SullivanUpperSchool celebrated the sporting and musical achievements of its pupils today 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 Leslie Dewart (SportNI), a former Commonwealth Games Badminton player. Rowena Seaton-Kelly and Harry Speers received the Mark McBride Memorial Cup for Outstanding Contribution to Junior School Sport. Genevieve Price and Jamie Carr were awarded the RAF Cup for Outstanding Contribution to Senior School Sport.

Congratulations to Megan McQuillan (11E) who has been selected to participate in the U15 International Womens Football Match to be held in Ballymena on Wednesday, 6 April 2011. Megan has also been selected to play in WU15 Celtic Nations Cup 2011 in Cardiff, Wales from 11-15 April 2011.

On Friday 11 March 2011, the Politics Society of Sullivan Upper School welcomed the Lord Mayor of Belfast and member of the SDLP, Pat Convery. After a brief talk, the floor was opened to questions. However we found out that the Lord Mayor was not allowed to answer any political question while wearing the chain of office (which was solid gold) and so we first asked about issues to do with the role of the Lord Mayor. In answers, he revealed that the Lord Mayor’s post was not chosen by D’hondt but rather by the Council. Furthermore he told us that this system was due to change but that there was a dilemma in deciding what to it change to. He also told us what happened during the water crisis in December. We all got a scare when he disclosed that there was a room in Belfast, where people watched what was happening in the city, especially the young people, and had access to Facebook and Twitter accounts, Nonetheless he said this was very useful during the crisis as they could see which areas needed water most. He asserted that his staff turned out, even though it wasn’t their responsibility, to deliver water to the elderly. At this point, Mr Convery took the chain off and starting talking about the SDLP. During which, he informed us that collective responsibility was being undermined in government and that the current budget ‘isn’t fit for purpose’. He was very honest about the reasons for the decline in support in recent years, stating it was because people who join the party don’t want to be activists and that the SDLP didn’t seem ‘to be attractive to young people’. Nonetheless he did have one critic of Sinn Fein, which was that they didn’t see a way forward using ‘value-for-money’ which would be a necessity in the coming years. And with that, the meeting was adjourned and the Lord Mayor very kindly presented us with a small plaque acknowledging his visit.  I would like to thank all who were there and extend my gratitude to the committee members and Mr Armstrong, who played a key role in making the visit a success. Clare Coulter  Deputy Secretary of the Politics Society

On Friday 25 March 2011, Lady Herman, independent, was welcomed by the Politics Society of Sullivan Upper School. Lady Herman started by telling us about the elections of last year, in which her votes were weighed instead of counted. She said it was the first time the vote was counted through the night and that she thought Brown made the right decision by leaving when he did. Furthermore, she commented that it was hard to hold the coalition to account as they had no specific manifesto. Lady Herman feels this parliament is ‘unhappy’ and that Ed Miliband will have a lot to do a lot to show he deserves the leadership. She also thought, as opposition, they were never going to win against the government due to a majority in parliament. She seemed very concerned about the disconnect between the government and Northern Ireland. With that, the meeting was concluded and we all showed our appreciation by a round of applause. I, personally, would like to express gratitude to all who attended. Clare Coulter  Deputy Secretary of the Politics Society

Congratulations to Amy Rothwell on finishing in 1st place at the U12 Girls Provincial Matchplays in March 2011. Amy will now present Ulster in the National Matchplay event in Dublin from Friday, 1 April 2011 to Sunday, 3 April 2011.

Sullivan Traditional Group 2007-2010 CD entitled Ticket to Washington is now available to purchase. CDs costs £10 each or if buying multiples of 5 the cost is £8.00 each. CDs are available from the School Office or Dr Fox-Roberts.

Results from the Irish Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championships held in Galway. Intermediate relay team of Harry Speers, Stephen McNally, Roger Dawson and James Doggart won Gold in the Individual Medley relay and Bronze in the Freestyle relay. The team also won the Ulster Medley Relay and came second in the Freestyle Medley. Jordan Sloan won Gold in the Senior boys’ backstroke and Bronze in the Freestyle.

Senior Girls Badminton Team (Lucy Pollock, Emma McGavock, Catherine Kennedy, Victoria Ringland) won Division 2 of the Ulster Leage and are now through to the All Ireland Championships. Minor Girls Badminton Team (Amy Allen, Katharine Hill, Rachel Barton, Amy Rothwell) won Division 1 of the Ulster Leage and are now through to the All Ireland Championships.

The boys U13 hockey has reached the semi-final of the Bannister Bowl. They play MCB at Deramore (Harlequins Hockey Pitch) onThursday 10March 2011 at 3.00 pm. The girls 2b xi hockey team has reached the semi-final of the 3rd X ICup. They play Strathearn at CIYMS at 4.00 pm on Thursday 10 March 2011 The boys 2nd XI hockey team has reached the semi-final of the Dowdall Cup. They play Banbridge Academy on Saturday 19March 2011 at Comber Leisure Centre at 9.15 am.

Sullivan 1st XI met Methody 1st XI in the 3rd round of the Senior Schools’ cup. This match had been postponed from early December and consequently tensions and anticipations were high from both teams. Sullivan started strongly with good runs on the wings, decisive and accurate passing and various amounts of pressure in the circle. Katie McQuillan’s excellent lifted strike was well saved by the Methody keeper and Katie Moore’s effort just went wide of the right post. Slightly against the run of play Methody won a short corner and a first time strike left Sullivan keeper, Claire Lowry, pulling off a fine save. Despite some very skillful and speedy Methody forwards, the Sullivan defence coped very well with the ever increasing amount of pressure placed on them. After the break the Sullivan team came out strongly and from the restart, Katie McQuillan made a magnificent solo run from the half way line beating several Methody players on the way, which resulted in an excellent individual goal. Methody stepped up their game but good defensive play from the Sullivan ‘back 4’ kept them at bay behind the 23m line. Methody continued to push forward but loose balls were pounced upon by a nippy Sullivan midfield trio (Alex Roberts, Hannah Martin andJodieFalls) and Sullivan almost claimed a second goal when JodieFalls first time sweep was edged wide of the post by the Methody Keeper. However Methody continued to work hard and made some fine breaks down the left hand side, only to be intercepted or tackled by a Sullivan player. The match finished 1-0 and was a deserved victory by a hard working Sullivan side.

Congratulations to Ben McMechan who participated in the North Down Badminton Finals held in Ards Leisure Centre.

We are delighted that in the results just announced Chris Tapper has been awarded a Gold Medal, Connor Johnston a Bronze Medal and Esther Grieve a Highly Commended Certificate in the above competition. More details and pictures to follow.