CPC's Saoirse on winning TY Academy team

A Transition Year student of Cross & Passion College was a member of the winning team in the Bank of Ireland Transition Year Academy competition last week, writes Brian Byrne.

She is Saoirse Logan McGivern, and the team was 'Aurora', which came up with an app to assist students struggling with their mental health. Saoirse's team mates were Alison O’Sullivan of St Peter’s College, Dunboyne; Christopher Duffy of St Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue; Aoife Murray of Assumption Secondary, Walkinstown; and Eve Lynch of Loretto College, Foxrock.

Some 400 TY students from colleges around the country took part in the Academy, where they were asked to design campaigns or innovations to overcome barriers facing young people who want to progress to third-level education.

Mental health was among the many issues identified, which also included housing shortages, and learning support.

The final was held and the awards made in Bank of Ireland’s head office in College Green.