Bulletin

All About Our Teams

Message from the Head of Sport

Mr Stephen Bezuidenhout, Head of Sport

What an amazing time of year as the build up to interschools is finally upon us.  More than ever the anticipation and energy of this mighty occasion is boosted with celebration as we play hosts during our centenary year.

I would like to welcome all who will be traveling from far and wide to share in this wonderful event as we go head to head with our neighbours down the road in a variety of sporting codes and cultural events. Your presence here is testament to what this event means to those who have been before us and the learners are always spurred on by the overwhelming support and revel at the opportunity to represent their school and make their old scholars proud.

As Union and Volkskool embark on this epic rivalry I have no doubt that at the end of the day each match will not only be keenly contested but played with great spirit and sportsmanship as we celebrate sport as a whole.

An occasion of such a nature does not just simply happen, I would like thank all those that have played a role in making this occasion unforgettable and one to add to the record books.

May the spirit of interschools live on in our hearts and minds as we look forward to celebrating another hundred years of sporting excellence between these two fine institutions.

Finally I would like to wish all the learners the best of luck for their matches and may you create everlasting memories.

Our Rugby Team

The season so far
Mr Raymond Hamilton, 1st XV Rugby Coach

Union High School’s 1st XV’s season so far has been a steep learning curve.  Having lost 12 players from last year’s starting line-up, the 2018 season was definitely seen as a building year.  On many occasions we would lose a game right at the end, or not hold on to a lead due to the lack of experience from the majority of the squad.

The whole season wasn’t all doom and gloom – we managed to pull off some good victories against Cillië, Hangklip, St Andrews Bloem, Andrew Rabie, Victoria Park, Aliwal North, Cradock, Westering and Woodridge College.

The team has worked really hard on and off the field to make sure that they end the season off respectfully and we look forward to many decent seasons in time to come.

 

 

Mxolisi Zikalala, Ethan Gedult, Mpisekhaya Duba, Matteo Mahona, Ezra Mangunda, William Kayster, River Carey, Luke McNaughton, Ebben Johnston, Mack Rubidge, Jaden Brotherton, Zusakhe Ngwane, Mr. Raymond Hamilton (coach), Iviwe Ndamane (captain), Mr. Stephen Bezuidenhout (coach), Gary Shell (vice-captain), Cleathon Koeberg, Caerwyn Spence, Damon Fouché, Ashwon Dawids, Khanya Butshingi, Bladen Jacobs, Brett Amsterdam, Khwezi Simon, Matthew Price, S’Bongakonke Koyingana and Thembelihle Mxhunyelwa.

Our Hockey Team

The season so far
Alvin August, 1st Hockey Team Coach

The Union girls started their season at the EP Opening Festival where they competed against some tough opposition. Their results were very pleasing as it saw 5 of our girls selected to attend the 2nd round of EP trials. Jenna McNaughton and Micela Loock both made it all the way through to final round and were selected to represent the EP U/18A side.

Union were also up against the likes of Oranje Meisieskool and Eunice High School at the Gregg Belling Festival which was a great learning experience for our girls.

The Spar Challenge, which was held at Union, saw our girls reach the final against DSG and sadly missing out on their 2nd title.

The season has been a good one thus far for our girls, playing 37 matches, winning 22, lost 9, drew 6 and scoring 144 goals to date. To date the most capped players, Jenna McNaughton and Micela Loock, sitting at 133 caps respectively, have really set the tone as the rest of the girls fed off their experience.

As a collective unit all the girls have played their part in making the season a memorable one and achieving some outstanding results thus far.

Left to right: Nicole de Bruyn, Henzé Jaftha, Chelsea Theron, Sara Kingwill, Jade Shires, Jenna McNaughton (captain), Mr. Alvin August (coach), Micela Loock (vice-captain), Laetitia Theron, Kia Hoffman, Donné Marais, Marché Green, Sakhe Booi (GK).

Our Tennis Teams

 

 

 

Bulletin

All About Our Captains

We wish all our captains the best of luck for their Interschools matches.

Perhaps nowhere is the importance of good leadership as apparent as in a sports team.

A good sports team captain can lead his team to success and recognition; and can help a moderate team play better; whereas, a weak captain with poor leadership skills can hinder a team’s chances of competing and bonding successfully.

Union is fortunate to have exceptional captains leading our teams this Interschools who will most assuredly lead their teammates to victory!

Bulletin, Cultural

Annual Primary Speech Competition

The Union primary department’s annual Speech Competition was held in the Tony Burrell Union on Wednesday morning, 31 July.

This year there were 13 learners participating.

Topics ranged from, ‘Strange world records set in history’ and ‘English is a crazy language’, to ‘Crazy inventions’ and ‘Oddest sports’.In accompaniment to the speeches, there were also some lovely poems recited, stories told and articles read aloud by other junior learners throughout the course of the morning.

We would like to congratulate all the participants and thank all those involved. It was pleasing to see so many enthusiastic learners presenting their speeches.  It is not easy to stand before a large audience and deliver a speech and we would like to congratulate all the young learners for their courageous efforts.

(left to right) Anna-May Hayes, Megan Nortje, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, Na’eem Mahomed, Amber Bezuidenhout, Anebel Norval

Thanks also go to the teachers and parents for supporting and encouraging the learners and for the time spent preparing for the competition.

We would like to thank the judges who gave up their time to support the school by judging our contest.  The judges were very impressed by the high quality of speeches and the obvious preparation that had gone into the day and they commented that everyone did well.

Caytah-Leigh Koeberg was announced as the Grade 7 winner and Na’eem Mahomed as the runner-up.  Anna-May Hayes won in Grade 6 and Megan Nortje was announced as the runner-up.  The winner in Grade 5 is Amber Bezuidenhout with the runner-up being Anebel Norval.

 

Bulletin, Media Team

Union News

Union News 3 August 2019

The newest edition of ‘Union News’ is available to watch.

Featured items include Union’s coaches, the start of the cricket season and academic matters among others.

Click on the link below to watch. Enjoy!

Bulletin

Be Part Of The Team – Get Your Union Tattoo

We’re about to embark on what promises to be a truly momentous Interschools and the Union family – from far and near – is gearing up for what promises to be a very exciting week.

What better way to show your allegiance to Union than to ‘ink up’ in support of your school?

The 2020 MF committee have made these ‘I love Union’ transfer tattoos available at only R10 each.  They are available from all the MF committee members at the high school as well as from Mrs. Corrie Potgieter at Union Preparatory School.

Whether it’s a forearm, calf, hand, arm or full-face bonanza, get your tattoo and sport it next weekend when supporting the teams!

Bulletin, Student Life

Leaders Dine Together

On Wednesday evening, 31 July, principals, deputy principals, SGB chairpersons and learner leaders from the various high schools in Graaff-Reinet, gathered at the Tony Burrell Union for Union’s Centenary Leadership Dinner.  This very special event celebrated the start of new friendships and the consolidation of old ones.

Union’s learner leaders, Khanya Butshingi, Peter Watermeyer, Jenna McNaughton and Zintle Maki, were exceptional in delivering their items on the programme and Inge van Rooyen (Hoër Volkskool’s Deputy Headgirl), as well as Wayne Lomberg (Spandau Secondary School’s Headboy), deserve special mention for their contribution to the evening and their well-wishes conveyed to Union.

Mrs. Anziske Kayster, who holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Heritage, is registered as a Doctoral candidate at Stellenbosch University and currently serves as the Director of the Graaff-Reinet Museum, then addressed all those present on ‘Women in Leadership’.

The humorous presentation of her speech and her tips on developing yourself as a woman in leadership were well-received.

Old Unionite and Chartered Accountant, Mr. Gerrar Maya, who was recently appointed as the Internal Audit Manager at the Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, then grabbed everyone’s attention with a very strong and engaging speech on ‘Youth in Leadership’. He, once again, proved himself a most inspirational speaker.

Overall, the evening – held on the brink of Interschools for four of the five schools present – was a great success, with leaders – both young and old – committing themselves to do everything in their power to ensure that, in the end, team ‘Graaff-Reinet’ emerges as the winner!

Bulletin, Cultural

Born To Perform!

Last night (Thursday, 1 August) saw the Union High School hall overflowing with excitement, enthusiasm and entertainment.  The annual Evening of Music was a wonderful showcase of the different music groups here at Union.

From our primary choir and marimba band, through to our senior pianists and violinists, all our musicians demonstrated passion and commitment in the lead up to this fabulous night, culminating in a spectacular evening of performances.

Under the baton of Union’s Department of Music staff, Mmes. Sanette Brink, Zelda van Rooyen and Karmin van der Walt, this evening has become the highlight of the school’s cultural calendar – an event not to be missed.

To start, the primary choir set the tone and standard with their rendition of “You’ll be in my heart” and “All I need to know”.  Union’s pianists then played a series of beautiful works such as the English folk song “Greensleeves” as well as newer songs like “Faded” by Alan Walker.

Following excellent performances by our violinists, a string ensemble – which showcased the skill of ensemble playing – and several talented soloists who graced us with their beautiful voices, the senior choir treated the audience to a heartfelt choral performance, singing “Let the river run” and “Amavolovo”.

A combined performance by the primary and high school choirs with a rendition of “Hallelujah” ended off the evening.

The event truly featured a kaleidoscope of musical items with something for everyone to enjoy.  Congratulations to all those who took part and a big thank you to our many supporters, parents and friends who came along to enjoy the evening.

If you missed this concert, make a “note” not to miss next year’s Music Evening!

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

A Glimpse Into The Classroom

Union High School’s Grade 7s are learning all about renewable energy technologies in Natural Sciences.

Because cooking with the sun’s power is a fun way to use a renewable resource, the learners were tasked with applying the science they’ve learned, by building their very own solar ovens. The Grade 7s quickly got creative by using cardboard, aluminum foil and other recyclables to create their very own energy-efficient ovens!

Bulletin, Cultural

New Choir Benches

Besides the musical part, there are many aspects to think about when a choir performs – acoustically positioning choir members being one of them.

To assist with this, Union High School recently invested in new choir benches. Expertly made by André Brink and Herman Laubscher, these sturdy new benches will provide the choristers with a comfortable place to stand and allow the choir directors the opportunity to position the singers for optimal sound.

Seen here are the members of the junior choir who were the first to make use of the new benches during practice yesterday (Tuesday, 30 July).

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Buy a Brick, Build a Legacy

Kroonvale Primary School in Graaff-Reinet is currently constructing a new school hall.

Through the ‘Sponsor-A-Brick’ Eco-Schools Community Initiative, Union High School is endeavouring to help Kroonvale Primary realise their dreams.  The school is facilitating a project, whereby the Union family is invited to sponsor a brick – at only R3 each.  All the sponsored bricks will then be donated to the Kroonvale Primary School hall construction project.

The first delivery of 1 000 bricks was delivered to Union High School on Friday, 26 July!

Help us help Kroonvale Primary – sponsor a brick – or more – today!

(Learners can see the Eco Reps on duty in the main quad at 2nd break on Wednesdays and Fridays in this regard.)