Blog Parents Association
June 3, 2011
New research from the UK's National Literacy Trust, based on a survey of over 18,000 young people aged 8 - 17 "show that book ownership is not only associated with attainment but is also related more broadly to literacy and education" (www.literacytrust.org.uk). (Click on thumbnail to open an enlarged version of photo.)
Go to the National Literacy Trust website to read this report or click on this link.
Ms. O'Kelly
[Photo: Ms. O'Kelly]
Categories: Library, Parents Association.
Tags: 2010-2011, educational attainment, enjoyment, National Literacy Trust, owning books.
April 14, 2011
On Tuesday 12th April a buzz ran through the school hall as people gathered for the first networking event of the newly established 'Friends of Stratford Schools'. This network has been established as a way of bringing together parents of students at the two schools, along with past pupils and others within the community who support and promote the schools as centres of excellence in education. With 37 people already registered on the Network through the website of the secondary school, over 60 'friends', staff and business studies students chatted over brownies and pastries before settling down for an excellent presentation by Michael Dwyer, CEO of the highly successful Pigsback.com. Michael's presentation was a fascinating insight into the mind of the entrepreneur - seeing the possibility, exploring a roughly scribbled possibility and enjoying both the failures and successes as the idea looks for commercial validation. This was particularly encouraging for those students thinking about a career in business, but also enlightening for many of the other attendees as to the possibility of commercial success through new technology.
The parents associations of the schools were delighted at the level of support shown for the event. Much of the conversation before and after Michael's presentation was about the ability and enthusiasm of the teaching staff, and simply how much our children enjoy being part of the school community. What parents of students of the Stratford schools have in common is the appreciation of superb education provided both academically and emotionally for all students within such an intimate community. This was one of those occasions when parents and other friends of the schools got the opportunity to participate in that sense of community that our children enjoy every school day.
After such success follows analysis. The parents associations will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss what worked, and what could have been better. The plan is to run similar events twice a year but with such a strong level of support for the internet based 'network' we need to think about how to facilitate the kind of transparency and accessibility that is the unique possibility of smaller schools for all of the 'friends' of the schools. We also plan to make a special effort to get past pupils back together so if you have any suggestions or comments on the network, or would be interested in getting involved in any aspect of the work of the parents associations contact us at stratfordnspa@gmail.com or stratfordcollegepa@gmail.com. (Click on thumbnails to open an enlarged version of photo. ))
Cormac Murphy
Stratford College Parents Association
Harold Eppel
Stratford National School Parents Association
[Photos: Vincent Murray, 6th Year]
Categories: Business/LCVP, General School News, Parents Association.
Tags: 2010-2011, CEO, entrepeneur, Friends of Stratford Business Network, Michael Dwyer, pigsback.com, Stratford College Parents Association, Stratford National School Parents Association.
April 4, 2011
Invitations will be sent to all those who sign up to the "Friends of Stratford Business Network" to the first of our semi-annual networking events. This will be on 12 April, 2011 at 8am in the main hall of the schools. We are delighted that the CEO and founder of pigsback.com, Michael Dwyer, has agreed to be our key note speaker, and will provide insight on how to build a successful web based business. This will be followed by complimentary refreshments to allow attendees an opportunity to meet each other. We promise to finish at 10am.
For more details about the "Friends of Stratford Business Network", click on this link to read the letter from the Chairmen of the respective Parents Associations for the schools.
Categories: General School News, Parents Association.
March 8, 2011
In early February, Robin Hood from DEBRA Ireland, gave a talk to the TY students about the skin disease Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). Read the TY blog for more details. Now, Peter Dunne, a Stratford College parent, is organising a Table Quiz on Thursday, 10th March in The Pines, Whitehall Road, Perrystown, Dublin 12 in aid of DEBRA Ireland. The Table Quiz starts at 8.30pm.
[Image: www.debraireland.org]
Categories: Parents Association.
Tags: Debra Ireland, Table Quiz.
March 8, 2011
Free admission to a series of Public Lectures in Saint John of God Hospital, Stillorgan between 14 March - 18 April 2011. Topics include "Understanding Eating Disorders", "Depression and Deliberate Self Harm in Adolescents" and "Relaxation for Every Day Living". For more details about the lectures see this poster or go to the Saint John of God Hospital website.
Categories: Parents Association.
Tags: 2010-2011, Public Lectures, Saint John of God Hospital.
