Phone: 094 96 20177 / 96 21013
E-mail: school@castlereacs.com

Transition Year

TY students enjoy Golf Lessons at Castlerea Golf Club

TY The Highlights So Far!

In 2015,  CCS offered Transition Year for the first time in a number of years. It proved to be a very successful year and one which was jam-packed with activities. This year, the current Transition Year class were eager to follow in the footsteps of those who went before them and were looking forward to a fun-filled year.
Golf was the first activity on the agenda. The first golf lessons took place in early September. The students were coached in the basics of golf, including some important techniques. Mr Anto McCormack (Deputy Principal), Mrs Mary Colleary (School Chaplain) and other members of Castlerea Golf Club including Mrs Valerie Rabbitt and Mr Rupert Staunton kindly gave up their time to assist with this activity. The students enjoyed their lessons and look forward to more lessons throughout the year.
As part of their Geography module, students are required to complete a field study. In order to carry out this study, students were taken to the Demesne by their teacher Ms Eithne Hurley. Here, they gathered information about the river and its surroundings. This information will help them complete the field study.
They entered BT Young Scientists and Technology Competition. Three projects were accepted this year. “Going With The Flow” is a project with team members Nathan Cook, Kelvin Connell and Francis McElroy which was entered in the Physical and Mathematical Science section. They examined the flow of granules .They checked to see if they behave like liquids when flowing or if they had their own properties. They also checked if their findings have any implications for industry. For their work they received a ‘Highly Commended’ award. They were mentored by Ms Yvonne Hanbury.

Darren O’Connor’s project in the Biological and Ecological Science section examined which feeders birds are attracted to and which birdfeed they prefer. Darren was mentored by Ms Pauline Dervan.

The third project to qualify was the “The Bouba- Kiki Effect”. In this project the Bouba-Kiki Effect is investigated to find out if abstract visual properties can be linked to sound. The team members were Tess Shultz, Louise Doyle, Liam Fleming and their project was entered in Social and Behavioural Sciences category. They too were mentored by Ms Dervan. The competition took place in the RDS in January and the three teams found it a great experience and are hoping to compete again next year.
The students are also involved in a programme called “Project Match”. Project Match Castlerea is a community initiative which uses the skills and talents of local residents, the support of local agencies and organisations and all available resources to build a safe and healthy community for all – free from drug and alcohol misuse
On Monday 8th October the TY class, accompanied by Ms Dervan, visited the Galway Atlantaquariam and the Cern Accelerating Science Exhibition in Leisure land Galway. The Cern Exhibition looks back on the origins of the universe and the various ‘pod’ exhibition areas focus on the fundamental particles which we are all made from. Cern is the world’s largest Scientific Experiment and it will influence many future developments in all areas of science.

On Monday October 15th, the Transition Year group attended “Psycho Spaghetti” in the Abbey Hotel. Psycho Spaghetti is a brilliant comedy show written specifically for teenagers. This hilarious one-man show, written and performed by Ger Carey, takes a comic look at young people and the relationship they have with their teachers, friends and family. Overall, it was an excellent show which kept the students captivated for almost two hours.
On Tuesday the 16th of October, the students went on an outdoor pursuit’s adventure. They met outside the school gates at 9:20 to take a bus to Killary Harbor, Galway. Upon arrival, the transition years checked in and listened to the rules of being a guest at Killary. Immediately after check-in, the students began the water activities beside the centre. Each student was given a swimsuit, life jacket and a helmet. Once all the safety was taken care of, they set off in their kayaks. The students found this to be a most enjoyable activity as many of them had never kayaked before. Once everyone had become familiar with the kayaks, the students were taught some games. One such game was called “Scorpion” where the student had to sit on the end of the kayak and tip another student from their boat! The following morning after breakfast, the students headed off to partake in a wall-climbing challenge and acrobatics. Once again, safety gear was provided for all and then the wall-climbing began. Students had to climb a wall while it swayed back and forth – easier said than done! Every student made a superb effort with many of them reaching the top. The acrobatic section required students to climb up onto a long pole. Once they reached the top they had to jump off and grab a swinging bar. These activities were strenuous but enjoyable. Next up was the laser gun activity. Each student had a gun and a hat with a sensor attached. There was great competition here as the students were divided up into two groups and had to knock the opposing group out as soon as possible! Overall, the trip to Killary was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved and will be remembered as one of the highlights of TY.

There was great excitement and anticipation on Wednesday 6th Feb in CCS as the School final of County Enterprise Board Student Enterprise competition took place. This is the schools first time participating in the competition and the TY students certainly rose to the challenge.
Over the past five months the students have set up and successfully ran five different minicompanies under the guidance of their Business teacher Ms. Y. Ryan and TY coordinator Ms.Callaghan. The students were also assisted in their enterprises by Ms. Reilly Home Ec Department, Mr. O’Rourke Metalwork Department and Ms. Hanbury Technology Department. The businesses involved were:-
Blásta – production and selling of healthy and nutritious homemade soup.
Cupcake Creations – productions of cupcakes using locally sourced free range eggs.
Flicker – Designed and manufactured candle holders
A Community Calender – was designed and printed using photographs of local area.
Quirkey Key rings – manufacture of souvenir key rings for “Gathering” events which will be held throughout 2013.
The students showcased their business to the judges – Ann Browne (Roscommon Enterprise Board), Eithne Jarrett –local entrepeneur and invited guests including Michael McGreal Roscommon County Council & Director IPB, sponsors of Gathering 2013 and Richie Farrell, co-ordinator of Gathering Roscommon 2013.
They were extremely impressed by the high standard achieved. Principal Mary Mullarkey complimented all the students involved who have worked diligently on their various projects since the start of the year.
The overall winners of the competition were Quirkey key Rings who will now go forward to represent CCS at the County Final. 2nd place went to Flicker – Candle holder manufacturers. Well done to all involved.

These are just some of the activities that the Transition Years have been involved in so far this year. They are looking forward to many more for the remainder of the year.


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