Mr Sullivan was a key role model in my life and still to this day I see his influence on me. He absolutely changed my life and the road I was heading. In secondary school I was never really going anywhere, failing most subjects and had no focus. The only interest I had was listening to music. This did not mean I listened in music class and quite frankly saw it is a "doss" lesson. I think we went through about 4 music teachers until 1 day, in walked Mr Sullivan.

This scary teacher and I did not get on to start with. I remember the day I sprayed the fire extinguisher as he walked round the corner. BIG Mistake. Luckily, I was able to worm my way out of being expelled. I also remember this big scary teacher dressing up as an ugly sister when we did the play Cinderella! A bit of a difference! 

Although I loved listening to music, something changed when Mr Sullivan came along. I remember this beautiful acoustic on a stand in his class which he received as a wedding present from his wife Alicia. Instead of saying do not touch it you don't play! He said "pick it up and give it a try" I'm now 32 and play guitar, bass, piano, drums, ukelele and a bit of trombone! I picked up the trombone when he started a jazz band in school and remember walking in to class and Sullivan shouting "Adam! You're a fellow boner!"

Playing music gave me something to focus on and grew a passion I never thought possible. I even ended up being in the band alongside him for We Will Rock You.

If that wasn't enough, I fell in love in Mr Sullivans class. Music brought us together and we've now been together for 15 years and married for 6. For around 3 years straight Mr Sullivan told me I would end up with her. An example of how you should have always listened to him from the start!

I have vivid memories of Mr Sullivan from when he had his first tattoo for his daughter (who he was so proud of and loved dearly), when he would sit at the piano and sing "there's a bald man at the bar" and when he sat me in his office until I finished my course work with my very first coffee (I still don't like it but I never told him that).

Mr Sullivan paved the way for me and I'm so thankful that I knew him. I am only 1 student of his. I know several he has influenced in my year alone. My wife, my best friend and several others. I know for certain he would have had this profound effect on 100s of others. He was an amazing teacher and I will miss him dearly.

Although his influence will live on with me, his students and passed on to my children and many more.