Student Testimonials
''You can’t spell party without TY!'' Luke Duff ''From the very first day we dived into all things TY, we received a specialised journal especially designed for Fourth Year called a tracker, we were given hoodies, and went on our first of many trips to Kippure which was one of the best weekends of my life. I myself don't do sports and struggle to find things I actually enjoy doing so I really wanted to find something I would really like doing. Through our transition year email account, our year head would send us opportunities that we could apply for, such as shadowing a lawyer, doing GAA coaching, visiting hospitals or going to trinity to do dentistry. There was something for everyone. I myself was so lucky to get the chance to go to St. Patrick's Mental Health hospital for an entire week in November. It is because of this, I now consider working in a similar environment when I leave school, which was something i would have never have known if i didn't do 4th year. I have seen my friends and I become more and more aware of who we are and i am proud to say we are becoming very charitable people. Most members of my year volunteered to help at a winter wonderland in Drimnagh castle at Christmas and we’ve all done community involvement working with homeless people. There is no such thing as a boring day in transition year and i know this sounds too good to be true, but when you have constant activities and subjects such as art, public speaking and steer clear, driving lessons, holidays and pantomimes it’s hard to find yourself bored. One of the best decisions of my life was doing Transtion year, I’ve met more new people this year than I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve worked with people with mental health issues, children with down syndrome. Met doctors, professors, firefighters, volunteers and not even to mention other TYs just like me in different schools all across the country. When the sad day comes in May when I have to leave Transition Year I leave in the full confidence that I’ve finished a worthwhile year, and I leave as more mature and experienced in real life that i was when I entered.'' Caoimhe Clarke |
''In Transition Year, I got the opportunity to become a peer leader . Being a peer leader teaches you leadership skill . The job of a peer leader is then to lead/guide younger students . So far this year we worked towards teaching 1st years about being college ready . We painted a mural which can be seen in the red area for College Awareness Week . We have been working with Foróige for several weeks in which we have been learning how to teach things such as social skills which help in school. The main idea of the peer leader programme is to lead younger students and help them through the year if needed . it is a great opportunity if you get the chance to do it.'' Alex Duggan ''I was given the opportunity to become a peer leader, it is a role of leadership, co- operation and responsibility. As peer leader you have to represent the school at certain events such as the open day and you organise and do many jobs for the school. Our first challenge this year was to paint the mural in the red area. Being a peer leader has many benefits one being pizza ;) I would recommend you go for it as if you are doing TY you should go for all experiences you can.'' Laura Healy "TY definitely gave me the chance to show my drive and ambition by partaking in a wide variety of activities. The school were extremely encouraging and facilitating when it came to external opportunities. I developed skills such as time-management and self-directed learning along with many academic skills in subjects like English which are proving invaluable in Senior Cycle. TY helped shape someone who is prepared, both inside and outside academic life.” Luke Coulton Dillon ''Fourth year was an amazing experience. I loved the variety of subjects and saw the school in a new light. I took part in the musical, Gaisce, Habitat for Humanity, the school choir, the Christmas hampers appeal and the trip to Italy. Through all of these I made new friends, developed new skills and had lots of fun. I feel Transition Year gave me a great foundation for moving forward both with my academic work and my interests outside of school. I would highly recommend Transition Year at Old Bawn Community School.'' Kirsty Gadd |
''It’s that time of year again. Time to choose what you do with your next year? Continue studying, bypassing the little things in pursuit of the big bad rat-race of the CAO life, slowly losing the part of yourself that made you different in order to fit into the norm set by the Irish Education System? Or slow down your life to stop and enjoy those little things that make you you? Would you like to chose a year that allows you celebrate and nurture the parts of you shunned by the stress of exams? I’ll tell you one thing, you won’t find out what you want to be in a 300 page textbook on physics or maths. You’ll find out by experiencing things that interest and trying things that at first you wouldn’t even dream about. You’ll find it through developing the skills you already have and testing yourself in a new environment. So...what do you want to do with your next year? Where can you have the time of your life without the stress of exams of academics AND experience opportunities of a lifetime with possible lifelong friends. Transition year offers you the chance to do all of this, experiencing things such as exciting trips to places you could only dream of or work on projects that not only enrich your life but the lives of others all while adding too your experience as a person. If any of this appeals to you then transition year is the year for you! Don’t delay in choosing as places are snapped up as soon as people succumb to the pressure of fifth year after the first week. Secure your place now and watch as waves of desperate fifth years try clawing their way into Transition Year, many willing to give an arm or a leg for your place. Don’t be a desperate fifth year. You wouldn’t want to be one of those people, you could break a nail!'' Kerri-Ann Jones ''Many people say TY is a doss but I haven't had any lazy time since it began, you still learn, you still have stuff to do and work still has to be done. It is a year you should do for yourself and not for other people, its a chance to do new things, gain new skills and achieve things you didn't think you could achieve before. I think everyone should have to do TY as after the Junior Cert its a lot of pressure again in 5th year. It can be scary jumping in at the deep end but you will never be alone in TY. We have all had an amazing year and TY is an experience I will never forget!!! Imagine with all your mind Believe with all your heart Achieve with all your might'' Jessica Moore |