Morning Ireland journalist Aimi Ní Riada paid a welcome visit to Castleisland Community College last week.
By Doreen Killington
The purpose of the visit was to interview those affected by the present Transition Year Programme and how it has been adapted within the context and disruption of the present school year.
She spoke with the acting Principal, Teresa Lonergan and TY co-ordinator, Marie Moriarty along with two transition year students, Rachel Murphy and Ruairí Mannix.
2020 Programme Constraints
Marie Moriarty explained that whilst there are constraints to the programme this year, the students still have an array of events and activities to look forward to.
The year will certainly help students gain confidence, boost their moral, develop better communication, social and group work skills.
The students Rachel and Ruairí said that they have been busy with outdoor events which allows them to apply for the Gaisce Award.
Outdoor Sports Activities
This term they visited Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre where they took part in outdoor sports activities, they hiked up Torc mountain in Killarney and they will also go surfing. Work experience is still possible but some places are not accepting students eg hospitals.
The students will be entering the Young Social Innovator’s (YSI)Competition and Business Enterprise Awards.
Team Building Exercises
They are presently undertaking team building exercises for YSI and brain storming for business ideas. They will be debating in the Castleisland Interagency Debating Competition and they are presently researching the topic regarding Covid 19 and house parties.
They will also be rapping ‘as Gaeilge’ for the ETBI ‘Bliain Na Gaeilge’ Competition!
Musical Going Ahead
The two highlights of the Transition Year programme for the students were the trip abroad and performing a musical.
This year the trip abroad will unfortunately not take place but the musical will go ahead. It will be videoed and shown as a virtual show to students.
Aimí – A Past Pupil
Aimí is a past pupil of the school. She began her career in journalism working with Raidió na Gaeltachta; TG4; The Kerryman, Radio Kerry and more recently RTÉ.
It was certainly a proud moment for the school to report to a past pupil now working for RTÉ.
The school will be informed when the interview is to be aired. Morning Ireland is broadcast RTÉ Radio One each week day from 7am-9am.
Go raibh maith agat Aimí!
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