TY 2017/18 Parent Booklet
Incoming parents, please find they TY 2018 booklet below or click on link below for pdf download
ty-parent-booklet-2018
KILKENNY COLLEGE
Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny
056 7761544
 INTRODUCTION TO TRANSITION YEAR 2017
Kilkenny College is fully committed to the Transition Year Programme. We believe it is an initiative that allows students the time and space to develop and mature without the pressure of examinations. Past years have demonstrated how confidence and self esteem are acquired while students develop socially, personally, physically and academically through involvement in a broad range of activities.
During the year the world of work is experienced and possible career choices explored. There is emphasis on self regulated learning and skills that help provide a strong foundation for Leaving Certificate.
The aim of this booklet is to provide parents/guardians and students with information regarding the Transition Year Programme within Kilkenny College. In addition there will be a presentation on Transition Year, for parents only, in the College at 7pm on Monday 28th August in the Jonathan Swift building. Students will have an induction day on Tuesday 29th August in the Study Hall.
The cost per student for Transition Year is €200 or €100 per term which is charged on your fee invoice in August and in January also.
Richard Willis.
Transition Year Co-ordinator 2017
Please note that the information provided is as up to date as possible, as of the 8th August 2017.
COMPONENTS OF TRANSITION YEAR 2017
In addition to the student’s academic subjects they will participate in the following programmes.
- Short Courses
- Long Courses
- Work Shops
- Trips
- Speakers
- Work Experience
- Extra Curricular Activities
- TY Project
- Developmental Sessions
SHORT COURSES
The purpose of a short course is to provide information or develop skills that will be of use to all students during or on leaving school and are compulsory. They comprise of a double period each week for four weeks and include the following:
- Physical Fitness
- SocieTY
- Philosophies
- Survival Cooking
- World of Music
- Art
- Injury and Emergency Response
- Psychology
- Robotics
- Money Matters
- Metal Design
- Dream Trip
- Year book
- Tourism
LONG COURSES
Long courses run for a triple period on Thursday and are nine weeks in duration.
 More details regarding the courses content will be provided to parents at the meeting on 28th August and to student’s on 29th August. Choices will need to be submitted on the morning of Monday 4th September. There is absolutely no point in submitting course options until then.
 Thursday Long Courses:
During the year students will select three courses to participate in. More courses will have been added by the time we meet with parents on 28th August. At present options include:
- Sports Coaching
- World of Food
- Film Making
- Horticulture
- Outdoor Skills
- Event Production
- Product Design
- Exploring Science
- Classical Studies
- Higher Music
- Recording Production
 WORKSHOPS
During the year there will be a number of workshops conducted by staff and visiting presenters.
Planned for Thursday 31st August and Friday 1st of September are workshops which include:
- Self-disclosure and Goal Setting
- Car Safety
- Zumba
 These particular workshops coincide with the Tramore Trip and will involve students participating in the workshops on one of the days and travelling to Tramore on the other.
 TRIPS
- Tramore, Co. Waterford
In conjunction with Oceanics Surf School we hope to take all students to Tramore, where they will complete a surfing certificate and participate in a guided environmental walk of Tramore’s sand dune and salt marsh systems.
This will be a one day trip and there will be a cost to each student of €50. Students will be participating on one of the following dates. Thursday 31st August or 1st September 2017. www.oceanics.ie
Tour Organiser:Â Â Â Â Richard Willis
- Venice, Verona, Lake Garda
This trip was advertised to students before the end of the school. The application process is now closed.Â
- Barcelona
This trip was advertised to students before the end of the school. The application process is now closed.
- Outdoor Pursuit Trip
An Outdoor Pursuit Trip to the Achill Outdoor Education Centre, website: www.achilloutdoor.com
Date:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Friday 8th _ Monday 11th September 2017
Cost:                                         €190
Tour Organiser: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Richard Willis
This a 3 night trip and involves a lot of time on the water, surfing, windsurfing and coast-steering.
The trip is happening very quickly and students wishing to go will need to submit cheques and medical consent forms by the Friday 1st September. A consent form is available to download on the tyeye.ie website. This is a very active trip and a good quality coat and appropriate footwear will be needed.
- C
- loughjordan Cookery School and Farm
Date :Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â May
Cost:                                         €55
Tour Organiser: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Richard Willis
This trip involves cooking with Sarah Baker in her Cloughjordan Cookery School and a guided tour around the house and farm.Â
- Day Trips
It is hoped that during the year there will be additional day trips, last years included a trip Belfast and a Bogathon.
French Exchange
The French Exchange takes place during the second term usually between the February break and Easter holidays. Irish students spend time with a French family and attend school every day. In return Irish families host French students.
Our host school, the “Institution St Louis†is situated in Saumur, in the Loire valley (about 100km from Nantes). The senior school, with over 500 students, has developed an International section and welcomes students from different parts of Europe.
Guidelines for selecting Kilkenny College students
Priority will be given to:
- Pupils who have consistently shown commitment and enthusiasm for the subject and who are likely to benefit from their stay in France.
- Pupils whose level of French is sufficient and who, through their efforts, have displayed a willingness to improve.
- Pupils whose general behaviour in school has deemed them suitable for the exchange.
- Junior Certificate results may be taken into consideration.
Application Process
- The French Department will provide students with application forms by the 29th September 2017
- Application forms will be returned by 13th October 2017
- Places will be offered to students by 27th October 2017
- The exact dates of the exchange are still to be determined but will fall between the February half term break and the Easter Holidays.
SPEAKERS
Though-out the school year a number of speakers representing areas such as the environment, health, social issues and business will lecture to the students. If parents can assist the College in finding appropriate speakers we would be most grateful.
WORK EXPERIENCE
During the year each student will complete two one-week blocks of work experience. The weeks are January 29th– February 2nd and February 5th – February 9th 2017.
It is important that students decide on the type of work they wish to explore and seek employers that are willing to accommodate them as soon as possible. The responsibility to find Work Experience rests with the students.
On special circumstances students may obtain Work Experience at other times, during the school year, but it is vital for insurance reasons that the College is notified as soon as possible.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- First Aid Course
A full First Aid course is available at a cost of €110.
Gaisce – The President’s Award – Is Ireland’s very own National Challenge Award.  Students volunteer to participate and are set challenges in areas such as community involvement, personal skill, physical recreation and adventure.  To participate students go to www.gaisce.ie and register for €15
- ECDL – European Computer Driving Licence
ECDL is a test of practical skills and competencies in Work Processing, Spreadsheets, Database, Presentation, Managing Files and Concepts of Information Technology. The cost of completing ECDL outside school is €300, however the course is being offered within school to our students for €125.
- Dragons Den
This evening has been a huge success and involves student’s preparing and pitching a commercial concept or product to some of Kilkenny’s Business Leaders.
Check list
Please ensure, by Monday 28th August, you have:Â
- €50 for the Tramore Surf Trip and completed the Medical Consent form.
- A cheque for €190 if wishing to go on the Achill trip and completed Medical Consent form. (The Tramore consent form will cover the Achill Trip)
- Considered long course options for Thursday
- Considered extra curricular activities
- ECDL, cost of €125
- First Aid as an evening class, cost €110
- Registering on the Gaisce website to do the Bronze Award, cost €15
- Considered participation in the French Exchange programme.
- Have a A4 clip folder with refill pad and plastic envelopes specifically for TY.
All cheques are to be made out to Kilkenny College.
If submitting cheques/cash, please put in an envelope listing the student’s name and the trips or activities they are for. If you wish to pay by Visa Card please contact the administration office and once again indicate the trips and activities you are paying for.