Sian Colman-Black, Opera Singer, contributed her memories of Stratford for the 60th Anniversary book, '60 Years A Growing', which was launched in November 2014.
I attended Stratford College from September 2005 – June 2009. If I was to use one word to sum up my experience during the years I spent there, it would be Community. Stratford was not an ordinary place to be educated, it was a community to which we all belonged created by the unique relationship between the pupils and teachers. It was something I embraced and became part of when I entered the school at the beginning of my Junior Certificate Year.
The education I received there was holistic in every sense of the word. Every pupil was treated with respect and their individuality taken into consideration and I was empowered to reach my full potential because of this. Alongside this, the Jewish ethos of the school was in no way exclusive — for those of us who were not of the same faith it was such an enriching experience. I left Stratford College in June 2009 having attained the results I had worked towards and subsequently went to College to start my music degree at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. My years in Stratford equipped me fully for this transition.
I have now attained my BA in Music Performance and Teaching. My career to date includes several opera performances and work with Director Vivian Coates’ Lyric Opera Productions as part of their Stage Management team.
I am also teaching vocal students at the Independent Theatre Workshop. I know that my experiences in Stratford is something I will always acknowledge as having an enormous impact on me in many different areas of my life.
I would like to thank the wonderful staff under the guidance of Ms Gordon for the enriching experience during my time there. I would also like to wish the school well in the future as they seek to make others part of this unique community.
Sian Colman-Black
Read the 60 Years A Growing eBook for more Stratford memories.
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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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