Click on link for video interviews by Rob Irwin with the medallion squad:  Link Click on the link for video clip highlights of play including tries and conversions + links to over 300 pictures: Link Please visit  www.intouchrugby.com for other information.

Congratulations and well done to the following pupils who participated in the Championships in the Long Tower Youth Centre in Londonderry on 18 June 2011. Max Clarke (10D) won Gold in the under 73 kilo section Sam Wilson (10D) won Bronze in the under 73 kilo section Harry Wilson (10D) won Bronze in the under 50 kilo section.

STEM Academy Year 13 Summer Programme Monday 22 – Friday 26 August 2011 Please click here for more information Please click here for application form

Congratulations to Chelsa Hoey (Year 13) on her appointment as an Ambassador for Peace as a result of her work with young people in the community

The Endeavour Awards are awarded annually by the City of Belfast School of Music. These are awarded at the final concert of the year in the Ulster Hall and acknowledge and reward an individual in each musical group/activity for commitment, enthusiasm, musical ability, attendance and above all effort throughout the year. Two Sullivan pupils were amongst the awards this year: Year 8 Alexander Mills   trumpet             Junior Concert Orchestra Year 10 Joshua Hall       percussion        Concert Orchestra Both pupils received a cut glass trophy. Congratulations and well done to Alexander and Joshua on receiving the prestigious City of Belfast School of Music Endeavour Awards.

Please click HERE to read the Sullvian Upper Fencing Club’s report for 2010-2011

Sullivan Upper School is delighted to return to the Ulster Hall for its ever-popular Spring Concert. This will offer the opportunity for those both inside and outside the school community to enjoy a varied programme of music, ranging from orchestral pieces to ensemble groups; from the fine voices of The Sullivan Singers to exciting solo performances. Classical, traditional, jazz or popular, there is something in the programme to suit all musical tastes. Last year’s concert was a huge success and booked out quickly. So, book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you there. Read Jennifer Gouck’s account of the 2010 concert: Other highlights from the first half included: the GCSE Rock Group, Saxophone Quartet, Piano Trio, and a solo performance from Tuba player Jonathan Thompson. The first half was brought to a close by the School Orchestra, conducted by Mrs Gillian Hartin and led by Amy Irvine. Over eighty members played two pieces: “Romeo and Juliet: Introduction and Finale” and the more familiar music from the 2003 film “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The second half opened explosively with the School Band, conducted by Mrs Gillian Pitt. The band played three pieces: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “The King of Pop”, a tribute to Michael Jackson, and “Disco Lives” which comprised of three of the most iconic songs of the disco era: “Stayin’ Alive”, “I Will Survive”, and “YMCA” – and yes, audience members were expected to do the actions! To follow, the school Traditional Group, who may be travelling next year to Washington DC in order to attend local St Patrick’s Day celebrations, took to the stage. The group firstly played two pieces: “Scarce O’Tatties/Lyndhurst” and “Mná na hÉireann”, a traditional air. However, they were not alone on stage for long and were soon joined by a troop of Irish Dancers from The Aisling School of Dance. This made a spectacular performance of the group’s final piece, “Lord of the Dance” from the famous show “Riverdance” The school’s brass group, conducted by Mr Nathan Power also performed in the second half of the concert. The group played two pieces, “Russian Great Escape” and “The Muppet Show”, both arranged by conductor Mr Nathan Power himself. Sullivan Singers, conducted by Mrs Linda Montgomery, then took to the stage to sing “Introit” from “Requiem” by Karl Jenkins. This group of singers, involving both boys and girls, will represent the school once again at a concert in Holywood Parish Church in early April. The Sullivan Singers girls also sang three pieces later in the programme. Former pupil and special guest, Scott Foster, was the next performer. Scott began his percussion studies at the age of ten and later became a member of the Ulster Youth Orchestra and The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain where he was Principal Percussionist. Mr Foster also won Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year in 1998. It was no surprise, then, that Scott amazed the audience with two Marimba solos: “Little Prayers” by Evelyn Glennie and “Taps in Tempo” by Jan Berenska. The Jazz Group, conducted by Mr Davy Howell, also performed. Following this performance, Mr Stevenson took the opportunity to step forward and say a few words. In his speech, Mr Stevenson expressed his thanks to the school staff and pupils for such a magnificent performance, and the Music Department staff were presented with a small token of appreciation by pupils. Mr Stevenson then went on with great delight to introduce the concert finale.The finale, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from the 2007 musical “Hairspray” was sung by all two hundred and fifty performers and accompanied by a band made up of a selection of the school’s music tutors. It was fitting that all the performers received a standing ovation from the audience after all their hard work. The Music Department’s main problem now is making next year’s concert even better!

On Friday, 4 February 2011 Sullivan’s enterprise business “Ascent” were certainly progressing “onwards and upwards” in the business world when they picked up the award at the Regional Trade Fair for “Product and Innovation”.  They competed against 16 other companies from various other schools amongst the South East Region.   This was a well deserved award by “Ascent” who had numerous original products such as the environmental awareness wristbands, the love heart and button rings and, of course, the vinyl clocks!. Well done to the team and good luck for their upcoming interview for “Company of the Year”

On Friday 25 February 2011, the Politics Society of Sullivan Upper School proudly welcomed First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Mr Peter Robinson MLA. We commenced with the minutes of the last meeting of the Politics Society when another notable politician, Tom Elliott MLA, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party was the guest speaker. This was an apt beginning to Mr Robinson’s speech as he noted one of the reasons for the growth in support for the DUP was as a direct result of their policy not to go into working in government with “IRA/Sinn Fein”, unlike the UUP had. However, this was not the key turning point in Mr Robinson’s life… He recalled his younger years when he had a best friend, Harry Beggs. Harry Beggs was murdered at the onset of the Troubles (he was the 114th victim of the Troubles) by an IRA bomb at NIE Headquarters at Danesfort. Robinson vowed to become involved in politics to “ensure that democracy rather than terror would reign”. Mr Robinson spoke of the difficulty he faced sitting side-by-side with men whom he knew sanctioned the death of his school friend. He stressed the point that the only reason he joined Sinn Fein in government was on DUP terms. He continued to speak about our government and agreed with the UUP that there should be a formal opposition so that the government could have better stability. He claimed there was, however, an opposition as we speak, in the form of SDLP and UUP, both of which “act and make decisions as if they were ministers from the opposition”. This led him to express the importance of collective responsibility. He felt it would be naïve of him to not mention the “elephant in the room”, the Economy. He acknowledged cuts had to be made however he emphasised how the cuts were “too much, too fast, too soon”. He spoke on how Northern Ireland’s unemployment has now risen above the EU average and that housing, education and health will be hit hardest. He warned of many difficult years under the Comprehensive Spending Review. Furthermore, he warned that “if party politics comes into the equation, we will suffer”. After his speech, the most eagerly anticipated moment began, the infamous questioning. I Mr Robinson seized the opportunity to talk about his party’s progress in 2010. Whilst admitting he had an “extremely disappointing personal year”, he quoted figures from the Westminster elections that suggested the DUP did not do as badly as it was first perceived and listed economic, social and energy policies that have “moved Northern Ireland forward”. Perhaps the most enjoyable question came from Ms Holywood, who asked “What adjectives would you use to describe your relationship with Martin McGuiness?” to which Mr Robinson’s reply was rather humorous! While he believes they have a “stable working relationship” he “would never dream of inviting him on holiday, nor would Martin invite me fishing… nor shooting for that matter!” And those were the last words of Mr Robinson which the audience acknowledged with rapturous applause. Personally, I would like to thank all who attended and extend my gratitude to my committee members and Mr Armstrong, all of whom worked very hard to make this event a success. Tom McClelland Chairman of the Politics Society

Alex Gilmore (10C) receiving her prize as Regional Winner in the Youth Justice Agency’s Photography Competition from the Justice Minister, Mr David Ford and the actor (and former pupil), Dan Gordon, Stormont, March 2011

The Boys 1st xi team beat Wallace 1sts on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 in the Schools Cup and are through to the quarter-final.  A very convincing win. Wallace 78 for 8 Sullivan 82 for 1 Won by 9 wickets.

Congratulations to the U13 boys hockey team who defeated Campbell College 2-1 in the Bannister Bowl Final on Thursday, 12 May 2011.