Thank You Transition Year! – My Year in Review

As my Transition Year in Crana College draws to a close, I look back on one of the most interesting and inspiring times in my school life. The year has by far exceeded any expectations that I ever had, encompassing everything and anything inside the Irish Education System.

I think that it is fair to say, that I had an action-packed, yet educational year in TY. Like many other skeptics, I came into the year, with an idea of prejudice in my head, thinking that the year didn’t yield any opportunities or chances for me, and I couldn’t have been further wrong! Within a matter of weeks, I realised that TY In Crana College (and in many other hard working schools around the country) is one of the best organised programmes, that aims to get the most out of each and every student, based on the effort and commitment that the students dedicate to the programme.

Transition Year, has improved me for the better. I have became a lot more confident in this year. Through this, I have countless unforgettable memories, but of these, the most prominent include:

Speaking on behalf of TY Ireland at the National Parents Council of Post Primary Secondary Schools annual conference in the INEC, Killarney.

Participating in the 5K Mud Run!

Making the Eir Junior Spiders – Giga Spiders – Best Induvidual Project Shortlist.

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Being ‘Highly Commended’ in the National Career Skills Competition with CareersPortal.ie 

Transition Year has been simply, amazing, and has made me much more ‘well-rounded’, and confident person. I feel that this year has benefited me greatly, and that I have taken every opportunity possible to get the very best out of this year. I would urge any student who is doing TY next year, to firstly, push themselves in TY, secondly, take every opportunity available to you, and thirdly, enjoy TY – It will be amazing!

Above, is only a snapshot of what has being going on in my Transition Year! I’m sure that if you were to read through this blog, or my Twitter Feed, you would see a much bigger picture of what my Transition Year was all about.

Writing one of my final blog posts of TY has really saddened me, not only has this blog been an ongoing assessed piece of work for my Media Studies Module, but it has been a space where I can freely write about a topic that I have grown to love! A special thanks has to be given to absolutely everyone who have supported me in this journey – My TY Coordinator, Teachers, Staff, Employers, Co-Workers, Transition Year Ireland, Volunteers, Guest-Speakers, Fellow Bloggers & Twitter Users, Family & Friends , and everyone in between- each and every one of you have helped make my TY that extra bit more special!

Thank you Transition Year!

The Eir Junior Spiders Shortlist

TY’s at the Colosseum

The TY Boys Walking in Sorrento

The Trevi Fountain

The Colosseum

Me & Ciarán Touring Rome

5th Years at the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast

The Streets of Sorrento

‘Rome’-ing about with Roisín & Tiree

The TY Boys on a Boat Trip

Selfies at the Trevi Fountain

Outside St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

‘Frescos’ in the Vatican

The Time Elevator

Subject Choices for Leaving Certificate 2018

TY First Aid Training

Promoting Inishowen’s Tourism Industry

Skiing Tour Key Ring Design

Rome Tour Key Ring Design

My Cover of ‘O Fortuna’

Starting the Architecture Module!

Me and my little sister Dearbhla, pictured just after my last day at work experience at her “Big School”

My ‘Space Study’ for Architecture

Blog Challenge – Six Word Story

Ice Skating in Belfast

Hill Walking Trip

Hill Walking in Uriris

Christmas Market Poster

Drugs & Alcohol Conference

Disability Awareness Module Part 1

Our Greatest Scientist – Nikola Tesla

Completion of the Cube Project

TY Panel at the National Parents Council Post Primary Annual Conference in the INEC, Killarney

TY Panel at NPCpp Annual Conference

‘Chain Reaction’ Key Rings – TY Enterprise Mini Company

Semi-Completed Cube

Prize-giving – Co-Junior Student of the Year 2014/2015 & Co-Recipient of the ‘Bríd Boner Memorial Plaque’

TY Panel at the National Parents Council of Post Primary Secondary Schools

Irish Wheelchair Association Collection

What I’ve been learning about in TY Geography – The Human Development Index (HDI)

‘Chain reaction Keyring’s’ first product!

Oisín i dTír na nÓg – Mindmap

TY Panel at National Parents Council

Month In Review – October

My Work Experience Report, written in ‘The Drumfries Times’

Monthl

Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning Donation

National Road Safety Week

Ireland Trip

TY1 Post-Surfing Selfie

Cube Project

Surifng

Surfing

Foyle Hospice Coffee Morning

Cube Project

Music Appreciation Module

Room 13 – Pre-Coffee Morning Setup

TY1 Receiving the iPads

Junior Cert Results

Irish Mythology presentation

European Day Of Languages

 

Month in Review – April

April has been one of the busiest, yet most enjoyable months of my Transition Year. To recap on this month, I will reflect on my top 5 highlights of April.

1. The Mud Run

Possibly one of the most enduring, yet memorable aspects of my Transition Year, had to be the Mud Run, in which TY Students were to trek through 5 kilometers of mud and dirt! On the day of the run, it was extremely cold, and was raining, which only added to the experience. Surprisingly enough, it was actually quite enjoyable to undergo this activity, and it was something that I had never imagined myself doing! 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, and left everyone who really did try throughout the 5K, with a great sense of achievement.

2. The Eir Junior Spiders Awards

Getting shortlisted for  the Eir Junior Spiders, was an unbelievable achievement, and was a personal highlight of TY for me. I was truly honoured to make the Top 7 in the country to be shortlisted for the ‘Best Individual Project’ in the Giga Spiders category, for the work carried out on this very blog. The event itself was also amazing, and it was a great experience for all, not to mention the TV interview which I had with Nick Sheridan for RTÉ2’s ‘news2day’. (click here to watch the interview). The Eir Junior Spider Awards gave me a great insight into Digital Media in Ireland, especially among the youth of Ireland. It was an unbelievable experience!

3. Finishing the IAF Architecture Module.

 As frequent readers of my blog will know, the Irish Architecture Foundation’s TY Architecture Module has not only been a prominent part of this blog, but also a very important and prominent part of my Transition Year. 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!

4. Portfolio Preparations.

Believe it or not, preparing for my TY Summer Portfolio of Assessment, has been a very interesting experience for me. Putting it simply, the Portfolio of Assessment is the backbone to Transition Year in Crana College. Each TY Student must prepare 2 portfolios throughout the year (one in November, one in April.). The portfolio is to function as a grading system for TY, as we have had to have a graded piece of work form every module studied, displayed in the folder. The portfolio also contains work carried out from each of the students’ three work experience placements throughout the year, as well as various other assessments and certifications. I have really enjoyed preparing my portfolio as it allowed me to reflect on all that I have done over the past few months, similarly to my ‘Month in Review’ series of blog posts!

5. ISSU / ICTU Worker’s Rights Talk. 

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. We were advised on areas such as Minimum Wage, Legal Working Hours & General Working Rights, as well as responsibilities of the Employee & Employer. 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!

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!

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!

 

Month in Review – March

A Snapshot of March

To take note of all that I have done in March, I will review and reflect my top 5 highlights of March

1. Crana College Italy Trip

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One of my favourite and most adventurous experiences of my school year and Transition Year, has been the annual international school trip, which this year was in Italy and was based in Rome, Fiuggi & Sorrento. I really enjoyed the 5 days in Italy as it was something that I never experienced before, as I never went on a trip abroad with the school. It was such a busy 5 days, and so much was crammed into the 5 days, which lead to an unforgettable experience, with amazing memories! Italy was such a fun experience, and it is impossible to sum it up in a short review post!

Click here to read my full analysis of the trip!

2. Making my Leaving Certificate Subject Choices

Although not one of the most fun activities of my Transition Year, choosing my subjects that I will study for my Leaving Certificate was of major importance to me in Transition Year, as I didn’t have much of an idea of what I wanted to do, prior to doing TY. However, with the extra year of continuing many subjects from Junior Certificate, coupled with Work Experience, I got a more ‘well-rounded’ and clearer idea of what I will study next year. Although it is not totally decided as of now, I am quite optimistic that I will study the four following subjects:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geography
• Spanish

Along with the ‘3 Core Subjects’ , which are:

• English
• Irish
• Maths

I am really happy with my Leaving Certificate Choices for 2018!

3.Seachtain na Gaeilge i gColáiste Cranncha

Mar pháirt Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016, socraigh mé ar blog a scíobh as Gaeilge, bunaithe ar na ocáidí a bhí ar súil i gColáiste Cranncha, ar feadh Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016. Ba mhaith liom mo chuid Gaeilge a úsaid, chun blog a scríobh , cé nach bhfuil mé liofa sa theanga!

Bhí ar na daltaí san Idirbhlain i gColáiste Cranncha, na ocáidí a heagrú don seachtain san scoil, agus bhí orm Tráth na gCeist a heagrú do na daltaí san 1ú agus an 2ú bliain. Bhí me ag obair le ceathrar daltaí i mo rang – Niamh, Ciara, Sonia agus Máiréad.

Thaitin an Tráth na gCeist go mór le na daltaí agus thaitin sé go mór linn freisn, mar bhí muid abálta ar gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid!

Thaitin ‘ag blogáil’ as Gaeilge go mór liom freisin!

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As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Week) 2016, I decided to write a blog in Irish, based on the events that are going on in Crana College, as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016. I liked using my Irish to write this blog, even though I’m not fluent in Irish.

The Transition Year Students in Crana College, had to arrange the events for Seachtain na Gaeilge, in the school, and I had to arrange a quiz for 1st and 2nd Year Students. I was working with four people in my class, to arrange this, they are – Ciara, Sonia, Niamh & Máiréad.

The quiz was enjoyed by all of the students and it was enjoyed by us too, because we were able to use our Irish!

Blogging in Irish was also fun, as it was something new!

4. Participation in Proclamation Day

It was a major honor to be asked to read out my very own proclamation as part of the the Proclamation Day celebrations in Crana College. I was chosen by History & English Teachers to read the proclamation which I wrote myself (which can be seen above). The proclamation varies somewhat from the original 1916 Proclamation, and deals with issues such as Equality, Tolerance, Education, Healthcare & Homelessness. I was really proud to deliver my proclamation in front of the school, especially I had never studied History prior to my Transition Year!

5.Designing Schools in Architecture! 

It would hardly be a Month in Review post on my blog without mentioning the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Architecture Module, at least once, and March will be no different! This month, we have continued to design types of schools, for our design tasks. 3D Models are popping up left, right and center, and I have been very busy, putting the principles which I have learnt over the past few months into play, and I am really happy with the designs which I am coming up for the designs of the school!

 

 

 

 

IAF Architecture Projects, begin to take shape.

Since Late December of my Transition Year, the Irish Architecture Foundation’s TY Architecture Module, has been one of the most enjoyable and creative aspects of my TY, and recently I have been very busy beginning to design a new school, as part of this module!

Recently, I have been busy creating and designing many aspects of design and architecture. Through this, I have been researching, sketching and printing out many different designs, patterns, and features of buildings which have interested me and have been using these resources to create a few a paper models of my architectural designs.

This morning, I completed the first of these paper models, and I was able to use this model which I have created to help and alter my next (and possibly final) design of my new school, by applying what I have learned from my first ‘draft’ and have began to create a better, and more functional design for my new school.

The first design (pictured above), in my opinion is quite ambitious, as it combines a lot of styles, shapes and physical levels of design. At the front there are two large pillars, which aim to be used as accessways, staircases, offices and storage, while they are connected to a long and curved front facade, which I think shall be used as a reception area. To the left there is a circular wing with a sloped roof, which rises to a high point. The curved area was designed to be used as a recreational area for students and staff, where a canteen, lockers and a staff room will be placed. To the right there is a rectangular wing, which will house the school gym. All of the aspects listed above are connected to the main body of the school, where all of the classrooms and other facilities will be housed. The back of the school raises up a level, and allows for more space, and rooms with higher ceilings, which then faces out, with full height glass windows, to Lough Swilly, and its views.

The creation of my first design has been an exciting one, and one that has opened my eyes to all aspects of architecture. I am extremely proud with what I have achieved so far in this module, and I can’t wait to get designing my next design for my new school!

Month in Review – February

To take note of all that I have done in January, I will review and reflect my top 5 highlights of February

1. First Aid Training

One of the most eye-opening aspects of February, and also my Transition Year, was the First Aid training, which was undergone in the school gym. Facilitated by Siren Training & Consulting, we underwent the course in one school day. On Friday  26th of February. All TY students gathered in the school gym, before being greeted by our tutor for the day, who would be teaching us the ‘Basic First Aid’ course single-handedly. It was honestly one of the most eye-opening experiences for me in my TY, as I have underwent training in areas such as CPR, Wounds, Bandaging and Heart Conditions.

2. Finishing Work Experience at Highland Radio

I was extremely saddened to have finished my work experience at Highland Radio. I was such a fun, yet insightful placement. Since the start of the New Year, I have been working as part of the Highland Radio staff, and to sum-up my eight weeks there in one word it would be -‘Unbelievable’. This placement was simply amazing, and was something that was right up my street. I enjoyed my time there thoroughly, and to say goodbye and walk out the front door was very hard for me! Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this placement. The station is a credit to the North-West, and it is also is a credit to its staff. Each and every one of the staff members have also been more than accommodating, and each of them have tried their up-most best to educate me on every aspect of radio.A special thanks has to be given to the staff member who had to put-up with me the most – Linda. She was an unbelievable employer, and an even better guide. I hope to return to Highland Radio some day. It will not be the last time that I will set foot in a radio station.

3. Preparing for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016

This year Transition Year Students in Crana College, were entrusted with arranging of and coordination of Seachtain na Gaeilge events in Crana College. Along with our Irish teacher, and Transition Year Coordinator – Ms Bradley, my class – TY1 have began to arrange the celebrations! Our class was split up into smaller groups to organise varying events to occur over the seventeen days. I have been arranged into a group along with four other students in my class – Ciara, Sonia, Niamh & Máiréad, to arrange a ‘Tráth na gCeist’ or a quiz. I am really looking forward to carrying out the quiz for all 1st Year and 2nd Year Students.

4. Exam Attendance at the Crana College Mock Examinations.

I was given the task of something very different, and something that I have never had any experience at before. This is ‘Exam Monitoring’ in which I am asked to attend to and facilitate the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate Mock Examinations in Crana College. I was working with another TY Student to undergo these tasks, and it was extremely interesting to be allowed to help to facilitate a series of exams similar to those in June ran by the State Examinations Commission.

5. Continuing the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Architecture Module 

TY1 Students were working with local architect – Breedge Galbraith. Continuing with the Irish Architecture Foundation’s TY Architecture module, a local architect has been drafted in to inspire and support us in the designing section of the module, in which we aim to upcycle an old ‘Fruit of the Loom’ plant, to function as a possible new school campus fro Crana College. It was a really fun and exciting task, working to create and dream about a quite large, and possibly imminent building. I really liked this module, as it was based on creativity and students were allowed to go and source what they wanted to source in order to create a new school.

Working with Local Architect – Breedge Galbraith

Working with a Local Architect

On Tuesday morning, TY1 Students were working with local architect – Breedge Galbraith. Continuing with the Irish Architecture Foundation’s TY Architecture module, a local architect has been drafted in to inspire and support us in the designing section of the module, in which we aim to upcycle an old ‘Fruit of thr Loom’ plant, to function as a possible new school campus fro Crana College

The new Crana College Design Task, is only hypothetical, however we will still be designing a new school, to  go through the process of creating an architectural feature. I am really interested in this task, however I am evern more interested to plan, design and promote this new school design. I also can’t wait to survey students, the community and staff to see what they would like from the new school, and then try to create a design as best as possible!

Overall, I am feeling very inspired by the task!

Continuing Our Architecture Module

Since the completion of our Cube Project in our Design & Woodwork class, TY Students have been working on their ‘Architecture’ Module. This module is provided by the Irish Architecture Foundation, and is taught to us by our Woodwork teacher – Mr Boyle.

Each student is provided with a ‘Design Journal’, commonly referred to as ‘The Little Blue Book’, and in it, it contains many different tasks and small projects for students to undergo during the period in which they are completing the Architecture Module.

So far, we have completed 5 of the 10 main tasks that are outlined in the book, and that lead up to a much larger design project, nearing the end of the year. The module has really interested me so far, as I didn’t realise how interesting, yet diverse topic Architecture was. I have been looking at many different design features that are used whenever designing any large building or feature, and I was especially interested in how different materials can create a totally different appearance and portrayal of a building.

In one section of the Design Journal, I was looking at the many different materials used in Crana College, and had only realsied then and there, how many different items are used to create a building, and how these items and materials that are used, must be placed in a strategic order, in order to make sure that there is no ‘clashing’ going on.

Through this, I decided to study Pebble dash, and how it impacted on the appearance of my school – Crana College. I realised that the material is very rugged, and is quite sharp or ‘pointed’. I also noted that the material’s appearance can be changed by painting or decorating it. The product is also quite durable, and in the case of Crana College, creates a really bright and ‘airy’ feel. Who new pebble dash could be that interesting and  important in a building!

This morning in Woodwork class, we were very busy moving on to the next section of the module, in which I must ‘Map My School’. I was given a copy of the school’s fire escape plan and graphed paper, and was told to draw a birds-eye-view sketch of the school building and its prefabs. This section  is still being created, but is really interesting me!

Overall the Architecture Module is proving very successful, and in my opinion is one of my favourite modules of my Transition Year so far!

 

Month in Review – December

To take note of all that I have done in December, I will review and reflect my top 5 highlights of December.

1. TY Trip in Belfast

I really enjoyed the TY Christmas Trip. , we first of all went to Dundonald Ice Bowl, where we were taken to ice-skate, before being taken to Belfast where we were allowed to shop around, and later on see the Coca Cola, truck, and then head on to Junction One! It was such a good day as everyone had got on so well, and  everyone really enjoyed all aspects of the day. The day was that full of activities, that it went by so quick, and didn’t feel anyway long at all.

2. Hill Walking Trip

I really enjoyed the hill walking trip, as it was a challenge. I was really interested in the walk as it was an outdoors activity, and it something active. It was great to get out and do something totally different to any of the other activities in TY. We left the school after our first class, at 10 O’Clock, and headed on a bus to Leenan, outside Urris in Clonmany, where we were met by our guide for the day – Charlie McCarron, who is also the man who is in charge of the TY Tourism Enterprise project, which we will start this January. We were also accompanied by one of the PE Teachers & TY Tutors in Crana College – Mr McMullan, as well as a group of Spanish Students, accompanied by the Spanish Language Assistant in our school – Julia. I had never walked, or actually knew about the area where we walked, so it was a total change of scenery, and despite the very windy weather, the  views were absolutely spectacular!

3. TY Christmas Market

When writing this post, I realised that I hadn’t blogged about perhaps one of the biggest events that TY organised, not only in December, but in my TY so far! This was the ‘Christmas Market’, which linked to two very different modules in the TY Programme – Enterprise and Performing Arts. The event was organised in my Performing Arts classes, and our mini-companies, which were created through our Enterprise module, were to sell their goods (of possible), at the market. The amount of work that had to go in to not alone organizing a whole event, but also having a mini-company set up, and trading, was huge, however the event was a great success, and I was really happy that TY Students undertook a project that had never been done in the school before!

4. Starting the Irish Architecture Foundation Module

Something, more academic which had really interested me this month, was the starting of a new module, in my ‘Design & Woodwork’ class. This new concept is a new module that we will study called ‘Architecture’, which is brought to us by the Irish Architects Foundation, and is taught by our teacher – Mr Boyle.Since a young age I have been very interested in designing and drawing. I used to spend a lot of time drawing town plans and house design sketches, and I had also wanted to do Technical Graphics for my Junior Certificate, however the subject did not go ahead due to a lack of numbers in interest in this subject. Therefore, this module is of major interest to me! I am really glad, that in TY I get the chance to explore a topic and subject, that is totally new to me, yet a subject that I have a major interest in.

5.  Finishing My First Work Experience

This month I was very saddened to have finished my first placement. I had been in this placement over the past 13 weeks, and was really sad to say goodbye and get ready to start on my second work placement. Since September, I have been lucky enough to work in my past primary school – Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Drumfries. There are only about 60 – 70 students in the whole school, and therefore  I felt like I had grew to know them all well and had built up such a great working relationship with each and every one of them! I would like to thank all the staff & pupils at Drumfries N.S. for making, an amazing work experience placement possible!