Monthly Photo Post – April

To make my blog more interesting and to keep track of my favorite photos that I have took in the past month, I have decided to start up a ‘Monthly Photo Post’, where I will choose my favorite picture of each month

About this photo:

L-R; Oran, Michael, Ciara, Peter, Michael & Oran

April, has possibly been one of the hardest month to choose photo for my ‘Monthly Photo Post’, as it has been one of the busiest and most fun months of my Transition Year! The photo was taken, just after the Mud Run, which we did, at the start of the month. The mud run, has been one of the best experience of my Transition Year, and it was something, that I will remember fondly, for a long time! It was such a sense of achievement, when I completed the 5k. Despite it being freezing cold, the mud run was unforgettable!

The Eir Junior Spider Awards

Yesterday, I was at an event that celebrated, the work carried out on this very blog! I was at the Eir Junior Spider Awards, in which my Transition Year Blog, was shortlisted for the Giga Spiders – ‘Best Individual Project’ Category!

At 7 o’clock in the morning, myself, Mr Boyle and Gerard, left and headed for Croke Park, where the awards were being held. We drove down, and arrived at the stadium at 11 o’clock, after stopping in Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, for breakfast at about nine!

The awards ceremony got underway at about 11:30, where all of the shortlisted gathered, in the Hogan Stand Mezzanine. Here there were all types of events and displays showcasing everything from CoderDojo Displays, to Plate Spinning. During this time, we were free to walk around, and take in the surroundings. Along with all of the displays, there was a competition being ran, where we were asked to send our #JuniorSpiders selfies, to them on Twitter, where prizes would be up for grabs! All of us, were very busy tweeting our photos, and I was fortunate enough to win a new 4G Alcatel One Touch Pixi 3 Smartphone, with this photo:

Following, the numerous selfies, I started talking to a Reporter with RTÉ – Nick Sheridan, who presents news2day, on RTÉ2. I was talking to him about this blog, and the work, and the work that I carried out on it, when he asks me to stand for an interview for their news report on the Eir Junior Spiders Awards! Of course, I accepted his offer, and recorded the interview, still in shock that I would be appearing on TV. Later on in the day, I found out that I was featured on the ‘news2day, news report on RTÉ2 at 4:20.

Click here to watch my interview on news2day!

After being interviewed for television, it was time to find out who had won the awards. We all gathered in the Conference Room, and were guided through the ceremony by MC Aidan Power. The award that I was shortlisted for, had seven amazing entries, and was one of the largest categories of the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, I did not achieve the award, and it went to an fantastic website – YouthTech.ni. It was an amazing website, and was a well deserved winner.

Following, the presentation of the awards, we left the conference room, took our goodie bags, and headed for home, happy with the day’s events! It was an extremely fun, and unique day, and it was mind-blowing to see that I appeared over the TV.

Getting shortlisted for  the Eir Junior Spiders, was an unbelievable achievement, as I never expected my TY Blog, to ever get this far! A special thanks has to be given to all on Twitter who have engaged with my blog, and the teachers in Crana College, who encouraged me, whilst writing the blog – especially Ms Bradley, Mrs Morrison & Mr Boyle, whose constant dedication to the Transition Year Programme, has been invaluable, and has inspired me to keep up blogging!

Another thanks has to be given to all at the Eir Junior Spiders Team, who arranged yesterday’s amazing events, and also to a digital idol of mine Colin Meagle, CEO of Continuum, which sponsored and judged the category . Congrats to all of the winners yesterday, they were all amazing!

 

My Progressions in the Transition Year Drama Module!

Drama, is one of the newest, and most exciting modules of my Transition Year. I started studying the module, three weeks ago in my TY Performing Arts class, and since then,  it has not only interested me greatly, but has also showed me about an area of ‘The Arts’ that I have never experienced before.

Over the past three weeks, I had to keep a log of all the work that we did in each week of the module, and reading over this weeks module, I decided to blog it, to give my readers an insight into the module!

Similarly to last week, this week in our Performing Arts module, we were very busy working on dialogue and beginning to express our voices.  This week, again allowed me to, understand drama, and work with others. In its second week, we were given the chance to practice this through a number of activities. I really enjoyed this week, as I liked learning about dialogue, and how to express it! The Drama Module, is a really interesting module in my Transition Year, as it combines many activities and exercises into one class, of which a quick overview of them can be seen below!

Warm Up

Once again, we began by warming up our voices, by all expressing our names through different emotions, before we recited some items,and began then to work our way into different movements, and small routines. We played a few games, and did a few exercises to warm up also.

Drama Exercise

We, worked together in small groups, pairs, and teams, and began with a few drama exercises, movements and games. For the majority of the time when we were doing these exercises, I worked along with Aaron, and sometimes along with Gerard. Some games and activities that we did over the last few weeks, were done again – ie: freeze frame & mirror images.

Group Piece

We participated in a group acting session! We had to come up with a scene and act it! I was in a scene along with the other boys in my class – Aaron, Denis, Gerard, Adam, Tomás & Donncha. We had to experiment with different scenarios, and devise different events and scenes. We got a chance to both mime these scenes, and to express them with dialogue.

The Module, so far has been extremely enjoyable, and has allowed me to learn about something totally new for me -Drama. It has been such a fun three weeks of the module so far, and I can’t wait for the next few Tuesdays, where TY will once again dive into the World of Drama!

 

Transition Year Architecture Module is completed!

This morning, in my Architecture class, Transition Year Students finally finished their Irish Architecture Foundation’s Module. The module has been one of the most interesting (and blogged about!) modules of my Transition Year.

I was really happy, this morning to finish my design task, in which we all had to create a model for a new school campus for Crana College, which will form part of my Summer Portfolio Assessment for my Architecture Class.

Since December, each student was facilitated with a ‘Design Journal’ which would help us to create and design an idea for our Design Task, which would be created in March & April. I really enjoyed filling put the Design Journal, as it allowed me to become more aware of architecture all around me, as well as of the architecture that is found in everyday life.

Throughout this project I learned many new valuable skills, and experienced architecture first hand! I became more aware of aspects such as  height, elevation, planning, functionality, and design, all of which form important aspects of design. I also learned about various architects and their work dotted around the world, and allowed me to create my own designs!

The Architecture Module, has certainly been one of, if not the most enjoyable module’s of my Transition Year! A special thanks has top be given to Mr Boyle & Breedge Galbraith, who helped us throughout the module!

Worker’s Rights Talk with the ICTU & ISSU

On Friday, we were given a very insightful, and a very useful, talk based around the topic of ‘Worker’s Rights’, which was of major importance for Transition Year Students, who have working, for the first time this year, through our work experience.

Transition Year, and Leaving Certificate Applied Students, were gathered together to be given this talk, by a representative from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), and the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU), of which have developed the website, and advisory service – youth-connect.ie, which aims to advise Irish Teenagers, about a wide variety of areas, and items of importance to  Irish Teens.

The areas that we were advised on, in this talk was mainly based around regulations of 14/ 15 /16 /17 Year Olds working in Ireland. We firstly discussed the minimum wage, that there is in Ireland, which can be seen below:

• Aged 14-18: €6.41 per hour.
• Aged 18 and over, with one year experience: €7.32 per hour.
• Aged 18 and over, with two years experience: €8.24 per hour
• Experienced adult worker: €9.15 per hour.

This means that for students, like me, if I were to get a part time job, and were to get paid, the minimum wage would be €6.41 per hour, whilst an experienced adult worker would get €9.15 per hour, as a minimum payment from their employer.

We, were then given an insight into the resting (break) hours that there are for any worker, depending on their age. Similarly, to the minimum wage, there is a breakdown, and there is also a restrictions on the amount of hours that can be worked dependent on age, however, the maximum hours which can be worked for the most experienced members of the workforce is 39 hours per week (plus overtime). However, with younger workers, there are certain restrictions about working after certain time periods, and when they can work (IE: weekends, holidays, weekdays, etc.).

The talk given to us, has been one of the most helpful, of all the talks in my Transition Year, as it has given me a very important insight into the working world, which I will begin to experience now more frequently, and will allow me to make confident and smart decisions about where and when I will  begin working!

 

Cross-Correcting English Short Stories in Creative Writing

Today, in my Transition Year Creative Writing Module, we participated in a very different and interesting method of learning. This method of learning was based around the Short Stories, which we wrote prior to the events of today!

We have all been writing 4 A4 Page, Short Stories over the past month in this module, and today, after all of the stories were finalised, we began to ‘cross-correct’ them. Cross-Correcting, is when two students in a class will anonymously correct and scrutinise the work of the other student.

We were all given an essay which was written by another member of the class, however the work carried out was today was totally anonymous, as the essays had been typed, and all names and indicators of identity were covered in tipex. We each had to then read an essay, of an another student in the class. This allowed for us to get the chance to get and receive both positive and constructive criticism from others from the class!

The short stories, which I were reading have been of a very high standard, and it has given me a great inside into the examination system for English at Leaving Certificate, as it highlights the importance of the uniqueness of an essay for an examiner, in order to achieve the highest possible result for the student.

This activity, will also give me a chance to be able to receive a lot of positive and constructive criticism from my own short story, which was also scrutinised by another student in my class. I am really happy to undergo this activity – It has given me an insight into the examination system, and also has improved my learning experience in Crana College drastically!

The Mud Run

Yesterday, Transition Year students, were away on a trip. This trip was to the ‘Mud Run’, which has honestly been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my TY!

We left the school at 9:30am, accompanied by PE Teachers- Mr McMullan & Mr McArt, and arrived at the site for the mud run at about 10:30. The mud run is a 5 Kilometre trail through, mud, water & grass, and follows a particular track around a specific course. Facilitated by Extreme Adventure Outdoors Activities, we were allowed to participated in this activity.

We then went to go and to get changed into the oldest clothes that we had, as they would get ruined, whilst on the track. I wore the oldest clothes that I had, however I also wore clothes that were tight fitting and that were not heavy, as we were told to, as we would need clothes that would not weigh us down when we were running through large pits of mud!

The run started off okay, and had very little mess, however as we progressed the depth, thickness and volume of mud got more challenging! In the middle of the course there was a water slide that we were all allowed to go down!

Following the water slide, the course got a lot more tougher, as the mud began to get deeper and deeper. Nearing the end of the course, it became really hard to get out of the mud, never mind actually trying to run through the mud! At the very end of the track, Ciara, Michael, Oran, Peter and I were told to go around a longer course, as we were at the front of the group, however, as we progressed in the course, the track became unbearable, and allowed for little to no movement!

Truding our way back to the rest of the group and being very tired, we picked up the pace and made our way to the finish line1 I reached the end with the group mentioned above, and placed inside the Top 5! We were then taken to be power-washed down (yes, we were that mucky that we needed power-washed down!) . We then got changed into a lot cleaner clothes, got heated up by tea and coffee, and headed for lunch, before going home!

The Mud Run, has definitely been one of, if not the most enjoyable experiences  of my TY! I hope some day that I will undergo the 10K Mud Run!

Making the Eir Junior Spiders Shortlist!

The Eir Junior Spiders Shortlist

Yesterday, I experienced one of the happiest achievements of my Transition Year! I was extremely proud, honored and humbled to be let know that this very blog – ‘Darragh’s TY Blog’ was one of the seven entries to be shortlisted for the Eir Junior Spiders – Giga Spiders – ‘Best Individual Project’ Award!

The Eir Junior Spiders Awards, are an annual awards ceremony, celebrating the use of digital and social media among the youth of Ireland, and allows for a chance for student’s ideas and work to come together to be celebrated.

Starting this blog at the start of September in 2015, I never expected to get anywhere near to where I am today, nor did I realise that I would uncover a new skill that I love, and that has got me noticed for a national competition – blogging!

In November 2015, I was lucky enough to be chosen to speak at TY Ireland’s Panel at the National Parent’s Council’s Annual Conference in Killarney, by being recognised due to the work carried out on this blog! I thought that this was how far that my blog would have taken me, and never expected to further progress!

The standard of work that has been carried out in the ‘Best Individual Project’ category, has been phenomenal, and all of the other six websites are of an extremely high and contrasting standard! It is honestly amazing such interesting and innovative ideas sitting along with my TY Blog, and it is unbelievable that my blog is sitting among six very worthy finalists!

I was honestly over-the-moon when I seen my name on the list. Words couldn’t describe how I felt when I opened the Shortlist Page. I had not expected to get this far, as I had only being blogging since September, and it has also been something that I have done for the first time. The blogging experience has been a totally new and new concept for me, and allowed me to express my Transition Year through a digital means, which allowed the blog to function as my Transition Year ‘E-Portfolio’

I am extremely thankful to have been added to the shortlist! I am so happy that I started blogging in September and I am really looking forward to the awards ceremony, which will be held in Croke Park on Monday 25th of April.

IAF’s Architecture Module begins to be finalised!

One of my favourite and most frequently blogged about modules of my Transition Year is the Irish Architecture Foundation’s (IAF) Transition Year Architecture Module, which is brought to schools around the country as part of the National Architecture in Schools Initiative, and as my Transition Year sits in its last term, the coursework and project work from this module has began to be finalised!

As mentioned previously, as part of our ‘Design Task’ in this module, my class, along with our teacher Mr Boyle, have been busy creating a new school campus for Crana College, which will sit on the grounds of the old Fruit Of The Loom Factory on the Shore Front in Buncrana.

Today, in my Architecture class I was very busy preparing and beginning to create my final 3D Model of the school, which will soon be displayed, and graded as part of my April Transition Year Portfolio of Assessment. The design that I am using, which can bee seen above, is a simple but practical one. It consists of a large arched structure, which functions as the main body of the building, along with two large square stepped-level structures which will house the majority of the school. Along with this there is a small circular building, attached at the side, which will function, as a common area.

I have enjoyed creating the school and it has been a really interesting task to take a chance to think about all of the requirements that a public building must have!

The designing process of this module has been extremely eye-opening, and it has really inspired me to take an interest in the buildings around me, and how they have been created. I have really enjoyed this module as it has been really interesting!

 

Starting the Drama Module in Performing Arts

Starting a new module - Drama

Today, in our Performing Arts Module, we were told that we would be starting one of the most expressive and different modules of our Transition Year – Drama. This morning I walked into my Performing Arts class, and I was told along with the other students in my class to read back the desks and to create a circle of chairs in the centre of the Music Room.

We were then all sitting in a circle, when we were told that we were going to be doing a Drama Module for the duration of the school year. This means that we will be studying about eight weeks of drama!

Today, we were told that we would be doing simple drama tasks, warm-ups and games. The first thing that we did was to ‘Pass the clap’ where we were asked to send a clap around the circle and to ‘catch it’ again. Following that we then participated in a Vocal Warm-Up, where we all had to say our own names using many different emotions. Who knew that I could say ‘Darragh’ Happily, Angry, Annoyed, Panicked, Disappointed and Confused!

Following this, we began to play the ‘Number Conversation Game’ where we had to act out a dialogue with a partner but we were only allowed to speak using numbers! This was definitely a first for me, and it was an extremely funny experience!

Following that, we played ‘Freeze Frame’ where were split into two groups, and were asked to create a still photograph of an event, ie: sports day, a picnic, a wedding, etc. It was really fun getting into positions to convey a scene! Our final event then arrived, where we we had a group mime session, where we had to come up with a scene and mime it! My group’s scene was about a man and a woman out shopping for a wedding ring, when a pickpocket attacks, and is apprehended by a security guard and a bystander. It was really fun to get a chance to create a scene, and I laughed so much in the process!

The drama module has been really enjoyable so far, and it has given me a great opportunity to explore a subject area that I never experienced before!