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Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 1 of 9
St. Bricin’s College 2014-2015
Transition Year 2014-2015 Railway Rd, Belturbet
www.stbricinscollege.ie
Ph: 049 9522170
Twitter @StBricins for the latest news and views
Coordinator – Ms Fay
Welcome to the Transition Year newsletter from St. Bricin’s
College 2014-2015. Our Transition year programme is now in its
2nd year and once again we have had a wonderfully
successful year with the group. In this newsletter we will
remember and celebrate all of the achievements both
personal and academic made by the TY group throughout
the past year.
Here in St. Bricin’s College we aim to provide a challenging,
varied, fun-filled and adventure packed transition year
programme that allows its participants to develop the skills
needed to progress through to the leaving certificate and the
important decisions that go along with that.
As a staff we have worked very hard to create a varied,
dynamic and challenging programme for the TY group, a
programme that has enabled students to develop lifelong
skills which will prepare them for their transition into 5th and 6th
year and the challenges that lie ahead in the Leaving
Certificate.
It has been an extremely busy year for the Transition Year
group culminating with their graduation and awards
ceremony on May 21st 2015.
Thank you to all staff, students and parents for their
involvement and support of the Transition year activities in
2014-2015 in what has been a very successful year for the
school. We wish our TY students good luck as they move on
with the next chapter of their lives now.
Events in 2014-2015
September
Cuilcagh Climb
October
2nd Level Drama Festival
November
Tin-Whistle Workshop
December
Christmas Quiz
January
Mindfulness Program
February
Work Experience
March
Berlin Trip
April
Chocolate Factory
May
Bear Essentials Workshop
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 2 of 9
Induction Programme
Transition Year 2014-2015 began on August 26th with a comprehensive Induction Program to get
the year off to a flying start. Deirdre Gilbride hosted an ‘Ice-breaker’ workshop for the group to
build bonds and break down barriers and instill the teamwork mantra into the group. The group
also completed their mentor training with Patricia Boyle from the HSE in preparation for their Buddy
Program with the incoming 1st years. The induction program also included a guided climb up
Cuilcagh mountain with Mr Patsy Cassidy and a visit to Tullydermott waterfall outside Ballyconnell
in mid September.
Learning the
merits of
Teamwork with
Deirdre Gilbride
in her Induction
Workshop.
Cuilcagh Climb
with Patsy Cassidy
Sept 2014
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 3 of 9
TY & 1st Year Buddy Programme
This initiative was set up in 2013-2014 and continued this past year
with a number of new developments. The aim of this program is
make the transition from primary to secondary school as easy as
possible for our incoming 1st years. The TY group received their
training in August from Patricia Boyle of the HSE. The training
provided them with the skills to be supportive and encouraging to
their 1st year buddies. Every 1st year student was assigned a buddy
in TY who they could approach and forge a friendship with
throughout the year while participating in the numerous activities
that the TY’s organized.
The 1st years and their buddies got to know each other at their
Pancake morning in October and the TY’s launched their board
games club which took place every Monday lunchtime in the
Business room for those 1st years who didn’t want to play football at
lunchtime.
This event was followed by the annual whole school Christmas quiz
which was organized and hosted by the TY’s also. This was held on
the last day of the term and was a fantastic event for not only the
1st years but also the entire school.
In January the TY’s linked up with the Home Economics and
Religion departments and organized a 2 day mindfulness event to
promote positive mental health and living in the moment within
the school community. The TY’s created a 2 song soundtrack to be
played during tutor time on each of the 2 mornings. They also
designed and created the ‘Path towards mindfulness ‘display for
the school foyer so that all visitors to our school could experience
the positivity in our school.
Students from the Grene Room
participating in the TY Christmas
Quiz
Achievements in TY
2014-2015
Enterprise Awards
The TY’s were very well
represented at the County
Cavan Enterprise awards in
the Slieve Russel Hotel in
March 2015. The group had 6
companies entered and also
assisted the Grene Room with
their company ‘Grene
Craft’s’, who were the
recipients of the Best display
in the Junior Category.
Kidz Cookbook Enterprise
display at the County
Enterprise Awards.
[You can add a description
and key information about
event here.]
Ziemowit Wenclawek
enjoying the TY hosted
pancake morning with
his buddies Deji Peters
and Kamil Podgajny of
1st year.
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 4 of 9
In February the TY’s linked up with their buddies individually to
take part in a 6 week paired reading program. This took place 3
classes a week over 6 weeks with a view to improving the overall
reading standard in 1st year and indeed in TY. To celebrate the
end of the Buddy program the TY’s organized and hosted a ‘Hot-
chocolate and board
games’afternoon for all of the 1st
years.
Berlin Trip – March 2015
One of the highlights of year was the Transition and 5th year trip
to Berlin. A group of 20 students accompanied by Ms Fay and
Mr Smith departed St. Bricin’s college on Monday the 9th of
March and headed on a 4 day trip to the German capital. The
trip was organised by Stephen Keenan of Saffron Promotions
and was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. The trip included
visits to the Olympic stadium home of Hertha Berlin FC, a guided
tour around the Stazi prison, a trip on the river sproai which runs
through the city, check point Charlie, the Brandenburg gate
and a day trip to the Tropical Island water park.
Achievements in TY 2014-
2015
Art Success
Under the expert guidance of Ms
Galligan and Ms Leahy there were
a number of notable successes in
the Art Department by the TY group
in several local and national
competitions.
Leah Redmond – Ulster Final Winner
in the Mental Health Ireland Comp
Sophie Dolan, Pamela Dunne and
Jessica Corcoran – Runners up in
the National ‘Change for Charity
Competition.
Veronika Failer – All Ireland Semi
Finalist in the ‘Doodle for Google’
competition.
Congratulations to all the winners
and to their teachers.
Art work by Sophie Dolan, Pamela
Dunne and Jessica Corcoran for the
Change for Charity National
Competition.
Caitlin Crane, Paula
Ivanova, Rachel Cusack
along with their buddy
Josie Hansen of TY
enjoying the Hot
Chocolate event as part
of the Buddy programme.
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 5 of 9
Bear Essentials Workshop
In preparation for their Graduation the TY group visited the
‘Bear Essentials’ workshop. Here with the help of Ange
Morgenroth they designed and created their own individual
teddy bears. They had already created scrolls for their bears in
art class with all of their achievements for the year inscribed on
them and attached them to their bears. The group then used
these bears in a symbolic service during their graduation.
Judo, First Aid and Survival Skills Module
One of the exciting modules the TY’s participated in this year,
run by Mr Reynolds, and incorporated Judo, a 6 week 1st aid
introduction and also a survival skills short course. All students
completed assessments in each of the module parts and
received certificates for their efforts. The group also fundraised
for and organised a trip to the Wicklow gap overnight to test
their survival skills techniques.
TY students
hard at work
on their
Teddy bears
at the Bear
Essentials
workshop in
Bawnboy.
What did we do 2014-2015
Climbed Cuilcagh
Play in Garage Theatre
Christmas Quiz for whole
school.
Paired Reading with 1st
years
Enterprise Awards
2 weeks Work Experience
Berlin Trip
Drama Workshops
Art Competitions
Irish Angus Beef
Competition
Learned Tin Whistle
Fainne Irish Oral Exam
Pilates
Dog Grooming
Historian Visit
Youth Connect Guest
Speaker
Visited Chocolate Factory
Safefood Qualification
Gaisce Award
Gardening
Designed our Hoodies
MicroBiology Project
Ag Science Module
Judo
First Aid.
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 6 of 9
Awards Ceremony 2015: Pictured above, Mr John
Kearney, Education Officer CMETB, who addressed the
school community, which included the guest speaker, Mr
Gerry Brady, Chairman of Cavan County Board, Mr Liam
McCabe, Administrative Officer, Cavan County Board,
Belturbet GAA Club and drama Society, parents, members
of the Board of Management and Parents association. The
guests presented the medals to Senior County Team
winners, many of whom completed Transition Year and
were the best advocates for the increased uptake in the
program since its introduction. Mr Kearney and the GAA
representatives also presented the Gaeltacht Scholarships,
sponsored by CMETB and GAA. The staff of the Irish
Department were delighted that so many of our Transition
Year students got the opportunity to avail of these
scholarships allowing them greater success in the State
Examinations oral component.
Mr Gerry Brady, Chairman of Cavan County Board spoke
about the quality of the sporting achievements and in
particular the coaching awards, which allow the students to
support the coaching in their respective clubs. He was
impressed that the school had students who are on the
successful County Minor panel 2015
The design for the new school
extension to include new
Engineering and Construction
rooms, a Special Learning Unit
and general classrooms.
Transition Year students
engaged in Peer Mentoring
during Art lesson with the Grene
Room students, part of the
school Integration Programme.
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 7 of 9
Agricultural Science students in Belturbet Secondary School scoop National
Merit Award for Irish Angus Beef Project
St Bricin’s College Agricultural Science students achieve National Merit Award in Irish Angus Beef
Project, forging important international links for Irish Angus Beef with businesses in the US. They got
very positive reinforcement for the project among Irish restaurant owners in New York, Connie
O’Reilly, who hails from Garrymore, Ballinagh and owner of Crover House Hotel as well as
numerous New York restaurants. Mike Carthy, proprietor of Rosie O’Grady’s restaurants in New York
also spoke with confidence in supporting the international aspect of the boy’s project, assuring
them by saying “Irish Organic beef is highly sought after in our restaurants and customers are
certainly willing to pay the price for a quality steak, in downtown Manhatten”.
New York Restaurant owner Mike Carthy, Rosie O’Grady’s, 800 7th Avenue, endorses St
Bricin’s College “Irish Angus Beef Project”
The Irish American businessmen are very positive about the opening of potential markets for Irish
beef, particularly Irish Angus, due to its tender, succulent flavour. Transition Year students, John Joe
Collin’s and Michael O’Reilly, under the guidance of their teacher Mr David Brady linked the St
Bricin’s College project with both local Irish Angus Breeder’s, beef producers and International
businesses.
The past few years have seen major challenges for Irish beef farmers. International dilemmas such
as the change in specifications for UK retailers and the 2014 Russian embargo, coupled with home
crises such as the horsemeat scandal and the fodder shortage of 2013 have all played their part in
keeping the price of beef unstable.
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 8 of 9
Throughout all of this, the Certified Irish Angus farmer has maintained the highest standards when it
comes to the production of top quality beef. This dedication was rewarded in early 2015 with the
news that the US market is set to reopen its doors to Irish beef after a 16 year closure. At a time of
record high beef prices in the US, Ireland will temporarily be the only EU entrant to this valuable
market which is worth €100m and growing 20% annually. This advantage presents a unique
opportunity to establish Certified Irish Angus beef as a high-end brand, much like Irish butter. As
Angus famers of the future our project will focus on these overseas opportunities.
2015 also sees the introduction of a Beef Genomic/Beef Data Programme which should enhance
the genetic gain in the herd. The new Knowledge Transfer Groups Programme also aims to
improve standards by allowing famers to develop three year farm plans and share knowledge. By
being adaptive and progressive Irish Angus farmers have earned a reputation as market leaders of
a premium product, with a promising outlook for 2015.
The boy’s liaised with local experts like Shane McKiernan Corlesmore, they also went out on field
studies to the farm of Gary and Sean McKiernan in Corlesmore, Ballinagh, who have achieved
numerous awards for pedigree bulls, over the years, to acquire as much knowledge as possible on
the breeding and production of Irish Angus beef. The student’s entered an essay competition,
advertised by Irish Angus breeders and Irish Farmer’s Journal, and were successful, getting through
to the final interviews, held recently in Mullingar. Irish Angus Beef Sales Internationally.
Pictured Left: John Joe and Conor carrying out research with Gary McKiernan and right, Mr David
Brady, teacher with John Joe accepting the Award at the Transition Year graduation 2015.
Chief executive of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, Mr Martin G O’Brien met
with the Transition Year students, engaged in a mock interview in preparation for the final and
highly commended the boy’s on their performance, he commended the staff who initiated the
students involvement and acknowledged that “this type of project is very worthwhile for Transition
Year student’s, particularly those from an Agricultural background, engaging them in active
research, video conferencing, in addition to the valuable life skills, developing links with the wider
community, as well as the opportunity of public speaking and interview skills”
Special Thanks to our Transition Year Co-Ordinator, Ms Anne Marie Fay who has worked with her team to
deliver a most comprehensive curriculum & we wish them continued success for 2015/16
Transition Year 2014-2015 Page 9 of 9
TY Activities 2014-2015