A big thank you to all the parents and students who attended the information session this evening. This session was aimed at giving the parents some information regarding the upcoming work experience placement and the much anticipated TY trip.
Please see details below for information given at the meeting
Work Experience
We are delighted that your son/daughter will be undertaking their first work experience placement next week. The students have made huge efforts in the past couple of months to secure meaningful placements for themselves and we would like thank you the parents in supporting your son/daughter in what can sometimes be a difficult task.
There is a lot that parents can do to support their son/daughter during the work placement. While it is an exciting experience for our students, it can also be daunting and parental support and encouragement can contribute significantly to the potential success of the placement. Below is a list of things to consider during the course of their placement
- They know where they are going and how to get there.
- They have selected appropriate clothes to wear depending on the nature of their placement.
- They have money for travel costs and lunch breaks.
- They have their Work Xperience Workbook with them (very important for the first and last day).
- They know who to ask for when they arrive.
- Make sure they get enough sleep – work days are longer than school days!
- Talk to them on a daily basis about their experiences – they won’t receive a debriefing in school until the week after the placement so the opportunity to share their experiences on a daily basis and receive encouragement and reassurance is important.
- Remind them to complete the daily diary entries starting with page 10 in the workbook.
- Remind them that if they are sick and cannot attend work they must ring both the school and the employer to inform them at the earliest opportunity.
- Contact the school immediately if you feel your child is experiencing difficulties during work experience placements.
After the placement it may also be useful to chat with them about what they learned from the experience and whether it has made them re-think any of their plans for their future. Each student will complete a personal evaluation (page 21 of workbook). It would be beneficial to take the time to discuss these and offer your observations as appropriate.
The student will receive 10 credits towards their final assessment from this placement. The student will gain these credits based on the report from the employer, the workbook filled in by the student and the mentoring teacher’s report.
We hope that during the placement, the students will actively develop the skills needed for future careers and that it starts to shape their perceptions of the world of work. If there any problems please do not hesistate to contact me at sinead.oneill@olmdrimnagh.com or alternatively you can contact the school office and leave a message on 01 455 4691
Yours Sincerely,
Ms M. Maher – Principal Ms S O’Neill – TY Coordinator
OLM TY Overseas Optional Trip – The Camino
Summary – A 6 day trip where the students will cover 100km from Sarria to Santiago.
Dates- Thursday 31st March – Tuesday 5th April 2016
Itinerary Thursday – Tuesday
- Day 1 (Thursday) – Afternoon flight from Dublin to Santiago. Transfer to Albergue(Hostel) accommodation in Sarria for overnight.
- Day 2 (Friday) – 21km walk from Sarria to Portomarín.
- Day 3 (Saturday) – 25km walk from Portomarín to Palas De Rei.
- Day 4 (Sunday) – 29km walk from Palas De Rei to Arzúa.
- Day 5 (Monday) – 29km walk from Arzúa to Lavacolla. (Hotel accommodation)
- Day 6 (Tuesday) – 10km walk from Lavacolla to Santiago De Compostela. We will leave at 6 a.m. to get to Santiago for 7 a.m. On arrival in Santiago we will check in to an Albergue(Hostel) offering the facility to take a shower and leave our bags for collection later. We will then collect our certificate in the Pilgrim’s Office, leaving a little bit of time for shopping/sightseeing before attending the Pilgrim Mass at 12:00. We will then collect our bags at the Albergue(Hostel) and get the transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
What is included:
- Transfer to and from Dublin airport from Our Lady of Mercy, Drimnagh.
- Return flights, associated taxes and charges. Hand-luggage (10kg allowance).
- Transfers to and from Santiago airport.
- Transfer of one bag for each stage walked.
- Standard travel insurance.
- All breakfasts and dinners.
- All accommodation costs. 4 nights in Albergues (Hostels) and 1 night in ensuite hotel accommodation.
- Irish Pilgrim’s Passport (needed to obtain our certificate in Santiago).
Cost of this package
€595 (as of 16/10/15 – this price cannot be guaranteed until the deposit is placed – any fluctuation would be due to flights going up or down)
Additional costs
- All students will need to bring an allowance of €10 per day for lunch and water.
- If students require a checked baggage this will cost an additional €30 ( this will have to be decided as a group, as with group bookings the whole group must book a checked bag or no one books a checked bag)
Other elements to factor in:
- All students will be required to bring a sleeping bag and a towel for the hostel accommodation.
- Students will be required to wear solid walking shoes or runners.
- A rain jacket/poncho and a small bag to carry water and snacks on the walk is also a necessity.
- There will be regular hikes organised throughout the year in order to prepare the students (and the teachers) for the challenge of walking 100km in 6 days. Students will be expected to attend these hikes in preparation for the trip. Students will also be expected to do their own training to physically and mentally prepare themselves for the Camino
Deposit
- The initial deposit will be €200 due on or before Thursday 26th November
- 2nd Payment €100 December
- 3rd Payment €100 January
- 4th Payment €100 February
- 5th Payment €100 March
As done in other schools it is possible for students to be provided with a sponsorship card to help raise the money for their own TY fund. We will be doing training walks from January onwards and these can be used as sponsored walks to send them away for their final challenge of walking pilgrimage. Something to be considered.
Training
Training walks will be organised from January onwards. The students will be given the days, times and venues of these walks. Transport will not be provided to the start of the trials however we will encourage car-pooling and parents to join us on these walks where possible.
The suggested hikes include:
- Ticknock
- Tibradden Woods
- Djouce Mountain
- Ballinastoe
- Powerscourt
- Pheonix Park
More Information:
The tour company we are working with are Camino Groups. Camino Groups are a licensed and bonded travel agency in Ireland.
OLM TY Optional Trip – Carlingford Adventure Centre
Due to the financial commitment of the Camino Trip we feel it is important to provide the students with every opportunity to experience a TY adventure. We are therefore putting this option forward aswell. Parents may feel like the Carlingford Trip is a more viable option and although the course fee would not stretch to this trip we will encourage that all money made by their mini company enterprise be put forward to this trip and that they could also save for this option themselves.
Summary – A 2 day 1 night trip to Carlingford Adventure Centre.
Dates- No proposed date but we foresee this to be in May before their Exhibition and TY Graduation
Itinerary
Arriving at 9.30am in the morning, morning activity, lunch, afternoon activity, dinner and bed & breakfast. The following morning there would be a morning activity, lunch, afternoon activity and departing at 5.00pm for home.
What is included:
- Bus to and from OLM
- Lunch both days and one dinner
- Bed and Breakfast
- 2 full days of adventure activities
Cost of this package
€135
Students interested in the above options should express their interest to Ms O’Neill.