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!

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.

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!

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

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

The 2024 Irish Open was held Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October in the Irish National Indoor Arena at Blanchardstown in Dublin. Five Sullivan fencers took part: Amelia Penny and Cassidy Ogle competing in the women’s foil and Noah Currie, Lennox Brown and Adam Sugar in the men’s foil.   The Open is the biggest Irish fencing event of the year with fencers from Europe and further afield competing along with the best in Ireland. In the women’s foil event on the Saturday Amelia finished 14th and Cassidy 16th, then on the Sunday Lennox was 27th, Noah 31st and Adam 32nd in the men’s foil. All 5 put in strong performances and gained valuable experience fencing at senior level.   The next event for SUFC fencers will be at Round 2 of the 2024/2025 NI Junior Foil Series in Shankill Leisure Centre on Saturday 9th November.   David White SUFC Coach 25 Oct 2023

Congratulations to Brody Neely (Year 11) who took Gold at the British Weightlifting Championships with a total weight of 147 kg and is now UK Champion in his category.

The Irish Intermediates fencing competition took place last weekend 12th and 13th October in University College in Dublin. This event restricts entrants to those who have never placed first in a senior fencing competition, but still contributes points to the Irish Rankings system. Myles Wilkinson and Lennox Brown took part and in the poule stage Myles won 5/6 of his fights, Lennox 4/6. Myles went on to make the last 8, finishng 6th, Lennox the last 16, finishing 12th. Well done both. The next event for our senior fencers will be the Irish Open next weekend in Dublin 19th and 20th October.   David White SUFC Coach 13 Oct 2024

Congratulations to Brody Neely (Year 11) who recently represented Ireland at Under 15 in the forthcoming European Weightlifting Cup in Bucharest, Romania as part of the Irish Team who placed an impressive 6th in the EU. Brody hit a Personal Best total of 146 KG and he is now competing in the British Age Group Championships in the near future.

The 2024/25 NI Junior Foil Series began last Saturday 12th October in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast. Sullivan Upper Fencing Club had 17 fencers competing in the U14 and U16 age groups. A record eleven medals were won in total by SU fencers, 2 gold, 2 silver and 7 bronze.   U14s Lydia Hamilton, Grace Tsang and Amy Walker were SU’s entrants in the girls’ U14s. Lydia and Grace met in the semi-finals, with Lydia taking a narrow win to go into the final, while Amy lost in the other semi to join Grace in joint 3rd. Lydia put up a good fight in the final, but finished with the silver medal.   In the boys’ U14s Daniel McBride, Flynn Woolsey-Jensen, William Penny, Thomas Morrow, Eric Hutchinson and Zach Fyffe all made the quarter-finals. From these, William and Thomas progressed to the semi-finals, though both lost, finishing joint 3rd. Flynn, Eric, Zach, Daniel and Cormac were placed in positions 5 to 9.   U16s There were 2 SU fencers in the girls’ U16s: Erin Keough and Cassidy Ogle, Cassidy fresh from her win at the Derry Open senior event the previous weekend. The 2 SU fencers met in the semis with Cassidy taking the win 15-9 to go into the final, Erin taking bronze. In the final it was a close-run thing for Cassidy, but then with the score at 13-13, she took the last 2 points to win 15-13.   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.  Sam lost his semi-final, while Tom was knocked out by Theo. In the final Theo put in a strong performance, leading the fight all the way through to win 15:13. Tom and Sam were joint 3rd, Adam, Ethan, Oliver and Patrick in positions 7 to 10.   This was an excellent competition turn-out of Sullivan fencers, with a great set of results. Well done to all 17. Round 2 of the NIJFS will be on Sat 9th November 2024 in the Shankill Leisure Centre.   David White SUFC Coach 13th Oct 2024

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, Sullivan Upper School encouraged pupils to embellish  their uniform with  BRIGHTLY COLOURED  removable  accessories .   We decided to focus on bright colours because it was an opportunity for each individual to express themselves and how they were feeling on the day. We also wanted them to use the things that they already had at home to encourage sustainability and as a (small) stand against mass/over consumption!

The Derry Open senior fencing competition was held last weekend the 5th & 6th of October in the sports hall of Thornhill College in Londonderry. Seven SU fencers took part: Amelia Penny, Alexandra Ong and Cassidy Ogle in the women’s foil event and Adam Sugar, Noah Currie, Lennox Brown and Tom Woolsey-Jensen in the men's foil.   On the Saturday in the women’s foil event Cassidy and Amelia were seeded 1 and 2 after completion of the poule stage, then in the knock-out stage ended up facing each other in the final. This was a close fought match, Cassidy taking the win 15-12. Alexandra finished 7th.   The men’s foil was on the Sunday, a tough event with several of Ireland’s top 10 ranked senior foilists competing. Lennox and Noah both made the last 16 in 11th and 15th places, while Adam and Tom finished just outside the L16 in 17th and 19th. Well done all seven fencers.   David White SUFC Coach 07 Oct 2024