The first years wrote speeches for their Leinster Public Speaking Exam during recent English classes. Carrie Barling speaks about one of her favourite things, books.
Many people in Ireland learn to read from a young age, for some it is ingrained in us to read to relax, for others reading is more of a chore. But is reading really worth it? Does it really make you smarter?
In an article by Cambridge Brain Sciences they discussed how your brain re-wires itself when you read. They said 'Reading has been there all along, making our brains better using the traditional but long-proven method of teaching us how to think better'. They also explained this can only happen with time and deep content, so me reading this really doesn't make me any smarter.
Reading can also reduce stress and lessen your chances of anxiety, heart problems, high blood pressure and mental health problems according to the world literacy foundation. In a study carried out by the University of Sussex in 2009 it showed a 69% decrease in stress just by reading!
Although binge watching all ten seasons of 'Friends' on Netflix is great, it's not all that good for you
So why do some people prefer tv over reading? Well watching tv is a passive activity, you as the audience are simply shown everything, that’s why it doesn't have the mental benefits of reading a book.
Reading is something that unites us, writers give us the chance to live out unimaginable things. When we read we learn about different people from different eras and worlds ,we learn empathy and kindness from characters writers made up in their heads. We can learn a lot from books, I first noticed this quote on the wall of the English room, it reads, ' a room without a book is like a body without a soul' and I agree with this completely. So I implore you pick up a book, it might just change your life.
My sources:
Book Smarts: The Brain Benefits of Reading
How Books and Television Affect Your Brain Differently, According to Science
The 1st years completed a zombie lab today where they used their scientific methods and thinking to identify patient zero from the zombie suspects. Using measuring skills, pH, observation skills and much more they successfully identified the source of the outbreak!
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The TY Horticulture class were out in the Autumn sunshine planting Spring bulbs using the chaos planting method. This is when a multitude of different spring bulbs (Hyacinths, Daffodils, Tulips, Crocuses, Narcissi) are mixed together and randomly planted so that we have a mixture of flowers and patterns emerging in the spring. It mimics nature and so is more enticing to pollinators and native insects that need the food in Spring.
Stratford is celebrating Maths Week 2026 (12th - 18th October) with daily activities around the school, at breaktimes and in Maths classes! The tutor-time daily quiz is proving to be extremely competitive as each form group tries to solve it and then run to find Ms Matthews in order to win the box of chocolates!
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