Transition Year

Bridging the Future

Transition Year in Oatlands College is an one year programme between Junior and Senior Cycle. It helps to lay a solid foundation for Leaving Certificate studies in an original, engaging and stimulating way as well as introducing students to an array of new experiences. Transition Year facilitates the maturation of young people at a critical stage in their development. It is a vibrant and creative programme offering students an opportunity to develop and mature academically, socially and culturally.

It is a unique one year programme tailored to meet the needs of our students who have completed the Junior Cycle. It provides a bridge to enable them to make the transition from the more dependent type of learning associated with the Junior Certificate to the more independent learning environment associated with the Senior cycle. It encourages personal and social development and recognises the need for students to grow in independence.
Students are offered the opportunity to:

  • To develop their talents and abilities
  • To become more independent and to recognise the responsibility that comes with greater freedom
  • To understand their educational needs and to encourage confidence and motivation for Leaving Certificate.

Transition Year fosters academic achievement as students prepare for a Leaving Certificate programme, further study and adult and working life. It encourages the development of a wide range of transferable critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
- Aristotle
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.
We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
- Barack Obama

Subjects

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Irish
  • French/German
  • History
  • Classical Studies
  • Politics and Society
  • Geography
  • Religious Education
  • Pastoral Care
  • Business
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Special Olympics
  • Chess
  • Sign Language
  • Evironmental studies
  • Law
  • RSE
  • PE
  • Technology
  • Technical Graphics
  • Home Economics
  • Music
  • Future Leaders GAA Programme
  • Swimming
  • Art
  • Model United Nations
  • First Aid
  • Italian
  • Microsoft Skills
  • Careers
  • SPHE
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Applied Maths

Activites

The activities change on an annual basis depending on the interests and feedback from students. 

  • Gaisce Presidents Award
  • Musical
  • Foreign Trip
  • Mustard Seed Communities 
  • Barretstown TY Programme
  • Samba Drumming
  • GoQuest
  • The Wall Sandyford
  • Mosaic Project
  • Architecture Module
  • Yoga
  • Skip’n’Rope 
  • SFX Workshop
  • Retreat
  • Jumpzone
  • Mountain Biking
  • Skiing Kilternan
  • Reptile Workshop
  • Modello TY Driving Experience
  • Kayaking

Work Experience

Provides Students with the opportunity to gain insight into the day to day operations of a chosen place of employment. This can help students when selecting subject options for Senior Cycle.

Students organise these placements themselves.

TY Musical

Student Experiences of TY

My transition year experience is one I will never forget. The variety of school-trips and in-school activities were phenomenal. My favourite activity was Mondello; it was a remarkable experience. Learning the basics of driving and then whizzing the car around the track, safely of course. I’d love to return and I’m sure everyone would agree with me.
The school musical, ‘All Shook Up’, was the highlight of my year. I regret not trying out for a lead role and getting more involved, it was a spectacular experience. It’s a great way to get all the students involved and to make new friends, I would personally recommend every student to do the TY musical.
Unfortunately, the 2019/20 class couldn’t finish this experience off and it was a huge let down. I miss all the excitement of trips and about our 4thyear holiday, which sadly COVID ruined for us. However, this will be behind us soon and I hope all younger years complete TY and involve themselves.
I vouch for the whole experience of TY, and you must enjoy it while you can because before you know it you’re in 5th year, swamped in work, like me!
- Aaron Dunne
Last year I was given a lead role in the TY musical, “All Shook Up”. Right from the beginning, it was a truly memorable experience. The preparation started back in September with the auditions and soon after rehearsals with Sion Hill began. The rehearsals were a lot of fun as it was a chance to try out something different and be a part of a collective group effort. The singing and dancing were new to most people and for the first while it took all of us time to get the hang of it but once we started making progress things started to fall into place. When I was given a lead role, I was excited but I was also nervous as I had never done anything like it before. I had a lot of extra rehearsals as the leads had to learn lines and go over individual songs and scenes. Leads rehearsals were my favorite part of the show as there was an amazing friendship made between all of us in a short space of time. I really felt like getting involved in the musical gave me great confidence and over time the thought of getting on stage in front of hundreds of people became more exciting and less daunting. Getting the opportunity to be a part of such a unique experience was incredible and the live performances in March are some of my best memories ever. I know that every person who was involved enjoyed it no matter what part they had and the friendships and memories that came out of it will last a long time. The musical brought our year together more than anything else we’ve ever done and I know I will always look back on it as my favorite memory of Oatlands.
- Ben Conroy
Performing as a lead in the Oatlands College musical 2020 was without a doubt me stepping out of my comfort zone. Challenging myself like this was something I expected would cause me a great amount of stress and anxiety but I can assure you the result was quite the opposite. Besides learning new skills, I learned about commitment, teamwork and how to follow direction at the same time as making new friends, boosting my confidence and having the most fun ever. I went into Transition Year with an open mind. It’s a year full of opportunities and I wanted to make the most of it. I wanted to develop myself, gain confidence along with improving my social skills and of course I wanted to have a blast too. Taking part in the musical covered all this and so much more. It has most definitely been the highlight of my school years. I am very grateful to the school and Mr. Enright for trusting me with the role and for helping me develop as a person. My 3rdyear self would not believe what I achieved personally in Transition Year. I recommend that every student gets involved in the school musical, you might surprise yourself and you won’t regret it!
- Marcus O’Siochru

Info Night For Parents

Download the powerpoint presentation from our TY Information Night for Parents 24/25 below

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