Transition Year

The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme that forms the first year of a three-year senior cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate programmes (www.ncca.ie). Transition Year in Ardscoil Rís is optional programme and students apply to take part in the TY programme.

TY 4-Peaks Challenge Team on Slieve Donard, Co Down in March 2023 as they summitted 3 of the 4 peaks.
TY 4-Peaks Team on Slieve Donard, Co. Down in March 2023

During their Transition Year* students are be exposed to a year of Core Subjects, Leaving Certificate Subject Sampling, TY Specific Subjects and a range of TY Specific co and extra-curricular activities, as well as Work Experience and Social Placement.

Core Subjects include:

  • English 
  • Gaeilge
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Foreign Languages (French or German)
  • RE
  • PE
  • Career Guidance

Leaving Certificate Subject Sampling includes:

  • Chemistry
  • Biology 
  • Physics
  • Agricultural Science
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Business
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Art
  • Music
  • Design and Communications Graphics

TY Specific Subjects include:

  • Horticulture
  • Guitar 
  • Information Technology
  • Home Economics
  • Woodcraft
  • Photography
  • Car Maintenance
  • Health Education
  • Social Education
  • Library Studies
  • Local Studies
  • Public Speaking
  • Drama
  • Coding
  • DIY
  • Gaelic Studies
  • Young Scientist/SciFest

 

*Please note that not all of the above may be possible on a student's timetable due to timetabling clashes. The list above is intended to indicate the range and breadth of subjects on a typical TY timetable.

 


The TY Calendar for 2022/2023*:

September:                                                          

  • Return to school
  • Introduction to Gáisce
  • Killaloe Adventure Activity and Moylussa Hike (5th)
  • Reptile Haven (12th)
  • Guest Speaker: Stephen Kiernan, “Brilliant Mondays” (19th)
  • Ploughing Championships (20th)
  • Rowing – On the water sessions
  • Camping Trip 1 (Sept 22nd )
  • 4 Peaks : Peak 1: Mweelrea, Co Mayo (29th)
  • Special Project preparation

October:

  • Opening School Mass
  • Surfing (6th / 7th) 
  • Rowing – On the water sessions
  • John Paul II Awards

November:

  • Rowing – On the water sessions
  • Midterm (31st October to 4th November inclusive)
  • ‘Hell and Back’ Adventure Race (8th)
  • End of Term 1 Assessment (10th)
  • Work Experience 1 (14th - 25th inclusive)
  • Module Changeover (28th)
  • Suas Climbing Wall

December:

  • Public Speaking Competition
  • Barista Training
  • Murder Mystery
  • First Aid Training
  • Rowing Coaching Training Day (7th)

January:

  • Rowing coaching to 1st years
  • Fencing workshops
  • B.T. Young Scientist
  • Alison Leck  (Jan 17th)
  • Paula Duggan Nutrition Workshops (Jan 24th)
  • First Aid Training

February:

  • Drumadore-Drumming Workshop(1st)
  • Fencing workshops
  • Special Projects (8th to 10th)
  • End of Term 2 Assessment (15th)
  • Fencing Finals
  • Midterm break (Monday 13th – Friday 17th)
  • Module Changeover (20th)

March:

  • Croagh Patrick (16th)
  • Gáisce overnight activity (23th /24th)
  • Work Experience (27th Feb-10th March inclusive)
  • 4 Peaks: Lugnaquilla, Co. Wicklow and Slieve Donard, Co. Down (31st  March - 1st April)

April:

  • Easter Holidays (3rd -14th inclusive)
  • Barcelona Trip (20th -23rd inclusive)
  • Killary (26th -28th inclusive)

May:

  • Movie Magic (3rd-5th)
  • Darkness into Light (6th)
  • Personal safety and self-defence with Alex Walsh (8th/9th)
  • Camping Trip 2 (11th)
  • Teamworks
  • Paintballing
  • 4 Peaks: Carrauntoohill, Co. Kerry
  • End of Term 3 Assessment
  • T.Y. Graduation

 

*Please note that this is a provisional calendar and is subject to change. All activities are subject to health and safety guidelines at the time. All work placements must be approved by the school.