Transition Year Activities

  • Blackrock College Radio: broadcasts over a 5-mile radius for 1 week (47½ hours airtime) in November
  • Camino de Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage: a group of pupils undertake a week-long pilgrimage.  This provides the boys, approximately 20 in number, with a memorable spiritual experience.
  • Chinese: Classes are run in conjunction with the Confucius Institute in U.C.D. and take place on Tuesday evenings.  The programme runs for 22 weeks and culminates in an optional trip to China at Easter time.
  • Computer Programming: This is run in conjunction with the School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity
  • Dragons’ Den: The Dragons’ Den competition, an initiative of the Blackrock College Union, encourages pupils to develop their business acumen and entrepreneurial talents.  It is judged by a panel of past pupils who have distinguished themselves in the world of business.
  • E.C.D.L.
    • European Languages Abroad: Some Transition Year pupils spend some time from a few weeks to one term abroad studying a European language.
  • Evening Courses: Construction Studies, Legal Studies, Driver Education, ECDL, Sound Engineering, First Aid, Yoga, Chinese, Indonesian Silat
  • Faith Friends: Transition Year pupils act as ‘Faith Friends’ for the Confirmation pupils in Willow Park.  They meet with the pupils and help in their preparation for Confirmation.
  • FÁS Safe Pass Course: enables students to seek summer work on a construction site
  • Field Trips: Bord Bia, GAA Museum, Irish Film Institute, Dublin Castle, Sea Safari, Climbing Wall, Kilmainham Gaol, Glasnevin Cemetery
  • Gaisce: The boys are given the opportunity to achieve in four areas: Community, Involvement, Personal Skill, Physical Activity and Adventure Journey.  There are three levels of attainment, Bronze, Silver and Gold.  Usually, students undertake Bronze in Transition Year and Silver in 5th Year; further details can be obtained on www.gaisce.ie
  • Goal/Aidlink St. Patrick’s Day Badge project: the money raised supports GOAL and Aidlink projects in the Developing World.  The money raised is split equally.
  • Green Schools Committee: The main aim of this committee is to maintain our current Green Flag status, each Transition Year class is responsible for collecting recyclable material from over 60 places throughout the school
  • Greenwatch: environmental magazine produced by 41 Geography class
  • Junior Musical: This takes place in the 3rd term in conjunction with Loreto Abbey, Dalkey
  • Lecture Series: organised by the Parents’ Committee and the Dean.  Topics may include physiotherapy, health and fitness, alcohol abuse, bullying, social awareness, etc.
  • M.A.D. Week: Music, Art and Drama Week includes workshops on rap, song-writing, drama, guitar, dance, percussion, architecture, creative writing, photography etc.
  • Master Chef: A Cookery Competition takes place in the final term.  The Final is judged by an independent culinary expert.
  • Mini Company Projects: the Tuck Shop is run by the Business classes, each class taking its turn.  A percentage of the profits is donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society
  • Modules: Car Maintenance, Home Economics, Film Studies, Careers and Mental Health, Arts and Crafts, Computer Studies, R.S.E., Social Studies
  • Pastoral Placements: over a 2-week period the boys work with groups such as the elderly, intellectually or physically disabled children and adults
  • Public Speaking: students take the R.I.A.M. Public Speaking exam in May
  • Solas Sport – Prison Rugby: Solas Sport  run a youth character development programme in St. Patrick’s Institution (a Juvenile Detention Centre for young men between 16 – 21).  As part of their rugby programme there is a tag rugby match every 3 weeks between a team from Transition Year and a team from St. Patrick’s Institution. (more info: www.solasproject.ie)
  • St. Vincent de Paul Society Fundraisers: 24-hour Soccer Marathon, Mince Pie morning and Christmas Tree project.  Funds raised are used to purchase Christmas hampers and also assist in the educational mission of the College Conference.
  • Website: Pupils are taught how to maintain and update the Transition Year website which contains detailed and up-to-date information about Transition Year projects and activities.  This is a very valuable resource for both parents and pupils.
  • Young Social Innovators: This programme was created to develop social awareness and activism in young people so that they may become champions for social justice later on in life