Author: L. Crankshaw

The event was hosted by the Eastern Cape Department of Education (EDoE) and facilitated by Mrs Nomandla Singeni, the Circuit Management Centre (CMC) Head for Graaff-Reinet.

The meeting served to prepare the newly elected members of the two SGBs for the mandate lying ahead and to inform them about their roles and responsibilities in their 3-year term of office.

“SGB members are expected to ensure that their schools are governed in the best interest of all stakeholders, especially learners, and to always put the best interest of the school before any personal interests,” said Mrs Singeni.

She continued, “As per the South African Schools Act no 84 of 1996, they must promote the best interest of the school and ensure its development. They have to help the headmaster, educators and other staff members to perform their professional functions, decide on school policy, including admissions, language and finance, and administer and control the property of the school, buildings and grounds. They have to encourage parents, learners, educators and other staff members at the school and offer voluntary services.”

The new SGB members who were elected earlier this year have already assumed their responsibilities. Ahead of them lies an immense task of effecting school functionality to ensure that the Union Schools continues to provide the very best in all-round education.

Union High School extends a special welcome to our new FET phase mathematics teacher Mr Bienvenu Mbanga, who hails from Krugersdorp.

Mr Mbanga is a graduate of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry).

Prior to this, he completed his BSc In Natural Sciences (Chemistry And Mathematics) through Unisa, followed by BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at UJ.

Mr Mbanga is truly passionate about teaching, and brings with him a great deal of experience as a Grade 10 to 12 educator.

He also boasts extensive experience as a research analyst at the University of Johannesburg and, as an active member of the South African Chromatography Society (ChromSA), the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) and the South African Mathematical Society (SAMS), Mr Mbanga is thoroughly committed, and passionately applies himself, to high standards of excellence in the learning, teaching, research and advancement of mathematics and chemistry in South Africa.

Mr Mbanga looks forward to broadening and enriching his learners’ mathematical education and helping them prepare for the transition from school to university.

The school wishes him a fruitful and rewarding stay.

On Friday afternoon, 20 August, many Union High School learners participated in Union Preparatory School’s 𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 installation by tying a ribbon to the school’s front fence to remember a loved one or to show their support for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

View the full story and more photos on the Union Preparatory School, Graaff-Reinet Facebook page.

Union High School’s Interact Club invites you to participate in their 𝗝𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘 project.

You can help in any of these ways:

1. Donate empty (clean) coffee jars.

2. Donate any ingredient(s) listed below

3. Donate a filled jar (containing the ingredients listed below)

4. Share this post

Layer a large jar with:

½ cup rice

½ cup lentils

½ cup soup mix

1 unwrapped stock cube

1 packet of soup powder

Let’s take hands and feed our community!

• Contributions can be sent to school with a learner, dropped off at Union High School’s reception, or contact us at 049 8910262 to arrange pick-up.

Mrs Sanette Brink’s relentless desire to learn more, gain new skills and improve her teaching strategies as a music teacher, recently saw her successfully obtain her Level 6 Professional Diploma in Music Teaching through London-based Rockschool Ltd – a credential equivalent to that of a NQF7 qualification in South Africa.

When asked why she decided to pursue this qualification (which required her unwavering commitment and a tremendous amount of independent study this past year), Mrs Brink responded, “Music teachers have an important role in improving their learners’ ability to sing or play an instrument. It is therefore very important that we continuously assess our teaching strategies and look at new ways to engage our learners during their lessons.

During Level 5 Lockdown last year, while browsing the RSL website, I happened across their offering in Professional Diploma Qualifications. It peaked my interest and following an impulsive moment, I was enrolled in their Level 6 Professional Teachers’ Diploma course.

A month into the process, I called in the help of Dr Liezl-Maret Jacobs, a piano pedagogue from Ireland to lead me through the process. Our weekly sessions were a true blessing and I want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to her for sharing her knowledge, expertise, encouragement and friendship with me throughout this journey.

I’ve learned so much this past year, and I look forward to applying this knowledge in the years to come to the benefit of our wonderful young musicians at Union.”

Learners had the opportunity to submit an original work of poetry. It was truly inspirational to hear the thoughts, experiences, feelings, and ideas of the learners in their own words.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 to the winners: Brigitte Oelofsen (1st place), Vivian McEwan (2nd place), Elihle Robile and Na’eem Mohamed (joint 3rd place) and Chungwa Tshomela (meritorious award for dedication to the art of poetry).

We are pleased to announce the winners (who received their respective prizes during a recent assembly at school).

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 to Kathryn Odendaal (Grade 11), Asemahle Sakati (Grade 9), Sasha Cochrane (Grade 8) and Rebecca Copeman (Grade 7).

The winning submissions will be shared with our community soon.

Union High School extends its thanks to all those who shared their time and talents to participate in this competition.