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Determined to make a mathematical difference to Maths formal learners at Union High, Ian and Katrin Alleman have hosted the top set of learners each year in the Nieu-Bethesda for the past 5 years. During this time, engineer Gustav Weich inspires these learners and expands their thinking – unravelling how exciting and stimulating maths can be. With Ian and Katrin overseas this year, Ronel and Charmaine at ‘The Karoo Lamb’ ensured that the group were fed and housed comfortably for their 2 night stay in the little village.
This year Gustav took the group into his world of structural engineering. Through his skills of simplifying what he learned studying the subject for 6 years, he taught learners how to measure the weight that the bridge can withstand per meter. Bethesda has its very own suspended footbridge, so the topic was literally and figuratively right underneath their feet! The group also explored other bridge structures and how to measure how much weight certain types of bridges can withstand – allowing them to calculate what is needed to build bridges to carry desired mass. Learner Chevonne Prinsloo said, “Maths camp was a mathematical brain adventure. We questioned our knowledge and we have grown closer as a group. Thank you to those who made us laugh, and to those who helped us solve the problems. We hope to have more adventures like this one!”

Roslyn Sparks summed up the camp in a creative manner, “ By subtracting ourselves from our ordinary lives and adding some adventure to the equation, we learned a very special type of maths this weekend. I couldn’t help but wonder that if we multiplied the time we spent there, just how much more we could have learned. Thanks to everyone who invested time in us to make this camp possible!”

Maths teacher, Elrich Jantjies, explained how they also looked at Game Theory – a common principle used in everyday life that many are unaware of. Game theory is the process of modelling the strategic interaction between two or more players in a situation containing set rules and outcomes.

Today, game theory applies to a wide range of behavioural relations, and is now an umbrella term for the science of logical decision making in human, animals and computers. Yu-Pei Rong expressed, “ I have never experienced a more intense level of frustration than sitting hours on end with a maths problem, only to find out that the answer was wrong the entire time! But maths camp has taught me resilience and perseverance and has given me the will to try again and again!”

Mr Jantjies says that each year the group does something completely different under the guidance of Gustav, but the main objective stays the same: “Even if they don’t remember everything they’ve learnt, we want learners to fall in love with mathematics, and know that it’s not about getting the right answer, but about their journey getting there. We also want the grade to grow closer and work together, because this is the way the world works.” Thanks to the generosity of people like Ian and Katrin, and the expertise of Gustav and Mr Jantjies, they have managed to achieve this over the past 5 years.

“Challenging yet motivational, I’m thankful to everyone who I shared it with and the friendly Nieu-Bethesda locals too! This weekend was certainly a reminder that even if we aren’t the best at maths, it can be fun!” (Kirsten King), and to sum it all up perfectly, Zintle Maki said, “Maths camp was phenomenal, it formed a bridge between the fun and factual side of maths. I just wish it could have been longer!”

Union Celebrates Arbor Day

Union High School celebrated Arbor Week on Monday 3 September. At an outdoor assembly, three Grade 9 learners led the devotion and spoke about the tree that was planted, the White Stinkwood Celtis Africana unVumvu, Witstinkhout.

Arbor Day originated in 1872 in the United States territory of Nebraska. Mr J. Sterling Morton, a newcomer to the treeless plains of Nebraska, was a keen proponent of the beauty and benefit of trees. He persuaded the local agricultural board to set aside a day for planting trees and through his position as editor of Nebraska’s first newspaper, encouraged participation in the event by publishing articles on the value of trees for soil protection, fruit, shade and building.

Mr Morton’s home, known as Arbor Lodge, was a testament to his love for trees and so inspired the name of the holiday; Arbor Day. Within two decades Arbor Day was celebrated in every US State and territory, and eventually spread around the world. The tradition continues annually in the second week of August, in global acknowledgment of Mr. Morton’s slogan, “other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”

In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. The event captured the imagination of people who recognized the need for raising awareness of the value of trees in our society. As sources of building material, food, medicine, and simple scenic beauty, trees play a vital role in the health and well-being of our communities. Collective enthusiasm for the importance of this issue in South Africa inspired the national government, in 1999, to extend the celebration of Arbor Day to National Arbor Week. From 1 to 7 September every year, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community “greening” events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose a green future for South Africa.

The bible reading was read by Thando Matotie who chose Luke 6 verses 43-45.
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Hlumisa Kalipa then led the assembly in prayer, and Michael-Joe Newton spoke about the White Stinkwood and why it is an appropriate tree to plant at our school. This indigenous deciduous tree grows up to 7-12m and is frost tolerant and hardy. It attracts many birds like rameron pigeons, willow warblers, black-eyed bulbuls, mousebirds and crested barbets which feed on the fruits and disperse the seeds. This tree is a haven for insects. The root system is not aggressive.

The tree was planted on the pavement outside of the Bruce Maree Gates in Caledon Street and will add tremendous value to our campus and will bring joy to many for years to come.

Back (left to right): Hannah Watermeyer, Peter Watermeyer, Yu-Pei Rong, Benito Vers and Brett Amsterdam

Middle (left to right): Sakhe Booi, Martin van den Berg, Laetitia Theron , Matthew Basson and Jenna McNaughton

Front: (left to right): Melissa Swart, Lisakhanya Mvandaba, Grace Merrifield, Zintle Maki and Sisipho Arnols

Back (left to right): Ebben Johnston, Peter Watermeyer, Yu-Pei Rong, Iviwe Ndamane,
Bonginkosi Johnson, Khanya Butshingi and Gregon Jenneke
Middle (left to right): Taylin Miller, Sanja du Plessis, Megan Doyle, Gary Shell and
Jenna McNaughton
Front (left to right): Kay Koeberg, Sasha Bosch, Ethan Gedult, Zintle Maki and Micela Loock