Board of Directors
The current Board of Directors management structures of the school were set up in 1976, when the Incorporated Society decided to have their schools run by local administration.
Up to that date the schools had been run direct from the Dublin office.
A company, limited by guarantee, was set up with seven directors each giving of their time voluntarily. The structure of the company precludes the directors from receiving a salary or any form of payment from the company. The responsibility of the company is to oversee the running of the school. The company appoints the Head and the Head runs the school.
The Board does not get involved in the day to day running of the school, but is directly responsible for the financial management of the school and for policy decisions affecting the school.
The Head, being a employee, cannot be a member of the Board but does sit in on all meetings and takes a full part in the discussions but does not have a vote.
Below are short résumés of each member of the board.
Mrs Fania Ellison
Fania Ellison is a parent of students in the Grammar School. She is married to Julian and lives in Westport Co. Mayo. Fania has three children, Juno, Isaac and Francis and is a barrister by profession.
Bishop Ferran Glenfield
The Lord Bishop of Kilmore and Elphin, Ferran Glenfield was formerly the rector of Hillsborough Parish in the Diocese of Down and also of Kill-O-The-Grange parish, Co. Dublin. Bishop Glenfield is married to Jean Glenfield and they have three children, Michael, Esther and Richard.
Niall Draper
Niall is a past pupil of Sligo Grammar School an maintains a keen interest in the life of the school. He is a native of Sligo and lives and works in the area. He is married to Emer. Niall is a director of Sherry Fitzgerald Draper estate agents, Sligo.
Sheila Bourke
Sheila Bourke is a past pupil of S.G.S and is a member of the Past Pupils Association. She is living in Collooney and married to Wilfred with 3 children aged 11-19. Sheila is a staff nurse at Sligo General Hospital. Her hobbies include music, photography, walking and gardening. She is also involved in many parish and community activities. Her vision is for the school to maintain its present standard of excellence and further develop in the future for the benefit of the students in the 21st century. Sheila joined the Board in 1999.
Arnie Griffin
Arnie taught in Sligo Grammar School for many years. He taught History and was later Deputy Principal. During his time in the school he ran the school Scouting troop and was the driving force behind the Broken Weir Kayak club, which is still going strong. He is married to Viv and all his children attended SGS.
Liz Greer
Liz Greer, now living in Sligo, is originally from Cork and a past pupil of Bandon Grammar School. She studied accountancy in Dublin and now works with Abbott Ireland Diagnostic Division in Sligo as an Assistant Accountant. Her two children, Jessica and Mark and keep her husband John and herself very busy. Liz’s husband John is a past pupil of SGS. She enjoys walking, swimming and sailing. Liz joined the Board in April 2005.
Richard Wood-Martin
Richard has seen all his children go through the school and his family has always been heavily involved in Sligo Grammar School. His father, Richard, was a long-time member of the Board of Directors, serving as Chairman. The Wood-Martin family presents a special award for Agricultural Science at the annual Prize Day celebrations and the family farm, Woodville, welcomes Ag. Science students every year as part of their Leaving Cert studies.
Noel Regan
Serving as a non stipendary priest in the diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh Noel is an intergral part of the community life in and around the town of Sligo. He has an intimate knowledge of the parishes and their people, particularly Riverstown and Manorhamilton where he has served for 7 years. He is married to Joan (nee Abbott) from Mohill and together they have 4 adult children who have all attended the Sligo Grammar School. Two of his daughters are currently studying in university while his son has graduated and is working in Belfast. His eldest daughter is pursuing her doctorate abroad. He is anxious that the ethos culture of the S.G.S. is maintained as it has a valuable contribution to make to society as a whole. He now lives in Gurteen Cliffony Co Sligo. He enjoys farming, work and reading. Noel joined the Board in March 2004.
Jill Barber
Jill Barber is a past pupil of Sligo Grammar School and her own children attended the school. Jill’s family have lived in Carney for generations and Jill currently runs the very successful Drumcliffe Tea House.
Eoin McElroy
Eoin is a past pupil of Sligo Grammar School and works in finance. He is currently based in Dublin.
Maeve Fenton
Maeve Fenton manages a veterinary practice in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. She is an animal lover and loves horse riding. Maeve has had a long association with the school both as past pupil and parent.