Looking back on Term 2 - Transition Year
Monday ,April 12th, 2021 will be a date remembered by all for so many reasons but, in particular, for those of us involved in education.It is with great delight , that today April 12th,we welcome our Transition Year students back to our “School on the Hill” for what we know will be as busy and productive a term as Term 1 and Term 2.
Before we embrace this new term within the classrooms and corridors of our school it is important that we take time to reflect back on the last term. Term 2 began on Wednesday, January 6th ,and finished on Friday ,March 26th with the Easter Holidays.Although , all teaching and learning was done remotely, it was certainly a very busy term for Transition Year students.
January saw a Module changeover for all TY students and also saw students involved in a “HealthFest Programme” as described below by Sarah Coakley:
“I took part in Heath Fest on Wednesday the 27th of January. I got really lucky that I was accepted and allowed to go to the event, held virtually by The National Dairy Council, due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The day from start to finish was an excellent experience ,full of learning and highly educational .We got opportunities to play games through learning, along with listening to informative talks and engaging with interesting stands. Those students who attended couldn't have left the event without learning more than what they came in with”.
The Class Representatives were extremely busy organising events for Activity Week which took place virtually at the end of February.Well done girls for great work. Here’s to a busy Term 3"!
February saw the Subject Option Roadshow for all TY students and a Parents Information Evening.All students were involved in a Heart Core Fitness Programme, a Alpha Youth Programme and a number of students entered the Columban Schools Media Writing Competition Competition
.A group of students attended the European Youth Parliament yearly gathering between February 18th and 21st...this year again done virtually.Two goups of students (SHSS Girls and the Economic Doctors) entered the EuroGeneration competition organised by the Central Bank. Both groups qualified for the next stage of the competition.We wish them every success as they submitted a 2,000 word essay on their prediction of interest rates by the ECB (European Central Bank)Governing Body last Friday, April 9th.
On Monday February 22nd 24 students began the Look into Law Programme which is taking place over 5 weeks.On the same day 37 students took part in the RCSI Mini Medical Programme.Well done to all .
March also prove to be an extremely busy month .History was made as the moth began with our very first “Virtual Activity Week”. The main emphasis for this week was the Working World and the role of Woman in Society. We brought the working world into school with the “Return of our Working Girls” .Past pupils from various walks of life addressed our girls ,sharing their varied experiences since leaving Sacred Heart. This included Theresa O Leary, Katherine Condon,Stephanie Bollard and Anna Quinn. A further event on the World of Work was held on March 11th where the students were addressed by an actor, a pilot,an opera singer, a paramedic and a DJ . This was a very successful event. Aoibhe Daly remarked how fantastic it was to have “a TV Programme dedicated to TY Students “.We look forward to the future pilots, actors, singers ,paramedics and of course DJ’s from this years TY students.
During this week all Ty students took part in the I WISH Stem programme.I WISH is a Volunteer led community committed to showcasing the power of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths to female secondary school students.As a result of the students involvement in this 5 students from Sacred Heart will take part in an Internship Programme , organised by Deloitte Cork during the week of April 19th .
Students also enjoyed other activities during their “Virtual Activity Week”. These included music and dance workshops , a virtual quiz and of course the very successful “ Sacred Heart Bake Off”.
Debating and Public Speaking continued during Term 2 with our Concern Debaters qualifying for the All Ireland Quarter Final. Although they the team have not progressed to the next round , we are all very proud of their achievements. The team includes: Aoibhe Daly, Orla Moroney, Lucy Hodnett Lucy McCarthy, Sabine Cullinane and Nooran Alrubaye.
Jessica Assare and Nooran Alrubaye also took part in the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition.Jessica wrote a speech based on Prosperity and Health ..“LIfe isn’t fair. Get used to it!” - Bill Gates .Nooran wrote a speech on the Planet and Environment. Nooran has qualified for the Regional finals and has to submit her speech , by video, by Tuesday, April 13th. A group of students are also involved in the SPEAKOUT Public Speaking Competition, as organised by… They will submit their speeches by Thursday,April 23rd. We wish these students continued success.
On Monday March 10th and Wednesday March 12th all TY students had a presentation on line talk from representatives from the organisation “Shout Out” Shout Out is an organisation supporting the LGBT+ community.
On Thursday March the 25th 5 students attended the on line training course for the Psych Slam Competition , as organised by the Psychology Department in UCC. Work will continue for this project during the month of April. The title chosen for research by the students is based on the importance of the Imagination.We wish the girls many “flights of fancy” as they work on this topic.
Our Aberdeen Angus girls continue their preparation for the next stage in the competition. This will be an online interview to be held on Thursday ,April 22nd.As well as working on a booklet fro this interview the girls have also set up an Instagram page. You can follow them on @attheheartofit_shss .Best of luck Girls.
On Tuesday March 23rdstudents were involved in Employment Workshop' with Eve Ní Bhraoin from Conradh na Gaeilge. This was run as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2021.
Our TY students continue to be involved in a variety of on line courses by Futurelearn and Open University.Over 20 TY students have signed up to do online course with !ACT. Courses here centre on Hospitality, Student Well Being, Computers , Driving and Careers Skills.These courses will continue over the next few months.
As is evident our students have certainly been busy. Now as we return to school we look forward to lots of more events and activities. We are open to all ideas and suggestions ,to continue what so far, despite challenges, has proven to be a great year for our girls.
Girls, as you begin your last term of your Transition Year, remember it is never too late to :
“Dare to do something different, dare to try new things and dare to speak out when you never dared before”.
Continue to get to “ Know Yourself”. Have a great Term.