Transition Year Student Support Guide
Introduction
Who’s Who?
Why Transition Year?
Reasons why TY is worth doing:
Subjects
TY subjects include a mix of core, year-long and rotational modules across the year.
2025–2026 Subjects
2026–2027 Timetable and Subjects
Assessments – Portfolios
Assessment in TY is different from Junior Cycle. Teachers will set deadlines for a variety of work and you will be expected to manage this independently, just as you will for the Leaving Certificate, further study and in the world of work.
A key component of assessment is your portfolio: a curated selection of your work across the year. Each term you will submit a mini-portfolio containing six pieces of work from across your subjects, alongside a written reflection.
In class, you’ll complete tasks designed to build knowledge and skills for Leaving Certificate level. Because Junior Cycle subjects are largely common level, TY is an important year to begin bridging the gap towards Higher and Ordinary level expectations.
What’s included?
- TY Portfolio: reflections, project work, achievements and visual materials.
- Key essay: “Who I Want to Be” (approx. 1200 words), due at the end of Block 1.
- Ongoing assessment: continuous assignments, projects and presentations.
- Traditional assessment: regular tests in Maths, English and Irish to support readiness for 5th year.
- Balanced approach: celebrates growth, highlights strengths and builds essential skills.
Work Experience & Community Care (Tuesdays)
Options by Academic Year
2025–2026
2026–2027
QQI
- Unique opportunity to earn a Level 5 (Junior Cycle awards are Level 2 or Level 3)
- Brilliant preparation for employment
- Only school in Ireland with a partnership with Portobello Institute
- 10 weeks plus assignments (Fashion Merchandising and Design)
- Takes place on Thursdays from September to December
Workshops & Outings – Thursdays
- Takes place on Thursdays from December to May
- Some workshops take place in school
- Some outings take place in Dublin or other counties
- Students use public transport to visit museums and experiences in Dublin
Berlin
You will have an amazing opportunity to visit Berlin as a school tour in TY. This trip is open to everyone, but you do not have to go on it.
You will visit:
- Reichstag
- Cycling tour of Berlin
- Ritter Sport Chocolate
- 1936 Olympic Stadium
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
- Stasi Museum
- Stasi Prison
- Unterwelten underground tour
- Berlin TV Tower (see the city from above)
- Alex Shopping Centre
- Bowling
Accommodation - Where will I be staying?
You will be staying in Generator Berlin Mitte.
Each room will have 2–3 bunk beds, so 4–6 people sleeping in each room.
Each room has a separate bathroom inside with a toilet, sink and shower.
The hotel is very central and has a tram stop right outside their door.
You will have breakfast and dinner downstairs in the hotel restaurant each day.
You will buy your own lunch each day when we are out.
Transport
We will be taking the train to most destinations. This may involve changing trains multiple times per journey. Do not worry — trains run every few minutes and we will always travel together as one group.
The train map is colour coded and easy to follow. You will also receive written instructions outlining the lines and stops you need to take. These instructions will be sent to your phone each day via the Teams app.
You must have Teams installed and signed in on your phone so that you can contact a teacher if needed, or a teacher can contact you.
You will use an app to pay for and validate your tickets. This is the BVG app, and teachers will show you how to use it before travelling.
Always make sure you validate your ticket before getting on the train in Germany.
Rules
There will be a behaviour contract to sign before you go
This covers rules such as:
- No smoking or vaping
- No alcohol
- No piercings, tattoos etc
- You must not leave the hotel at night
- You must comply with teacher instructions
Gaisce
What is Gaisce?
Gaisce is the President's Award in Ireland. There are three award levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold. You will work towards earning the Bronze in TY. If you successfully achieve it, you may choose to move on to the Silver in 5th year.
The awards are designed to help you grow and develop in new ways and to become a more rounded individual. Employers look positively at the award as it shows you can commit to something over a prolonged period of time and progress.
Internationally, universities value the concept of an award from the President highly – especially universities in the United States.
There are four components to the award that must be completed outside school time:
Adventure Journey
- 25km hike
- 1 night camping
- Takes place in Larch Hill International Scout Centre (Dublin Mountains) in March/April 2026
- Team-based activities
- Food will be provided
- Camp fire – marshmallows and hot chocolate
- Toilets on site
- Fresh water taps on site
- Tents can be hired if you do not already own one
- Torch
- Rain gear
- Change of clothes
- Hiking boots or runners
- Plate
- Cup
- Cutlery
- Water bottle
- Sleeping bag
- Roll mat / yoga mat
- Backpack (for hike)
- Breakfast + rain gear for hike
Costs 2026–2027
Parent Questions (TY Information Evening 2026–2027)
Scan the QR code below to submit a question.