January's residential was the third time Transition Year students attended the KEY Programme, but the first time they were accompanied by Mr. Sam Bogan. The pupils took part in interviews - being dived into groups and put into three different rooms with students from North Coast and Our Lady of Mercy. At the end of the interviews there was one winner choosen from each of the three rooms. Carndonagh CS girls swept the board, getting all the jobs! The girls were Aoife Ferguson, Aideen Monagle and Kate McCreanor. The TY troop also set up a campsite, made soda bread and went on a ghost walk. The Transition Year students would like to thank Mr. Sam Bogan for accompaning them to KEY.

KEY Residential (Janurary) Photo Album

On Wednesday, 11th January, Transition Years were treated to their second residential at SHARE Activity Centre on the banks of picturesque Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. The photo album tells the story of three days of kayaking, combat games, hill climbing, wall climbing, human foosball, archery and insomnia...

Transition Year SHARE (Part II) Photo Album

1. Right-click on Transition Year Profile Template below and "Save As" to My Documents.
2. Fill out document in Microsoft Word
3. Save to Student Server as directed by your teacher

Download Transition Year 2011/12 Profile Template

Residentials play a significant role in what makes Transition Year a popular and successful programme. SHARE Centre near Eniskillen has become a regular on the TY tour and can claim to have all the bases covered when it comes to activities. Team-building games and water-based activities are the mainstay of SHARE, but it's not all about having fun 24/7 (...some sleep deprived TYs do give that a shot). Sixty youngsters doing the washing-up seems unlikely, but it happened! There is an opportunity for pupils to discover and develop new skills specific to a group environment. They can step aside from the day-to-day business of school and home, and push the boundaries a little bit further. Confidence is not something generally lacking in teenagers, or so you'd think. SHARE gives pupils the opportunity to put that confidence to the test. The TYs are now safely back at base; the adventure is to be continued...

SHARE Residential photo album

The Transition Year November residentials have taken place. Photos and reports will be available shortly...

On Wednesday, 21st September, 12 students took their first trip to KEY Residential in Corrymeela, Antrim. North Coast Integrated College, Coleraine and Our Lady of Mercy, Belfast were also at the residential designed to give young people of varied backgrounds the opportunity to address the "North / South" issue together. The students had great fun, particularly during the "Nightline", along with their accompaning teacher, Ms. Fiona Doherty. The worst part was the bus trip home as they didn't want to leave!

KEY Residential Photo Album

Recognise anyone??

The dancers of Transition Year took to the floor again on Thursday, 10th November for a rehearsal that doubled as a Michael Jackson appreciation class. The spirit of Jacko turned up wearing his favourite outfit and offered a near perfect performance of "Thriller".

Keep an eye out for Let's Dance updates on the website and elsewhere. The show will hit the stage in April.

Let's Dance rehearsal photos

Meet Rolly T. Doodle...a shiny sheet that encourages active learning! But Rolly T. is much more than that. It's an innovative and unique idea from Transition Year pupils, Dion McDaid, Ryan Streete, Gavin Doherty, Luke McLaughlin and Matas Tamosaitis (with a little help from Ms. Elaine Farren). The active learning part is simple...draw and write on colourful and creatively shaped sheets, then wipe clean and start again! The enterprising idea has been hugely well received in local primary schools and order forms have already been dispached. The TY entrepreneurs are also preparing to enter the National Enterprise Competition.

Rolly T. Doodle photo album

The show has begun. Group Three were shaking it out today, Thursday 13th October to "Just Can't Stop the Beat" from the musical, "Hairspray". The show will be taking place in April and it promises to be a jaw-dropping performance. There will be plenty of hip action, lifts, and fancy footwork...

Dance Rehearsal photos (more to follow)

GAA - The Transition Year versus Staff Gaelic football match is not long over, but the battlefield still bears the scars, as do some of the brave staff members who took on a crack team of TY pupils. When asked to recount the scoreline after the game, one member of staff said that it was unfair to talk about scorelines and that sport had won! Whatever the score, the event itself was a successful fundraiser for the school. Well done to all involved, and in particular to the TY pupils responsible for organising the event.

TY v Staff GAA match photos 

This season's TY activities kicked-off with a trip to Just Kayak in Moville. The group was accompanied by Ms. Elaine Farren and Mr. John Farren. Mr. Farren took the plunge while Ms. Farren spared herself the discomfort of the Atlantic and instead took care of the camera (check out the fine photography). The visiting Spanish pupils were a little concerned about the water temperature, but Ms. Farren reassured them that it's always that cold...overall, judging by the photos, it was a good day out.

Photos of TY visit to Just Kayak