Transition Year
Transition Year is a one-year programme which provides a bridge enabling students to make the transition to the Senior Cycle more successfully.
Personal Development
Transition Year at Rathdown gives students the opportunity to be challenged and to get out of their comfort zone to try new activities. We arrange a diverse curriculum of personal development activities to give students a range of experiences and life-long memories. Some of the highlights include:
- Confidence Workshop
- Ice Skating
- Barista Training
- K2 Alpaca Trekking
- Croke Park Stadium Tour
- Tour of the Dáil
- Downhill Mountain Biking
- Reptile Haven
- First Aid Course
- Dublin Climbing Centre
- Kilmainham Gaol tour
- Comedy Workshop
- Escape Room
- Sailing
- Martry Mill tour
- Drivers Ed
- Gaisce
- Personal Safety
- Causey Farm
- Movie Magic
Academic studies
Students take the core subjects (English, Irish, Mathematics, European language and Physical Education) for the entire year.
They then have the opportunity to try various Leaving Certificate subjects in three rotations to help decide what they would like to study when they join fifth year. The subjects they study are listed below:
|
Biology |
Applied Mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
Business |
Agricultural Science |
History |
|
Physics |
Classical Studies |
Economics |
|
Art |
Accounting |
Geography |
|
Music |
Home Economics |
DCG |
There are non-academic enrichment subjects as well, such as Coding, Animation, Sustainable living and Song Writing.
Extras
There is a foreign trip, usually undertaken in April or May. In previous years we have travelled to places such as Paris, Lake Garda and Barcelona.
There is also the opportunity for students to participate in An Gaisce, for which they complete an hour a week of a personal skill, community involvement and physical recreation. They then complete a two-day overnight hike for their adventurous journey.
The students perform a musical, usually in March, during Transition Year. In previous years they have done a diverse range of musicals such as The Wiz and Grease. There is musical practice built into the timetable each week.
Work experience happens during the Christmas and Mock Examinations. This constitutes one week before the Christmas break and two weeks before the February mid-term break. Students are encouraged to find work experience in an area that they might be interested in working in when they leave school.
