A New Approach to EducationTransition Year in ETSS Wicklow
Friday 18th October
This Week in TY
The past week was an eventful one for our Transition Year students. They resumed their SNA and Fashion courses, with the first Fashion module assignments now submitted – feedback and results are expected next week.
Thursday saw the TYs dive into local history, with a tour of Wicklow that culminated in a visit to Wicklow Gaol. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the gaol was in full Halloween mode, providing an atmospheric and memorable experience.
On Friday, even the unpredictable weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of our students as they took part in the Gr8 2b Yng walk, organised by the Wicklow Youth Mental Health Initiative. Despite being caught in the rain, our students completed the walk with smiles and high spirits. A special thanks to the organisers for their "Suicide or Survive" workshop and the walk – they were full of praise for the positive energy and participation from our TYs.
Next Week in TY
As we approach the midterm break, next week promises to be an exciting one. Students will be wrapping up the first half of their QQI Level 5 course and enjoying their final week of work placement before the well-earned holiday.
To celebrate the end of the first term, we’ll be closing out the week with some fun Halloween festivities on Friday. Expect a few surprises and plenty of treats as we get into the holiday spirit and reflect on the fantastic progress made so far this year. It’s sure to be a festive and fitting end to the term!
Friday 11th October
This Week in TY
It’s been an exciting and eventful week for our TY students! The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the Junior Certificate results ceremony on Wednesday. A massive congratulations to all our TYs on their outstanding achievements. We are so proud of your hard work and dedication over the last few years, and Wednesday's celebrations were well deserved. We’ve attached a video below that was shown during the ceremony, featuring our Junior Cycle students – be sure to check it out!
On Thursday, our TYs attended an incredibly important and informative talk at the Pastoral Centre. The Wicklow Youth Mental Health Initiative hosted a session by Suicide or Survive, which provided valuable insights into mental health. A huge thank you to Suicide or Survive and the Wicklow Youth Mental Health Initiative for their continued support in promoting well-being among our students.
Next Week in TY
Looking ahead to next week, we’re excited to announce the return of our QQI courses, which will resume on Wednesday. Details of upcoming assignments will be sent out to students during tutor time on Monday morning.
Thursday brings a unique opportunity for students to dive into local history with a walk through Wicklow town and a visit to the historic Wicklow Gaol. It's a fantastic chance to explore our town’s rich past.
Finally, on Friday, we’re partnering once again with the Wicklow Youth Mental Health Initiative for a special 5km walk along the Murrough. Students will join their peers from other schools in the area for the event, which promotes physical activity and mental well-being. Free T-shirts and snacks will be provided to all participants – it’s shaping up to be a fun and meaningful day!
Friday 4th October
Last week in TY
We’ve just completed another productive week in TY! Students continued with their Fashion and SNA QQI courses, receiving their first assignments, which marks a key point in their learning journey. Our Maths students also got involved in the John Hooper Statistics competition, starting work on posters that they’ll be submitting in the coming weeks. Work experience is now well underway, with students becoming more settled and confident in their placements.
A special highlight last week was the visit from Katie George Dunlevy, Paralympic and World Champion. Katie George kindly spent time with our students, sharing her inspiring story. The students were deeply engaged, and they even had the chance to hold her Olympic and World Championship medals—a memorable moment for all. We extend our sincere thanks to Katie George for taking the time to visit and inspire the group. Please visit the school's social media pages for photos of this visit.
On Wednesday, Joy Winston joined us to explain the requirements of the Gaisce Award and how students can work towards achieving it. This was a very informative session, and for those who want more details, the information from the talk is available through the link below.
https://learngaisce.ie/resources/ (the 3rd link in the top row of resources provides background information on the Gaisce award. Students will be guided by support staff in the school)
The Week Ahead
Students will be receiving their Junior Cycle results on Wednesday, parents are invited to attend a special ceremony in the PE hall from 11 pm. Students are free to leave with their parents after receiving their results. As a result of this ceremony, the QQI courses will be put back a week. Further information on upcoming assignments and deadlines will posted here when the information becomes available.
On Thursday, we will participate in the Suicide or Survive Workshop from 10 am until 12.30 pm, in collaboration with Wicklow Youth Mental Health Services, this is a fantastic initiative and it will be followed by a 5km along the Murrough on Friday the 18th of October. Consent forms will be sent home with students on Monday and must be returned before the workshop on Thursday morning.
Please check back for further updates regarding QQI course assignments and other key events.
Thursday 26th September
It’s been another busy and productive week for our Transition Year students at ETSS Wicklow. We are delighted to see the continued engagement with the QQI courses, and the students are making great progress.
The Week Ahead
Looking ahead, this week is packed with exciting activities. Work experience continues on Tuesday, giving students valuable real-world exposure. On Wednesday, Joy Winston will visit the school to provide information about the Gaisce programme, followed by QQI courses running from 11 AM to 1 PM.
On Thursday, we are thrilled to welcome Paralympic gold medalist Katie George Dunlevy, who will speak to the students about her inspiring journey. Finally, on Friday, a local representative from Special Olympics Ireland will be giving a talk to the students.
We look forward to another fantastic week!
Friday 13th September
Work Experience/Community Care:
Transition years have settled very well into their week 3 of work experience! Work experience takes place every Tuesday. Students please do not come to school on Tuesdays as you are expected to be at your work experience/community care placements.
QQI Courses Portobello Institute:
This week we had the very exciting introduction of our 2 exclusive QQI courses to be delivered by Portobello Institute. ETSS Wicklow is proud to be the only school in Ireland offering students the opportunity to attain a Level 5 qualification. We had Nicole and Limin from Portobello Institute who introduced the Fashion Buying and Special Needs Assisting courses. Students will be sent a poll on Tuesday in which they will choose their preferred course to study for the following 10 weeks. We advise students to have a think about which course they wish to study over the weekend.
Junk Kouture, Model United Nations and Mini Company classes are in full swing:
Junk Kouture, Model United Nations and Mini Company classes are in full swing during Period 2 on Thursdays. Students will get to pick their preferred class to study next week
Trip to Climate Action Leaving Certificate subject launch:
TY Year Head Robert took 3 TY students along to the launch of the new Leaving Certificate subject 'Climate Action and Sustainable Development’ which only 43 schools in the country will offer in 2025 including ETSS Wicklow. It was a privilege to be invited to this event, which was presented by the Minister of Education, Norma Foley.
Exciting few weeks ahead!:
Students have an exciting few weeks ahead in TY! We will be working towards their level 5 qualifications, Fashion Buying or Special Needs Assistant. We will also be having a few guest speakers and team bonding exercises planned in the upcoming weeks.
Friday September 6th
Another successful week in the books for our TY students! We're well and truly back in the swing of things here at ETSS Wicklow and our TYs had a busy week.
TY Students settling in well:
TY Students have become familiar with their new timetables, including many new Leaving Certificate taster classes, such as Politics & Society, Art, Craft and Design, LC Music and many more. Students are also settling in with their new class groups and making new friends.
Coastal Cleanup:
Ali’s Coastal Cleanup crew took their litter-pickers to the Murrough to survey and address ways in which they can help make our town's coastline more sustainable. The Coastal Cleanup crew put time and dedication into making the Murrough a cleaner and less polluted place. This will become an ongoing project throughout the year and we will have a speaker in over the next few weeks who will help to educate us further with this project.
Pink Elizabeth Barbering and Hairdressing Workshop:
Pink Elizabeth returned for Week 2 of her barbering and hairdressing course for the other half of TY. This informative and fun workshop was enjoyed thoroughly by all students, some even got to enjoy practising their barbering and hairdressing skills with their classmates.
The week ahead:
Next week will be a busy one for all TY students. Work experience will continue for all on Tuesday. Normal classes will run as per the timetable on Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Wednesday will be a big day for ETSS Wicklow as we become the only school in Ireland to offer their Transition Year students the opportunity to attain a QQI qualification. Portobello Institute will be providing an introduction to the two courses on offer. Half the students will sample the Fashion Buying course and the other half will sample the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) course. These groups will rotate before students make their decision on which course they would like to enrol in. This is a very exciting and exclusive opportunity for our TY students.
On Thursday 12th of September, Shauna and Sheena will accompany 25 TYs to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre to watch the show ‘Wicked’. This should be a great experience for all and should provide some inspiration for those partaking in our own school musical later this year.
Lastly, TYs have commenced their Taster Modules and they will run on Period 2 on Thursdays. The current rotation is as follows:
TY 1 – Model United Nations (James)
TY 2 – Junk Kouture (Amanda)
TY 3 – Mini Company (Esther)
Friday August 30th
Welcome back to a new school year at ETSS Wicklow! We hope everyone had a refreshing break and is excited to dive into what promises to be a fantastic year ahead.
This week was a busy one as we kicked off with student inductions, distributed new timetables, and got the ball rolling on our students Transition Year experience. It was great to see everyone settling into their new routines and embracing the opportunities that this year offers.
Work experience
Students set off on Tuesday morning to begin their first day of work experience/community care. Feedback from students was very encouraging and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this experience has over the coming months.
National Gallery Trip & Pink Elizabeth Hair Styling Workshop
Half of the TYs departed the school on Wednesday morning for their first school outing of the year. They boarded a train to Dublin and got to experience a morning exploring the wonders of the National Gallery and they even found time for a brief trip to Grafton Street for lunch! It was a great first trip of the year for TYs and we look forward to many more throughout the year.
The other half of the year took part in a hairstyling workshop with the fantastic Pink Elizabeth. Students got a lowdown on the hairdressing profession and those brave enough were given the opportunity to test their newly learned skills on their classmates!
The week ahead- Monday 2nd to Friday 6th September
Looking ahead to next week, we have an exciting lineup of activities planned. On Wednesday, the 4th of September, Ali will be leading a Coastal Cleanup trip, the students attending will be those who took part in the hairdressing workshop on Wednesday the 28th of August. This promises to be both a fun and environmentally impactful activity, this will take place along the Murrough in Wicklow town and students will be back in school before 1 pm. The group who attended the National Gallery this week will have their turn with Pink Elizabeth, so get ready to unleash your creativity!
Work experience will continue as scheduled on Tuesday, and we’ll return to our regular timetable on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. After-school clubs will be postponed this Wednesday the 4th of September due to a staff meeting.
We’re off to a strong start, and we’re excited about all that lies ahead this year. Let’s keep up the momentum and make this year one to remember!
Friday May 3rd
We have exciting things ahead in our lead up to TY Graduation on May 23rd!
Kayaking
On Thursday May 9th all TY students will leave the school at 1pm to go sea kayaking from Wicklow harbour down along the southern coastline of the county. Students should bring a lunch to school or preorder in the canteen. They will be given time in period 4 to eat before leaving the school.
Students should wear comfortable and warm clothes. Life jackets and other safety equipment will be provided by Wicklow Kayaking.
TY2 First Aid
TY2 will get their First Aid training on Monday May 13th. This is a full day course so students are reminded to be especially punctual.
Musical
Our TY students are the keystones of this year's musical both on and off the stage. A lot of focus in the upcoming weeks will be on rehearsals and running the day and evening shows on may 14th - 16th. The show is going to be breathtaking and we can't wait for you all to see it!
Emerald Park
On Friday May 17th all TY students will be visiting Emerald Park for a day of fun to wrap up their year before leaning fully into graduation preparation for the following week. Students will have full run of the park including the zoo, bird shows and rollercoasters. A hot lunch is included also. Further details will be forthcoming closer to the time!
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Friday April 12th
That was a massive week in TY - The Waiter course with Excel Recruitment, JigSaw for mental health and First Aid training for TY1!
WICKMUN
In school next week we have WICKMUN where we are hosting the Model United Nations summit on Friday and Saturday. TY students will be heavily involved with the preparations and volunteers are definitely needed to ensure the success of the event for all. MUN is massive in the school. We encourage as many students as possible to get involved in the event or to support it as much as possible.
Gaisce Camp
Our first ever Gaisce Adventure Journey will take place on Monday and Tuesday April 22nd - 23rd in Larch Hill International Scout Centre. 20 TY students are taking part in this exciting camp and hike in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. Full details will be sent to all parents on Monday 15th of April.
Healthcare Assistant Course
27 TY students have volunteered to undertake the healthcare assistant training course taking place on Friday April 26th in Capel House in Dublin City Centre. This is an amazing opportunity that will allow our students to work in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the country.
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Friday March 22nd
That has been one heck of a busy term!
When school resumes after the Easter break TY students in ETSS Wicklow are going to getting stuck into some of the biggest opportunities of the year including their First Aid, Healthcare, Waiter and Barista courses, the Gaisce Adventure Journey as well as the Musical and a trip to Emerald Park!
Monday April 8th
All TY students will undertake their full day Waiter course in the Simone classroom in the front building. Students must be in on time at 8.30am sharp to begin the course and full attendance throughout the day is mandatory to earn certification. There are no exceptions to this.
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Friday March 15th
We hope you found yesterday's subject discussions informative and helpful as you go on to select what you would like to do over the coming years for your Leaving Certificate.
A huge well done to all the TY students that took part in last week's Berlin school tour!
School Closure
A reminder that this week the school is closed on Monday due to the Bank Holiday.
Thursday March 21st
This Thursday all TY students will be taking the train in to Dublin to take part in the Viking Splash tour! We will meet at the train station at 8.30amto allow time to purchase tickets for the 9.05am train to Pearse Street. Students are advised to purchase their return tickets on irishrail.ie and bring their QR code with them to avoid quing at the station on the day. We will come back to school on the 1.38pm train, meaning students will still get the majority of their last class of the day in either Politics and Society or Applied Maths. Students need money for the train ticket and to purchase a lunch in the Grafton Street area.
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Friday March 1st
Berlin
This Wednesday we depart on our tour to Berlin! Please be at the school for 2.45am to get the bus to the airport. Ensure your bag fits with Aer Lingus hand luggage requirements and remember your passport!
Friday March 8th
For those students not attending the Berlin tour we have a wonderful guest speaker for March 8th, International Women's Day - Jennifer Haughton of Haughton Solicitors! Jennifer will be able to give an insight into the different career avenues for Law as well as go through the legalities of the referendum taking place on the same day.
TY Careers Fair March 14th 6 - 8pm
A reminder of the TY careers fair on March 14th from 6-8pm. This is the perfect vehicle for you and your student to gain as much insight as possible into the Leaving Certificate subjects from both teachers and students currently sitting the subjects.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Friday February 23rd
We have a very busy few weeks ahead of us in Transition Year in ETSS Wicklow!
Parent-Teacher Meeting
Reminder that the parent-teacher meeting will take place on Thursday February 29th from 4.15pm-6.45pm. Please make the most of this opportunity to find out how your student has been doing in their subjects throughout the year to date.
Dublin Zoo
This Thursday February 29th all TY students will be visiting Dublin Zoo. We will be taking public transport. In order to make our 10am booking we will need to take the 7.30am train. Please ensure your student books their ticket online in advance (Wicklow to Tara Street return) and collects it the previous afternoon from the ticket machine to save time. This is a busy commuter train so the quicker we are boarding, the better. Students are to meet at the train station no later than 7.20am. In addition they will need bus fare or a leap card to get the 46a to the zoo.
At the zoo students will be split into two groups. One will have their guided conservation tour at 10am while the other enjoys the zoo exhibits. The groups will then rotate at 11am. When we finish at the zoo we will take the bus back to the O'Connell Street area to get lunch in either MacDonalds or SuperMacs before getting the 1.30pm train home. We will be back in school for the last 30 minutes of class before the parent-teacher meeting.
TY Careers Fair March 14th 6 - 8pm
This is a highlight event for parents and students in the calendar. The TY careers fair is the perfect vehicle for you and your student to gain as much insight as possible into the Leaving Certificate subjects from both teachers and students currently sitting the subjects.
Timetable:
- 6.00 - 6.30pm: parents/students visit subject classrooms
- 6.30 - 7.15pm Options Presentation from the Guidance Counsellor Stacey
- 7.15 - 8pm: parents/students visit subject classrooms
Subjects:
On the night you will be able to learn more about the following subjects in ETSS Wicklow at Leaving Certificate Level:
Core: Irish, English, Maths
Languages: French, Spanish
Sciences: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Maths, Computer Science
Arts & Humanities: Art, Music, History, Geography, Politics and Society, PE, Home Economics
Business: Accounting, Economics, Business Studies
Practicals: Construction Studies, Design and Communications Graphics
AEN: Leaving Certificate Additional Educational Needs
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Friday February 9th
Mondello
Mondello will take place on Monday February 19th - this is only day the Mondello trip is on.
Students will leave school after Tutor Time and will travel to Mondello by coach. It is advised that students bring a lunch with them as options on site are severely limited during the week.
Students will return to school between 3.15pm and 3.40pm depending on traffic.
Dublin Zoo
We will visiting Dublin Zoo on Thursday February 29th. Students will travel to Dublin by Train and will then take the bus from Connolly Station to the Zoo. We will stop in the O'Connell Street area to get lunch on our return. Students will arrive back in school for approximately 3.30pm.
Parent Teacher Meetings
The Senior Cycle Parent Teacher meetings will take place from 4.15pm-6.45pm on Thursday February 29th. This is the perfect opportunity not only to see how your daughter or son has been progressing in their subjects and samplers, but to ask teachers any questions you may have about subjects for 5th and 6th Year.
An information evening for parents and students about the subjects at Leaving Certificate Level will take place on March 21st.
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Friday 2nd February
Reminder
A kind reminder that school is closed on Monday due to the bank holiday. TY Students are attending their Work Experience/Community Care on Tuesday.
Exams
TY students will undertake their examinations for the second academic block this coming week. The exam timetable is visible below:
TY Activities
On Thursday TY students will undertake a group problem solving experience - an online escape room! Students must bring their iPad with them charged and ready to go.
On Friday from 11am - 1pm students will hear from Stephen Kiernan - author of Motivational Mondays. Stephen's workshops are excellent and well regarded in both the business and educational communities.
Berlin
A letter is going out this week with the last few remaining bits before we depart for Berlin next month!
If you have any queries or suggestions for Transition Year in ETSS Wicklow please email the TY Coordinator at: Robert.Mathews@etsswicklow.ie
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Friday 26th January
Welcome
Dear Parents,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Transition Year News page. Each Friday this page will be updated with information and notes for the upcoming weeks in TY in Educate Together Secondary School in Wicklow.
If you have any questions or suggestions you can email me any time at Robert.Mathews@etsswicklow.ie
Monday January 29th
This coming Monday all students will take part in a barber workshop from 11am-1pm run by Pink Elizabeth. Students wishing to take part in the hairstyling classes after lunch are very welcome to do so. Students please let me know in person on Monday morning if you have not already done so!
Exam Week
Exam timetables have been distributed to students. Exam week begins for TYs on Wednesday February 7th due to the bank holiday and work experience. Please note there will be 2 TY activities that week also - an online escape room and a motivation workshop led by Stephen Kiernan, author of Motivational Mondays.
Mondello Update
Mondello has been reschedule from Monday February 5th to Monday February 19th due to the bank holiday on the 5th. Details for the bus times will be sent out closer to the time. Payment information will be sent out by the office for those that are attending.
Looking forward to working with you over the coming months!
Yours faithfully,
Robert Mathews
Transition Year & Student Support Coordinator.