Guidelines

Learning for personal effectiveness seeks to promote the personal development and social competence of Cross and Passion students. In concentrating on the development of existing skills and the acquisition of new skills, the students will assume greater responsibility for their own learning.

As Transition Year is learning led not exam driven there is the opportunity to use a much wider variety of methodologies that are conscious of the Multiple Intelligences Theory.

Transition Year is made up of Four Layers

1. Core subject layer
2. Subject sampling layer
3. TY specific and subject layer
4. Calendar ‘once off’ layer

The calendar shows the ‘shape ‘of the Transition Year programme.

Students receive a new timetable every semester to show changes in subject sampling and TY specific layers. The Transition Year calendar is posted on theTransition Year notice board in the Staffroom, on the student Transition Year notice board and in the Transition Year section of the school website. As new opportunities often become available during the year the calendar is regularly updated on the website and the noticeboard. Students are also made aware of new opportunities during coordination classes.

All students are introduced to the Transition Year Programme by the end of Third Year. At this session students receive a copy of the student guidelines, initial information about the programme and its demands and opportunities. Students are fully inducted into the programme on the first day of Transition Year. They are given practical information and engage in group work and teambuilding activities.

This journal contains a variety of educational aids such as homework records, activity records, daily reflection diary, contracts, merit sheets that are integral to student development during the Transition Year programme. Students must bring this journal to school every day. Students must present this journal for examination during the portfolio interviews twice yearly.

Each student must write a weekly reflection on their learning experiences. Students are guided in this task with a series of prompt questions found in the Transition Year journal. These reflections are checked each week by the Programme Coordinator and class teachers. It must be included for review during both Portfolio Interviews and the Parent Teacher Student Display Meeting.

Students must read at least one book of their choice per term. They must complete one book review per term in the Transition Year journal. Students must bring their current book to school each day.

As with all students in Cross and Passion College, Transition Year Students are expected to abide by the school code of behaviour. The merit system is to be used in conjunction with standard school procedures. A merit sheet in the Transition Year journal is to be used to record removal of points. Teachers are asked to keep a personal record of demerits used. Points are removed for the following:

Late to class: 1 point
Unauthorized Absence from class: 2 points
Failure to bring books or equipment to class: 2 points
Failure to complete homework: 2 points

Students may also earn merit points for positive work and participation.

As with other year groups throughout the school, Transition Year students have a Transition Year journal to record their homework. As different methodologies are often employed when teaching Transition Year Programmes the form homework takes may vary. However, each student is expected to complete homework on time and to an appropriate standard. Should the student fail to attempt or complete homework, sanctions should be applied. In addition to the standard school sanctions teachers employ, two points are deducted from the student on the merit sheets in their journals.

There are a number Significant Learning Experiences during the Transition Year Programme. Students are usually accompanied by their class teachers and/ or their Year Head. Students may experience the Significant Learning Experiences as a class group or a year group depending on the suitability of the activity. Details of these experiences are on the Calendar of Trips and Opportunities which is posted on the Transition Year Notice board and on the TY website www.cpctransitionyear.weebly.com Students are asked to complete an evaluation form after each Significant Learning Experience.

All Students undertake Work Experience. Each student must secure their own placements. It is recommended that students reflect very carefully on the career options they wish to pursue and use this opportunity to get valuable insights into possible future careers. Students are assisted in their preparation for their placement during careers and guidance classes. Students who are not directly involved in the rehearsals for the final two weeks prior to the show are to secure off site work experience. This is in addition to general work experience. During the Work Experience weeks’ teachers telephone the contact person for their three assigned students to thank them for accommodating the student and enquire about their progress. Work Providers send evaluation forms detailing the student’s progress and their recommendations.

A wide variety of opportunities are available to Transition Year students throughout the year. Students are encouraged to participate as much as possible. Descriptions of these opportunities are posted on the Transition Year notice board and are updated frequently.

Due to the often experiential nature of learning in the Transition Year Programme costs are incurred. As such it is necessary to charge expenses which currently stands at €400 per student. This covers all transportation, admittance and external tuition charges (e.g. grooming, poetry workshops, introduction to golf etc.) on the planned programme.

As Transition Year is a compulsory element within Cross and Passion College all students are expected to pay these expenses. However, some families experience genuine financial hardship and in these cases a full or partial expenses support may be applied for. A limited number of supports may be granted. As fundraising must happen to cover these supported fees it is vital that families only apply for expenses support if there is a genuine need. Application forms are available from the school office and are treated in a strictly confidential manner. Applicants are given an appointment with the school principal during which the application is discussed. Applicants are informed in writing of the decision made by the school principal regarding the application.

Transition Year is designed to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and decision making. Financial responsibility is a vital life skill to learn and as such we strongly encourage students to pay some or all of their expenses through part time work such as baby sitting and/ or savings from birthday or Christmas gifts.

Books and stationary must be purchased by all students and are not included in the expenses support scheme. Students are encouraged to buy second hand books where available.

We offer an optional extra of an overseas trip on our Transition Year programme. As the holistic education of our students is of the highest priority to Cross and Passion College, trips with a clear educational value are selected for our students.

This trip is in addition to the standard programme and as such incurs an additional cost to the standard expenses. The trip takes place during school holidays.

Submission of a deposit is considered to be an expression of interest in availing of the trip. In order for a student to be invited on the overseas trip the following criteria must be met. All Transition Year Expenses must be paid in full by the deposit due date. Those who have not paid expenses in full or apply for full or partial expenses support may not avail of an optional extra.

Past and present behaviour must be appropriate to that expected by school rules. Student records regarding behaviour from first to fourth year will be considered. If a student submits a deposit for the trip without having all expenses paid in full and are therefore not invited to travel the deposit money will be transferred to offset outstanding expenses. Upon acceptance of a non-refundable deposit, students are expected to continue to behave in a manner appropriate to school rules. If a student does not maintain these standards they will not be allowed travel, further monies will not be accepted and their deposit will be lost. Student behaviour must be of the highest standard while on the trip thus ensuring the health and safety of all those travelling. Should a student fail to maintain appropriate behaviour they will be sent home with an
accompanying teacher at full cost to their parents.

The cost of the trip does not include a gratuity to bus driver

Students will need very little spending money. We recommend a maximum of 100-150 euro. If the trip is oversubscribed a lottery system will be used to select invited students from those deemed eligible.

Our school website www.cpckilcullen.com has a link to this website www.cpctransitionyear.weebly.com
Teachers and students are encouraged to submit any stories, achievements or outings concerning the Transition Year Programme to the Programme Coordinator and Website team (a student group) for inclusion on the website blog.

A wide variety of assessment procedures are employed during Transition Year. Each subject teacher decides on the best way to assess their particular area. Records of assessments for each term are listed in the Transition Year journal.

Reports are completed by subject teachers twice yearly. The reports are posted to parents.

Portfolio Interviews take place twice yearly at Christmas and summer. Dates of these interviews are on the calendar posted on the Transition Year notice board. Students must present a Portfolio of Work including twelve assessed pieces of work, accompanied by an official Portfolio Sheet, from specified areas of the programme. Students must also present their Transition Year journal, showing daily reflection entries. The Portfolio Interviews form 40% of overall certified grade.

Evaluation forms an important part of the programme. Teachers, students and parents are asked to evaluate the programme at the end of each year so positive elements may be maintained and less positive aspects changed. Work providers are asked to evaluate the students work and the systems employed by Cross and Passion College. Teachers also evaluate their individual course or subject area. The Cross and Passion College Transition Year Programme is subject to evaluation by The Department of Education.

Students vote for the person they believe embodies the spirit of Transition Year. This person developed personally, socially, vocationally and educationally. Teachers also vote using the same criteria. There is a 50%/50 % weighting of votes and the student chosen receives a trophy at the Graduation ceremony.

The five categories of award are:

1. Distinction 85-100%
2. Higher Merit 70 – 84%
3. Merit 55 – 69%
4. Achieved 40-54%
5. Partially Achieved 30-39%

There are three elements within the certification system:

1. Portfolio Interviews 40%
2. Continuous Assessment, Punctuality, Class Attendance, Homework Completion 40%
3. School Attendance 20%

Students receive a certificate indicating their results in each area and their overall award. Students also receive a wide variety of certificates acknowledging their participation and achievements in various activities such as charitable work, public speaking etc during the year. Should a student receive partially achieved, the student and their parents will be interviewed by the Principal before the student will be allowed to continue their studies on a Leaving Certificate Programme in Cross and Passion College.

At the end of Transition Year students participate in a graduation ceremony. This is a celebration and acknowledgement of the work carried out during the year. Students display their individual and group work.

Teachers are encouraged to assist students in creating displays of the work carried out in each subject and course. Students give short presentations on a variety of work and activities carried out. Students perform some songs.

Certificates are presented and the student of the Year award is presented.