Developing Responsible and Participative Members of Society
Osprey Hotel, Naas
October 11th 2008

The second Transition Year National Conference revisited the rational of Transition Year in promoting the development of responsible and participative members of society.  As recommended by the programme guidelines the personal and social development of student is central to the overall learning experience provided by Transition Year.

With this in mind this years conference provided a forum where teachers can explore the possibilities of involving participation, volunteering and community outreach in their schools programme.

Official Opening was by:

Sean Haughey,TD,

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science

Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy,

Focus Ireland

Dr. Gerry Jeffers,

NUI Maynooth

A series of workshops and displays provided useful information and contact details that may be of benifit in the ongoing development of Transition Year in your school.

Young Social Innovators
This workshop focused on how to engage young people in active and participative citizenship through social justice education and action using the Young Social Innovators (YSI) framework; it featured young people who are making a difference in this way, involved active learning methodologies and provided information on the (YSI) programme.

Intel Ireland
Log On, Learn – enables TY students to buddy up with older people from the local community, to teach them PC and technology skills.

Irish Heart Foundation
Teaching CPR in the Classroom Representatives of the Irish Heart Foundation demonstrated how to use the CPR Anytime Kit to teach students the life saving skills of resuscitation. Attendees received their own kit to take home to practice teaching their family and friends CPR.

Combat Poverty Ireland
Ireland –A Level Playing Pitch?: Class and Community Based Learning
This workshop gave a brief overview of a unit entitled Ireland–A Level Playing Pitch? (commissioned by the Combat Poverty Agency and developed by two experienced teachers,) which aims to develop students understanding of poverty in Ireland through class work as well as community engagement. The workshop also modeled the participative methodology embedded in the unit, giving tasters of specific class sessions. Copies of the resource were distributed to participants.

Special Olympics Ireland
The Special Olympics Ireland Schools’ Programme, SO Get into It! for transition year students
This programme helps students and teachers understand and respect the needs of all students – especially the needs of those with an intellectual disability. The programme materials were showcased and demonstrated for teachers and they described the ways students can become active citizens and volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland. Presentation by: Goretti Newell & Barbara Hawkins of Special Olympics Ireland.

Simon
Simon Believes that tackling homelessness is everyone’s responsibility, by supporting and volunteering in homelessness initiatives in your community an end to homelessness can become a reality. Join us to see how we can get your school involved in our campaign!

Click here for the TY Brochure 

2007 Transition Year National Conference"Celebrating Innovation and Developing the Experience" 

Transition Year National Conference 2007

At the Transition Year Conference held at the Osprey Hotel, Naas on Friday April 20th 2007, Minister of Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD, annouced the TY Capitation grant to be increased to €100 per student from September 2007.