Northern Ireland Schools’ Trampolining competition: U19 team – 2nd Place: Emer Dobson, Anna Chambers, Niamh Johnston, Sophie Finlay U15 team – 1st Place: Ali Adams, Katie Fisher, Sarah Storeng U15 team – 2nd Place; Megan Mccullough, Shaunna Fulford, Tatum Maxwell, Erin Fisher U13 team – 1st Place: Kathleen Smartt, Orla Hayes, Sophie Todd, Lauren Smyth Ali Adams came 1st in the U15 individual event and Kathleen Smartt came 1st in the U13 individual event.

Visit by Lady Sylvia Hermon MP Lady Hermon began the meeting by denouncing Conservative MP Nadine Dorries’ decision to leave Westminster for the Australian jungle. Lady Hermon also spoke of her surprise when Ms Dorries referred to other MPs as rats, although Lady Hermon assured us that she most certainly was not referring to her! She then went on to tell us that since the 2010 election when she became an independent MP, her blood pressure has gone right down, mainly because she is her own boss and doesn’t have any party leaders telling her what to do. The first question she was asked by pupils was: What were your reasons for leaving the Ulster Unionist Party? Lady Hermon started by saying that she had not left the Ulster Unionists but that they had left her in selecting another candidate for her seat.  She thought that the way the party had treated her was wrong, making us laugh in telling us how she found out about their link – up with the Conservatives. She was doing her shopping one day when see saw a newspaper saying “Unionists to join with Tories”. Lady Hermon said she picked up the paper wondering what Peter Robinson had done only to find out it was her own party! Lady Hermon finished this question by categorically stating she ‘was not a Tory!’ Another question asked was: Have you ever considered doing the Labour Party, or bringing any mainland party to Northern Ireland? Lady Hermon quickly replied “No! Of course not!” She said she would never return to a party for the sake of her health though she did say that since becoming an independent MP she had been invited by Labour and UKIP to join them! Overall, Lady Hermon provided a great insight into how Parliament and party politics works and what she loves about it. Jamie Woods Chairman of the Politics Society

Congratulations to Mark Adair who has been called into the Senior Ireland A cricket squad for the 2013 season.

Congratulations to Zara Malseed who played an important part in the Ulster U16 Hockey Squad who won the recent inter-provincial competition in Dublin. Zara scored a hat-trick in the victory over the South-East and also a goal in Ulster’s victory over Munster.

The Big Debate This week’s meeting of the Politics Society not only saw one of the largest turn outs in the society’s history, but also one of its few debates too. This week saw speakers Conall McDevitt (SDLP), Gordon Dunne (DUP), Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin), Michael Copeland (UUP) and former Sullivan Upper School pupil Chris Lyttle (Alliance), each give their own and their party’s view on issues selected by the committee of the society. These topics were on the recent opening of Northern Ireland’s first abortion clinic, Northern Ireland’s education system, parades and the recent disturbances, and naturally… “Why should we vote for you?”. Each MLA had his own view on each of the topics and certainly was not afraid to speak it. The meeting also saw a pleasing amount of cohesion amongst the MLAs and showed how Northern Irish politics and politicians really have moved on. The MLAs provided their own personal thoughts and “I agree with” was not uncommon during the debate. Overall the insight gained was worthwhile and was a truly exceptional meeting of the Politics Society. Jamie Woods Chairman of the Politics Society

Congratulations to the following pupils who have been selected to the Ulster Age Grade Development Squads: Ulster U19s Development Squad Scott Finlay (Yr 14) Chris Griffiths (Yr 13) Charlie Burrowes (Yr 14) Ulster U18s Development Squad Johnny  Bryans (Yr12) Peter Cooper (Y12) Max Clarke (Yr12) Fergus Jemphrey (Yr12) Zach Bertenshaw (Yr 12) Mark Adair (Yr13) Angus Macartney (Y13)

Congratulations to Ben Martin (Year 11) who has been selected to the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Northern Ireland Junior Squad 2012/13. Ben will be representing Northern Ireland and will be competing at Irish, UK and International events.

Congratulations and best wishes to Zara Malseed (Year 12) who is on the Ulster U16 girls’ Hockey Squad playing in the Inter-provincial tournament in Dublin this weekend (19-21 October 2012).

Charlie Roberts (Yr10) competed in the Irish Karate Association, International Karate Open in Carlow which took place 6 and 7 October 2012.  He is now the Under 14 Kumite Champion (fighting), also winning 2nd place in Kumite with the UKA in the team event.

Congratulations to Chris Griffiths and Scott Finlay who played for Ulster U18 Schools in the recent matches against Lancashire Schools and Languedoc, France.

Congratulation to Chris Cree (Yr11) who finished the tennis session as the number one player in Ulster at U14 level.

Sullivan Upper Fencing Club 2012/13 Pre-Season Update Victoria and Rachel N Ireland Champions! At the NI Fencing AGM in August, prizes were awarded to N Ireland’s 2011/12 senior and under-16 fencing champions. The women’s foil category resulted in a clean sweep for Sullivan Upper fencers; the Senior Women’s Foil Championship won by Victoria Duxbury and the Under-16 Women’s Foil Championship by Rachel Philpott. Championship points were totalled from the 2011/12 year’s NI Fencing competitions. For Victoria this adds to her 2011/12 All Ireland Senior and Under-17 Championships. 2012 South of Ireland Open The new competitive fencing season got underway on the last weekend of August at the South of Ireland Open in the Mardyke Arena in Cork, attended by Sullivan Upper fencers Victoria Duxbury and Rachel Philpott. Victoria was second and Rachel third in the women’s foil, an impressive SUFC trophy haul to start the season. Well done Victoria and Rachel!