RATIONALE & AIMS OF TY STMC
TY is a peculiar year.
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Students are asked to 'transition' into something, someone or somewhere unique and, according to the Department of Education's Guidelines for TY, "to prepare them[selves] for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society" (so, no pressure then!).
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How might we achieve these necessary aims? How can a fifteen or sixteen year old rise to the challenge of autonomy, participatory capacity and, not forgetting, to become a responsible member of society?
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The thing is, the pupils that come into TY are already all of those things. What TY pupils 'transition' to is not something, someone or somewhere 'out there' but rather, already here.
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The rub is, as any grown up will tell you, that being yourself is hard work! Staying curious, working with others, discovering who you are and committing yourself to work without people watching over you dictating your next move requires maturity and grit.
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TY is an opportunity to be yourself, if you have the passion and confidence to commit to this.
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The real benefit of TY is that it offers the freedom and flexibility to take on projects and learning opportunities outside the traditional school experience - something that a student narrowly focused on exams is just not at luxury to do.
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These new experiences in education may seem a little surreal to some of you but TY really is a good year to mature emotionally, socially and academically.
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The TY Programme in St Michael’s College is a result of years of consultation with students, parents and staff. This year is no exception. I’d encourage you to stay open to this ‘peculiar’ year as we attempt to achieve the overall objectives of the TY Programme:
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Education for maturity with the emphasis on personal development including social awareness and increased social competence.
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The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning.
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Education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and maturity.