Cal McGee, Masters in Film - DCU, contributed his memories of Stratford for the 60th Anniversary book, '60 Years A Growing', which was launched in November 2014.
I entered Stratford College in 2005 (almost ten years ago!) I can remember walking into the hall with all my books on the first day to see thirty plus people the same age, strangers then, but family now. Six years then seemed like a long time, but little did I know how fast they would go. First year brought with it an array of teachers, some who still walk its halls, whom we now call friends.
Transition Year is what brought us together as a family. The countless hilarious stories that we still laugh about when we see each other now could provide material for a separate book, perhaps even a trilogy! The nostalgia and memories of Stratford College that are awakened when we see each other will entertain us for the rest of our lives. When we see each other now, pulled apart by college, jobs and travel, things are still the same as they were when we all shared a classroom. Stratford College has brought many lifelong friends together and from what I have seen in my numerous visits since leaving, it still does.
The talent that emerged from the annual events like Battle of the Bands and the play productions provided the groundwork for a lot of the students' future ambitions in the entertainment sector. Writing competitions and literary events grabbed a hold of me and never let me go. I went on to complete a Journalism Degree in DCU, and now I am about to enter an MA in Film and Television. I pass Stratford with a tear in my eye now and often wish I could revisit 2008 and re-live all the magic, but a part of me will always be there and the other part feels as though it will never truly leave.
Cal McGee
Read the 60 Years A Growing eBook for more Stratford memories.
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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