flourish; enabled to reach their full potential whilst becoming confident, considerate, active members of society.
Our values include: Kindness, Respect, Empathy, Hard Work, Participation, Curiosity, Creativity, Democracy, Community.
Our vision and values are underpinned by three core principles: Teaching and Learning Excellence, Positive Relationships, and Student Voice.
“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. Schools have the chance to design programmes and courses tailored to the needs and interests of students.” – NCCA
Sandymount Park ETSS’s Transition Year (TY) Programme is grounded in the interconnected principles of excellence in teaching and learning, positive relationships and student voice which are central to all aspects of school life. Our TY programme is divided into eight strands: Health, Language, STEM, Aesthetics, Humanities, Enterprise, the World of Work and Communication, with a unifying theme of personal growth and development through opportunity and challenge.
It is essential that Transition Year Programmes offer a challenge to pupils in all areas of their development and our aims are to empower students with opportunities:
(Statistics from Education by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)
Transition year can give students opportunities to:
Transition Year is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop several personal, social, and academic skills to prepare them for their future. In all areas of Transition Year, we strive to encourage, promote and uphold our 4 featured values – Fun, Friendship, Freedom and Future. Tailoring this programme to meet the needs of our students is a priority for us. Student participation and engagement enhances their experience and allows them to gain the most from every opportunity this year provides.
There is plenty of work to be done along with a lot fun to be had!
Susan Flynn
TY Coordinator
Transition Year Subjects 2022-2023
Core Subjects
Modules
Options
Other Learning Experiences
Work Experience
Work experience is seen as a key part of Transition Year in Sandymount Park ETSS. Students are encouraged to source their own work and therefore must take responsibility for this. The summer holiday after their Junior Certificate examinations is an ideal time to start securing placements as there is a lot of demand for various job opportunities.
Aims of Transition Year Work Experience Programme
Dates of Transition Year Work Placements 2022-2023
Week 1: Monday 7th – Friday 11th November (the week after to the mid-term break)
Week 2: Monday 6th – Friday 10th March (the week after the musical)
Week 3: Monday 17th – Friday 21st April (the week after the Easter break)
Student progress to be monitored by Transition Year Coordinator, Susan, through contact with employers and/or visits to places of work where appropriate.
Transition Year Work Placements Selection – November 2022
Flexible Learning Opportunities secured for Transition Year students in 2022-2023: