transition year 2014-2015 - st bricin's college · gaisce award gardening designed our hoodies...

Transition Year 2014-2015 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

http://www.stbricinscollege.ie/


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


TY Activities 2014-2015

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