Guidance Counsellors, Mia Delaney and Della Kent outline the transfer programme run in St. Dominic's in Ballyfermot

The school transfer programme has been devised and organised by the Home School Liaison Co-ordinator in St.Dominic's in conjunction with the H.S.L Co-ordinators in the three Dominican primary schools in Ballyfermot (where the majority of our students come from). The transfer programme involves a whole-school approach involving management, staff, parents, guidance counsellors, Transition year students and the Ballyfermot Youth Federation.

The Transfer programme aims to:

(1)	Prepare the students for the challenges they will experience in the transfer from primary to secondary school.
(2)	Mingle and mix groups so that students from different classes and schools get the opportunity to meet and work together.
(3)	Ease the transition process to ensure that students are happy in First Year and make good progress with their studies.

Before entering First year at St. Dominic's

(1)	The Transfer programme for incoming first years (March and May) consists of two strands: Small Group Work in St. Dominic's School Home School Co-ordinators from St. Dominics and the primary schools work with the Ballyfermot Youth Federation to explore three main topics with the students: Change, Friendship, Choices and Consequences. These topics are explored through small group work/ice breakers/games facilitated by Transition Year students over three sessions. For the older students, their participation is related to the Community Care module they cover during Transition year. Visits to the Primary Schools St. Dominics Home School Co-ordinator and some Transition Year students visit the pupils in their primary schools. The practical everyday details of life in secondary school are covered - the role of Principal/Vice Principal/Year Head/Tutor/New subjects/Timetable/Teaching styles/Primary versus secondary/Uniform/Books/ After school activities/Classes/Making friends/1st day. The participation of Transition Year Students is vital to this programme. The 6th class students are more likely to talk openly to them. It is also helpful for them to know senior cycle students when they start in secondary school (role models/mentoring).
(2)	Including Parents of Incoming First Years An information meeting for parents of incoming first years covers the following: attendance, self esteem, code of behaviour, role of tutors and year heads, range of subjects, guidance counselling, family therapist and other supports available, learning support, drugs and bullying policies, uniform and books, parents and home school liaison and after school activities. These presentations are followed by small group work focussing on the hopes/expectations/concerns of parents of incoming 1st year students. Senior students then bring the parents on a tour of the school. After the Parents' Evening - the Principal and Vice Principal have individual meetings with parents .
(3)	Activities with Incoming First Years (May-June) During the month of May all incoming First Years are brought on a tour of the school. In June, a fun day for all incoming first years, is organised by the HSL Co-ordinator and run by the Transition Year students (games, sports etc.)
(4)	Year Head Liaison with Primary Schools Year Head visits primary schools in May to meet teachers and students.

The Role of the Guidance Counsellors in the Transfer Programme
Both Guidance Counsellors are actively involved in the Transfer Programme.

•	Results of the entrance assessments are discussed with primary class teachers to check the reflection of students' abilities. The Primary school teacher also gives background information about students.
•	Guidance Counsellors visit primary schools to introduce the concept of Guidance & Counselling - this consists of an activity-based class, helping students to start to focus on their futures.
•	Ease the transition process to ensure that students are happy in First Year and make good progress with their studies.
•	The guidance counsellors liaise continuously with Principal, Vice-Principal, Year Heads, Tutors, Teachers, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator and Parents during the first year.
•	A study skills programme for first years, developed by the Guidance Counsellors, is delivered by Tutors.
•	All First Year follow a Guidance Module during the first term and are interviewed by Guidance Counsellors.
•	The Principal, Guidance Counsellors, Family Therapist, Bereavement Counsellor, Home School Co-ordinator meet as a counselling team every fortnight to share information and discuss how we best help any student who is experiencing difficulties.
•	First Years are encouraged to participate in the New Era Achievement Awards (part of the UCD Access programme).

While Students are in their First Year:

The programme is evaluated annually. Suggestions made by current first years will be incorporated into the programme for next years first years.