Teachers tell us how they approach the freedom of transition year

Noel Buckley, Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel

"We have a module in transition year called the St Declan's Walk, which challenges students to learn about themselves, their classmates, teachers and life itself in a very experiential way.

"The route is through the old monastic highways of medieval times linking the great monastic centres of Cashel [ below], Ardfinnan, Lismore and Ardmore. It is distance of 70 to 75 miles, depending on the weather, and is completed over three days.

"Among current and former transition-year students it is regarded as the highlight of their secondary education and has by now acquired mythical status among them.

"From the first day in transition year they are in training. This affords me, as co-ordinator, and other teachers an opportunity to identify students who are team players and who can respond positively to difficult challenges.

"Through this module students learn about long-term planning, as they work through a physical exercise programme with the help of the PE department. The home-economics teacher helps them to work out the food logistics for the three days. From a medical and nutritional point of view they learn about taking care of their bodies. Other teachers help with map-reading and mountaineering skills. Parents get involved through providing transport.

"The real challenge is the walk itself, physically and mentally. The effort builds character and bonds them as a group. They are out of contact with modern civilisation as we walk down along the banks of the River Suir, through old monastic grass tracks - sometimes very muddy ones, depending on the weather.

"We cross the Knockmealdown Mountains, use Mount Melleray Scout Centre as a base camp for the two nights, cross streams and rivers on foot and see some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.

"In a way the walk represents a journey through life. During it they discover what really matters: friendship, determination to meet challenges head on and the need to support one another in meeting them, as each of them reach the wall, so to speak, at different stages of the walk.

"Being away from home for three days and roughing it in all types of weather means they appreciate their parents and home in a new light.

"Each day starts at 5.50 a.m., with a cooked breakfast, and finishes with an evening meal, around 6.30 p.m. Then there is the packing for the next day, followed by long chats as they share stories and memories late into the night.

"What makes all of this possible is the fantastic team of teachers, who all chip in with their time and energy voluntarily. During the walk students see teachers in a new light as they journey together over the three days, and teachers and parents realise teenagers are capable of responding positively to tough challenges."