On Friday, 13th May, Trinity College launched their "Trinity Access 21: Year 1" report on the need for Digital Skills in Irish Education at Google's Dublin HQ. A number of teachers were also invited to speak at the launch, including Ms. O'Kelly who was asked to speak about the coding initiatives implemented from 1st Year to TY in Stratford College through the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) curriculum. The report was featured on RTE 1 News and Radio reports.
Ms. O'Kelly was invited to speak about the coding initiatives implemented in Stratford's Computer Studies classes through the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) ICT and Computing Curriculum at the launch of the Trinity Access 21: Year 1 report on Friday, 13th May in Google's Dublin HQ. The report outlines, among many issues, the importance of teaching teachers digital skills and computational thinking, in order for them to bring these skills into the Irish classroom. On page 9 of the report there is a case study on Stratford's Computer Studies classes.
In addition, Trinity College launched the inaugural "21st Century School of Distinction" Awards Ceremony and Showcase on the same morning. Schools from all over the country entered this competition.
Ms. O'Kelly has just completed the Postgraduate Certificate in 21st Century Teaching and Learning, co-funded by Google and run by Trinity College Dublin. Google invested €1.5 million in this Postgraduate Certificate programme in October 2014.
Media reports:
Experts call for investment in digital skills in schools (RTE News, includes Six One News TV broadcasts)
Digital skills crisis in Irish schools prompts call for urgent reform (Silicon Republic)
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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