Interact Commemorates Women’s Day

Supporting and celebrating women’s rights is a year-round responsibility. So, during the month of May, to commemorate International Women’s Day, Union High School’s Interact committee hosted a Civvies Day, or rather days, on 19 and 20 May 2021, to raise funds for a very special project.
A staggering amount of R2 901 was raised and the proceeds used to purchase 580 packets of sanitary towels, which were delivered to Vuyani Safe Haven and the Thembalesizwe, Isibane, Kroonvale, Narsingstraat and Graaff-Reinet primary schools.
The Interact members extend their grateful thanks to Union’s management team, Headmaster Mr William Pringle in particular, for their support of this initiative.
A further note of thanks is also extended to the school’s learners, members of staff, Ms Elsabé Moos, Mr Donald Kingwill, Mr Trevor Zali and Mr Arnold du Plessis for going above and beyond to ensure the smooth running of this project.

Morning Chess

Early mornings at Union often include some of our bright young minds battling in wit over a chessboard before the start of their school day…
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥.” – Simon Williams

Leave Your Legacy At Union

Salute the past, embrace the present and make your mark on the future of Union with a commemorative plaque!

Securing a plaque on Union’s perimeter fence is a wonderful way for you as an Old Unionite, parent or current learner to share in the history of the Union Schools by having your and/or your child’s or family’s name engraved on a plaque for generations to come.
This personal name plaque will remain on Union soil in perpetuity.
Support this ongoing Old Unionite Association fundraising initiative and book your plaque by emailing uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za

Odyssey Into The Wild

The Grade 10s of 2020 were terribly disappointed when their Odyssey was scuppered thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.
So it was with great excitement that it was rescheduled and they finally set off for a 3-day journey of discovery this past Saturday, 15 May.
As it was a sporting Saturday, only half the group set off in the morning. After hiking for 9km they proceeded to set up a fantastic camp for their sport-playing classmates who would arrive a little bit later on.
It was heartwarming to see some of the Grade 11s tirelessly putting up tent after tent for the latecomers. A true act of service that probably went unnoticed by many, but polished the souls of those involved.
At around 18:00, in the dark, the rest of the grade arrived, singing with excitement. A delicious meal was followed by singing around the campfire – the night was not an early one!
As dawn broke on Sunday, the early birds could be heard getting the morning kettles going, and everyone slowly emerged from their tents into an unfamiliar world for many.
After breakfast, the group was joined by headmaster Mr William Pringle, accompanied by Mrs Cathy Pringle, before heading off for a hike down the Gats River Canyon to the incredible fossilized waterfall. After clambering down to the base, some swimming in the bottomless pool was enjoyed before Mr Pringle delivered a poignant speech in this magnificent place of wonder as black eagles circled overhead. One could not have wished for a more perfect outdoor classroom.
Mr David Langmead then offered a few seasoned hikers a different route over the mountains, while the rest of the group returned upstream. Some took great pride in making it over the more challenging route.
Back at camp, everyone regrouped for chicken roasting and breadmaking. The Grade 11s were put into arbitrary groups of 4, juggling friends. Mr Langmead then taught everyone how to cook a whole roast chicken over the open fire, and Mrs Bronwen Langmead taught everyone to make a loaf of bread out in the wilds. Pure magic followed as new friendships were forged and expert cooks emerged!
After a superb repertoire of songs around the campfire, Mr Langmead spoke to the group on the importance of reflection and time alone to appreciate the space that they had become a part of. He spoke on how much of modern life is consumed by the distractions of the age of technology where we connect less and less with our natural environment and the people around us… not to mention getting to know ourselves.
He then briefed them for the Solitaire exercise, where for a few hours everyone would be in a place of quiet reflection and contemplation.
Sleep came easy that night. At dawn, the adults led the group out into the wilderness where they were positioned in solitude in the magnificent Karoo. They were given letters from their loved ones and were asked to write a letter to themselves which would be sealed and opened at their valedictory.
On return to camp a few hours later, an air of quiet contemplation enveloped the group. A sense of elation was prevalent, but also a nostalgia that the time had come to an end.
Everyone worked together to strike camp and no trace was left behind. A 10km hike took the group to the buses who drove them back to reality after an incredible few days.
• This Odyssey would not have been realised without the generosity of landowners Julian Murray and Dale and Kelly Jackson who so kindly let the learners hike and camp on their property. Grateful thanks must also go to David Langmead who never fails to give of his time and expertise. Kevin and Lisa Watermeyer are indispensable in terms of logistic and moral support. We are also grateful to Joan McNaughton, Kiki and Fanus Nell, Brenda James, Cheryl and Peter Waddelow and William and Cathy Pringle who were incredible backup support.
With sport being locked down 2 days after Odyssey, we are so grateful that this essential event in the development of these young lives in these trying times was able to take place.
View our FaceBook page for more photographs.

Thanks You UHS Ground Staff

This morning we’d like to extend a big word of 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to Union’s ground staff, who, once again, made us realise how fortunate we are to have such a spectacular team working for us.
Following last night’s storm, that caused immense damage in Graaff-Reinet, they were already hard at work before the break of dawn this morning to clear the school grounds of debris.
Before anyone had arrived at Union, they had already swept the entire school and have since been hard at work clearing fallen branches and making repairs where needed. To top it all off, they do everything with a smile on their face.
Well done, gents! We’re lucky to have you!

Coping With Grief And Loss

During their Creative Arts lesson on Tuesday, 18 May, Union’s Grade 9s were fortunate to be gifted a workshop by drama therapist Paula Kingwill.
The workshop, titled “Arts for Hope”, deals with grief and loss – poignant at a time when Covid has forced us to get personal with the loss of so much.
Paula taught the Grade 9s about the way they can deal with grief – by flocking together in support of one another.
Using hands as a symbol of unity and comfort, the class was guided into creating art that would assist them in this process.
It was a joy to see our learners absorbed in this valuable workshop and, upon the conclusion of the workshop, they expressed their gratitude to Paula for guiding and teaching them.

Good Luck Jade & Unathi!

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 and 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞 to Union High School’s Jade Edwards and Unathi April who were invited to participate in the final round of the EP u/18 hockey trials to be held on Sunday morning, 30 May at the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG).

Thank You To Our Advertisers

The Union High School AstroTurf, located on the school’s beautiful campus in Graaff-Reinet, offers businesses an opportunity to display their brands next to the turf as a fundraising initiative in aid of Union’s ongoing AstroTurf project.
We remain grateful for the partnership we enjoy with the business sector in this regard and are thankful for the continuing support from the businesses that have supported this project from the get-go as well as the new businesses that have recently come on board as advertisers.
Their support guarantees the success of Union’s AstroTurf project and will ensure that the facility continues to serve young hockey players for many more years to come.
Interested parties should contact Mrs Mariëtte Burger at uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za or at 061 310 8343 for more information.

Sport Results: Rugby vs Muir College

𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗫𝗩 𝘃𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲
Union High School’s 1st XV played Muir College Boys’ High School in their annual derby day fixture at Union this past Saturday, 15 May.
Union started the match well by applying lots of pressure which the Muir College side struggled to deal with.
Union opened up a 9-0 lead through the boot of James Pienaar who kicked exceptionally well in very windy conditions. Muir College was relentless on attack, but Union was equal to the task on defence.
Union was unlucky to not have slotted another couple of penalties towards the end of the first half. Both teams created opportunities but failed to convert and assert dominance. Muir scored a converted try just before half-time, which ended 9-7 in favour of Union.
The second half was going to be tough as Union received a yellow card on the stroke of half-time. Union defended well during this period with 14 men only conceding a try. Muir then took the lead 12-9.
It was a match of multiple opportunities created by both sides and Union, unfortunately, failed to convert theirs. With 10 minutes to play, Union cut open the Muir defence but could not hold onto the last pass to score and regain the lead.
“I must commend the Union team, they played their hearts out and kept on trying until the final whistle,” commented coach Mr Christopher Felix. “This loss is hurting, but as a coach, I am proud of the way the boys played. Union had a last gasp at drawing the match but unfortunately failed to convert. My message was simple: keep on trying and enjoy the match. Which they did wholeheartedly.”
Congratulations to Muir College for taking the spoils 12-9.

Scouts In Action Again

The return to Scouting after a lengthy Covid-19 break was met with great enthusiasm by all the Union scouts.

Their first meeting for 2021 was held on Thursday evening, 13 May, in the Chookie Geard Scout Hall in Neser Street.

Open to all boys from Grade 5 to 12, Scouts has a lot to offer with a varied and diverse programme featuring unique hands-on learning experiences aimed at helping boys grow into their very best future selves.

Contact Mr Bruce Maree at 049 892 3203, 082 783 7027 or chiefscout@intekom.co.za to find out more.