Killian McLoughlin, English & Philosophy - UCD, contributed his memories of Stratford for the 60th Anniversary book, '60 Years A Growing', which was launched in November 2014.
Whilst a student at Stratford my nascent love for the humanities was constantly piqued by English, History and Classical Studies. The promises of literary theory lay simmering beneath close readings of Steinbeck and Harper Lee, of contemporary culture lying-in-wait behind twentieth century American history and of political ideology, of democracy and imperialism, breaking through studies of ancient Greece and Rome, all provided the perfect impetus to uncover what the Liberal Arts have to offer.
Now entering the final year of a BA in English literature and philosophy at UCD, my primary interests in English shall be Postcolonial Theory, World Literature and Queer Theory, whilst in philosophy I will focus on Political and Ethical Philosophy as well as Phenomenology and the Philosophies of Mind and Language. On completion of my BA, I aim to pursue a Postgraduate Degree in Philosophy, with a bias towards ‘continental’ philosophy; the study of certain political, ethical, social and cultural theories. This trajectory no longer seems to be as disconnected from my time in school as it first did when I left for university. Rather it seems the almost inevitable result of pursuing the academic interests that Stratford helped me to cultivate and explore. My current choices reflect a natural continuation of my time in Secondary School and I would probably not have found the path that I am now on were it not for my experiences in Stratford. For that and much, much more I can only thank my former teachers and classmates.
Killian McLoughlin
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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