Transition Year at St. Mary's Secondary School offers students a unique opportunity to grow, explore new interests and prepare for the exciting challenges of Senior Cycle and beyond.
Designed as a bridge between Junior Cycle and the Leaving Certificate, our Transition Year programme places a strong emphasis on personal development, active learning, career exploration and community engagement. Students continue to study core subjects while experiencing a wide range of new modules, practical learning opportunities and recognised certification courses.
A key feature of the programme is weekly work experience every Friday, allowing students to gain valuable insight into the world of work, develop confidence and make informed decisions about their future careers. Throughout the year, students also enjoy a rich programme of activities including leadership workshops, college visits, guest speakers, environmental projects, Young Social Innovators, Mini Company, Gaisce, driving lessons, cultural experiences, community outreach initiatives and much more.
One of the highlights of the year is the Transition Year Musical, where every student studies music, drama and dance while working together towards a full public performance. Alongside this, students participate in bonding days, retreats, Grandparents' Day, interview skills workshops, Dragons' Den, Junk Kouture, Forensic Science Day and many other memorable experiences.
At St. Mary's, Transition Year is about much more than academics. It is about helping young people discover their strengths, build confidence, develop leadership skills and become active, responsible members of their community. The programme encourages students to become independent learners while preparing them for success in the Leaving Certificate and in life beyond school.
The popularity of our programme speaks for itself, with 95% of eligible Third Year students choosing to participate each year. We are proud to offer a Transition Year experience that is engaging, challenging and enjoyable, providing students with lifelong memories, valuable skills and the confidence to embrace future opportunities.
We look forward to welcoming our next Transition Year cohort for another exciting year of learning, growth and discovery.