Tuesday 29 September 2015

TY Photography Workshop 2015

On the 28th and 29th September, some of the Fourth Years took part in a two day 'Photography Workshop' with Tim Durham. It was a fun filled experience that gave us an insight into the world of photography. 

Over the course of two days we learnt about the art of photography. On both mornings we studied Tim Durham's photos, analysing and evaluating the features of his photographs. It was a difficult but interesting challenge that made us look at photography in a different light.

Tim Durham supplied us with cameras to go out into the Balbriggan area and take our own photos. He set us some specific tasks to do while we were out, such as, taking photos with a particular focus on perspective and colour. We all had the same conditions to work in such as the location, time and camera quality. We had lots of photographs to critique when we arrived back into school. We shared our thoughts and opinions as we looked through each other’s photographs.

Indeed it is safe to say they were all of a very high standard and extremely thought provoking. We learnt how to draw inspiration from our surroundings and change everyday objects, landscapes and buildings into something more intriguing.

Many thanks to Tim Durham for providing the workshops in the school for the past four weeks, they were great fun for all who participated.

You can visit Tim Durham's website here: www.envisionphoto.ie










                                           

                                                        

 





TY Trip to Kippure 2015


On 16th September, the current Fourth Years set out on an adventure to Kippure in Co. Wicklow. Here is a synopsis of the events and activities experienced by Transition Year students.

One of the first activities at Kippure was Archery. We had an experienced instructor, Cormack, who taught us the techniques to achieve a perfect bullseye. The bows were long and heavy and they were hard to hit, but after a few attempts it became more enjoyable and achievable. 


Rock climbing was a challenge for most. The walls had few aids and to fully complete the climbing task you had to touch a beam at the very top. It was an exciting activity but became difficult task for those with a fear of heights! Each team controlled the individual team member’s ropes, so essentially, your life was in their hands. Thankfully we all made it back down alive.

Next, we attempted Abseiling. This activity required us to slide down a wall while attached to a rope controlled by individual team members. Our instructor, Kieran, cracked jokes about death that didn't settle us at all but when it came to abseiling down, he made sure it was an enjoyable (but safe) experience.



Have you ever looked up a streetlight and thought; ‘Golly, I’d love to climb that.’Our next task required us to do just that. We had to climb up a tall pole with wedges to pull ourselves up with. Clinging on to each other for dear life we maneuvered ourselves around the tiny platform (at the top of the pole) until we were told to slowly lean back while holding hands and then hop off the platform so we could get down.






Night Orienteering was an exciting part of the trip as we searched for hidden markings throughout the fields and woods. Team 9 won the first night and ‘The Jelly Beans’ won the second night. It was a fun experience where each group bonded and developed their skills in the form of teamwork.



Kayaking was one of the more popular activities on our trip. We kayaked in Poulaphouca Reservoir. Mr. Brennan and Mr. Cox joined us and provided a lot of fun by capsizing our kayaks and splashing us in the water. We were in groups of two and we had to kayak around the Reservoir with the aid of some instructors.


After that we attempted the high beams. Most flew across the high balance beam like expert gymnasts! A select few, staggered across instead! Once we had finished with the beam it was off to the Jacob’s ladder. Some students practically flew up to the top, while others hung onto the second log like a sloth! The high ropes were hilarious and great fun









On our last night the teachers gave us a list of props and words to make a “skit” with our house. Each house was extremely entertaining and in the end house 2 won, receiving a €20 prize to share among the group. Dagmara Dobkowska won best actress and also received her own prize of €5. To top off the night, Ms. Ferris accompanied by some students, played their guitars and we sang along. It is fair to say that each task helped us to grow closer as a Year Group!

On behalf of Transition Year, we would like to sincerely thank our dedicated teachers (Ms. Ferris, Ms. Magliocco, Ms. O’Reilly, Mr. Brennan, Ms. Hunt and Mr. Cox) who planned and supervised this unforgettable trip.


Sunday 27 September 2015

Welcome Back

Firstly, the Transition Year Blog team would like to welcome everyone back for yet another school year full of potential and opportunities to learn and grow together.

In order to capture the whole experience of this great year, our team along with the remarkable help of Ms. White will be resuming the Transition Year blog on the website of Loreto Balbriggan. We will write about the exciting events that go on in our school, post pictures, discuss about the Transition Year experience, and most importantly, we will make it a place where all TY students create memories together.

The TY Blog is for the Transition Years in particular, however all students, parents and even staff can visit it and admire the fun we are having. It is a great benefit to have our own virtual memory scrapbook, at which we can look back and remember the greatest moments of Transition Year.
The TY Blog is also here to update you on what goes on in our year group and this time round we are adding a new feature to the blog. We will upload copies of the forms for the Transition Year activities. We understand the constant TY struggle of “there are no more sheets at the TY noticeboard”.

All in all, we wish to help you this year. Therefore we invite you to check out the blog regularly by going onto the website of Loreto Balbriggan, clicking on the ‘Student Area’ option on the left hand side of the webpage and then clicking ‘Transition Year’.  So the next time you are in a free WIFI zone, you could pop in and add the webpage to your ‘Favourites’, because you will surely enjoy it.

It is a fun space dedicated to our experiences, and we hope that you join us on this journey this year. Good luck to you all in the year ahead of you and may all of our Transition year wishes come true…
See you on the blog guys!

Maria Louise Fufezan

On behalf of the TY Blog team