Transition Year

Highlights

Work Experience

Work Experience is an integral part of the TY Programme. The Work Experience Programme gives our students the opportunity to access the often daunting world of work, while remaining under the safe and familiar guidance of teaching staff. Students participate in two week’s work experience, with preparation prior to the work placement and follow-up exercises post work experience. This provides students with real opportunities to develop and apply many of the skills they have acquired in school. As a result, they will become more aware of their personal talents and strengths upon which they can base their future career choices.
The School Musical

The Transition Year Musical is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the TY calendar with the large majority of Transition Year students participating on stage as singers, actors or dancers or behind the scenes as a member of the set design team, costume design team, stage hands, hair & make up team, lighting & sound team or programme design team. A whole school approach is taken towards the school show with many subject departments including Music, Art, Woodwork, Metalwork, English, Business and PE contributing their skills & expertise.
The school musical provides students with the opportunity to express and develop their musical, artistic, creative, innovative & imaginative side. The whole experience from first audition to final curtain is a fantastic experience for our students which improves student’s self-confidence & self-esteem, leaves long lasting incredible memories and fosters lifelong friendships.
Our musical performances to date have included:
Grease, Mamma Mia & Hairspray
Tours & Trips

Prior to Covid 19 Transition Year Students were afforded the fantastic opportunity to travel abroad on a school tour. Students themselves chose between a Cultural European City Tour or an Active Ski Trip in Italy. TY students who take part in the Gaisce Presidents Award take part in an over-night Adventure Trip which includes participating in a 25 Kilometre Hike. Future Soccer stars are encouraged to go for trials for the Eurofoot team who travel annually to France for a European Soccer Competition. Transition Year also offers numerous day trips including to the Ploughing Championships, Retreats and hikes. Transition year students are also encouraged to attend College Open days, to avail of vocational information.
Community Care

The warm and friendly atmosphere that exists in the Ballincollig Community School is best illustrated by the caring attitude which students show in supporting a wide variety of charity events. Transition Year provides a wonderful opportunity for pupils to fundraise for Local, National & International causes.
Transition Year students organise fundraising events for a variety of causes including The West Gate Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind, St. Vincent de Paul, Cork Simon Community, The Hope Foundation, Concern, Pieta House, Trocaire, Amnesty International, Chernobyl Children’s Trust and the Special Olympics.
These fundraising initiatives enhance fundamental life skills such as team work, goal setting and communication skills. In addition to skills gained, it instils a proactive attitude in students, increases social awareness and highlights social justice issues.
Darkness into Light

Our Transition Year Students lead the Ballincollig Fundraiser for Pieta’s Darkness into Light. With over 2,500 people in attendance at BCS our students design, co-ordinate and participate in this yearly event. In recognition of the effort of our Transition Year Student, they were awarded the Garda Youth Awards in November 2021

Transition Year has been a part of Ballincollig Community School for a number of years and each year it evolves in new and exciting ways. It is designed to cater for the students’ personal and social development with particular emphasis on increasing maturity, developing self-confidence and encouraging personal growth.

Transition Year acts as a strong bridge between Junior and Senior Cycle studies and has proved invaluable to students in identifying and developing their strengths and skills as young adults. While it lays a very solid foundation for Leaving Certificate, it also places greater emphasis on a self-directed approach to work and study; provides an exposure to and experience of the world of work; and helps students to take responsibility for their own learning and decision-making.

Transition Year gives students a more rounded education and an additional edge in the Leaving Certificate. Our desire is that students at the end of Transition Year would have grown in greater maturity and confidence and have developed a greater appreciation of themselves, others and the world in which they live.