The 2nd round of the 2024/25 NI Junior Foil Series took place last Saturday 9th November in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast. Sullivan Upper Fencing Club had 14 fencers competing and brought home a total of 8 medals (1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze) from 4 age group competitions.   U14s Grace Tsang and Amy Walker were SU’s entrants in the girls’ U14s. Grace knocked out Amy on her way to the final, but finished with the silver medal, Amy taking bronze in 3rd place. In the boys’ U14s Flynn Woolsey-Jensen made the semi-finals, but lost to the eventual winner, finishing 3rd. Eric Hutchinson and William Penny both made the quarter-finals but progressed no further, finishing 5th and 6th.   U16s Cassidy Ogle and Erin Keough were once again Sullivan’s representatives in the girls’ U16s. Erin was knocked out in the semis while Cassidy breezed through to the final, winning 15-12 to take the gold medal. The boys’ U16s had 7 SU competitors: Tom Woolsey-Jensen, Theo Beggs, Adam Sugar, Sam Snoddy, Ethan Dilworth, Patrick John and Oliver Stevenson. Five of the 7 made it to the quarter-finals, with Tom, Theo and Sam then progressing to the last 4. Tom lost his semi-final, while Sam was knocked out by Theo. In the final Theo put in a strong performance, but ended up with the silver medal. Tom and Sam were joint 3rd, Ethan and Adam 7th and 8th. Oliver and Patrick finished just outside the last 8 in 9th and 10th.   This was an excellent set of results for SUFC, well done to all 14 fencers. Round 3 of the NIJFS will be on Sat 7th December 2024 in the Shankill Leisure Centre.   David White SUFC Coach 11th Nov 2024

We were delighted to host Round 2 (East) of the Girls Schools Rugby Competition on Thursday 7th November. Nine schools, with over 150 players, participated across the day with the U18’s taking part in the X7’s full pitch competition and the U16 and U14’s playing a modified cross pitch version of the game. There were lots of tightly contested games across the day giving players an excellent opportunity to refine their skills and gain all important match practice. Special mention to our U12’s who played a competitive fixture against each other and are really progressing with their rugby skills. They are looking forward to gaining match experience against other schools in the near future. Participating Schools Sullivan Upper School, Down High School, St Louis Grammar School, Regent House, Newbridge College, Glastry College, Ballymena Academy, St Catherine’s College, Belfast High School

On Tuesday 12 November 2024 we celebrated #OddSocksDay. Odd Socks Day is a fun way to celebrate our differences and respect each other. More importantly it helped us to raise awareness against bullying type behaviours!

As part of our Anti-Bullying Week events, our Peer Mentors hosted a powerful initiative called the Choose Respect Wall. This interactive activity invited pupils to share their thoughts, ideas, and images around the theme of “Choose Respect,” sparking meaningful conversations across our school community.   Throughout the day, pupils contributed words, drawings, and reflections on what respect means to them and why it’s essential in creating a positive school environment. Themes of kindness, empathy, understanding, and support emerged, highlighting the depth of insight our pupils have on these important values.   The Peer Mentors led thoughtful discussions, encouraging their peers to reflect on the role of respect in their daily lives and how choosing respect can build stronger, more inclusive connections with others. The Choose Respect Wall was filled with inspiring messages by the end of the day, serving as a visual reminder of the shared commitment to kindness and respect within our school.   It was wonderful to witness the enthusiasm and engagement around this initiative, and we are grateful to our Peer Mentors for their leadership in promoting a culture of respect. This activity has set a positive tone for the rest of Anti-Bullying Week, reminding us all of the power of respect.

During November, our talented BABYSHARKZ Theatre Company took audiences on a thrilling journey to Neverland with a memorable production of Peter Pan . With a cast of over 50 pupils, the energy and excitement on stage were nothing short of magical.   This year’s production was directed by past pupil Ellen, who returned to the school to share her passion and expertise. Ellen’s direction, along with the support of our assistant directors from Year 13 and Year 14, guided our pupils through an intense but rewarding rehearsal period. Together, they brought a fresh vision to the classic story, helping our students grow in confidence and skill.   Adding to the excitement, this was our first time using a thrust staging configuration, bringing the action even closer to the audience and creating an intimate, immersive experience. Our pupils rose to the challenge beautifully, adapting to this new setup with enthusiasm and professionalism.   A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the production and cheer on our pupils. We’re incredibly proud of our community and we’re grateful for the memories they’ve created together. Here’s to the next adventure on stage!

Congratulations to Amelia Penny and Cassidy Ogle, two SU fencers selected to represent N Ireland last Saturday 16th November in the 2024 Five Nations Fencing Championships held in the Foyle Arena in Londonderry. This is an annual competition with teams from N Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales taking part. Amelia and Cassidy formed part of the NI Women’s Foil Team along with Victoria Morris, an ex-Sullivan fencer now fencing for Oxford University and Gillian Worman, an experienced NI fencer who competes in England.   David White SUFC Coach 19 Nov 2024

Over the holiday period, 2 SU fencers, Cassidy Ogle and Myles Wilkinson, travelled over to the Leon Paul Fencing Centre in London to take part in the first U17 British Ranking Competition (BRC) of 2025. The BRCs are where points are won that go towards a fencer’s place in the British ranking tables. Myles finished 22nd in the U17 Men’s Foil and Cassidy 30th in the Women’s U17s, strong performances amongst the best young fencers in the UK. BRC participation is a major step-up in terms of competition level for both fencers and valuable experience of national (UK) competition.   David White SUFC Coach 08 Jan 2025

The Open is N Ireland’s premier and largest fencing competition of the year and was held last weekend the 25th & 26th of January in Thornhill College in Londonderry. Five Sullivan fencers took part, Amelia Penny, Myles Wilkinson, Tom Woolsey-Jensen, Lennox Brown and Sam Snoddy.  At the same time Cassidy Ogle was competing in a European Fencing Confederation (EFC) U17 event in Riga, Latvia. Cassidy had been selected to represent Ireland in the individual and team competitions.   In Derry on Saturday 25th Amelia made the final of the women’s foil, finishing up with the silver medal. Meanwhile Cassidy and the Irish foil team finished 21st in the team event in Riga, having been knocked out by Ukraine. Back in Derry on the Sunday, in the men’s foil, Myles and Tom made the last 16 in 13th and 14th places while Sam and Lennox finished 18th and 20th. In the Sunday individual competition in Riga Cassidy faced a tough world class international field with competitors from as far afield as Australia, Brazil and the USA as well as the European nations. She finished in the last 128 in 107th place, a respectable first full international performance at age 15, and the only NI fencer currently competing at this level.   The next event for SUFC fencers will be for U12s, U14s and U16s at Round 4 of the NI Junior Foil Series on 1st February in Shankill Leisure Centre (postponed from 18th Jan.     David White SUFC Coach 29 Jan 2025

On Saturday 1st February the Shankill Leisure Centre was again the venue for a round of the N Ireland Junior Foil Series. This was Round 4 and 14 Sullivan Upper Fencers were in attendance, 8 of whom brought back medals, 3 silver and 5 bronze.   U14s In the boys’ U14s event SU fencers William Penny and Tom Morrow both made the semi-finals. Tom was knocked out at this stage, while William went through to the final, but only after a close fight that went to a tie-break.  William lost in the final to come away with the silver medal, while Tom took bronze. Eric Hutchinson and Flynn Woolsey-Jensen finished just outside the medals in 5th and 6th. In the girls’ U14s Lydia Hamilton and Amy Walker met in the semis, Lydia winning through to the final, leaving Amy with bronze. In the final Lydia lost to the current U14 points leader to finish with the silver medal.     U16s In the boys’ U16s Sam Snoddy made the semi-finals after a close 15-14 win in the quarters, while Tom Woolsey-Jensen progressed from the last 8 by defeating Ethan Dilworth. Both Sam and Tom were beaten in the semis, finishing joint 3rd with Ethan taking 5th place. Oliver Stevenson, Adam Sugar and Patrick John were 7th, 8th and 9th. Unfortunately, during the girls’ U16s, Cassidy Ogle suffered an asthma attack and had to withdraw from the competition. This denied her a place in the final, but she had progressed far enough to be placed 2nd. Erin Keough was the only SU finisher in this category, coming in 3rd for bronze.   P.S. After a brief visit to A&E, Cassidy made a full recovery.   This was a strong set of results, well done to all 14 SU entrants. Round 5 of the NIJFS will be on Sun 23rd February 2025 in the SU Sports Hall.   David White SUFC Coach 4th Feb 2025

Just before half-term, the weekend of the 8th and 9th Feb, Cassidy Ogle travelled over to London to compete in her 2nd UK national competition of the year, the Leon Paul Foil Open. Finishing 10th in the Saturday open event, then 5th in the Plate event on the Sunday, Cassidy is continuing to develop her fencing at national level. David White SUFC Coach 16 Feb 2025

Sullivan Upper Fencing Club hosted the 5th round of the 2024/25 NI Junior Foil Series on Sunday 23rd of February in the Sullivan Sports Hall.  Eighteen SU fencers took part across U12, U14 and U16 age groups, 4 of whom were year 8 beginners in their first competition. In total SU fencers won 11 medals, 1 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze   U12s Year 8s Olivia Morse and Shion Suto-Murphy both performed well, Olivia winning silver in the girls’ U12s and Shion bronze in the boys’. The other 2 beginners, Oscar Duddy and Mark Ross, although also year 8s, are placed in the U14 age group due to their birthdays being in 2012 and not 2013.   U14s Unfortunately Mark and Oscar met in the last 16 of the U14 boys’ event. This was an epic battle, with Mark going through to the L8, narrowly defeating Oscar 15-14. He was then knocked out by Thomas Morrow, who then kept on winning right up to the final, where he put up a strong fight against the age group points leader, but lost 12-15 to take silver. William Penny, Eric Hutchinson and Flynn Woolsey-Jensen all made the quarter-finals. Lydia Hamilton, Amy Walker and Grace Tsang were the SU representatives in the girls’ U14s. Lydia beat Grace in one semi-final, while Amy lost in the other to the U14F points leader. Lydia then lost to the same fencer in the final. These were hard fights for Amy and Lydia, against a top U14 from Dublin with international competition experience.   U16s In the girls’ U16s Cassidy Ogle made the final, but lost there to her Dublin based rival for the U16F championship title. Cassidy still has a small championship points lead, but the title win will be decided at the next (last) round. Erin Keough made the semi-final stage to take her 4th bronze medal of the series. Sam Snoddy put in a superb performance in the U16 boys’ event, winning his first gold medal of this year’s series. Tom Woolsey-Jensen and Adam Sugar also performed well, finishing joint 3rd. Ethan Dilworth and Patrick John both made the quarter-finals ending up 6th and 7th.    Well done all 18 SU competitors and a big thank you to the SU staff for preparing the Sports Hall for us and to all the fencer parents for their support.   Round 6, the final round of the 2024/2025 NIJFS season, will be on Sun 16th March in the SU Sports Hall.   David White SUFC Coach 26 Feb 2025

Congratulations to past SU pupil and fencer Victoria Morris on receiving an Oxford Blue award! This was on selection to compete for the university’s women’s foil first team in the 117th Oxford-Cambridge Varsity Fencing Match held last Saturday 8th March. Victoria is in her 2nd year of study at Jesus College, Oxford.   Go to https://www.youtubetrimmer.com/view/?v=MzUs6gmqJrg&start=8761&end=8832&loop=0 to see a clip of Victoria (on the left) playing her part in the Oxford team’s victory over Cambridge in the women’s foil event.   David White SUFC Coach 12 Mar 2025