Community Involvement

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF TRANSITION YEAR. FOR THE STUDENTS WHO DO “GAISCE”, THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS A REQUIREMENT. APART FROM THIS, HOWEVER, THE TRANSITION YEARS GET INVOLVED WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND DO A LOT OF FUNDRAISING FOR LOCAL AND NATIONAL CHARITIES.

2022 – 2023

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Sligo Grammar School has had a long association with the Special Olympics. Since last September four TY students, Darragh Lawley, Alana Guckian Walton, Éanna Gallagher and Rory Conneally, have been volunteering with the Shuttle Stars Special Olympics group. They all gave up their Monday nights to come and work with the Shuttle Stars in Sligo Tennis Club. Our own Mr. Gerry Price, who is heavily involved in Shuttle Stars, told us how incredibly diligent and committed the students were and, on behalf of the club, would like to say a huge thank you to the four students and to their parents who dropped them off and collected them every week. “It means so much to all involved to have such dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers” he said. Well done all.

2021 – 2022

“OUR GREEN FORT” PROJECT

Sligo Grammar School’s TY Green Schools team, have had a very busy year. They have tackled issues ranging from raising awareness of Fast Fashion to installing re-cycling bins in the school and promoting the move back to soap and solid shampoo in a bid to reduce plastic waste. Now they are helping out with the work of the Green Fort Working Group, a local organisation made up of representatives from Sligo County Council and other stakeholders and interested people from the town. The group is trying to establish the level of public awareness of the historic Green Fort which overlooks our town. This very significant 400 year old earthen fort is located close to Sligo Grammar School on the elevated site of Forthill, in O’Boyle Public Park overlooking the town, harbour and Dartry hills. Despite its historical significance, large scale and impressive location in the town, very few Sligo people or visitors to the town are aware of its existence, historical importance or its potential as an educational resource and tourist attraction. The students spent Monday 16th May interviewing members of the public as part of the ”Our Green Fort” project. The feedback and data collected by SGS TY students will be analysed and presented to the Green Fort Working Group and thus help to inform decision makers in relation to the future development of the Green Fort.

2020- 2021

HALLOWE’EN DRESS-UP DAY

On Thursday 22nd October the Transition Year YSI group held a feel-good Fancy Dress Day in aid of Pieta House. Students and teachers all took the idea to heart and wore their best Hallowe’en costumes to school. Everyone donated €3 to Pieta House, who do such great work in mental health, and certainly the occasion gave everybody a boost, much needed after what was at times quite an anxious term in school. The YSI steam raised over €1,000 for the charity and gave us all a fun-filled day at school! Well done to all the YSI students and to Ms Stinson, their teacher. See photos HERE.

2019 – 2020

FUNDRAISING FOR CONCERN
On Monday 20th January TY students met representatives of the charity Concern to present a cheque for €553.50 The TYs raised this money last term by going on a 24 hour fast. Fundraising is central to the TY philosophy in SGS. The class raises funds for many good causes, targeting both local and National charities. The bulk of the monies raised will be presented to the various charities in May at the TY Awards Night.

CHARITY SEA SWIM
On Wednesday 16th October TY students plunged into the Atlantic Ocean for their annual Sponsored Swim. The class dressed up in all sorts of fancy dress and went out to Rosses Point beach where they threw themselves into the waves! Luckily the day was particularly fine and sunny. Over €1,000 was collected and the funds raised by the swim are earmarked for local charities and will be presented to the chosen charities later in the school year. Well done to all the students and many thanks to their teachers Mrs O’Donnell, Mr. Lynch and Mr Cradock for all the organisation.

BEACH CLEAN-UP

In the past TY Sustainable Living group spent the morning on Strandhill beach picking up litter as part of the Clean Coasts programme. This is a national drive operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce. It aims to get local communities involved in the protection of Ireland’s beaches, seas and marine life. The local group organised a clean-up in Strandhill and our TY students eagerly volunteered their services!

FUNDRAISING

In Sligo Grammar School TY students are encouraged to get involved in the community in a variety of ways. As well as volunteering to help with community projects, working with people with special needs and participating in flag days the students run special fundraising events within the school. One such annual event is Jersey Day for GOAL. The TYs also organise a Christmas Jumper Day and a “Lá Glas” during Seachtain na Gaeilge. The staff and students enthusiastically get involved and contribute €2 each for the chance to get into silly clothes!

Community Projects

A host of different projects are taken on during the year which encourage TY students to think about the world outside their own experience.Below are a few examples of TY in the community.

For the last number of years TY students volunteered to help with the Primary Schools Athletic Event in Sligo IT. They worked with all classes and learnt a lot about the skills needed to work with children.
For many years TY students have worked with St Cecilia’s School which caters for children with moderate, severe and profound learning difficulties. The students from St Cecilia’s come to the Grammar School and the TY students work with them, sharing activities and playing sports with them. The SGS students find the experience challenging but very rewarding.
The TY students get involved Special Olympics, helping out with Horseriding and other activities.
Every year the TYs hold a sponsored swim in Rosses Point. The students dress up in fancy dress and plunge into the sea, usually in November. It is always one of the most popular fundraisers. TY students volunteer to help out with the Special Olympics in Sligo at the athletics event in Sligo IT