Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

I hope everybody has settled back into the new school year and is beginning to enjoy TY.  This is the largest TY group we have ever had so I will mainly use email to communicate to you as a group.

I hope to email this group fairly regularly with updates. It would be great if you are Twitter user to also follow our TY feed @tykillaloe  there as if there are any last minute changes to events I will usually post there.

EVENTS

We have already had a team building morning with Clare Sports Partnership and excellent personal development team workshops from Develop me. Students have begun their exciting modules many of which involve learning in new ways.  46 students have already completed their first day of work experience. Some groups have begun Horse-riding and swimming (other groups will be scheduled for this later in the year).  Sailing is scheduled for October and those who have volunteered for Faith Friends will be active from November.

The school banks will be interviewing shortly for their officials for the year and students will be notified in due course. I encourage every student to apply for this as the interview experience is beneficial for all.

We are all very excited to be off to Delphi Adventure Centre on the 20th September.  Your son or daughter has received an information booklet regarding what to pack and it would be great if you could look at this with them.  They all must bring a sleeping  bag and pillow.  Students are responsible for any valuables they bring with them.  All meals will be included however we will have a brief rest break on the way up and down so students may need some money for this.  The permission slip is in the information booklet and needs to be returned asap to me at school.  I would like very TY student to attend this trip as this is where the students really get to know each other.  If you have any concerns about the trip please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. We will leave the school at 8:30 a.m. sharp on Wednesday 20th and return on the evening of the 21st at approximately 18:30.  Students will contact you themselves on the route back if we are delayed.

PERSONAL LEARNING

Transition Year is about seeking out personal learning.  To this end I encourage TY students to explore TY events at many universities and colleges.  A full list of these are on http://www.qualifax.ie under the heading ‘Events Calendar’.  Many colleges now run specific TY programmes which students can apply for as individuals.  Also many open days are now on Saturdays and TY is an ideal time to visit colleges when the homework and study workload are a little lighter.

Gaisce, the President’s Award is also available to TY students.  Students should complete the form on the TY section of the school website if interested and also speak to Ms. Kearney.

TY Assembly is scheduled each Monday and students will be presented with new opportunities for other voluntary personal activities at this.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Payments: There are still a small number of TY Fees outstanding and I would greatly appreciate if these could be paid promptly.   The Way2Pay link on the school website is fully operational and is our preferred method of receiving payments.  The school contribution also applies to TY and it would be great if the few remaining to pay this €70 could pay promptly also. As always if there are real financial difficulties please discuss this with me privately.

Journal:  This year we have chosen a new school journal and Portfolio specifically for TY students. This is one of the items covered by the school contribution.  The journal will remain the main method of communication between school and home.  All students should have their journal and portfolio folder with them at all times in school.

Full Uniform and attendance are expected from all TY students at all times.  This includes the school jacket. Any absences must be explained on the day of return by provided a note from the back of the school journal to the main office.  The TY Year Head is Ms. Egan and she will follow up on attendance matters.

Work Experience has already begun for TY 1 and TY3.  If your son/daughter is due to begin work experience after Christmas they should find a placement now and complete the relevant forms on the school website asap.

GRADUATION

​Though it seems far off right now I will be seeking parents opinions on TY Graduation.  We usually have this event on a school evening towards the end of May.  Last year I received some feedback that perhaps it  is not a necessary event and can be costly for parents. I will be sending a survey by email in the coming months and will come to a decision with school management later on this.

Remember’You get out of TY what you put into it’.  Say yes to every opportunity!

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch,

Wishing everyone a successful year,