Reflection on Term 1

Reflection on Term 1 Lucy O Flynn

I really enjoyed my first term of transition year. I had many different experiences, did projects, work experience, different modules, and tried new subjects. 

At the beginning of the year I chose to do junk kouture and journalism. I have learnt a lot in both of these projects. In junk kouture I learnt how to weave and improved my sewing and crocheting. In Journalism I got the opportunity to learn how a podcast works and I interviewed Justin Grounds, a violinist, composer and music producer. He played the violin for us at the end of the podcast.

I signed up for the Gaisce bronze award in September. I did harp as my personal development, athletics as physical development and in term 2 I will do community development. For each challenge area I must do 13 weeks of 1 hour a week. 

I attended the Cork Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice on the 21st October. Speakers from Kenya, America, Uganda and many other countries spoke about how climate change affects their community. The conference focused on climate action and intergenerational justice. It provided an opportunity for young people and adults to share their perspectives and provide steps towards personal and community action. 

My favourite module of the term was aquatics and fitness with Mr. Cronin. We either went swimming or went to the gym every Friday morning. I also enjoyed our history module where we learnt about propaganda and made our own propaganda posters. This module helped me to decide whether I wanted to choose history as one of my subjects for leaving cert. I enjoyed doing the modules on physics, chemistry, and biology. In chemistry we learnt about light and the emission line spectrum. In biology we dissected a cow's heart. We had to use a cow's heart instead of a sheeps, which was much bigger. We also learnt about DNA structure and genetics. We made a DNA structure out of gummy bears and strawberry laces. In term 2 I will pick my subjects for leaving cert. I think that doing the different modules in term 1 will help me to decide on what subjects I should do

Outside of school I had more time to focus on my hobbies. I played in the cetb orchestra on Saturdays and I hope to take part in the TY orchestra week in Cork school of music this term. This is one of my goals for term 2.

I was involved in the Friday run during October and I am taking part in the school's cross country in February. I hope to be able to run before school again once the mornings begin to get brighter.

I went to the Old Brewery Montessori and Gaelscoil Mhainistir Corann for work experience. I learnt a lot about the workplace and I had a great experience.

Overall I have really enjoyed term 1 of Transition year and I hope I continue to have many new experiences in Term 2.