On Thursday, 21st April, Ms O'Kelly was invited to speak at the annual Irish Computer Society (ICS) Skills Training Conference about teaching and learning in Stratford's Computer Studies classes. On the same topic on Friday, 13th May, Ms O'Kelly will speak at the inaugural ‘21st Century School of Distinction’ Awards Ceremony and Showcase organised by Trinity College and hosted in Google.
Since September 2015, the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) has been taught from 1st Year through to Transition Year. There are 7 ICT online modules and 4 Computing Curriculum (CC) modules being taught. The CC modules include Computational Thinking (using Scratch), Microcontrollers (using Raspberry Pi's and Python), Multi-media and Digital Media.
Ms. O'Kelly is currently undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in 21st Century Teaching and Learning being offered by Trinity College. By applying the Bridge21 activity model to Computer Studies classes not only prepares students for coding, but also for computational thinking, i.e. problem solving, creativity, collaboration through the use of computing technologies.
The teaching and learning done in Stratford's computing classes through active teaching methodologies has been recognised by ICS Skills - who administer ECDL - and by Trinity College. On Thursday, 21st April, Ms O'Kelly was invited to speak at the annual Irish Computer Society (ICS) Skills Training Conference about teaching and learning in Stratford's Computer Studies classes. On the same topic on Friday, 13th May, Ms O'Kelly will speak at the inaugural ‘21st Century School of Distinction’ Awards Ceremony and Showcase organised by Trinity College and hosted in Google.
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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