Congratulations to Jonathan Hill (Year 13) who came 3rd in the Senior boys triple Jump at the Irish schools final on Saturday 1 June 2013.

Charlie Roberts (Year 10) recently competed in the Irish International Karate Championships in Ardee, Co Louth. He won gold medals in both Kumite (fighting) and Kata in his category – age 14/15, brown/black belt – and is now Irish Champion.

Well done to all those who competed on a horrendously wet and cold Saturday. The following pupils have qualified for the Irish Schools competition: Senior Boys: Conall Kirk 1st 800m Harry Speers 1st 2000m Steeplechase Jonathan Hill 1st Triple Jump Adam Hill 3rd High Jump Inter. Boys: Christopher Jordan 3rd 100m Mark Burton 2nd Triple Jump Inter. Girls: Laura Potts 3rd Discus We wish them all the best at Tullamore on 1 June June 2013. Other Athletics News: The Year 9 Girls’ Team have qualified for the Ulster Finals of the competition. They have qualified through two rounds of the event and will now compete at the Antrim Forum. They are: Lucy Martin, Laura McCaw, Maggie Gillies, Isobel Meharg, Rachael Gowdy, Erin Davidson, Nia McNally

Congratulations to the following pupils who have all qualified for the Ulster Schools Athletics Finals on Friday 17 & Saturday 18 May 2013 Name Track Time Name Field Time Jamie Hardacre 400H 10.00 am Amy Rothwell Javelin 10.00 am Chris Jordan 100m 11.00 am Jonny Hill TJump 10.00 am Ali Adams 200m 11.54 am Lisa Fulford Discus 11.15 am Chris Jordan 200m 12.00 pm Mark Burton TJump 11.30 am Hope Gibson 75H 12.25 pm William Hamilton LJump 11.30 am Adam Hill 110H 12.45 pm Adam Hill HJump 11.30 am Inter Boys Relay 1.45 pm  (if qualify – 5.55pm) Harry Speers St’Chase 2.21pm Jonny Hill LJump 1.00 pm Conall Kirk 800m 3.30 pm Amy Rothwell Shot 1.45 pm Conor Brady 800m 3.55 pm Laura Potts Discus 3.00 pm Harry Speers 1500m 5.23 pm *Jenna Speers St’chase Friday Evening:  5.30 pm

Results from the Intermediate and Senior District Athletics Competition held on 1 May 2013: Intermediate Results  Chris Jordan1st 100 and 200 metres  Chris Ball 2nd Shot Mark Burton 3rd Triple Jump Laura Potts 1st Discus Ali Adams 3rd 200 metres Senior Results  Jonny Hill 1stTriple and Long Jump  Jamie Hardacre 2nd 400 metres hurdles Lisa Fulford 1st  Discus Adam Hill 1st Hurdles  Adam H ill 2nd High Jump Conall Kirk 1st 800 metres Harry Speers 1st 2000 SC Harry Speers   2nd 1500 metres Congratulations to all these athletics who have now qualified for the Ulster Finals.

Victoria Duxbury (Year 13) was voted North Down Young Sportsperson of the year (2012) at the Marine Court Hotel, Bangor on Friday 26 April 2013.

he Senior netball team who defeated Regent House in the Final of the Solsport League. Lorraine Lindsay (President of Netball NI) is presenting the Trophy to the Sullivan Captain.

Rhys Counsell, a Year 12 Physics student, recently entered a competition in the New Scientist magazine in which they had a 100 words to decide which energy technology will have the biggest impact on our lives in the near future, and why. Rhys was runner up and here is his entry. Fusion – What could possibly go wrong? Fusion is the holy grail of power, no nuclear waste (no Chernobyl) and only abundant hydrogen used.  We are on the verge of creating the power of a sun on earth.  ITER (The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), designed to produce 500 megawatts of output power for 50 megawtts of input power, is only the beginning. In 20 years fusion could be possible, sooner with investment.  Only direct conversion of mass into energy, such as that caused by the annihiltory collision of matter and antimatter, is more energetic per unit of mass then nuclear fusion.  High gain, low risk,  Fusion – How hard can it be?

Visit by the Minister for Finance and Personnel and the Minister for Environment The meeting began with a question from the floor, questioning whether or not an official opposition would improve the efficiency of the assembly. Mr Attwood agreed and stated that the SDLP, are in favour of an opposition and should in fact be part of one. Mr Attwood said “it is the next phase in the development of our democracy”. Mr Wilson also agreed, however pointed out that it would be much more difficult to effect proposals in the Assembly without a ministerial seat. Both ministers made reference to whether or not we should look back to the past. Mr Attwood’s response was that we must address our past and tie up unfinished business; whereas Mr Wilson stated that he did not want to drag another generation into the past. The case of the John Lewis store being cancelled was put to the ministers; Mr Attwood responded, saying that he believed that the store would have cost jobs, rather than create them. Mr Wilson conveyed his dismay at the John Lewis decision, stating that he feels the planning system in Northern Ireland needs urgent reform. A key question asked by the floor was whether or not the Ministers believe that Northern Ireland politics is dominated by two political parties. Mr Wilson agreed, but also added that smaller parties can be an effective thorn in the side of the larger parties. Both Ministers agreed that they must work together to ensure that the government is effective and efficient. Sam Baker Chair Politics Society

Visit by the Deputy First Minister This week the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited the Politics Society. Mr McGuinness began by telling us his claim to fame was playing golf with former Sullivan pupil, Rory McIlroy, at the back of Stormont Castle when he nearly took the head off Peter Robinson’s private secretary! The Deputy First Minister started by saying that the media’s reports of him and Peter Robinson having fallen out were not true and that they talk every day. Recent discussions included dealing with issues such as the Belfast City Hall flag disputes, the summer parades and welfare reform. Mr McGuinness said that although he and Peter Robinson came to office during a recession they have been able to attract foreign direct investment from the USA, Brazil and China with the creation of 1000s of jobs in the region. He also said that Northern Ireland was being damaged by the London government’s resistance to lower corporation tax from 21% to 12.5%, as is the case in the Republic of Ireland, and went on to say that following a meeting with David Cameron there were no plans to devolve corporation taxes powers until after the Scottish independence referendum. Mr McGuinness used his home city of Derry as an example of how relations have improved in Northern Ireland. He said that there are now regular meetings between himself, the DUP, Bogside Resident Association and the Apprentice Boys to discuss parades and there are no longer any major issues with parading. The first question put to the Deputy First Minister was about the Education and Skills Authority and its impact on grammar schools. Mr McGuinness confirmed agreement has been reached between Sinn Féin and the DUP and grammar schools, such as Sullivan, should be happy. Mr McGuinness was then asked if he believed an opposition at the Assembly would make it more effective. He said that the people talking about forming an opposition (ie the UUP and SDLP) were the ones who wanted it least and believes that what they want is remain in the executive but also criticise it at the same time. We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming the Deputy First Minister to the Politics Society and hope he returns to Sullivan in the future. Jamie Woods Chairman of the Politics Society

Congratulations to Victoria Duxbury (Yr 13) and Rachael Philpott (Yr 11) on their tremendous performances in the recent Irish National Championships.   After six hours of competition, the girls faced each other in the senior final, with Victoria emerging as the winner (thus retaining her Irish National Champion title) and Rachel as runner-up.