Transition Year Brochure
Transcription
Transition Year Brochure
Transition Year Cistercian College Mount Saint Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary 1 Transition Year Programme Cistercian College Roscrea has been educating boys in the heart of Ireland for over one hundred years. Contents Introduction to Transition Year 1 Core Subjects and Modules 2 Since 1994 the College has offered the Transition Languages3 Year Programme as a bridge between the junior Technology4 and senior cycles. The programme has been Environment4 evolving over the last two decades, reflecting Business5 the changing approaches to education and the Science5 developments in the school curriculum, as well Social Sciences 5 Information Technology 6 as the massive advances within the scientific and technological worlds. Now in the 20th year of this programme, the College has added extra dimensions, enhancing this unique experience Music6 Art6 Religious Education, Spiritual Development & Pastoral Care 7 education. Careers & Work Experience 7 As a 7-day boarding school Cistercian College Extra-Curricular Activities offers students the opportunity to live where Sport in CCR 10 Music/Drama/Public Speaking 11 as an invaluable preparation for the Leaving Certificate programme and entry to third level they learn. Located in the extensive grounds of Mount St Joseph Abbey, the College is a secure environment, the facilities of which are enhanced by the adjoining dairy farm and woodlands. These factors together with the monastic influence of Mount St Joseph Abbey and a dedicated and committed staff are what make Cistercian College unique. Cultural Experiences/ Trips/Exchanges12 Testimonials13 About Cistercian College Roscrea Cistercian College has a proud tradition of offering a rounded and holistic education. Our educational philosophy is modelled on St Benedict’s advice that in a monastery everything should be organised so that ‘the strong have something to strive for and the weak are not 2 discouraged’. We focus on developing the individual and unique talents of each student, Contact us Cistercian College Mount St Joseph Abbey Roscrea Co Tipperary E: [email protected] P: 0505 23344 W: www.ccr.ie and on providing a broad and balanced timetable and curriculum. Our Care Team approach to the pastoral well-being of all students ensures a cross-campus monitoring of each boy’s development. 8-9 . . . promote self-esteem and maturity . . . 13 . . . foster self-directed learning . . . Overview The Transition Year Programme at Cistercian College is intended to prepare students for senior cycle and also to provide educational experiences to enhance their personal development and decision making. Research carried out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment [NCCA] clearly indicates that in the Leaving Certificate examination students who followed a Transition Year course outperformed those who did not. “. . . preparing them for the world of work and adulthood.” Placing a strong emphasis on encouraging personal development, self-esteem and maturity, the Transition Year programme promotes self-directed learning and increases the students’ social and personal awareness. It also aims to extend each student’s range of interests and skills and promote interpersonal skills with a view to preparing them for the world of work and adulthood. There are several different strands to the Cistercian College Roscrea Transition Year Programme which weave together to form a unique experience. As a seven-day boarding school, our students have the opportunity to broaden and develop their minds and horizons during class time and also in the afternoons and evenings, through a wide spectrum of experiences. The six hours of class contact time are complemented by an exciting and extensive programme of extra curricular activities focusing on environmental awareness, personal development and confidence building. TY Philosophy—Personal Development The basic philosophy of our Transition Year Programme is that each student will have an exposure to a wide range of experiences and challenges with the ultimate aim of helping him to develop the human, emotional and personal skills and religious convictions that will equip him for the two years of preparation for the Leaving Certificate and indeed throughout life. . . . encourage personal development . . . 1 Academics There are several complimentary strands to the Transition Year Programme at Cistercian College Roscrea. All students study the core subjects of English, Irish and Maths throughout the entire year and experience the other twelve subjects for eight-week modules. Core Subjects English, Gaeilge & Project Mathematics “. . . engage students positively in the learning process”. A host of realistic and outstanding teaching and learning strategies designed to raise the academic standards will be employed in the delivery of our core subjects of English, Mathematics and Gaeilge. A variety of stimulating methodologies are explored in order to engage students positively in the learning process. English In studying English Transition Year students are equipped with skills in the area of cultural literacy by being exposed to a variety of genres such as poetry, drama and novels. They will develop skills in functional writing by addressing the language of business, academia and what is required socially. Creativity will also be enhanced by studying media and the role that it plays in entertainment, information and propaganda. Oracy/oral skills will be promoted and developed through drama, public speaking and debating. “. . . master classes in Irish language and culture”. Gaeilge – Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam Our commitment to promoting our national language is reflected in our master classes in Irish language and culture. Oral competency will be assured by emulating the immersion strategies promoted by the Gaeltacht Coláistí. Seachtain na Gaeilge is given its due prominence with díospóireachtaí, tráth na gceist, scoraíocht, agus céilí. Project Mathematics The students will participate in high impact lessons where mathematical applications and understanding will be promoted using teaching strategies designed to raise academic standards. The areas of digital applications, project mathematics and cryptonography will be addressed as well as core mathematical concepts. . . . develop research skills . . . 2 Introduction to Modules A particular and distinctive aspect of the Cistercian College Transition Year Programme is the modular aspect of the timetable, allowing students to focus on different areas according to their ability and interest. We currently offer three modules — Languages, Technology and Environment. Students can choose to sample all three throughout the year or focus on one or two, enabling them to hone their skills in this area. Languages The language programme in Transition Year is tailor-made to meet the requirements of individual students, with the objective of raising academic standards by focusing exchange programme on oral competency. The phraseology of business French and German will also be emphasised with a view to equipping students to write CVs and preparing them for with a school in either interviews. The course incorporates a four-week exchange programme with a school in either Germany or France; this will enhance the students’ ability to converse with Germany or France”. ease in their chosen languages. The overall objective is to develop expressive and receptive language skills both in and outside school hours. “. . . a four-week . . . support planning and organisational skills . . . 3 Technology “. . . encourages the creative process in terms of conception and production of products . . .” Technology is a relatively new subject to the curriculum and is essentially about product design. Students learn about materials, circuitry and technological applications. Technology encourages the creative process in terms of conception and production of products designed to meet needs. This course will provide an introduction for students contemplating studying Technology for the Leaving Certificate. The Technology course has an extra dimension as it is taught partly through the VLE (virtual learning environment) making use of the latest technology to enable the students to receive expert tuition and training from teachers outside of Cistercian College. Environment “. . . develop in students an appreciation of the natural environment . . .” 4 Cistercian College is unique among secondary schools, being situated on grounds enriched with environmental diversity. Grassland, freshwater, hedgerow and woodland habitats all offer opportunities for learning experiences. Agricultural and horticultural activities are also present in the form of the monastery dairy farm and orchards. The Transition Year Environment Programme aims to utilise the environmental amenities on the doorstep of the College to develop an appreciation in students of the natural environment as well as the skills and knowledge required for the careful and considered management of our environment and natural resources. B u s i n e s s (Economics, Accounting, Business) Students are given the opportunity to apply the concepts underpinning commercial activity and economic principles by setting up Mini companies, participating in Build a Bank programme, developing an understanding of sage accounting software. Class work will focus on the elements of the three major subjects areas Business, Accounting and Economics reinforcing the concepts learned for the Junior Certificate syllabus. S c i e n c e (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) Students will have the opportunity to sample the three modules of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There will be an emphasis on practical work and the presentation of the results of this practical work. Transition Year students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Young Scientist Competition. Social Sciences History and Geography are delivered in a modular format where varied and stimulating high-impact learning opportunities are presented to students in the classroom and through the use of Irish and European field trips. Self-directed learning is encouraged with the compilation of interesting research projects, and critical thinking is enhanced with the appreciation of concepts such as Cause and Consequence, the role of Key Personalities and Environmental Challenges. “. . . stimulating high-impact learning opportunities . . .” . . . develop communication skills . . . 5 I n f or m at i on T e c h n ol o g y Information Technology is everywhere today and is taken for granted in our lives. IT permeates most aspects of the curriculum in Cistercian College, not just in Transition Year, but throughout the whole learning experience. However Transition Year students are enabled to maximise the benefits of this powerful tool with the help of skill-specific training. Specific skills taught include the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), Sage Accounts and photo, video and film editing. Music Transition year students take a specially designed course in which they are exposed to different aspects of music from composition to performance and recording. They are taught by a team of enthusiastic and dedicated teachers and tutors who are convinced of the value of music within a broader second-level education. Art Transition Year art provides the opportunity for students to express their creativity. This diverse programme includes exposure to many different art forms and media, and involves the students in personal composition as well as projects to support school activities such as the annual opera and other group presentations.. “. . . students are taught by a team of enthusiastic and dedicated teachers and tutors . . .” 6 . . . encourage the creative process . . . R e l i g i o u s E d u c at i o n , S p i r i t u a l De v e l o p m e n t & Pa s t o r a l C a r e As a Catholic School in the Benedictine tradition our Christian faith is central to life in Cistercian College. In addition to the regular liturgical life of the College and the timetabled classes of Religious Education, the Transition Year students participate in an over-night monastic retreat at another Cistercian monastery in Ireland and several faith-focused activities designed to awaken and promote their spiritual development and faith formation. These activities are complemented by the Pastoral Care Programme in the College, the Rainbows programme and some social awareness activities and are linked with the Care Teams who monitor and support each boy’s progress in the College. Careers “. . . students attend two class periods per week of career guidance . . .” Transition Year is the ideal time for students to begin to think about what future career path they will choose after school. As part of the academic programme, students attend two career guidance class periods per week, where the initial focus is on C.V. preparation, completion of application forms for University and for the workplace. Students are also encouraged to take part in the various University taster programmes which are on offer in Trinity College, UCD and the RCSI. During the year the students explore different career options through the medium of a programme of career information evenings where guest speakers deliver career seminars, complete with question and answer sessions. An important aspect of the Transition Year career guidance programme is to facilitate subject choice for the Leaving Certificate. Transition Year students also make use of CareerDecisionMaker.com, an award winning web-based suite of psychometric career assessments which enables students to scientifically identify suitable careers. It empowers them to make confident and informed Course and Career choices. It enables them to achieve clarity in relation to the educational pathway they wish to pursue. Work Experience Students spend two weeks during Transition Year on work placement. They are encouraged to secure places in career areas of genuine interest to them. The College endeavours to facilitate students in obtaining suitable work placements. . . . to broaden and develop their minds and horizons . . . 7 Extra Curricular Activities The afternoons, evenings and weekends are filled with a variety of activities that complement the classroom based curriculum. Theses include cookery, film making, driving lessons, ECDL and mini-company. Skills Acquisition 8 C e rt i f i c at e d C o u r s e s n Cookery n ECDL n Driver Education n Sage Accounts n Chinese Language and Culture n First Aid (Fetac Level 5) n Live action film making n Life Saving n Photography Workshop n Gáisce – The President’s Bronze Award n Writing Workshop n Art Workshop . . . instill self-confidence . . . S o c i a l , P e r s o n a l a n d V o c at i o n a l n Law Module delivered by the Public Access to Law programme n Dr. McCarthy Perpetual Trophy for Achievement in Science n Career Guidance n General Health and Welfare n Comhairle na n-Óg n Establishing and Running a Student Bank n Establishing and Running Mini-Companies n Charitable and Social Work n Self-Defence n University TY taster programmes facilitated (DCU, UCD, Trinity, RCSI) . . . inspire charitable/social work . . . O u t d o or P urs ui t s , L ei s ur e , C ult ur e a n d Hobbi e s n Transition Year Garden n Swimming and Life-Saving n Horse riding n Adventure Centre Activities n Leadership and Team Building n European School Tour n Cultural Trips (theatre, monastic sites, history) . . . promote self-discipline and self-motivation . . . 9 sport Transition Year students have the opportunity to participate in the regular College sports programme which includes Rugby, Hurling, Gaelic Football, Athletics, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Aquatics, Equestrian, Self-Defence, LifeSaving and Tennis. Opportunities to e xcel Through on-field activities, video analysis and dietary awareness the students’ opportunities to enhance their sporting abilities are unlimited. We are almost unique among secondary schools in the fact that we compete with considerable success at the highest levels in both hurling and rugby with many of our students playing representative rugby at provincial and international level; and in hurling at club and inter-county level. “We are almost unique among secondary schools in the fact that we 10 compete with considerable success at the highest levels . . .” Music/Dra m a/Public Speaking Music There are many opportunities in the course of the school year for Transition Year students to perform either individually or in groups, both within and outside the College. Comprehensive music facilities are offered within the College, including teaching and practice rooms, two pipe organs, several pianos and many instruments, as well as a library of instrumental and orchestral music. Transition Year students have the time and opportunity to progress their study of a particular instrument or take up a new one. Dra m a Cistercian College has a long tradition of drama and performance on stage. Transition Year students will have the opportunity to perform on stage in the Transition Year play, and on camera in the course of the film making module. TY students are an integral part of the backstage team involved in the annual musical, from lighting to sound and from stage management and set design. Public Speaking Transition Year students are encouraged and helped to develop their skills of speaking in public, both in presenting their projects and in debating. Building on the College’s strong tradition of public speaking, they participate in the in-house public speaking and debating competitions. . . . nourish personal creativity . . . 11 Trips/Exchanges C ult ur a l De v elop m en t “. . . linked with the classroom-based curriculum and project work”. An integral part of the Transition Year Programme are the tours and outings from the college. These include educational, cultural and historical tours. There are outings to the theatre and cinema, linked with the classroom-based curriculum and project work. At the beginning of the year there is a three day residential event at the Delphi Outdoor Pursuits Centre, tailor-made to meet the needs of Transition Year students in the areas of team-building, relationships, confidence and maturity. The exchange element of the language module involves a four week stay with a host family in either France or Germany, where our students attend school and benefit from full immersion in the language and culture of the country. At the same time the college facilitates the reciprocal arrangement where the overseas student is welcomed to Cistercian College and accommodated with the Irish Family during the weekend home. . . . extend each student’s range of interests and skills . . . 12 Cistercian College Roscrea Founded just over one hundred years ago by the monks of Mount St Joseph Abbey, the Cistercian College has since, its inception, been a leading educational establishment in Ireland. Cistercian College has always been more than just a school. It is home to those who live and work here, be they students or staff. Set in the eight hundred acre campus of the abbey, it is surrounded by open fields, woodland and forest. Built in the shadow of the monastery, the college is under the direction of the Abbot and community, assisted by the Board of Governors. “Transition Year sport in Cistercian College Roscrea is thoroughly enjoyed by the students. It gives them a chance to take part in all sports at senior level. From on-field activities to video analysis the students get the best coaching and the best opportunity anyone could wish for. The facilities for sport are easily accessible at all times. Sport is an important aspect of Cistercian College Roscrea and competitions and awards are always achieved in a positive manner”. The enduring strength of Cistercian College over the last century has been its staff led by the college President, an experienced and committed staff which strives to serve the individual student always to the best of their ability. Rather than create an atmosphere in which only the fittest survive, the staff of Cistercian College, following St. Benedict’s advice, has always sought to cultivate an environment in which “the strong have something to strive for while the weak are not discouraged”. — Tim Carroll (TY 2012/13) “During Transition Year I developed fundamental values for life such as leadership and endeavour which have made me mature as a student athlete, both on and off the pitch. It gave me the focus and confidence to reach my full potential both academically and in rugby for which I will forever be grateful. The experiences encountered and the values learned throughout this year will stay with me for life”. — Cormac Brennan, House Captain 2012/13 (TY 2010/11) “Placing a strong emphasis on encouraging personal development, self-esteem and maturity, the Transition Year programme promotes self-directed learning and increases the students’ social and personal awareness”. Cistercian College Mount Saint Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary