News for the Academic Year 2008-2009

Over this academic year we are updating this section with items or photographs which we feel are of interest and either are not otherwise covered in our web pages or to which we wish to draw your attention!

Valedictory

 

 

The annual Form 6 Valedictory Ceremony was held for the class of 2009 in Calry Church. The event was marked by a mix of the sacred and secular with the group distinguishing themselves by the talent both musically and in the various readings and speeches.  Staff and parents and the pupils all contributed during the ceremony.  Afterwards in the school dining hall (see the photo) a sketch book of memories was presented to the school. The evening was a memorable one and was marked by each pupils receiving a folder with a Graduation Certificate and a class photograph.  We wish the class of 2009 well as they leave our walls and sit State Examinations.

 

 

Mr. Morris' presentation

 

 With sadness, right, the Head boy on behalf of the school,  marks the end of an era at the last school assembly .   Mr Morris is retiring after 38 years in the school - prior to which he had been a pupil.  He has contributed immeasurably to the life of the school - as a teacher, as a house master, as rugby and canoe coach, as Deputy Principal and as Acting Headmaster.  He will be greatly missed.

The farewell with the staff will take place at a later date.

 

 

Holocaust Survivor visit

 

More than seventy pupils were privileged to hear Tomi Reichental tell his story about his experience of deportation from Slovakia to the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. Over a period over nearly 2 hours the pupils were gripped as they heard  the moving story.  Tomi explained that it was important to him to tell his story so the memory of what had happened would remain.

The school were delighted to welcome Transition Year from Glenties Community School to the talk.  It was a morning that none of us will ever forget.

 

 

 

Open Day

 

 

The young people who will become our new form 1 in September recently came to the school for an Open Day .  This included various inputs from staff, a tour of the school led by prefects and refreshments in the dining room.  The prospective pupils all seemed to be appreciative of the afternoon's activities.

 

 

 

 

Science quiz

 

 

The school's science department recently hosted a regional Science Table Team Quiz for Junior Certificate pupils.  In previous year's the school has won this competition - but this year despite a fine performance they were just beaten by our neighbours in Summerhill College - well done.  It was a great evening and proved there are more than a few budding scientists around!

 

 

 

doodle4Google

 

 This is the entry by one of our TY pupils which got to the National final of the DOODLE4GOOGLE  competition. Well done!  We think it should have won!

 

 

fair trade fortnight

 

 

SGS was really busy during this fortnight.   We had a visit from a fair trade producer who gave a talk to all of TY and all of form 5.  The tuck shop sold Fair Trade products and the canteen sold Banoffi pie . As the photo shows we also got involved in supporting the "gobananas" campaign by encouraging the purchase of FairTrade bananas.  We have entered this photo in a competition!

 

 

 

Form 1 Business Calendar!

 

 

Form1 had a great project for the new year - they published a calendar which featured local artists.  Just before Christmas they had invited all the artists and their parents to a launch in the school library.  The calendar is all sold out - with all proceeds going to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

 

 

 

Staff CPR Course

 

 

 

Recently 8 members of staff took part in a CPR course and a course in how to use the new defibrilator which the school has acquired for emergencies. The 8 staff are now trained to administer CPR and to use the defibrilator if such an emergency arises. This is a valuable addition for the school.

 

 

Loss of Matron mcElhinney

 

 

 

Sadly we announce the loss of our assistant matron ,Helena McElhinney. Matron has moved to Scotland to work in another school there. We will miss her greatly and we wish her the best for the future.

 

 

 New lunch bar opens

 

Day pupils now have an extra option at lunch time with the recent opening of a lunch bar at the back of the dining hall.  This sells tasty and reasonably priced sandwiches and snacks, fruit, juices, tea, coffee and burgers.  It is proving popular and is voted a roaring success!

 

 Annual Prize Day

 

The annual school prize day was held in Calry Church at the end of October.  We welcomed back past pupil, and now stockbroker,  Mr Stuart Draper, as the Guest Speaker.

Left, are the many prize winner whose academic excellence and effort were recognised and awarded.   We welcomed back as prize winners members of the class of 2008.

The headmaster's speech, made at a critical time of education cuts, may be read by clicking here.

 

 Higher Options Fair

 

 

Form 6 attended the Higher Options Fair in the RDS in  Dublin recently.  This was most helpful in clarifying third level options open to them.

 

 

 

 

 

New House Parents

Mr Alfred Potter has taken over as house parent in the Boys' Boarding Residence	Mr Gerry Price and his wife Kay have become house parents for the Girls' Boarding Residence

Spraoi TraditionalGroup in Christmas show!!

Our very own Traditional Group are competing on TG4 on the Nollaig 1 programme.  They hope to be selected as the shows No. 1 Christmas number!  Tune in to see how they do!  Double click the photo to view a short clip from the rehearsal in RTE recently (large file).

Prefects

In the photograph right you can see our new Head Boy and Head Girl with their team of Prefects . Congratulations on your appointment!  The prefects have already been showing their keen sense of commitment to the school and are carrying out their duties both effectively and quietly.

International Students

We are delighted once more to welcome into our boarding houses International Students from many European countries - especially we have students from Spain and Germany.  Many of them will complete their education with us and others will attend just for the year.  We wish them all an enjoyable and fulfilling stay in Sligo Grammar School.

Hello and goodbye!

We wish to welcome all our new pupils - we hope they will be happy in our school.  We also welcome our new teachers.  Our warmest congratulations are extended to the students who have just got their Leaving Certificate.  Good luck to you all as you move on into college or the work-place - do keep in touch!