On 16th January, 2017 the Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Helen McEntee, TD, launched new resources designed in County Meath to support young peoples' transitions from primary to post-primary school.
One of the transformational goals of “Better Outcomes Brighter Futures - The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020”, is to support effective transitions.
Young people from Stagecraft Trim and 1st Years from Beaufort College, Navan who attended the Mind the Gap Workbook and Video launch by Minister Helen McEntee, TD. Also in the photo are Leonard Callaghan, Meath CYPSC; Christina Nestor, NSCP; Elma McMahon, LMETB; and Se Fulham, Navan Springboard Family Support Services.
Minister McEntee, TD, noted at the launch that
"Any kind of transitional period in someone's life can be difficult. This is especially the case for young people. Moving from one school environment into a completely different one can be very unsettling and so it's important to support that transition in whatever way we can. As Minister for Mental Health, I believe we must educate our young people and teach them the skills to cope with the stresses and pressures they will face. We can only do that by working together and ‘Mind the Gap’ is a perfect example of that”.
Leonard Callaghan, Co-ordinator, Meath CYPSC echoed Minister McEntee’s comments, and commended the young people for their participation in the design and production of the booklet and video, that ultimately will support their peers as they transition from primary to post-primary school. Christina Nestor, Co-ordinator, Navan School Completion Programme added
“We hope that you find this resource useful in assisting your young people ‘Mind the Gap’ between primary and post-primary school”.
Children and young people experience a number of key transitions in their journey from childhood to adulthood including from primary school to post-primary school. Navan School Completion Programme (NSCP) staff team developed a booklet called ‘Transition Programme’ delivered to 6th class students in the Spring of each year.
Its main aim is to assist young people successfully transfer from primary to secondary school. It encompasses exercises to help students negotiate teacher expectations, new environments and the journey from established social groups into new social relations. When evaluated, the programme showed positive outcomes for the young people in NSCP Schools.
NSCP worked with Navan Springboard Family Support Services, Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and the Meath Children and Young Peoples Services Committee (CYPSC) with generous funding from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), to redevelop and produce the booklet as well as a video, for use by all 5th and 6th class students in County Meath.
Those who attended the event included young people who participated as actors in the production of the video. They were Transition Year students from Scoil Mhuire Trim with Roisin Smith taking the helm as director; young people from Stagecraft Trim; and 1st Years from Beaufort College, Navan, who also had experience using the Workbook.
Other attendees included: Parents/guardians of the young people, Principals and Deputy Principals from Primary Schools in Co. Meath, Mr. Padraig McCabe, Irish Primary Principals Network's (IPPN) CYPSC Co-ordinator, Ms. Aine O’Keefe, Ms. Sirena Campbell and Mr. Tony Walsh, Tusla Educational Welfare Service, Navan School Completion Programme staff who were involved in drafting the workbook, Navan School Completion Programme committee members, and Meath CYPSC members.
To view Press release Click here
To watch the Transitions Programme video Click here
To read more about Meath CYPSC Click here