The Irish National Fencing Championships decide the six senior fencing champions for all of Ireland each year, i.e. in men’s and women’s foil, epee and sabre. SUFC had 6 entrants, 4 in the men’s foil and 2 in the women’s foil. The MF entrants were Alexander Penny, Adam Caldwell, Noah Currie and Myles Wilkinson, and in WF Victoria Morris and Amelia Penny. Following the women’s poule stage Victoria and Amelia unfortunately met in the last 16 of the knock-out stage. Amelia put up a strong fight but Victoria took the win 15-11 to go through to the quarter-finals, though she lost there to the eventual gold medallist to finish 8th, with Amelia in 9th. In the men’s foil a narrow 13-15 defeat meant that Alexander just missed making the last 16, finishing 17th. Myles finished 19th, Adam 20th and Noah 24th. The next event for SUFC fencers will be the British Youth Championships in Sheffield on the 29nd and 30rd April. David White SUFC Coach 26 Apr 2023

The 2023 British Youth Fencing Championships were held over the weekend April 29th to May 1st in the English Institute of Sport arena in Sheffield. Four SU fencers had qualified for the event and took part across 3 age groups: U18 Alexander Penny, U16s Noah Currie and Myles Wilkinson and U14 Cassidy Ogle. The BYCs is the biggest UK youth fencing competition of the year with all of the UK’s best young fencers competing. All 4 SU fencers put in strong performances: Cassidy in her first British national competition, and Alexander, Myles and Noah all improving on their previous year’s results. SUFC 2023 BYC Results U18 boys: Alexander 23rd. U16 boys:, Myles 49th, Noah 60th. U14 girls: Cassidy 46th. David White SUFC Coach 03 May 2023

The Education Authority’s Post-Primary AAIS team have put together a new resource booklet for post-primary pupils with autism. You can access it on https://www.eani.org.uk/services/pupil-support-services/autism-advisory-intervention-service-aais Once on the site if you scroll down to Home Learning Support you will see a link AAIS Post Primary – Staying Safe. Dealing with COVID-19 where you will find an attached booklet covering issues of: Understanding COVID-19 Establishing a daily positive routine Remote Learning Resources

Following the premature end to the hockey season with Sullivan reaching the Final of the Burney Cup for the fifth year in a row, Ulster Hockey have made the decision that the trophy should be shared between Sullivan and Friends School, Lisburn. Another excellent achievement for the 1X Boys’ Hockey team and a satisfactory conclusion for those boys who are finishing SUS this year.

Useful Advice for returning to school after lockdown. A return to school after lockdown may be a worrying time for pupils and parents. The links below provide some useful advice for both pupils and parents. Childline – advice for young people who might be worried about going back or starting school https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/school/ Young Minds -advice for parents supporting their children’s return to school post lockdown https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/supporting-a-child-returning-to-school-after-lockdown/ https://www.camhsnorthderbyshire.nhs.uk/returning-to-school-after-lockdown Supporting pupils with Autism that are returning to school https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/updates/education-and-school/teachers-back-to-school.aspx The Familyworks helpline is available for parents who might want some advice on how to support their child’s return to school or for pupils themselves to drop in/ask for support – 028 91820341

Sullivan Upper School – Examination Appeals Procedures 2020 Introduction This is an exceptional appeals process. It is a result of the directions that the summer 2020 exam series for GCSE, GCE AS and A level qualifications should be cancelled following the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent arrangements made by the regulators to ensure that as many candidates as possible could receive qualifications based on calculated results. These procedures apply solely to the review and/or appeal of a result at GCSE, GCE AS & A level issued in summer 2020. These procedures are designed to meet the extraordinary regulatory framework conditions for summer 2020, together with the relevant general/standard and qualification level conditions, of the three qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation). These regulators were directed to develop an appeals process that focuses on the accuracy and application of the data provided, rather than challenge teachers’ professional judgement on the ability of individual students. Therefore, there is not an appeals process premised on scrutiny of the professional judgement on which a centre’s assessment grades were determined and also not an appeals process for a student to challenge their position in a centre’s rank order. Any concerns that a candidate (student) or group of candidates may have been subject to bias or discrimination, should be raised directly with the centre and escalated through the school’s Complaints Policy, available on the school website. In addition, evidence of bias, discrimination or other improper action by a centre may be presented to an awarding body who may then investigate the matter as alleged malpractice. Who can appeal and when? Appeals must be authorised by the Principal (Head of Centre), on behalf of any candidates for whom data has been provided for the purposes of calculating a grade in a relevant qualification. This includes private candidates. Before authorising the appeal for submission, the Head of Centre must be able to demonstrate that the centre has the written consent of all candidates on whose behalf they are appealing. Candidates and/or their parents/carers cannot appeal directly to an awarding body. Candidates may make representations to the Principal (Head of the Centre) who submitted information to the awarding body on behalf of that candidate. The Head of Centre’s decision as to whether to proceed with an appeal is subject to the centre’s internal appeal arrangements. Appeals cannot be submitted before the published results day, must be supported by evidence and must provide a clear explanation of the basis for the appeal in all cases. An appeal may be submitted if the Head of Centre considers that: the awarding body did not apply procedures consistently, or procedures were not followed properly and fairly; or the awarding body used the wrong data (as defined by JCQ) in calculating results; or the result generated was incorrectly issued by the awarding body to one or more candidates. Please note that the school will review all grades awarded for all subjects, and as such all pupils, to determine if an appeal should be lodged with the awarding body. Internal review of Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) A candidate can request an internal review if he/she is of the view that Sullivan Upper School did not apply the school’s procedures consistently, or procedures were not followed properly and fairly. A request for an internal review should be made in writing to Mr Thompson (Vice Principal Teaching & Learning) within 10 working days of receipt of results, clearly outlining the rationale for the appeal. Mr Thompson will investigate and determine whether the process used conformed to the necessary requirements. The outcome of the investigation will be reported to the Headmaster, who will respond to the candidate, in writing, on the outcome, including whether or not an appeal will be submitted to the awarding body on their behalf. Candidates will be informed of the outcome within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal. If a candidate is dissatisfied with the outcome, then the School’s Complaints Procedure should be followed. If a candidate remains dissatisfied with the school’s handling of the matter, he/she can then report their complaint and the school’s handling of it to the relevant awarding body (e.g. CCEA). Process for the awarding of CAGs The School used the regulatory guidance provided by the Department of Education and the Awarding Bodies to develop robust and consistent procedures for the awarding of CAGs. Our primary aim was to ensure that no pupil would be disadvantaged. Heads of Department ensured that CAGs were based upon a holistic professional judgement, balancing the different sources of evidence. They drew on all existing records and available evidence. Judgements were made taking into account the available data and evidence of individual pupil performance. (Reference CCEA: Awarding for GCSE, AS and A Level Qualifications Summer 2020) Internal moderation of CAGs was carried out at subject department and Senior Leadership Team level. CAGs were double-checked and submitted to the relevant awarding bodies by the required dates. Appendix: Useful information, including re appeals: https://ccea.org.uk/students-parents/results-information JCQ ‘Guide to the awarding bodies appeals processes’ https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/appeals/. SULLIVAN UPPER EXAMINATIONS APPEALS 2020 FORM Dear Parent/Guardian If you have decided to appeal any AS or A2 examinations results, please complete a form – see link below. Appeals Form – June 2020 Examination Series – download form HERE Please return the completed form to the following email address – info@sullivanupper.holywood.ni.sch.uk as soon as possible. Please enter ‘Examinations Appeals’ in the subject line of the email. Yours sincerely C J W PEEL Headmaster

As it is no longer possible to operate under our normal Pastoral and Safeguarding procedures, the School will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available. How to Support your Child Telephone and Web Support for Young People. March 2020 If you are anxious pupil Contacts Only If you are feeling anxious pupil booklet with Contacts School Counselling Service During School Closure Useful Apps Safer Schools App

Congratulations to the followng pupils (past and present) who participated on Saturday 12 September 2020 at the Mary Peters Track: Sasha Barret-Ferris (U6) won the Women’s Senior Javelin, also placing first in the U19 category. This was after winning the U19 Discus earlier in the day. Tara McDonough (Y13) came 3rd in U17 1500m. Amy Kimber (left June 2020) won the Women’s Senior Discus, also placing first in the U20 category. Katie Monteith (former pupil) came 2nd in the Senior Women’s 100m.

Congratulations to Erin McKinley (Yr12) who participated in the U16 Ulster hockey training squad and played against the UK Lions, winning 3-0.

Congratulations to Ava Downey (Yr 11) who competed in the NI and Ulster Athletics meet in August 2020 and is now Ulster and NI U15 800m Champion.

Congratulations to the Sullivan boys who have been selected by Ulster Hockey to play in the Interprovincial Tournament in October 2020. Ulster U18s Sam Anderson Harrison Dunlop Patrick Rose Ulster U16s Toby Moore