Youth workers, 5th Yrs and Deputy Principal Michelle Thompson at Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastlewest
First Year students at Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher and Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastlewest, started their second level careers by taking part in a Primary to Secondary Transition Programme with Limerick Youth Service (LYS).
Titled Moving On Up, the Transition Programme aims to make the move from primary to second level more comfortable for students by focusing on the social and personal changes that some may experience.
The youth work programme includes workshops that focus on areas such as communications, friendships, school rules, mental wellbeing and the fears and expectations that some student may feel when starting second level.
‘For many students the move to secondary school is an exciting time. However, for some it can be quite daunting as they may be moving from a small national school to a large second level college,’ said Eithne Stembridge, LYS.
Youth workers from Limerick Youth Service at Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher
‘When you factor in the effects of the Covid-19 restrictions, many young people have a had a challenging and unsettling year and may have missed out on significant milestones in their lives,’ said Eithne.
‘Our Transition Programme gives these students an opportunity to get to know each other ahead of the start of the new school term,’ said Eithne.
As part of the Transition Programme, the students also meet with teachers and current students with the latter sharing their experiences of starting secondary school.
‘We had two very enjoyable days and the feedback from the First Years was great with many saying it was good to meet their new classmates and have some fun before the homework starts!’ laughed Eithne.
Eithne thanked the First Years for taking part in the Transition Programme and wished them the very best in the next step of their lives. .
5th Years students who co-assisted in the delivery of the Transition Programme at Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, pictured with Deputy Principal Michelle Thompson
Eithne also thanked the staff and 5th Year students at Hazelwood College and Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, the youth work team at LYS and the Limerick Sports Partnership for their support in delivering the programme.
Schools who are interested in taking part in the Transition Programme are asked to email lys@limerickyouthservice.org or call 061-412444.
A member of Youth Work Ireland and the Irish Association of Community Training Centres, LYS remains committed to connecting with young people and supporting them to reach their full potential.
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