Transition Year suggestions?

[Mamof2intheLoo]

Teen is due to start TY in September. Unfortunately we have recently found out that the school’s plan for the year is lacklustre to say the least. One teacher though did suggest that we could organise activities independently and that they would support teen’s attendance at these. Have any of you any ideas/suggestions/recommendations of experiences, courses or development opportunities that we could pursue? I am already aware of 3rd level TY programmes, first aid courses and driving lessons.

DS did lifesaving and has now been offered part time hours in a pool. Also he applied to every TY program , he saw and got some work experience from that. He helped out in his old primary school for a day a week from September to December. He is now going back to help with sports day. DS school program wasn’t great either so we actively had to go looking for stuff.

All they could suggest was a barista course or DCU. They did a musical but not everyone was involved or even allowed to be involved. They were told to come in if they wanted but would be sitting at back of the hall.

His friend did a term in a Spanish school but DS wasn’t interested as would miss GAA too much.
I googled everything to do with TY , asked everyone I knew about what their kids did or were doing.
And start now, some programs will only accept applications in September but others are open.
Good luck

I've just come in from DDs TY graduation, she's been busy all year, trying to think what all they did
-trips including to Spain, an overnight to outdoor activity centre, the Aran Islans

• 2 2 week blocks of work placements and 1 week of placement in the not-for-profit sector
• the musical was the big one, TYs are the backbone of it both backstage and performing, they all take part in some way

-lots of courses, First Aid, barista, flower arranging, photography, driving skills

In our school they did first aid, woodwork and a sewing project. Also the president’s award. Maybe visit a nursing home too?

That’s pretty poor of the school to be honest. Because it’s all right doing other stuff but you end up paying for it and then they are doing it alone without classmates.

having said that maybe one of the language school? Mine did Delf French language exam. Learn an instrument?

Ive seen ads on Facebook with study abroad options for TYs for a term.Might be an option if it’s terrible.

I have one for TY this coming year too as was not on offer for others but what are the extra ty courses on offer? are they outside of the school curriculum for the year or do you just mean the work experience part?

Are they interested in a particular sport or hobby?

My daughter did all her sailing related qualifications, spent various weeks on different boats and ships and 2 separate stints at training camps abroad. She has really grown and matured in the year. There is loads of stuff out there and I wouldn’t hesitate in having them miss school if they are doing something even slightly worthwhile.

@tinaabbot where did she do that? Sounds like something mine would love.

She did some of it though her club, but if you look up SailCoach, they do TY camps. Sail Training Ireland do tall ships voyages, and INSS in Dun Laoghaire organise a lot of the qualifications.
This page also has lists of courses, sometimes it’s only for members of the club but some are open to everyone. https://www.sailing.ie/Training/Current-Scheduled-Training-Courses

SailCoach is an amazing experience, they really grow up over the couple of weeks.

That's really poor of the school. It would put me right off

I think its important that teens develop a sense of civic duty so maybe involvement in a tidy towns or something? Or maybe a beach clean up where they all get to go for a swim afterwards? You'd need a number of parent volunteers to bring them and supervise. Or if you are far inland, a woodland clean up. A mountain hike would be lovely too or orienteering.