The Transition Year students in Scoil Pol, Kilfinane have had a hectic, but successful year so far and they are hoping to add to this success this Friday, March 15 when they travel to Letterkenny to take part in a competition aimed at promoting the Irish langauge through local bands and contemporary music.

The school is one of six to have qualified for the Beo Live Alive Chomortais competition, for which the Transition Years had to submit a DVD of local bands performing in their school and show every aspect of the gig, from preparing for it and promoting it, to running it.

The two bands that the school promoted were A Minute to Midnight and Cairde Snathaid, which means Needle Buddies, made up of past pupils of Scoil Pol - Neil Hennessy and Darren Gleeson, who rap about dealing with diabetes.

At the weekend, the students also performed the play 'The Big Farm' by Glenroe man Michael Dennehy to a full house.

The principal, Mike O'Hara said that the students put on a very good performance bringing an entertaining and engaging play to the stage with their rendition of Michael Dennehy's 'The Big Farm'. He also thanked everyone who supported the play and all those who donated spot prizes for the raffle.

Mr O'Hara said that the drama is a big part of Transition Year, as it gives the students the opportunity to go on stage, develop confidence as performers and work as part of a team for the production side of things.

Speaking about what Scoil Pol offers the students in Transition Year, Mr O'Hara said that it is all about giving them life skills and focussing on self directed learning.

For example, this year's students have learned Chinese. They will shortly be learning sign language, they have done photography courses with Ita West, driving lessons and kick boxing. Through work experience, the students also develop further confidence in themselves and their abilities in the workplace.

Mr O'Hara is also planning on running a social awareness week where the students will work with creches, the elderly and those availing of the services of St Joseph's Foundation.

"This week will focus on integrating the students with the community. All of the students are really enjoying Transition Year and we are now enlisting for next year's class, both within the school and for those who have moved into the area or are thinking of changing direction to experience Transition Year in Scoil Pol," Mr O'Hara said.

The school will also be represented at the Limerick Enterprise Awards, where teams will present their business ideas, which include potted shamrock, handmade jewellery, wooden products and a literacy assistance book with key words in Irish.

Applications are currently being taken in for first years, fifth years and other class groups and if anyone wishes to find out more, the school can be contacted on 063-91197.

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