Congratulations to Sullivan  pupils Matthew Crookshanks (Year 12), Tom Robson (Year 11) and Stephen Hodgson (Year 12) who have been selected to represent Ulster in the Inter-pro series of matches in Dublin from the 21 to 23 November 2014. Congratulations to Callum Robson (Year 13) who has been selected for the Ulster Under 18 squad.

Congratulations to Alana Smyth (Year 8) who recent competed in and won the U12 Irish Dancing Ulster Championships which now makes her the current NI and Ulster Champion two years running.  Alana has also been awarded an SEELB Outstanding Achievements Award.

Congratulations to Bryan Greene (Year 12) and his father, Peter, who competed in the European Father and Son Golf Championship in Valle Del Este in Spain at the end of October. The event had both professional golfers and amateurs. Bryan and his father finished runners-up in the amateur/handicap section with 21 under par – Peter states that it had little to do with him as his son Bryan was outstanding. The event will be televised on Sky Sports on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November 2014.

1st XI Hockey – Irish Schools Competition – 22-24 October 2014 The 1st XI Hockey squad left Holywood on Tuesday for the long trek to Cork to play in the Irish Schools Competition. They were drawn in a group with two Dublin schools, St. Andrews and St Columbus, along with local rivals Regent House. Match 1 v St Andrews at Ashton School The sand based pitch was challenging, with lots of sand! The first opponents, St. Andrews, were a very strong team and were the favourites to win the overall competition. A few of their players who also play for Dublin club, Monkstown, had played in the European Hockey League a few weeks earlier. Sullivan started this match well and had a strong first half. Despite having to play a defensive game, the half-time score was nil all. In the second half St Andrews’ constant pressure finally broke through and lead to them scoring four goals. Final Score Sullivan 0 – St Andrews 4 Match 2 v Regent House at Ashton School After playing St Andrews, Sullivan knew that it would be a hard task for any team to top the league ahead of them. Their second match against Regent was played with intensity. Regent felt they had a good chance to progress after defeating St Columbus 2-0 in their opening match. The game was end to end and Sullivan managed to take the lead. Regent came back strongly to lead 3 – 1. Sullivan fought back well and with two penalty corners, one in the last minute, managed to draw the game. Final Score Sullivan 3 (Scorers J Matchett, R Watts and R Hancock) – Regent House 3 Match 3 v St Columbus at Garryduff With neither team able to qualify for the semi-finals the pressure was off. On a great pitch a good game of hockey was played. Sullivan were unlucky in this game, after taking the lead. St Columbus equalised after the umpires missed the ball hitting a St Columbus player’s foot in the D. Sullivan again took the lead but St Columbus scored soon after. With Sullivan pressurizing, the umpires again missed the ball hitting the foot of a St Columbus player in the D, allowing them to halt the Sullivan attack. Final Score Sullivan 2 (Scorers M Crookshanks & J Matchett ) – St Columbus 2 With such a young squad, Sullivan were pleased with their overall performance. The boys gained alot of experience, worked well as a team and are already looking forward to the competition next year. Friendly Match v Middleton School, Cork After not progressing to the semi final Sullivan played Middleton on the Friday morning before heading home. This was mainly a one sided match with Sullivan winning comfortably. Final Score Sullivan 4 (Scorers J Matchett (2), B Cree & P McDonnell) – Middleton 0 The eventual winners of the overall competition were St Andrews of Dublin.

Senior Squad with the 6 Nations Trophy Under 12s with the 6 Nations Trophy Under 13s with the 6 Nations Trophy

A senior sports fitness challenge recently took place to raise funds towards the IRFU Charitable Trust. Approximately £100 was raised as students watched their colleagues carry out a series of challenges from press-ups, sprints, sit-ups, and  spin bikes. Pupils were sponsored by Little Big Shot energy drinks which are Caffine and Taurine free, part of a healthier life style choice. Results 1st place  Rugby 2nd Place Boys Hockey 3rd place Girls Hockey 4th place Netball

Fergus McMullan (Year 11) participated recently in the  Pan American Karate Championships.  Fergus won a Silver Medal in Kata.  (Kata being a test of form, discipline and movement.) At the World Championships for Juniors, Fergus won a Gold Medal for Kata in the cadet category which makes him a world champion.  He won a Silver Medal in the fighting category, he was narrowly beaten by a Brazilian boy in the last few seconds of the fight.

The Sullivan Singers had the privilege of performing at the 11th UK National Police Memorial Day Service on Sunday 28 September 2014 in the Waterfront Hall. This annual event is held in the province only once every four years and was attended by the event’s patron, HRH Prince of Wales, the Home Secretary and a range of other religious and political leaders. Four candles representing Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales were lit to remember the devotion and commitment exemplified by all officers who had been killed and after the sounding of the Last Post the Sullivan Singers gave a sensitive performance of The Gaelic Blessing by Bob Chilcott.

Sullivan Upper School 1st XI Hockey Team who have qualified to take part in the All Ireland School Championships in Cork from the 22 to 24 October 2014 by beating Bangor Grammar, Cookstown High School and Royal & Prior of Raphoe. In Cork the initial group stage will consist of matches against St Andrews, St Columbus and Regent House. Back Row (left to right) Alan Waring, Ben Cree, Jack Preece, Fergus Gibson, Callum Carson, Paul McDonnell, Ross Hancock, Callum Robson Front Row (left to right) Taylor Burrell, Matthew Morris, Harry Morris, Adam McAllister, Matthew Crookshanks (C), Robin Watts, John Matchett, Max McCone Matthew Crookshanks 1st XI Captain

Mr Peel was nominated by a pupil, Turlough Smyth, for the ‘ice bucket challenge’ in aid of Motor Neurone Disease. Mr Peel spoke to pupils in assembly about this global phenomenon and stressed the importance of awareness raising of the disease and of fundraising, rather than the entertainment value on Facebook. Mr Peel agreed to complete the challenge as long as the weekly charity lift exceeded £500 – all proceeds of this charity lift will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association for NI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92vtBW5bOmY&feature=youtu.be

Congratulations to all Year 12 Home Economics students on very successfully completing their GCSE practical examination. The students were required to make three dishes and accompaniments which would reflect the tip for eating well ‘eat lots of fruit and veg’. A fabulous range of dishes were produced by all students. Aimee McManus Anna Best Aoife Murphy Caitlin-Sarah Henning Cara Casey Carys Lees Chloe Shaw Courtney Dawson Daniel Braniff David Cooley Ella Orme Emma Dunwoody Holly Simpson Kiera Goldring Laura Treharne Lucy Hollies Luke Campell Matthew Crookshanks Megan McCullough Mollie Lavery Natalie McClune Niall Cheetham Nicole Convill Rowan McCann Sergio Oliva Shauna Fulford Zara Goldstone

The Sullivan Singers have successfully reached the Northern Ireland final of the All Island Choir Competition 2014. ~ The final is to be held Monday 13 October 2014 in St Patricks Cathedral, Armagh and will be recorded as last year by RTE.