Last week Thursday our u13A rugby team travelled to East London to attend the ninth annual Grens Sport Festival. Over the course of the tour our boys played three matches that served as a preparation for a lengthy and challenging rugby season.
Day 1 – Union U13A vs Grens U13A lost 5 -15
Day 2 – Union U13A vs Fort Beaufort won 46 – 15
Day 3 – Union U13A vs Gonubie U13A lost 14 – 27
Our boys played well in all three matches, sticking to our structure and putting in tremendous defensive performances against strong opposition.
There was also time for some fun at the beach between matches.
On Thursday 28 February, Union High’s mighty “Whites” travelled to East London to participate in the Grens Festival. Our first opponent was the hosting school Hoërskool Grens. Due to “loadshedding”, our match started 45 minutes before scheduled time. This enforced us to rush through our warm up and didn’t give us much time to settle in.
Grens was first to score as we let the ball bounce off a kick, they seized the opportunity and made us pay for our mistake two minutes into the game. 15 minutes into the game Junior Duba crossed the line, with us converting to make the score 7 all. A blunder by the referee resulted in us trailing once again by 14 points to 7. Khwezi Simon dotted the ball in our in goal area, followed up by Grens picking the ball up and “scoring”. This led to much frustration on our behalf. A few minutes later we gave away a penalty, which Grens converted making the half time score 17-7 in their favour.
The second half was played in an unsportsmanlike manner as Grens were involved in 8 foul play incidents without receiving any cards. Bowen Langmead scored 20 minutes into the second half, which was once again converted by Jaden Brotherton. The final score after a very frustrating, dirty game by the opposition was 36-14 to Grens. We must commend our boys for not getting involved in foul play and off the ball incidents.
On Saturday 02 March, The mighty “Whites” played against Hoërskool Hangklip from Queenstown. The boys were very amped for the encounter as we felt we needed to improve tremendously from our loss on Thursday evening. Union were first to strike as Jaden Brotherton slotted a penalty in 14th minute after dominating the opening phases. 10 minutes later Junior Duba crossed the whitewash, with Jaden converting taking out tally to 10 points. Just before half time we crossed over the line, with Junior scoring his second try of the match. Jaden once again converted to take us into the break 17-0 up.
The second half started with Hangklip scoring after 5 minutes, taking the score to 17-5. With us on attack in the opposition half, Hangklip intercepted a pass and breached our defences to make the score 17-12. After settling down, UHS scored an amazing team try with Bladen Jacobs dotting down in the corner. The conversion was missed and the score was now 22-12 in our favour with 5 minutes to go. We received a penalty with no time left on the clock. Jaden kicked for touch to set us up with a lineout 10 metres out. The mighty “Whites” mauled over in the corner to finish off the game impressively. The final score was 27-12 to Union High.
This weekend was a wonderful learning experience for the boys and has made the team a very close unit. We look forward to a decent season ahead.
Thank you to Karin Marais and her team of Super-sisters!
As a part of Union’s Centenary celebrations, Fairview Estates hosted a wine tasting evening on Friday evening to launch our Centenary Wine, which has been especially bottled for Union. It was wonderful to see so many past and present parents at the event which was expertly organised by Karin Marais. Karin’s sister, Marlies Naude, a wine expert at Fairview Estates, presented a fascinating selection of wines in a ‘blind tasting’. Marlies encouraged everyone to focus on the ‘nose’ of various wines, providing lemon, pepper, green-pepper, nuts, cinnamon and other scent-filled ingredients with which to compare.
Karin and her team worked hard to transform ‘The Union’ into an elegant and sophisticated tasting room. Every detail had been carefully thought through, including placemats beautifully designed by past pupil Mieke Marais, who also designed the label for the wine. Delicious Fairview cheeses were enjoyed by all and the evening was fun and festive! A magnum bottle of ‘Chakalaka’ wine was auctioned off which raised the fitting amount of R1919 for our amazing school!
A convivial evening was enjoyed by all and much gratitude must go to Karin and her close knit team!
Wine is available for purchase at the front office at R100 a bottle, R600 a case.
Union High learners attended a play called Silkworm by the Contagious Theatre Company at the Rupert Theatre tonight. It was thought provoking and fun, sensitive and silly at the same time. Well written with lots of scope for improvisation and audience participation. It subtly delivers the message that life is fragile, and that small things become big things when your time is limited.
As we approach the final few weeks of this term, the swimming coaches would like to thank their swimmers for their efforts throughout yet another very demanding season. The heavy combination of academic stress and countless galas at this time of year always takes its toll on our athletes and we appreciate your dedication during these exhausting times.
The Karoo gala was hosted by Volkskool on Wednesday and many of our senior and junior swimmers were invited to compete. The competition in the senior division in particular was very tight and made for some tremendously exciting finishes. The senior girls managed to clinch 1st place in their division – with a mere 20 points separating them from the second placed Volkskool; while our senior boys came 3rd with only 30 points separating the top three schools. We managed these scores by ensuring we entered as many participants in each race as possible.
Although Volkskool were comfortable victors in the junior division, the 2nd place honours were shared by Union and Gill.
Congratulations to the following junior swimmers who did very well to achieve top 3 places in their races: 1st places: Matthew Paxton, Misha Newton, Daniel Marais 2nd places: Chloe Erasmus, Matthew Paxton 3rd places: Tyra Binney, Matthew Davenport, Mecoli Vorster, Misha Newton, Bradley Davenport, Rebecca Copeman and Matthew Paxton
Our senior swimmers placed as follows:
Brigetté Oelofsen: 1st place 100m Freestyle; 2nd place 50m IM and 50m Breaststroke; 3rd place 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly
Lana Bouwer: 2nd place 50m Backstroke
Amber Binney: 2nd place 50m IM and 50m Butterfly; 3rd place 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke
Hannah Bodenstein: 2nd place 50m Backstroke; 3rd place 50m IM
Megan Doyle: 1st place 100m Freestyle; 2nd place 50m IM and 50m Butterfly; 3rd place 50m Freestyle
Jade Shires: 3rd place 50m IM
Elia Railton: 2nd place 50m Breaststroke and 50m Backstroke
Jude Langmead: 1st place 50m Butterfly
James Potgieter: 3rd place 50m IM and 50m Butterfly
Mack Rubidge: 2nd place 100m Freestyle; 3rd place 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly
Luke McNaughton: 3rd Place 50m IM
Damon Fouché: 3rd place 50m Breaststroke
KAROO SWIMMING TEAM:
Based on the Karoo Gala results last week, we are proud to announce that the following swimmers have been selected to participate in the Inter Districts gala to be held in East London next Monday. Congratulations to all these swimmers!
The grade 10 Geography learners investigated the factors affecting climate change and global warming this term. Raising awareness of these issues with our learners is the first step towards trying to make a difference.
In Geography this term the Grade 11s explored “Drought and Desertification”. The learners applied their knowledge of these environmental issues to: identify places in Africa that are at risk for drought and desertification, discover the causes of it, and discuss management strategies to contain or rectify it.
On 21 February the Grade 10 Tourism class of Union High School visited the Drostdy Hotel. The learners were welcomed by the Food and Beverage manager, Mr Izak van Rooyen. He gave them a tour of the 5-star facility and enriched them with information about the history of the hotel. The in-room technology of this establishment was something that the learners had only seen in books. The key-card gives access to all facilities in the room and it switches everything off within 10 minutes of leaving the room. The heated towel rails were just one of the luxuries that stood out in the bathrooms. Learners were informed of what is needed to qualify for 5-star grading by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. The facilities and surrounding areas are of the finest quality. This was a wonderful experience. Many learners hope to be in the position to stay at or maybe even own a hotel like this one day.
This year the date of the Matric Farewell Dance was brought forward to February, setting the tone for a year of beauty, unity and the hope of some Rain for our Matric class of 2019! The Grade 11’s had the challenging task of raising as much money as they could in a very short time, and under pressure pulled off an excellent event very close to the start of the year.
The venue changed to the Botanics, which proved to be a fitting backdrop to showcase the beautiful young ladies and handsome gentlemen as they alighted from their carefully selected modes of transport against the backdrop of the Karoo. Parents and supporters streamed in to view the Matrics and their partners as they were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Ashwon Davids, Brett Amsterdam and William Kayster.
Head convenors Bowen Langmead and Jade Shires led the cavalcade
Head prefects Jenna McNaughton and Peter Watermeyer and ther partners arrived in style
On entering the outside venue, delicious canapés made by Muller House were served under a starry sky and welcome drinks were enjoyed by all on this sultry summer’s evening. The outside courtyard had been transformed into an elegant welcome lounge and the guests had some time to admire one another’s outfits and mingle with their classmates and teachers. The theme this year was ‘Rain’ which was made evident on entering the Botanics hall. Puffy clouds with ploppy drops swirled around the gorgeous dresses as they entered the venue. The hall had been transformed into an elegantly simple celebration of rain, with an installation of 100 umbrellas forming a fitting centrepiece over the dancefloor. The décor was light, white and elegant – a perfect backdrop to the trending colours of maroon, teal and deep reds in which the matrics were adorned.
Head convenor, Jade Shires welcomed the guests before Head Girl Jenna McNaughton paid tribute to the grade – reminding everyone that this was the beginning of a wonderful year, and a start to beautiful memories. Hoër Volkskool Headboy, Chris Burger, gave a speech of gratitude and Bowen Langmead said grace before the meal. Muller house provided a delicious feast of fillet steaks and chicken pie, and the dessert was out of this world – complete with a delicious raindrop! Decorating and raising funds aside, the Grade 11s also performed a fun dance which fitted well with the theme of ‘rain’, and grateful thanks go to Mrs Putter who choreographed the dancers. Then the dancing began! As always, the dancing is always a colourful mix of all styles and music, and everyone had a ball! Towards the end of the evening, Sakhe Booi made a speech of gratitude to all those who had made the evening possible, and a beaming Lauren Rose-Innes proposed a toast to ‘The amazing class of 2019’!
The Matric Dance is an important rite of passage in the lives of all matriculants. It is a celebration of precious children on the cusp of adulthood and much thought and energy is put into each little detail from the dress to the shoes, to the tiepin, hair, makeup and hat and car. Congratulations to the Grade 11 committee, Ms Vona van Rensburg and the team of hardworking parents who provided the platform for this night to remember, ‘Dancing in the Rain.’’
Matrics class of 2019The grade 11s worked hard this week to create a beautiful venue for the Matric Dance. The theme was ‘Rain’ and the Botanics hall was transformed into a place of elegance and beauty! Well done grade 11’s!
On Saturday our u13A cricket team played a limited overs match against Frans Conradie. After losing the toss we were asked to bowl first by our guests. Alutha Wesi and Shaakir Kazi opened the bowling and put together a brutal opening spell dismissing our visitors for 36 runs in 12 overs. After shuffling our batting order Union chased down their total in 11 overs securing a 6 wicket win.
Alutha Wesi 5/18 in 6 overs
As a part of Union’s Centenary celebrations, Fairview Estates hosted a wine tasting evening on Friday evening to launch our Centenary Wine, which has been especially bottled for Union. It was wonderful to see so many past and present parents at the event which was expertly organised by Karin Marais. Karin’s sister, Marlies Naude, a wine expert at Fairview Estates, presented a fascinating selection of wines in a ‘blind tasting’. Marlies encouraged everyon
In Geography this term the Grade 11s explored “Drought and Desertification”. The learners applied their knowledge of these environmental issues to: identify places in Africa that are at risk for drought and desertification, discover the causes of it, and discuss management strategies to contain or rectify it.
