We're thrilled to be part of the NCSE's transitions pilot, running in 41 special schools across the country. This pilot aims to:

• Explore various pathways for our students
• Build essential skills and capabilities for life after school
• Ensure smoother transitions
• Enhance teacher expertise in guiding transitions

This initiative stems from the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) and provides each participating school with dedicated hours to focus on post-school options. The activities are diverse and exciting, encouraging schools to be creative and innovative in supporting successful transitions. We're not promoting one specific path but rather finding the best fit for each student. This pilot will shape future practices in both special and mainstream schools.

At St Michaels House SNS, Ballymun, our students are thriving! They're learning to meet their personal, social, and health needs while taking on leadership roles and modelling grown-up behaviours. They engage in practical tasks like helping younger students, managing post, delivering messages, and doing "office" work with tools like staplers, scissors, and laminators. They're also involved in recycling and environmental projects, including our fantastic Incredible Edibles growing program.

Beyond the school, our senior students have been making a difference in the community. They've helped at Kris Morton's Hair Studio, the local library, Albert College Park, and the community garden in Ballymun. This year, we've partnered with DCU gym and re-established a relationship with Specsavers, Finglas, to offer even more community-based, individualized experiences for our students.

We're excited about the opportunities this pilot brings and look forward to seeing our student’s flourish!

Our Incredible Edibles Journey at St Michaels House SNS, Ballymun!

Since January 2022, our school has proudly participated in the Incredible Edibles programme, achieving “Gold Status” for multiple years thanks to the hard work of our amazing students!

Each year, our students embark on an exciting Incredible Edibles journey. They dive into a sensory exploration of food sources, learning about Irish-grown fruits and vegetables. With seed potatoes, strawberry plants, and seeds provided by the programme, they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty with planting.

In a few weeks, we see the fruits of their labour as seedlings sprout, ready to be thinned and planted outdoors. We're grateful to our Northern Trust Volunteers for replenishing our planters with fresh soil each autumn, with the help of spades and wheelbarrows kindly lent by Albert College Park Foreman, Tom Hassett.

We look forward to harvesting lettuce, chives, and spinach in early summer, strawberries before the summer holidays, and carrots, turnips, and potatoes a bit later on!

Before the end of May, a mobile farm visits our school, giving all students the chance to get up close to sheep, goats, a pig, and many more wonderful farm animals.

From September to December and again from March to June, our students visit Glas, the fantastic community garden in Ballymun. Here, they witness edible plant growth in action and contribute to this wonderful community initiative run by Global Action Plan.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for updates on our students' learning experiences. Wish us luck as we aim for continued success in the Incredible Edibles programme!