Junior Cup Winners for Outstanding Contribution to School Sports

The following boys have been selected for representative squads: Ross Adair (Yr 14) – IRFU National Age Grade Talent Camp (U18 Schools) Mark Adair & Angus Macartney (Yr 12); and Peter Cooper, Max Clarke, Jonny Bryans,  Fergus Jemphrey, Zach Bertenshaw, James Houston, Ryan Spence (Yr11) – Ulster Schools U16 Development Squad. Congratulations and best wishes.

As a result of his achievements last season, including as a member of the victorious Ulster team in the Inter-provincial Championships, Christopher Cree (10P) is now the top-ranked U14 player in Ulster.   Congratulations Christopher and best wishes for another great season!

Victoria Duxbury (12B) has become the NI Senior Fencing Champion. Victoria is now the leading female fencer in Ireland and has been selected for the forthcoming senior 5-nations tournament inCardiff.  Congratulations to Victoria on this superb achievement!

ullivanUpperSchool celebrated the sporting and musical achievements of its pupils on Thursday, 29 September 2011 in the annual awards ceremony. Over 250 pupils received an award, ranging from achievement certificates to school colours to full representative honours. The Guest of Honour was Mr Darren Cave.

A fine cast of Sullivan student are currently frantically rehearsing a shortened version of  Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. This will be performed in the Shakespeare in Schools Festival at the Belfast Waterfront Studio on Tuesday 8 November 2011. Tickets for the performance are now available at the Waterfront Box Office.

NORTHERN IRELAND SCHOOLS CANOE RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS – 4 SEPTEMBER 2011 Congatulations to Michael Cartmill who won the Northern Ireland Schools Canoe Racing Championships – a four mile race on the River Bann.

Sullivan Upper School is delighted to return to the Ulster Hall for its ever-popular Spring Concert. This will offer the opportunity for those both inside and outside the school community to enjoy a varied programme of music, ranging from orchestral pieces to ensemble groups; from the fine voices of The Sullivan Singers to exciting solo performances. Classical, traditional, jazz or popular, there is something in the programme to suit all musical tastes. Last year’s concert was a huge success and booked out quickly.  So, book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you there on 21 March 2012.

Congratulations to Katie Kirk (Deputy Head Girl 2011/2012 second from left) on winning a gold medal in the 4 x 400m relay and on coming 5th in the 400m at the recent European Junior Championships.

Rory comes home to Sullivan. The pupils and staff of Sullivan Upper were delighted when former pupil, Rory McIlroy, visited school on Thursday, 30 June 2011.  The BBC’s Mark Simpson quizzed Rory about his school days and many pupils were able to have their photo taken with the US Open Champion. Many thanks Rory! Click on the links below to see the BBC’s news items http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13983230 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13981397

In September 2010, after a rigorous application and interview process the following Year 13 pupils were successful in gaining a place on the Belfast Saphara Team: Kirsten Beg, Kate Doake, Irma Hendry, Chris Jordan and Katherine Kinahan with Miss C Thomson (Teacher in Charge Sullivan). The aim of Saphara is to participate in a ‘journey with purpose’. Saphara is a registered charity which engages young people from all communities in Northern Ireland to work with impoverished children in India. We are part of the Belfast team of sixth form students and will be travelling to India in July 2011 with pupils from Methodist College and Aquinas Grammar. Team Training An important aspect of our year long commitment has been to team building and prepare for our trip to India. In November we had our induction meeting where we met our colleagues in the Belfast team from Methody and Acquinas. February’s team meeting outlined the challenges ahead and developed team morale. In March we attended a residential training weekend at Newcastle Youth Hostel where we explored cultural issues associated with our trip and considered the demands of teaching. By our final twilight meeting in May the theme of ‘The Environment’ had been selected as the focus of our teaching and we are embracing the challenges associated with creative lesson planning. Fundraising One of the most challenging aspects of this commitment has been raising funds to support the educational charity work we will be doing during our trip to India. The financial aspect of this trip involves £650 parental consultation to cover flights and insurance, £500 personal fundraising and £500 (per member) team fundraising. As this is a big financial commitment we have been keen to focus our efforts on some key events. Highlights We would like to thank Miss Martin for facilitating a non uniform collection on behalf of Saphara and to all those pupils who donated so generously. A big thank you to Sullivan Preparatory Department staff and pupils who donated an amazing £1000 – the result of collecting coppers and a toy sale. Their creativity and enthusiasm was a great motivation throughout our fundraising endeavours. In March, we undertook a challenge, not for the faint hearted, to Abseil down the Europa Hotel A great fundraiser which thanks to very generous support from Sullivan staff meant we couldn’t back out!!  Finally to those of you who attended; coffee mornings, wine and cheese evening, Jamie at Home Party, Table Quiz or donated to our used clothing collection – THANK YOU! Our fundraising target was £5000 and we have managed to achieve £10,883.36. All your support has been greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference to the schools Saphara supports in India. Click here to read Saphara Article by Lucy Pollock Click here to look at the Belfast Team July 2010 Click here to look at the Belfast Trip Schedule 2011 You can follow our progress while we are away in India (15-31 July 2011) by reading our ‘blog’ on the Saphara Website: www.saphara.org

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