Transition Year

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Adventure, Challenge and Teamwork for TY at Shannon River

🌊 Transition Year • Learning Beyond the Classroom Adventure, Challenge and Teamwork for TY at Shannon River 15 September 2026 Transition Year is about discovering what happens when students step beyond the familiar — and our TY students did exactly that during an action-packed day at Shannon River Adventure Centre. From kayaking and water-based activities to challenges requiring teamwork, communication and a willingness to give something new a try, the day provided an ideal opportunity for students to learn in a completely different environment. There was plenty of fun along the way, but experiences like this are also an important part of the Transition Year journey: encouraging students to become more confident, independent and comfortable taking on new challenges. The TY Experience Confidence Grows Outside the Comfort Zone 💪 Challenge Trying unfamiliar activities encourages students to take positive risks and discover what they are capable of achieving. 🤝 Teamwork Shared challenges strengthen communication, cooperation and the relationships students build throughout Transition Year. 🌱 Confidence Meeting a challenge, giving something a go and succeeding together helps students grow in confidence and independence. Just as importantly, days like this give students time to enjoy one another’s company, strengthen friendships and create the shared memories that make Transition Year such a distinctive part of school life. It was a brilliant day of activity, laughter and learning — and a fantastic start to the many experiences still ahead for this year’s TY group. New challenges, new experiences and plenty of memories made — exactly what Transition Year is all about.

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year, TY-Awards

Celebrating Success: Davitt College Honours 2026 Transition Year Graduates

🎓 Transition Year Graduation 2026 Celebrating Success: Davitt College Honours 2026 Transition Year Graduates 25 May 2026 Huge congratulations to our TY Students of the Year 2026, Kacper Milewski and Grace Needham! The awards ceremony was made extra special with guest speaker Ms. Cora Staunton, whose inspiring words and achievements motivated all in attendance. We also proudly celebrated outstanding talent from our school production, with Oisín Toland receiving the award for Musical Best Performance and Jennis Ann Sarish recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Stage for 2025–2026. “Well done to all our Transition Year students for their hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of you all!” Main Award Winners 2026 ⭐ Highest TY Honour Overall Students of the Year Kacper Milewski & Grace Needham Transition Year Graduation 2026 Recognised for exceptional academic application, positive leadership, and outstanding all-round contribution throughout the year. 🎭✨ Performing Arts School Production Honours Musical Best Performance: Oisín Toland Outstanding Contribution to the Stage: Jennis Ann Sarish Honouring standout stage presence, dedication, and artistic commitment to the 2025–2026 school production. ×

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, Extra-Curricular, Music, Musical, Practical & Creative Arts, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year

Davitt College Shines at the Musical Awards

🏆 Historic National Triumph • 7 All-Ireland Awards Davitt College Shines at the Musical Awards 20 March 2026 Rock of Ages (Teen Edition) Celebrating 40 Years of Stage Excellence at Davitt College 7 National Awards Won 17 All-Ireland Nominations 120+ Student Cast & Crew Davitt College’s latest school musical, Rock of Ages (Teen Edition), has rewritten the record books at the prestigious Best of Ireland Secondary School Stage Awards, bringing home a staggering seven national titles after a masterclass performance of theatrical brilliance! Marking 40 landmark years of theatrical productions at Davitt College, November’s blockbuster run of Rock of Ages completely transformed our school sports hall into a fully immersive, professional-grade West End theatre experience. Powered by an extraordinary student crew of over 120 participants, the show played to packed, sold-out audiences night after night. The journey to national glory reached fever pitch when nominations were announced, with Davitt College landing an incredible 17 competitive nominations across multiple categories. On awards night in Dublin, a 30-strong student delegation walked the red carpet representing our community with immense pride before the auditorium erupted into celebration as our nominees swept the board. Official Honour Roll The 7 All-Ireland Championship Victories 🎨 Best Set Design Davitt College Design Team 🌟 Best Acting Ensemble Davitt College Cast & Crew 🎤 Best Vocal Co-Star Ben O’Brien 👑 Best Actor Female Daisy Finnerty 🏆 Best Actor Male Myles Girling-Moore ⭐ Best Actor Co-Star Isabella Kearney 🎬 Best Director Damien Gallagher This phenomenal national success highlights the staggering talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit of our students and staff. It cements this milestone as one of the proudest, most dazzling chapters in Davitt College’s rich history. 👉 Explore the full journey: School Musical — Rock of Ages archive ×

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Transition Year Students Immerse Themselves in French Cinema at the Linenhall

🇫🇷 Cultural Excursion Transition Year Students Immerse Themselves in French Cinema at the Linenhall 18 March 2026 Learning Comes to Life Through Culture Today, our Transition Year French students headed out for a brilliant, action-packed cultural excursion to the Linenhall Arts Centre to experience the acclaimed French feature film “En Fanfare.” It was a fantastic opportunity to step outside the traditional classroom and dive straight into authentic dialogue, native accents, and captivating francophone storytelling. Seeing language skills jump straight off the textbook pages and into real-world art made for an unforgettable cinema trip! A huge well done to all the students and staff involved for diving into the experience with such enthusiasm—proving once again that language learning truly comes alive through culture.

Academic & Curriculum, Charity, Core News & Information, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year

TY Leadership in Action: Davitt College Presents €500 Cheque to St. Vincent de Paul

🤝 Community & Charity • Transition Year Action TY Leadership in Action: Davitt College Presents €500 Cheque to St. Vincent de Paul 11 March 2026 Following the incredible success of our recent winter fundraising campaigns, we were absolutely delighted to welcome Helen Ralph from SVP, along with volunteers Mick and Tadhg, to the Davitt College campus today. They met face-to-face with our fantastic Transition Year SVP team, the driving force behind three major community initiatives this term: the Beanie Winter Appeal, the Christmas Food Appeal, and our recent Bake Sale. Local Impact Direct Support for Local Families During her visit, Helen spoke with students about the vital day-to-day work SVP carries out, detailing exactly how these funds provide direct, essential support right here in our local community. Total Raised €500 Presented to SVP Team An achievement like this is only possible with a massive collective effort. We want to extend a huge thank you to all of our incredible staff, parents, and students who bought beanies, baked treats, donated food, and supported these campaigns. Your generosity has helped make a very real difference for an exceptionally worthy local cause! ✨ 📸 Cheque Presentation: Davitt College Transition Year students presenting the €500 donation cheque to Helen Ralph and volunteers Mick and Tadhg from St. Vincent de Paul. ×

Academic & Curriculum, Core News & Information, Humanities & Language, Religion, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year, Wellbeing

Mayo University Hospital Service of Remembrance: Proud of Our Student Leaders

🕯️ Community Leadership • Mayo University Hospital Service of Remembrance Mayo University Hospital Service of Remembrance: Proud of Our Student Leaders 2 March 2026 The entire Davitt College community extends its heartfelt appreciation and pride to Conor, Isabella, Sarah, Danielle, and Isabelle, who represented our school at the Mayo University Hospital Service of Remembrance on Friday evening. The service provides a vital space of solace for parents and families experiencing bereavement through pregnancy loss or the tragic death of a child. Our five student representatives stepped into this sensitive civic role with immense emotional maturity. By leading with quiet grace and deep compassion, they beautifully exemplified the core values of our department, supporting our wider community during their moments of greatest need. ×

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ATU Sligo Politics Chair Dr Eamonn Furey Sparking Creative Songwriting Action with TY Teams!

🎵 Creative Arts & Politics • Transition Year Workshop ATU Sligo Politics Chair Dr Eamonn Furey Sparking Creative Songwriting Action with TY Teams! 23 February 2026 Our Transition Year spaces were absolutely buzzing with energy this week as we welcomed the brilliant Dr Eamonn Furey, Programme Chair of Sociology and Politics at ATU Sligo, to lead a fantastic, high-octane creative arts workshop! 🌟 As a proud Creative School, we love pushing the boundaries of traditional learning. Dr Furey guided our students through a fascinating deep-dive into music as a political art form, tracking how iconic tracks, rhythms, and poetry have historically been used to champion human rights, challenge systemic inequalities, and give a powerful voice to local communities on the global stage. Inspired by these legendary protest anthems, our students stepped up to the microphone themselves! Working in collaborative production teams, they brainstormed, drafted, and boldly performed their own original political lyrics—tackling modern global issues with incredible maturity, sharp wit, and rhythm. It was an invigorating showcase of musical creativity, confidence, and raw talent. Huge thanks to Dr Furey for inspiring our next generation of creative changemakers! 👏 ×

Academic & Curriculum, Charity, Core News & Information, GAA, School Life, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Sports, Transition Year

Wrap Up Warm: Davitt College SVP Winter Appeal Launches

❤️ Community Care • St. Vincent de Paul Appeal Wrap Up Warm: Davitt College SVP Winter Appeal Launches 14 January 2026 With the winter weather rolling in, it’s time to wrap up warm while supporting an incredible cause right here in our community. We are delighted to launch our Davitt College SVP Winter Appeal, a brilliant whole-school initiative where students, staff, and parents are all joining forces to make a real difference to those in need this season. How You Can Support: 🧢 Custom, high-quality Davitt College Beanie Hats for €12 each. 🤝 For every single hat sold, €4 goes directly to the St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) Charity. 🏡 Supporting vulnerable families and individuals in the local area during the coldest months. Whether you’re on the sidelines cheering at a school match, walking to school, or looking for the perfect practical gift, these beanies are a fantastic way to show your school pride and your community spirit all at once. Let’s pull together as a community and make this winter appeal our most successful one yet! Beanies can be purchased directly through the school—grab yours before they sell out! ×

Academic & Curriculum, Awards, Core News & Information, School Life, Culture & Achievements, School News, Transition Year, TY-Awards

A Milestone Year: Davitt College Celebrates Transition Year Graduation and Achievements 2025

🎓 Transition Year • Awards & Graduation A Milestone Year: Davitt College Celebrates Transition Year Graduation and Achievements 2025 26 May 2025 On Monday 26th May 2025, Davitt College hosted its annual Transition Year Awards Event, celebrating a year defined by personal growth, community engagement, and holistic development. Students were commended for their active involvement throughout the 2024–2025 academic year across academic modules, sports, and school life. The TY program at Davitt College continues to provide a flexible environment where students build self-confidence, develop core academic competencies, and foster key life skills such as critical thinking, social awareness, and entrepreneurship. A key highlight of this year’s ceremony was the celebration of Davitt College’s selection as a pilot school for a new Road Safety Module, delivered in association with the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The event featured inspiring addresses from RSA guest speakers Ms. Eilish McDonagh and Ms. Caroline McHale, who commended the students on their active citizenship and engagement with this vital initiative. The awards ceremony highlighted the depth of talent, teamwork, and leadership within the year group—qualities that will serve these students exceptionally well as they prepare to enter Senior Cycle. Main Award Winners 2025 Recognising standout dedication, character, and outstanding artistic contribution across the Transition Year programme. ⭐ Highest TY Honour Outstanding Young Person Award Aaron Cafferkey Transition Year Awards 2025 Awarded for exemplary engagement, leadership, and outstanding overall contribution across every facet of the Transition Year experience. 🎭✨ Performing Arts Honours TY Musical Production Awards Most Committed: Nicola Janda Best Performance: Jade Ralph Honouring exceptional commitment to rehearsals, production excellence, and commanding stage performance in this year’s musical. Well done to the Transition Year Class of 2025 on a fantastic and memorable year! ✨ ×

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And That’s a Wrap! TY Volunteers Complete Fantastic FAI Primary 5s Season

⚽ Community Sport • Transition Year Leadership And That’s a Wrap! TY Volunteers Complete Fantastic FAI Primary 5s Season 8 April 2025 After months of incredible action, our students have officially wrapped up their time volunteering at the FAI Mayo Primary 5s competition at Umbro Park, Milebush. It has been an amazing few months on the sidelines and pitches for our Transition Years, who braved the elements, managed logistics, and refereed hundreds of games to support grassroots primary school football in the region. ⚽ On to the Connacht Finals A massive congratulations goes out to every single primary school that traveled to Milebush and competed with such great sporting spirit throughout the tournament stages. The standard of football this year was exceptional, and we want to wish the very best of luck to all the qualifying Mayo teams who have earned their spots and are now moving forward to represent the county in the upcoming Connacht Finals! 🤝 Proud of Our Leaders A huge thank you to our students for their dedication, reliability, and leadership over the last few months. Programs of this scale simply cannot run without community volunteer support, and our TYs represented the school brilliantly every single week. Well done to all involved on a fantastic and impactful season! ⚽🧤👏 ×

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