Harvest Festival
Transition year got off to a great start with a gelling trip to Manchester in early September. While there students visited Old Trafford and had a very entertaining Talent Show that evening in the hostel. They spent the following day in Alton Towers. The trip was a great success and a great time was had by all.
All activities for transition year have commenced. The girls are undertaking a committment to Gaisce which involves a personal skill, community involvement and personal development. They are hoping to achieve the Bronze Gaisce Award this year.
Some Transition Year pupils are getting involved in the Best Buddies programme. This organisation helps to fight the loneliness and isolation often experienced by a person with an intellectual disability. The objective is to match students and people with an intellectual disability in one to one friendships. Over the year they will also have to organise fundraising events and organise outings for their buddies. So far this year the TY students have helped fundraise for the Homeless and Zambia International.
As part of their P.E. progamme, all students are doing Yoga, step aerobics and fitness, rock climbing and absailing. In the near future, as part of their English course, all pupils will attend a day course on film studies in Maynooth. They attended the National Ploughing Championships in September and are undertaking two modules, Road Safely and Environmental Studies. Mini companies are up and running and work is in progress in all classes as pupils try to make a difference in their community in the SEAP programme (Social Enterprise Action Programme).
TY students completed a Law course on 8th October when three barristers spent the day teaching them about the Irish Legal System. They will be completing an exam on this course and will receive certificates later in the year.
With the help of their Religion teachers, TY students held a Harvest Festival on 13th October and on 23rd October all were enthralled by the Forensic Science workshop.
In November all Transition years will do one week of Work Shadowing. This will be a very valuable experience to them and allow them to sample a wide range of work environments.
Transition Year Harvest Festival
On Tuesday, Oct. 13th, 2009, T.Y. students celebrated Harvest and Autumn in a day long festival in the Assembly Hall. After final practices were done and preparation complete, the students and R.E. teachers gathered around a colourful, vibrant, fruit and vegetable laden centre piece.
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The Centre Piece of the Harvest Festival
The festival consisted of music and song, prayers and intercessions, readings and instrumentals, sacred dance, movement and mime.
Traditions from rural Ireland in the 1700 and 1800's were re-enacted, much to the delight of everyone. Following lunch, games from Hallowe'en were played by all the students. For eight frenzied minutes, girls strove to complete all 8 games, ranging from guessing the body parts to completing a dare to bobbing for apples and much more.
Evaluation afterwards confirmed that a day of fun, learning and enjoyment had been had by all - well done everyone.
Transition Year Musical
St. Mary's College proudly presents Honk which runs in the school from March 3rd to March 6th at 8pm. Honk is a modern version of Hans Christian Anderson's classic, 'The Ugly Duckling'.
It tells the story of an odd looking duckling who is shunned for being different. His mother constantly urges 'the folk down on the farm' to accept him, as it would be a boring world 'if we all looked the same'.
Ugly has many obstacles to overcome - a hungry cat, a fishing net, a shooting party, a blizzard and much more. Will he survive his journey? You'll have to turn up to find out!!
Tickets €12 for an adult and €8 for children under 8 years and OAPs, are available from the school reception office or at the door on the night.
Parents and friends are invited to become patrons. They will receive two tickets for opening night and an invitation to a reception prior to the show. If any parent is interested in becoming a patron, please send €50 to the school along with your child's name and class, for the attention to Ms. Sheehan.
Director Noel Mc Donough, choreographer Deirdre Browne, the school team and the Transition Year students have been working hard to bring you a fantastic show. Best of luck to all involved and remember 'it's ok to be different'.
Transition Year - End of Year Ceremony
On Thursday 27th May, Transition year students held their end of year and Parents' night ceremony. From the previous day they had been designing, erecting and compiling their displays in four classrooms. A hive of activity was evident and was the proof that great work had been done all year by the students and indicated that they were determined to show off all their activities on the night. After much practice and rehearsing of hymns, songs, readings and reflections, after much cellotape, blue tack, coloures pencils, numerous trips to the computer room, the time had finally come and at 7pm all was ready for their final event in the school as TYs.
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A selection of Transition Year displays 2010
