Welcome TYs 26/27
Welcome back to all of you and a special welcome to everyone joining Transition Year for the first time.
This is the first of many newsletters that will keep you informed about upcoming activities and key dates over the weeks and months ahead.
The newsletter will be updated each Friday evening throughout the 26/27 Transition Year.
In TY, when we ask you to step outside your comfort zone, we mean embracing a mindset that:
Takes on challenges
Persists through obstacles
Learns from constructive feedback
Finds inspiration in the success of others
Transition Year is a unique opportunity to learn, grow and take ownership of your development. It's a time to mature, take initiative and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
Your opinions and experiences matter so you will be asked to use your student reps to raise any questions or concerns - these will be addressed as soon as possible and as practicable.
Mr. Knaggs, Ms. Doherty and I are here to support you in setting and achieving your goals for the year ahead.
TY Assembly
📅 Tuesday, 1st September
🕗 8:45am
📍 Assembly Hall
We'll go through an overview of the year to come. This is also a great time to ask any questions you might have about TY.
Topics will include:
Class Lists*
Timetables
Locker Allocation*
TY Outings & Activities Week
Assessments & Subject Choices
Gaisce Participation
*📌 Please note: Class groups (which are also your Activities Weeks groups for Work Placements) are currently being finalised. They will be available on your return to school, Tuesday 1st September.
*📌 Locker lists will be posted on the TY Whiteboard. Please bring in a lock with a spare key.
TY 26/27 Google Classroom
TY Students:
Please join the TY 26/27 Google Classroom using this code:
tfnsxcl7
This is where all general TY updates will be posted, including sign-up sheets and important deadlines.
Joining is compulsory.
If you have any issues accessing your school email, please speak to me.
Please note that the TY 26/27 Google Classroom can only be accessed via the stmc.ie student Gmail account.
TY Adventure Trip
20 - 22 September
Held at the start of the school year, this two-night residential trip to Killary Adventure Centre is designed to help TY students build friendships, foster teamwork and kick off the year with energy and enthusiasm.
Set against the backdrop of the Connemara landscape, students take part in a wide range of outdoor activities, from team challenges and high ropes to kayaking and bog obstacle courses with a focus on fun, connection and personal development. The Killary trip lays the foundation for a positive TY group experience.
The cost of this trip is €255 - Covers transfers, activities, accommodation, meals and 24hr supervision.
The trip also includes the Gaisce Adventure Journey, fulfilling a key requirement of the President's Award programme.
Parents: To confirm your son’s place, please complete the payment via the “TY September Trip” payment link by Friday, 4th September.
Please note: For record-keeping purposes, enter your son’s name when prompted to do so in the payment link above.
TY Musical
A really impressive amount of sign ups for the upcoming Musical. If you need anything relating to the rehearsals and sign ups, please speak with Mr Sheridan.
TY Calendar & Activities
📌 Exact release date of Junior Cycle 2026 results TBC
Activities Weeks (Work Placements, Cookery, Law and Boxing/Self Defence courses) will run every (approx) 6 weeks for 1 week blocks throughout the year. A rotating schedule of activities will be shared in due course.
A two-week Work Placement block for all TYs will take place in February/March 2027.
All students are expected to source their own Work Placement. We'll go through strategies for finding a successful placement during the assembly on 1st September.
Work Placement Insurance Information will be shared in due course on the TY WebPage and the Google Classroom.
Finally… A Note to Parents
If your son will be absent at any point, please update us via attendance Tyro app.
We do our best to respond to emails as quickly as possible, but please note that we are teaching for most of the day.
Thank you for your patience.
Where appropriate, we encourage students to speak to us directly with questions or concerns. Developing independence and self-advocacy is a key part of TY, and these conversations are valuable learning opportunities.
Aaron Copeland - TY Coordinator Gavin Knaggs - TY Year Head Katie Doherty - TY Tutor
We are happy to help with all enquiries relating to TY.
For enquiries or information relating to:
Schoolwork
Attendance & Punctuality
Student Behaviour
Please contact the Year Head, Gavin Knaggs
For all other enquiries please contact TY Coordinator, Aaron Copeland
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