Sullivan Upper – Army Cadet Force (ACF) Nine pupils attended summer camp in Otterburn.  Two alumni (Anna and David Matthews ) attended Bisley and represented the cadets in shooting at various levels. At camp, a team of six pupils won the 2nd Northern Ireland Battalion ACF drill competition for Sullivan detachment.  They were ranked 1st out of the 36 detachments that compose our Battalion, a fantastic achievement for a comparatively junior team.  Those involved were Jack Milligan, James Butt, David Cooley, Daniel Braniff, Joanna Baker and Tom Parsons. The 2012/13 training year has been very successful for Sullivan thanks to a great group of pupils and a great team of instructors supporting them.   Hopefully, this academic year will be one of our best! We are keen to invite new members of the student body to join us and it is the ideal time of the year to do so.  All Sullivan pupils aged 12 and above are welcome to join.  ACF meet every Wednesday during term time from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm. For any additional information please feel free to check out the ACF website (https://armycadets.com/become-a-cadet/).

1st XI Girls Hockey finished second overall in the first schools competition of the 2013/14 season They won their qualifying section, then defeated Ballymena Academy in the semi final, losing narrowly 2-0 to  Lurgan High School Final in a closely contested final.

The U14 have had a great run in the Junior School Cup. They defeated Dungannon 3-0 and then faced a strong Methodist College team. It was a hard fought match with the girls having to come from 1-0 down to win the game 2-1. They now face Belfast High School in the quarter finals.

At the Grammar Schools Swimming Gala held on Saturday 2 March 2013 the results and medals are as follows:  Junior Boys:    Peter Speers  Silver Butterfly/4th in Breast stroke Intermediate Girls:  Gemma Speers Gold Butterfly / Silver Backstroke Senior Boys: Roger Dawson Gold Freestyle / Bronze Breast Stroke James Doggart Silver Individual Medley / Silver Butterfly Harry Speers 4th Butterfly / 5th Freestyle Senior Girls: Robyn Laird 6th Individual Medley Relays: Senior Team  (Harry Speers, James Doggart,  Roger Dawson, Peter Speers) Gold freestyle / Gold Individual Medley Senior Boys 1st  and winners of the Senior Boys Cup Sullivan overall 3rdHelped by : Christian Best/Ethan McKnight/Megan Laird/ Robert McNutt/ Jessica Chishop

Two teams took part in the BPW Public speaking Competition on 16 November 2012 at Newforge Country Club, Belfast. The girls, Cathy Kitchen, Alix Murray and Megan Bourke spoke on Economic issues and the boys, Nick Hodgson, Ross Mckenna and James Convill chose “Stress- the threat from within” as their topic. Both teams were  highly commended on their thought-provoking  and most enjoyable speeches.

Public Speaking success – Cathy Kitchen (Yr12), Rachel McDougall (Yr 13), Shona Davis (Yr 12), Niamh Hughes (Yr 13) and Valeria Patterson (Yr 13) took part in the public-speaking competition in Bangor on Wednesday 23 November 2011 organised by the Soroptimists.  Cathy came first (with her speech entitled ‘The EU – a victim of its own success?’ and Rachel came second with her speech entitled ‘An ageing population – is it my problem?’. Congratulations to all involved.

Needs Images.

For over 20 years the Geographical Association has held a national schools competition – the Worldwise Quiz. In Northern Ireland teams of under 15 year olds from ten schools from across the province took part in the regional event held at Queen’s University Belfast. After four rounds of questions on Geography topics including fieldwork techniques, current affairs and photographs the top three teams, Wellington College, Down High (2010 winners) and Sullivan, won their place for the final stage of the competition. After a fiercely fought contest the Sullivan team, consisting of Jason Rothwell, Calum Jones and Jack Torrens, defeated Down High by two marks. The Sullivan Upper team was awarded individual medals, a school shield and the regional trophy. Congratuations to Jason Rothwell, Calum Jones and Jack Torrens (Year 11) on winning the Geographical Association NI Worldwise Quiz.

MINIOR GIRLS’ WINNERS OF MINOR PLATE Defeated Glenlola Collegiate in the Final Lydia Kelly, Amy Rothwell, Claire McCrory and Emma Hill MINIOR BOYS’ WINNERS OF MINOR PLATE Defeated Banbridge Academy in the Final Joe Heatley, Jacob Robinson, David Cunningham and Sergio Oliva JUNIOR GIRLS’ WINNERS OF ULSTER SCHOOLS’ JUNIOR CUP Defeated Strathearn in the Final Katharine Hill, Amy Allen, Katie Hill, Alexandra Adams

Sullivan successfully participted in The Times Spelling Bee at the Waterfront Hall on Monday, 9 May 2011 and were placed 3rd in the first round. Jonathan Brattle was awarded a medal for being the ‘last man standing’. Congratulations to all pupils and loyal supporters, it was a very lively and enjoyable day.

Ireland U19s Squad v France U19s The following Sullivan Upper pupils have been selected on the extended Ireland U19s Squad to play France this month.  The Ireland U19s will play France U19s on Thursday 17 April 2014 and Tuesday 22 April 2014.  Both games will be played at 2.00 pm  in St Mary’s RFC, Templeogue, Dublin 6W. Josh Davidson Ross Todd

The Northern Ireland Girl’s fencing team secured a bronze medal at the recent Sainsbury’s UK School Games, held at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, (for the second year running – unprecedented in NI Girl’s foil history). Sullivan Upper was represented by Victoria Duxbury and Rachel Philpott, pictured receiving their medals. Both girls have also been selected to represent Northern Ireland in the upcoming Senior 5 Nations tournament in November, to be held at the University of Edinburgh. This also follows early season success for them at the South of Ireland Open in Cork, with Victoria gaining 2nd place (after a narrow 15-14 loss in extra time) and Rachel coming 3rd.