The 2017-2018 NI Junior Foil Series was brought to an end with the final round (Round 6) held on Saturday 7 April in the Sullivan Upper Sports Hall. As usual Sullivan Upper was well represented, with 10 SU fencers taking part, two of them winning medals on the day: Ruzi Statham and Finn Neely, while Izzy Evans won an overall third place championship trophy. U12 Boys Finn Neely, the only Sullivan fencer in the U12 boys for Round 6, made the semi-finals to finish 3th, completing the series in overall 5th place. Other SU overall series placings: John Kane 6th and Matthew Mallon 9th. U14 Girls There were 6 Sullivan fencers competing in this age group for Round 6: Ruzi Statham, Izzy Evans, Victoria Morris, Alex Burke, Rachel McKillen and Angharad King. Ruzi made the podium with a third place, while Izzy, Victoria and Alex all made the quarter-finals to take 5th, 6th and 7th places. Rachel finished 9th and Angharad 10th. Izzy’s consistently strong performances throughout the series secured for her the overall championship third place trophy, while Ruzi’s significant improvement in the later rounds brought her up the rankings to take 4th overall. Alex and Rachel, consistent last eight finishers all year, completed the series in 5th and 6th, while Victoria and Angharad, having both missed 2 rounds, ended up 9th and 11th overall. U14 Boys Alexander Penny and Arnav Arava finished in the quarter-finals of Round 6 in 7th and 8th positions respectively. Their finishing order was reversed however in the final series rankings, with Arnav 12th and Alexander 13th. Cameron Kitchen didn’t attend Round 6, but finished the series in 17th. U16 Girls Anna Vaughan and Cece MacMahon, though unable to attend Round 6, nevertheless had accumulated enough points in previous rounds to finish the series in 4th and 5th positions respectively. U16 Boys Cormac Kitchen was the only SU representative in the U16s at Round 6, finishing just outside the medals in 5th place. A steady performance improvement throughout the series saw him climb up the points rankings to finish the year in 4th place overall. Jonathan Mallon, though he didn’t attend round 6, finished in 12th place overall. {gallery}FencingNews{/gallery} Late News SUFC Assistant Coach, Stephen Brown, pictured above, has just become Irish National Champion, winning the Men’s Foil Trophy yesterday 22 April in Dublin. Great to have the best foil fencer in Ireland coaching at Sullivan Upper Fencing Club! David White, SUFC Coach

This year our ski trip was to New Hampshire, just outside Boston. The group of around 75 pupils and 8 teachers met at Spafield very early on the 24th of March before heading to Dublin airport. Some of us started off in good time, leaving Patrick Crookshanks following behind due to an alarm that didn’t go off! However, luckily, we all made it to the airport on time for our flight. About 5 hours later we arrived in Boston and got the coach to our hotel in Loon which took another 2 hours through the snow covered countryside. The hotel was superbly situated with a view looking out on to the white mountains, the excitement was palpable. We were all very excited to get onto the slopes the next day. Dinner was a selection of soup, bread, fruit salad and a main dish which everyone enjoyed. The evening was pretty relaxed and we returned to our rooms after dinner and most people were passed out asleep by 9:30pm! We had an early start the next morning at 6am as we were skiing in Waterville which was about 20 minutes away by coach and had to fit our skis and boots before our lessons. We were divided into groups based on our ability and assigned to an instructor. We spent two days in Waterville and after we moved to Loon for three which was right on our doorstep. The instructors were good fun and taught us well. The beginners progressed so well they were able to negotiate some black runs by the end of the trip. We had lessons from 10-12 every day which brought us up to lunch time. Lunch was at a restaurant at the bottom of the slopes and there was a selection of Pizzas, burgers, chicken and chips which were true American style! After lunch we had another 2 hours skiing and then were back in the hotel for about 4pm each day, giving us time to relax before dinner and aprés ski. Activities such as the cinema, swimming in the hotel, shopping in the outlets, awards night for the trip and Mr Quigley and Mr Henderson’s famous quiz were arranged. On our last day, we went to Boston shopping before we headed to the airport where I’m sure many dollars were spent! We all made it to the airport in one piece, with no major injuries and no one slept in this time! The journey home was uneventful until we arrived at Dublin airport when we realised there was one less suitcase than we set off with poor James Wright!I think everyone will agree that this trip was definitely one of the highlights of our school experience to date. It was very well organised and everyone had a brilliant time, and I’m sure, wouldn’t hesitate if offered to go again. I would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Henderson and the other staff who really made this trip such an amazing experience. By Lucie Moran 13D

Harry Wilson represented Club NI 04, the Northern Ireland U14 football squad at the West Ham Cup tournament in London over the Easter weekend. The team played 5 matches winning 4, the highlights being victories over West Ham 5-0 and Leicester City 3-0 . Next up will be the prestigious NI Super Cup in July .

In front of another big crowd under floodlights, Sullivan faced Friends to defend the Burney Cup. The game was cagey with Friends sitting deep and allowing Sullivan to play the ball around the back, and looking for a way through, Friends then hoping to catch Sullivan on the break. Sullivan took the lead through a Paddy Crookshanks drag flick from a penalty corner. Half-time Sullivan 1 (Crookshanks) v Friends 0 The second half was much more of the same with Sullivan starting the half with lots of pressure on the Friends goal. Friends came back and Sullivan had to work the ball out of defence on a few occasions. The game changed on a controversial decision, Friends had a penalty corner, which was saved on the line, the umpire thought it had hit a foot and gave a penalty stroke, which Friends converted. Sullivan put more pressure on Friends to take the lead, but with 3 minutes left Friends deflected a shot, hit keeper McCord on the face mask and could have ended up anywhere, but ended up in the back of the net. With such little time left Sullivan could not get the elusive second goal. Final score Sullivan 1 (Crookshanks) v Friends 2 Congratulations for Friends on their win in a very competitive match with good hockey played. Thanks to the players in year 14 that will be leaving – Captain Fergus Gibson, Tom Robson, Callum Carson, Tom McCord, Fergus Kerr and Sonny Erskine. The remaining players were Paddy Crookshanks, Harry Morris, Matthew Morris, Matthew Willis, Michael Trimble, Daniel Girvin, Patrick Hayley, Issac Hart, Tom McClintock, Djay Erskine and Jamie McAuley. And a thanks to the coaching staff of Mr Osborne, Mr Roberts and Mr Williamson

Rowel Friers, (15), a pupil at Sullivan Upper School, Hollywood, and (grandson of the famous Artist and Cartoonist, Rowel Friers), presents a cheque for £4,000 to Jacqueline Wilkinson, Executive Assistant of the Children’s Cancer Unit. Rowel, a gifted young Concert Pianist, performed with other guests at the Elim Church hall, in Bangor – raising the money from ticket sales. He won his first piano competition at the age of five, and has been a hot contender in the National finals in London and Manchester. Gifted Rowel, recently performed at Carnegie Hall, New York, at the tender age of (14). He was the youngest pianist to win the William Finlay competition at 13-years-old. Boys and girls from all over Ireland took part. Picture Stanley Matchett Photography.

Sullivan played Wallace High School in the semi-final of the Burney Cup, a repeat of last years final, at Lisnagarvey. In a tense first half Wallace had the best opportunities with a shot hitting the bar and three penalty corners, were Sullivan keeper Tom McCord made good saves. Halftime Sullivan 0 – Wallace 0 The second half was much more eventful. Sullivan took the lead through Fergus Kerr, who scrambled home a goal after a penalty corner. Sullivan soon scored a second when Paddy Crookshanks scored a penalty corner. During this time in the second half captain, Fergus Gibson, showed his calm class in keeping Sullivan in line and moving the ball sublimely out of defence to attack. A third goal for Sullivan soon followed with another goal mouth scramble finished off by Matthew Morris. A period in-discipline followed and the umpires started to show green and yellow cards to both teams, with Wallace suffering the most. With nothing to lose Wallace went all out attack and pulled back two goals from Irish U16 International Troy Chambers. With the Sullivan supporters getting more nervous the umpire blew the final whistle. Final Score – Sullivan 3 (F Kerr, P Crookshanks & M Morris) v Wallace 2 Sullivan Squad: F Gibson (C), T McCord (GK), P Crookshanks, T Robson, M Trimble, H Morris, M Morris, C Carson, M Willis, S Erskine, F Kerr, DJ Erskine, D Girvan, T McClintock, P Haley, I Harte and J McCauley The Burney Cup Final will take place on Thursday 15 March 2018 at Stormont with push back at 7:30 pm – please come along and support the team.

Congratulations to Paddy Crookshanks (Yr13), Fraser Todd (Yr12) and Matthew Willis (Yr13) on their selection for Ulster U17 to play a 3-match series against England U16s at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre from the 5-7 May 2018.

Due to the severe weather conditions, Sullivan Upper School (Preparatory and Secondary Department) will be closed on Friday 2 March 2018. This is to ensure the safety of our pupils and staff. It is anticipated that school will reopen, as normal, on Monday 5 March 2018.

Sullivan 1st XI have been drawn against Wallace High School in the semi-final of the Burney Cup – the match is to take place on Thursday 8 March 2018 at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club with a 3:15 push back. All support welcome.

Saturday 24 February 2018 saw Sullivan 1st XI Boys Hockey Team play Campbell College in the quarter finals of the Burney Cup. Campbell started with an intensity of chasing down any possession that Sullivan had. Sullivan had most of the possession and midway through the first half earned their second penalty corner, from this a goal was scored, but disallowed, to the surprise of the players and spectators. Sullivan continued to dominate with Campbell only occasionally entering the Sullivan D, but with no real effort on goal. The deadlock was broken just before halftime when captain Fergus Gibson smashed home a rebound from a penalty corner. Halftime Sullivan 1 (Gibson) v Campbell College 0 The second half started as the first half ended. Once again Fergus Gibson scored from a rebound on a penalty corner, the Campbell player on the line could get his body out of the way as the ball went in. Discipline started to go and a few green cards followed. Then with a shot from open play Sonny Erskine made it 3 nil. The umpires then handed out three yellow cards in quick succession and Sullivan were playing with 9 against 10 of Campbell. This gave Campbell a lift but the Sullivan defence held out. Final Score Sullivan 3 (F Gibson 2 and S Erskine) v Campbell College 0 Sullivan Squad: F Gibson (C), T McCord (GK), P Crookshanks, T Robson, M Trimble, H Morris, M Morris, C Carson, M Willis, S Erskine, F Kerr, DJ Erskine, D Girvan, T McClintock, P Haley, I Harte and J McCauley

We are over half way through the 2017/2018 NI Junior Foil Series, now that Round 4 (from 6) was held last Sunday 4 February 2018 at the Queen’s Leisure Centre in Holywood. Ten Sullivan fencers took part, three of them winning medals. U16 Boys Cormac Kitchen was the only SU representative in this age group. Cormac has steadily improved throughout this year’s series, finishing third this time to take his first ever NIJFS medal. U14 Girls Two SU medal winners in this category: Victoria Morris and Ruzi Statham, both taking bronze, a first medal win for Ruzi. Izzy Evans, Rachel McKillen and Alex Burke all reached the quarter finals, finishing 5th, 6th and 7th U14 Boys Arnav Arava and Alexander Penny were 11th and 13th in a tough age group. U12 Boys After a strong and much improved performance in the poule stage, Finn Neely made it into the quarters to take 6th, while Matthew Mallon returned from a break in his fencing to finish 10th. Round 5 takes place on Saturday 3 March 2018 in the Sullivan Upper Sports Hall. Team SU at NI Junior Foil Series Round 4 David White SUFC Coach 7 February 2018

District Schools Cross Country Competition at Campbell College on 6 February 2018 Sullivan pupils arrived at Campbell to a flurry of snow and with excitement for the competition. There were some great results with the first three teams and top 15 individuals qualifying for the Ulsters. The Mini Girls started the series of events and in a large field of over 140 runners they competed well, finishing second in the team event. Naimh Fenlon 8th and Rachel Anderson 13th Next came the Mini Boys who have been very faithful in their training at school. They had a great race and won the Team event. Individually: Jacob McKittrick 1st, Jamie Gaw 6th and Ryan Drain 10th The Junior Girls team were also very successful, finishing second only on place difference to Strathearn. Tara McDonough 1st, Rachel Wolseley 7th and Sarah Gaw 10th. In the Junior Boys: Rory Carson 11th and Joshua Baker 13th Our last qualifier was Nia McNally who came 15th in the Senior race. All these teams and individuals now go through to compete at the Ulsters on Wednesday 21 February 2018 at Mallusk.