ALTERNATIVE CURRICULUM
& TY EVENTS
There is growing evidence that young people mature through the TY experience, that their confidence is boosted, that career and life aspirations are clarified, that voices are discovered, that personal identity is enriched, that engagement with the world beyond the school is increased, that personal agency and capacity for action as citizens increases.
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- Gerry Jeffers, educational researcher & lecturer, Maynooth University
Workshops & Guest speakers
Over the course of the year TYs will be visited by a number of speakers and have the opportunity to take part in specially designed workshops. Class reps will be asked to gather suggestions from their year as to what issues they would like to workshop and what topics they would like to discuss with guest speakers.
coding
App development and a range of computer languages are taught in the Computer Room after school all year long.
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Creative Writing
A 13 week writing programme delivered by Annemarie Ni Chuirrean. From Donegal/Ireland, Annemarie Ni Churreain is a poet and writer. Her debut collection of poetry 'BLOODROOT' will be published in Autumn 2017 by Doire Press, Galway. In 2016, Annemarie received a Next Generation Artists Award from the President of Ireland on behalf of the Arts Council in Ireland.
Morning Swimming
TYs can sign up to take part in long distance swimming lessons. Participants are taught the fundamentals of different strokes, hand and head positions and breathing techniques.
life saving skills
Life saving skills will be taught in the STMC Swimming Pool after school. The day is TBC depending on interest. A Life Saving Certificate can be achieved.
senior debating
Senior debating is very strong in St Michael’s and it is never a coincidence that the students who are on the school debating teams in English, Irish, French and Spanish perform well academically in their respective subjects.
MENTORING
Each year a small group of TYs work with 1st Years who require some extra help with a range of academic subjects. TY mentors’ work involves teaching for 1 hour a week for 13 weeks.
MORNING STAR HOSTEL WORK
The Morning Star Hostel is the oldest homeless shelter in Dublin and was set up by the Legion of Mary. TYs and their parents are asked to sign up to take part in this very rewarding (& very challenging) weekly contact work with those sleeping rough in Dublin City Centre. Work includes preparing and distributing food and collecting clothes in particular; scarves, gloves and hats.
Jumpzone JC Results Celebration
Each year we organise a small event to congratulate the students on a job well done! We spend an afternoon in Jumpzone, Sandyford to celebrate (by jumping up & down!)
Gaisce Adventure Activity
The Gaisce Expedition involves an overnight camp at the Lough Dan Scout Centre and a 6 hour hike along the Wicklow Way. TYs will be expected to bring their own tent and food for the night. Make sure to have sturdy walking shoes and waterproof outdoor gear!
Hospice Coffee Morning
STMC has hosted the Hospice Coffee Morning for close to two decades. Thanks to the Parents Association TYs get the opportunity to host this worthwhile morning in supporting their local hospice.
Touch Rugby Blitz
An event with Mount Anville. This is a social and fun competition that is being organised with Rugby Touch Ireland and the IRFU.
Dodge Ball Cup
An afternoon of flinging things at each other! What’s not to like:)
Ekiden: Dublin Bay Relay
Teams of 5 compete against each other in a 21km relay race snaking it’s way across Dublin Bay from Sutton to Sandymount.
City Scavenger Hunt
A week long after school activity where the team with initiative and planning succeed in winning. The game involves making your way across the city to find a range of well known (& not so well known) Dublin landmarks. The prize last year saw the winning team flying planes!
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Run in the Dark*
Join thousands of runners in November and support ongoing research to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Run or walk the 5km or 10km route.
Santa Dash*
Run or walk 5km or 10km for Downs Syndrome Ireland on Dollymount Beach in December. All participants get a free Santa Claus outfit as part of their entry!
Voluntary Work Week
TYs choose three causes that they wish to raise awareness for and organise fundraising events for these community groups at Christmas. Prizes will be given for the most creative ideas.
Playstation FIFA Tournament
A TY organised event with much cheering, jeering and pizza!
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Senior Book Club
The group meet once every four weeks on a Tuesday. You are given a complimentary book each month that is being read by the book club.
[BT] Young Scientists Exhibition
Each year all TYs are brought to the Young Scientists Exhibition to witness the incredible work of their peers from across the country.
Positive Mental Health Week
A week of comedy, music, guest speakers and fun activities that asks students to look at the bright side of mental health whilst staying mindful that it’s ok not to feel ok.
“English Channel” Relay Swim
A seriously demanding challenge! Teams of 10 take on a (short!) 20km, as opposed to the actual 20miles miles, swimming relay in the STMC pool…we’ll map out the route for the day and follow the participants in “real time” on our high tech wall map!
UCD Astro 7 Aside Tournament
Another simple event that is always a huge success. TYs organise themselves into teams and the games begin!
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Green Schools Expo @ the RDS
The first Green Schools Expo took place last year and STMC were 1 of 22 schools nationwide to be exhibited. All TYs will have an opportunity to see what’s happening in the best Green Schools around Ireland.
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Run-a-Muck Challenge*
This challenge is a cross country event over a wet and mucky course with many man made and natural obstacles like bale "jumps", net scrambles, slides, tarzan swings, ditchs, streams, tyres, tunnels and more
Seachtain na Gaelige Ceili
We celebrate Seachtain na Gaelige with a dance. Last year we were very happy to host Alexandra Secondary School for a Ceili in STMC. A bit of craic!
The Spink Hike
Glendalough is best explored on the Spink and Glenealo Valley Route, a 4 hour, 9km loop walk across one of the most spectacular valleys in Ireland that will test even the fittest student.
Senior Drama Production
An integral part of the senior school calendar, TYs 5th and 6th Years take on a well known piece of theatre ranging from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to last year’s production of Reginald Rose’s 12 Angry Men. It is a great chance to step right out of your comfort zone and into character!
TY Musical Production
The Musical is one of the biggest extra curricular and social occasions for the TY. Previous shows have included Back to the 80s, Little Shop of Horrors and Grease…Great fun and hard work all round!
some examples
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE MAY BE A SUPPLEMENTARY FEE FOR THESE ACTIVITIES - DEPENDING ON NUMBERS SIGNING UP.