Congratulations to Year 11 boys, Ross Gourley, Isaac Hart and Adam Rainey, for winning the Geographical Association World Wise Quiz for the second year in a row.  The boys were nothing short of amazing, facing off stiff competition from 9 other schools and then Wallace and Down High in the final.

Jonny Betts (14A) has successfully completed a second season training with and playing for the Ulster Under 19 rugby squad.  Photos below show him wearing the new Ulster kit and in action against Leinster at an Inter-provincial match in Donnybrook Stadium.

The boys Under 16 and Under 18 squares have been announced for the upcoming Interpros to be played in Cork in late November. Under 18s – Matthew Crookshanks (Y13) and Callum Robson (Y14) Under 16s – Tom Robson (Y12), Fergus Gibson (Yr12), Harry Morris (Yr11) and Matthew Morris (Yr11).

After the disappointment of being knocked out of the Schoolboys All Ireland Championship in the group stages Sullivan got back to winning ways in the McCullough Cup. Sullivan played Inst on a very wet Saturday morning at Comber. Sullivan allowed Inst to play for the first 5 minutes but when they scored their first goal Sullivan dominated the game with their second goal coming quickly after. Another goal was scored in the first half. Halftime          Sullivan 3 – Inst 0 The second half continued to be dominated by Sullivan with four goals scored in the second half. Fulltime Sullivan          7          (J Matchett, R Hancock, R Watt, A McAllister, P McDonnell, F Gibson and R Wolseley) Inst                0 This result means Sullivan finished top of their group and unbeaten.

Our Year 8 team who consisted of Ellie Skilling 8G, Emily Black 8S, John Bailie 8C and Louis McCartney 8M, won the NI Regional Kids Lit Quiz and now go through to the National Final in Oxford on 4 December 2015.  A Year 9 team and a Prep team also participated and did well in the Quiz.

On Friday the 23 October 2015 Junior Rugby Players from Sullivan Upper School went to see Ulster play Cardiff at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Pupils were treated by a great performance by Ulster who came out victorious 24-17.

Sullivan started the game against High School, Dublin slowly but again took control and ended the half with a two nil lead. The second half saw a few quick goals, with a five nil lead Sullivan rested some players to face Bandon this afternoon. Final Score Sullivan 5 (J Matchett 2, A McAllister, C Robson and C Carson)

Swim Ulster Schools Cup and Championships The school swimming team had more successes at the recent Swim Ulster Schools Cup and Championships held at Aurora Aquatic Centre, Bangor. The 12 and Under Girls Relay team, consisting of Katie Kimber, Rachel White, Tara McDonagh and Tori Harding came third in the 200M Medley relay and the Junior Boys narrowly missed out on a medal coming fourth in their medley relay. Other medals for Sullivan Upper pupils included silver for Katie Kimber who came 2nd in both the 12 year old Girls 50 back and 50 Fly and Tom Uprichard who came 1st in the Junior Boys 100 Breast and 3rd in the Junior Boys 100 Freestyle. Katie Kimber, Matthew Latimer and Tara McDonagh all achieved Irish Minor Schools Qualifying times to be held in Dublin in February and Tom Uprichard met the criteria for the Ulster Provincial Team 2016. Many thanks must also go to the following swimmers who contributed to an unprecedented Sullivan Upper representation at this gala and swam well in both their individual and relay events: Jessica Chrishop. Emma Hanna, Anna Park, Amy Kimber, David Stinson, Mark Stinson, Andy White and Rachel Wolseley.

Sullivan started their Irish Schools Championship with a game at Deramore against Cookstown. Having played Cooktown recently and won convincingly Sullivan went into the game full of confidence. With a good support of parents and friends there was a bit of a mixed start Sullivan took the lead via Callum Robson. Cooktown quickly equalised. Sullivan then started to play good hockey. This lead to five more goals before half time. Half-time Sullivan 5 – Cookstown 1 The second half was all Sullivan with Cooktown on;y having two opportunities, a save from keeper Max McCone and a penalty corner hitting the crossbar. Sullivan matched there six goals of the first half. Full Time Sullivan 12 (J Matchett 4, C Robson 2, M Crookshanks 2, R Hancock 2, P McDonnell and C Carson) – Cookstown 1

Sullivan 1st XI boys hockey will be playing in the Irish Schools Competition. This year it is being held in Belfast with matches taking place at Shawsbridge, Deramore and Queens Sports Complex. The group matches are play on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October 2015. Sullivan have been drawn in a group with Cookstown High School, High School, Dublin and Bandon Grammar from Co Cork. Their matches are: Wednesday 21 October at Deramore with a 3:30 pm start against Cookstown Thursday 22 October at Queens with an 11:15 am start against High School, Dublin Thursday 22 October at Deramore with a 3:30 pm start against Bandon Grammar. If Sullivan progress the semi finals take place on Friday 23 at 9:30 am at either Shawsbridge or Queens and the final is at Shawsbridge 2:30 pm. All support is welcome

Michael Hartin (13C) , Alex Mills (13E) and Charis Mills (11E) who recently performed with Symphonic Brass at the Annual Garden Party at Hillsborough attended by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

We were delighted to welcome pupils and staff from Sports Academy George, South Africa, to Sullivan Upper. They entertained pupils in Years 11 and 12 Assembly and took part in a football tournament in Ashfield Boys School.