Transition Year
The Transition Year (TY) Programme at Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ is compulsory for all students and focuses on the personal development of each pupil. Transition Year offers time, space and autonomy to create enjoyable and meaningful educational experiences that support students in Senior Cycle while facilitating their engagement with a broader range of pathways and possibilities. It equips young people with the supports and experiences to develop a greater capacity to respond to uncertainty, manage complexity, and become agents of positive, ethical change in society (Draft Transition Year Programme Statement, 2023).
Transition Year pupils will have the chance to sample all Senior Cycle optional subjects on a rotational basis throughout 4th Year. The core subjects of English, Irish, Maths, French or Spanish, RE, Health Education, Wellbeing, Computer Studies and PE will also be studied on a modular and rotational basis.
All Transition Year pupils attend school from Monday – Thursday each week and complete work experience on Friday of each week throughout the school year. Block work experience can also be facilitated with the permission of the Transition Year Coordinator. 4th Year pupils also attend and complete a variety of trips and workshops throughout the Transition Year Programme.
These workshops and trips include the following opportunities:
- Drumming workshop
- Mental Health Workshops
- Self-defence
- Forensics
- Drama workshop
- Junior Achievement Ireland
- Movie making workshop
- Self-awareness and well-being workshops
- Nutrition talk
- Barista Training
- Circus Skills
- Mentoring Programme
- Ploughing Championships
- Keeper Hill/Limerick Greenway
- Escape Rooms
- Bogathon
- Croagh Patrick
- Surfing trip
TY Programme Design & Delivery
The design and delivery of the Transition Year Programme at Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ is focused on developing the four key student dimensions ahead of Senior Cycle. These dimensions are:
- Personal growth
- Being a learner
- Civic and community engagement
- Career readiness
For more information, download our Transition Year Information Evening 2024/2025 (PDF).
