𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁, Union High School, Graaff-Reinet‘s top matriculant for 2025, produced an exceptional set of results that reflect both academic ability and unwavering commitment.
With a final average of 87%, 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀, including Accounting (93%), Life Sciences (93%), Afrikaans FAL (87%), English HL (86%), Physical Sciences (81%), Life Orientation (89%) and Mathematics (80%). 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.
Further highlighting her academic ambition, Erin also completed Further Studies Mathematics, achieving a commendable 72% in this advanced programme.
Well done and congratulations to the Matric Class of 2025.
Proud parents, relieved learners and smiling staff filled the Union High School, Graaff-Reinet foyer this morning as the 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 returned to collect their National Senior Certificate results.
With 41 subject distinctions achieved by the class overall, 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁, who topped the class with an exceptional 87% average and an impressive collection of 7 distinctions across a demanding subject load. She was followed by Milani Pongoma in second place, with Tara Ferreira in third place and Someleze Ntshuca in fourth, both producing strong, balanced results.
Seventy-one percent of learners achieved Bachelor’s passes, opening doors to further study at tertiary institutions, while a further 20% earned Diploma passes.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Accounting, as well as the number of learners achieving distinctions in multiple subjects.
Our 1st XI took the field in 𝗮 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀, cutting a proud figure as they represent Union High School, Graaff-Reinet.
A huge 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗧-𝗢𝗨𝗧 and heartfelt thank you to Tyremart Graaff-Reinet for their generous support of the team – 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦.
Union High School vs Lilyfontein – T20 Lilyfontein won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 136 runs in 19.3 overs. Union High School’s openers put on an impressive 83-run partnership, but the team was eventually bowled out for 112 runs. Lilyfontein won the match by 24 runs. Best bowler: Alex Hunter – 3 overs, 19 runs, 3 wickets.
Union High School vs Sterling High School – Declaration Festival Sterling High School won the toss and elected to bat first. Union High School bowled them out for 159 runs.
Union High School was then bowled out for 122 runs in their first innings. Sterling High School followed on and declared with a 110-run lead. Due to time constraints, the match was declared a draw.
Man of the Match: Alex Hunter – 7 overs, 30 runs, 5 wickets. Outstanding performance.
Union High School vs Rand Park – 50 Overs Union High School won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 136 runs, all out.
In the second innings, Union High School bowled well but unfortunately dropped four high catches, allowing Rand Park to capitalise on missed opportunities. Rand Park went on to win the match by 4 wickets.
Man of the Match: Yonela Wana – 8 overs, 33 runs, 3 wickets
Union High School vs Marlow – T20 Union High School won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 101 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Marlow chased down the target in the final over, winning the match by 1 wicket.
Man of the Match: Callum Jacobs – 45 runs. Well done.
Special Mentions The following players deserve special recognition for competing exceptionally well in a U19 senior festival, truly punching above their weight:
Jordan Maritz (14 years)Josh Kingwill (13 years old)Murray Hope (14 years old)
Josh and Jordan received their white caps ahead of the declaration format encounter against Stirling High School and Murray received his white cap ahead of his 1st XI debut against a visiting Lilyfontein side.
This year, a total of 14 teams competed for glory on the cricket field. The carefully crafted programme featured a mix of T20 matches, 50-over games and declaration matches, promised an exciting and varied cricketing experience for both players and spectators alike.
We welcomed Framesby High School, Victoria Park High, Westering High School, Muir College, Lilyfontein School, Edgemead High School, Rand Park High, DF Malan High School, Cradock High School, Daniel Pienaar THS, Nico Malan, Stirling High, DF Malherbe and our very own 1st XI.
Per tradition, we were delighted to host our annual cocktail function to officially kick off the 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 and warmly welcome all participating teams.
During Mr Pringle’s address, special mention was made of Standard Bank for their generous sponsorship of the festival. Standard Bank was represented by Mr Kobie Venter, Head: Local Market, Business Banking, Eastern Cape, and we extend our sincere thanks for their continued support.
A special word of appreciation was also extended to Tyremart Graaff-Reinet for their valued contribution in the form of new kit for the Union team.
The evening preceded the much-anticipated 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝘃𝘀 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧 T20 at the Botanics Sports Grounds, featuring two players from each participating team to form the competing sides.
The EP Rural U17 cricket team delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s 𝘚𝘈 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬, with the spotlight shining especially bright on our Union boys.
Hosted in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, from 5 to 8 December, the tournament brought together the country’s top young talent – and EP Rural rose to the occasion.
A massive congratulations to Union’s 𝗬𝗮𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘇𝗶, who was named Man of the Match in their last match of the tournament against North West after an outstanding bowling performance of 𝟲 𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟰 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀.
His spell helped Eastern Province secure their biggest win of the tournament, dismissing North West for 121 and winning by a huge 157 runs!
𝗘𝗣 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝟮𝟳𝟴/𝟵) 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵, with the team once again showing their strength with both bat and ball.
The EP Rural side ended the week with a strong record – 5 matches played, 4 wins and only 1 loss.
Union High School is incredibly proud of Yaaseen Kazi, Yonela Wana, coach Edorique Gouws and assistant coach Jason Vers for flying the Union flag high on the national stage
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝟴: 1. Clea Clarke 2. Chanté Bezuidenhout 3. Isabelle Tadesse 4. Miley Burger, Kira Hector & Micha Murray 7. Rachel Wenham, Aidan Ferreira & Maribel-Martisha April 10. Alison Jacobs
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝟳: 1. Angelique Kyanda-Kaboza 2. Kari Stern 3. Ryan Collett 4. Nieke van Jaarsveld 5. Adam Clark 6. Noël Shakane 7. Lwandle Dali 8. Lilly Hunter 9. Joshua Kingwill 10. Luchae Thomas
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝟲: 1. Taylor Jacobs 2. Kate Scott 3. Shana Theron 4. Layla Ott 5. Emma Burger 6. Mia Labuschagne 7. Carlie George 8. Isabel Hyldig & Reece Gibbons 10. Tiyanah Abader
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝟱: 1. Kelly van Rensburg & Lesedi Mphahlele 3. Madison Tam 4. Kirsten Trollip 5. Saskia Strydom 6. Gemma Murray 7. Rosemary Brown 8. Ben Steynberg 9. Cathryn Davenport & Iyana Magwetshu
Born from a simple phone call in 1992, when Old Unionite Billy Teeton reached out to Mr Bruce Maree, the programme grew into something extraordinary.
From the first Gap student, Rhett Newton, who bravely ventured across the seas in 1993, to the first junior exchange in 1994, this partnership blossomed into a tapestry of shared cultures, meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences.
𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 – an institution dating back to 1091 – learning and living beneath the soaring spire of one of England’s most iconic cathedrals.
Yet the true heart of the programme lay not only in the places they visited but in the relationships they built. Families formed bonds across continents, exchange students returned to visit again and again and some even made the United Kingdom their permanent home.
Many of our Gaps continued to meet up as young adults, exploring Europe together, attending sporting events or simply reconnecting to relive the memories they once made abroad. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 – 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘧𝘢𝘳-𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦 – 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦.
𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗶𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆. Changes to visa regulations in the United Kingdom have made long-term participation impossible. The Youth Mobility Scheme, which has replaced the previous arrangements, sadly excludes South Africa. As a result, our students can no longer stay for the full year required and the programme cannot continue.
We therefore honour our final two Gap students for 2025: 𝗖𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗮𝗵-𝗟𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 and 𝗠𝗮𝘅 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲. Their year at Salisbury will not only mark a personal milestone, but also serve as the poignant closing of a programme that shaped the lives of generations of Unionites.
As we reflect, we celebrate every learner who walked the historic corridors of Salisbury Cathedral School; every family who opened their homes and hearts; every friendship that crossed oceans and every shared experience that enriched our school community. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻.
Caytah and Max had a wonderful reunion this year with Tim Lamb and his family – Tim served as one of Union’s Gap assistants back in 1995. 𝘈 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭-𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.
