Here is a snapshot of some of the activities/projects that TY students were involved in throughout a very busy school year…
School Musical
In January 2023 TY students showed all their talents in the production of Beauty and the Beast – The Musical.
Video Production Course with Createschool
TY students worked both individually and in groups to create their own videos. They learned how to shoot footage, edit, add special effects as well as several other common elements used in film making.
Baysports
In early September we had our first outing to Baysports in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, where students got the opportunity to bond together as they explored the waterpark.
Forensic Science Workshop
We welcomed Alison Leck who got students to explore the various areas in forensic science through examining the evidence surrounding the assignation of JFK.
SOAR Workshop
In September we welcomed the team from SOAR who ran an early intervention wellness workshop for our transition year students to explore what it means to be themselves, build self- confidence and self-belief.
Driver Education Course
We had the team from the Irish School of Excellence on site to deliver their driver education course. Students got the opportunity to drive a car alongside a driving instructor. They were also educated on some of the practical elements to owning a car such as learning how to change a tyre amongst other basic mechanics. The 2nd half of the day was spent preparing for the driving theory test and road safety.
UL Adventure Centre
We visited the UL Adventure Centre in Killaloe, Co. Clare at the end of September. Students spent the first half of the day taking part in water activities such as canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddling. After lunch students took part in several team building challenges.
Wolf Academy Workshop
We had Daryl and Cormac from the wolf academy in October to give a workshop designed to guide students to connect to themselves, learn how to deal with & express challenging emotions and cultivate lasting self-confidence.
Drumadore Workshop
This was a very enjoyable workshop for all transition year students. They experienced drumming, dancing and learned body percussion with the team from Drumadore.
Bodhran Making Workshop
Students got the opportunity to manufacture their very own bodhran from scratch under the tutelage of Michael Vignoles. Students added their own designs and once complete were given a lesson on how to play.
Erasmus Exchange Programme
A number of our students took part in the Erasmus Exchange Programme. We hosted Burg Gymnasium from Bad Benthaim, Germany to our school in March before travelling to Germany in April. Students involved had a wonderful experience making new connections and experience different cultures.
Causey Farm
In February we visited Causey Farm in Co. Meath. Students enjoyed a variety of activities from baking brown bread to feeding the animals, and to top it off the famous bog run!
Credit Union
We were delighted to once again partner with Margaret Loughnane and all the team in St. Brendan’s Credit Union Loughrea. A number of our students worked across a broad range of projects throughout the year.
Yoga
TY students completed a 6-week Yoga course with Zara from Namaste Youth Yoga. Students explored a variety of exercises that helped to build strength and flexibility of body and mind.
Self Defense Classes
All TY students took a 7-week course in Self Defense with Krav Maga Self Defense School.
TY Ball
In April our TY students dressed in their finest attire as they came together for the annual TY Ball held in the Loughrea Hotel.
Indoor Soccer
We were put through our paces by John from Power Soccer who ran indoor soccer workshops in February/March.
John Brehony – Built in the Shed Gym
John Brehony did a course in functional fitness for students to round off our Monday morning active leisure studies programme.
Pallas Karting & Paintballing
In May we attended Pallas Karting for an action-packed day of paintballing and karting.
Young SVP
A number of our students worked with Helen Ralph as part of the Young SVP programme throughout the year.
TY Educational Tour to Madrid
In April our TY students travelled to Madrid on their school tour.
F1 in Schools National Champions
The final activity involving TY students took place in the Clayton Hotel Galway on Monday May 29th where our F1 in Schools Team ‘Resiliath’ took home gold in becoming F1 in Schools National Champions 2023. The team held off stiff competition from forty eight other teams from all over the country. Along with their National Champions Trophy the team also picked up the Fastest Car Award and Best Engineered Car Award at the National Finals. F1 in Schools is the largest global STEM competition for second level students and the team will now represent Ireland at the World Finals in Abu Dhabi next year.
Some other highlights….
Charity Partners
As part of their F1 in Schools project, our team ‘Resiliath’ joined up with Cancer Care West as their charity partners.
TY students were involved in our Annual Christmas Carol Service that raised 1390 euro for St. Vincent De Paul.
A number of TY students gave their time to help out with the running of the Connacht Special Olympics Swimming Gala which was held in Leisureland Galway
Awards for ‘Beauty and the Beast – The Musical’
Students who took part in Beauty and the Beast – The musical being honoured with awards from the Galway University Musical Society.
Clothes Pod
As part of their work in our climate action group Ava, Niamh and Aoibhe organised an unwanted clothes drive.
Garda Youth Awards
Some Transition Year students were honoured at the Garda Youth Awards for completing an art project for St. Brendan's Nursing Home.
Criminal Investigation Project
A group of students spent a week shooting on location with GK Media and in partnership with Loughrea Gard Station as part of a Criminal Investigation Project.
BT Young Scientist
TY Student Ava Conerney won two awards at the 2023 BT Young Scientist Competition for her project ‘Get Together – Girls in Engineering and Technology’
Well done to all of our 2022/23 Transition Year students on their various accomplishments throughout this School Year.