The LYS Youth Work team who delivered the Moving On Up Programme at Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher
The students, who will be enrolling in First Year in Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher and Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton in the autumn, took part in the one-day programme that introduced them to their respective new school and new classmates.
Delivered by the youth work team at LYS, the Moving On Up programme focused on the personal and social challenges some students face as they start second level.
The workshops covered subjects such as communications, wellbeing, changing friendships and peer pressure, with a fitness module with Limerick Sports Partnership also part of the programme.
A new feature of this year’s Moving On Up was the introduction of a Vaping & Tobacco Awareness module by the LYS Drug Education and Prevention Support Project that highlighted the dangers of vape usage.
Students from the Philosophy Dept, Mary Immaculate College, who volunteered their time with Limerick Youth Service.
Away from the workshops, the 6th Class students met some of their new classmates, their respective new principals and explored their new schools.
‘While the start of secondary school can be an exciting time, for some students it can be quite a daunting experience, as some find the move from a small rural school with twenty students to a college with over 500 students quite daunting,’ said Eithne Stembridge, LYS.
‘Our Moving On Up programme includes workshops that give students the space to explore any feelings of anxiety or excitement that they may feel ahead of starting secondary school,’ said Eithne, programme coordinator.
‘On behalf of LYS, we’d like to wish the students the very best of luck in First Year and remind them that LYS will have plenty of extra-curricular activities, such as youth clubs, that will be of interest to many!’ said Eithne.
Eithne thanked the students and staff at Hazelwood College and Coláiste Mhuire for taking part in the Moving On Up programme saying ‘we had a very enjoyable day and the feedback from students and staff has been very positive.’
Eithne reserved a special word of thanks for students from Mary Immaculate College, the Technological University of the Shannon, the University of Limerick, the IES Francesco Ribalta, Casteleon, Spain and the staff at the Limerick Sports Partnership for assisting in delivering the programme.
Students on placement with LYS who supported the delivery of the Moving On Up Prog.
For more information on the Moving On Up Primary to Secondary Transition Programme, please contact Eithne at eithnes@limerickyouthservice.org or call 061-412444.
LYS is a member of Youth Work Ireland and the Irish Association of Community Training Organisations.
LYS remains committed to connecting with young people and supporting them to reach their full potential.
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