The National Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration took place on Sunday the 25th of January, organised by Holocaust Education Ireland. Every year it is held on the closest Sunday to the 27th of January as International Holocaust Memorial Day marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. This year it was held in The Royal Hospital Kilmainham and students and staff attended. Students from Stratford College are invited every year to read from the Scroll of Names which is a list of relatives of Irish people who lost their lives in the Holocaust. For some of these people we know where they were born, where they died or how old they were, for others we have only their names. Through reading the scroll we remember all of these people. This years readers were TY students: Laila, Ciara and Julia.
The commemoration included readings, candle lighting, stories from second and third generation survivors, poetry and music. It is a poignant and solemn occasion. The event was attended by around 600 people including people from the Jewish, Roma, Disabled, LGBTQ+, and Christian communities who were all represented in the ceremony. Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder remembered his grandfather, Ivor Wieder and shared his story. Many politicians were present including Taoiseach Micheál Martin who gave the keynote address for the evening as well as Tánaiste Simon Harris, who visited our school on Friday 23rd January. The Taoiseach cited the horrifying statistics that 10% of people between the age of 18 and 28 years deny the Holocaust happened. He reminded us how: 'The Holocaust is the most clearly documented crime in world history. Its savagery and scale are undeniable, as are the identities of its victims.' We are reminded why commemorations like this are so important as an act of remembrance for the 6 million Jewish people and other minorities who lost their lives, to educate about the Holocaust, to hear stories from the communities directly impacted and to hear the voice of survivors who are living proof of this horrifying event that we must learn from.
This ceremony is so important for all these reasons. It was powerful being part of the ceremony, a privilege to read from the Scroll of Names and being asked to do so is such an honour. To remember these people by saying their names even if for just a moment is a truly prodigious feeling. The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is a beautiful venue for this commemoration, everyone who attended can attest to what a moving ceremony it was and how it captured the feeling of remembrance perfectly.
Stratford celebrated Wellbeing Week 2026 (5th - 8th May), a special week dedicated to promoting positive mental health, physical activity and cultural awareness. Students had the opportunity to take part in a variety of fun and engaging activities throughout the week, including walks, workshops, cultural events, sports, and wellbeing challenges.
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Congratulations to 1st Year Computer Studies students - Yair, Liam and Giorgi - who made it to the ECO-UNESCO 2026 Young Environmentalist Awards Finals held on 12th May with their Scratch coding project called "Giorgi the Litter Fighter". This is the first time that a Stratford project has made it to the finals - so very impressive work!
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Well done to the Stratford College Chess team who reached the Libermann Cup Finals to play against Coláiste Eanna on Monday 11th May. This is the first time that the Chess team has reached the finals. While it proved to be challenging with Coláiste Eanna showing great experience and ultimately winning out, the Stratford chess team are determined to be back next year!
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