Bulletin, Cricket

Coca-Cola T20 – Kit Handover

Earlier this year, during the cricket season, Union High School’s first team cricketers participated in the 2019 Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge.

This challenge sees the finest of South African schools’ cricket teams battle it out in a national tournament.  Coach Stephen Bezuidenhout’s team made it to the quarter finals in the provincial round of this tournament. Following this, Coco-Cola paid a visit to the school earlier today, Friday, 5 April, to hand over a training kit to the team in recognition of this achievement. Coach Stephen Bezuidenhout received the training kit from Coca-Cola representative, Siyamthanda Dlamini.

The Coca-Cola training kit consists of agility hurdles, cones, saucer cones, jump ropes, a set of 10 slalom poles and two fielding single stumps. Coke also gave free coke to all the learners of the school. We are so grateful for the training kit! Thanks Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa!

We are also extremely proud of this magnificent achievement by our cricketers! They have set the bar very high for the teams that will follow.

Credit must also go to our coaching staff for the skills transfer and enormous time sacrifice.

Hockey, Sport Results

Snr Hockey Results – UHS vs VGHS

This past Saturday, 6 April, Union High School’s senior hockey teams came out tops in a full schedule of hockey fixtures against Grahamstown rivals, Victoria Girls’ High School (VGHS). A new match format being implemented by SA Hockey, saw all teams playing matches consisting of four 15-minute quarters each.

After the u/16Bs, u/16As and second team beat VGHS 3 – 0, 3 – 1 and 3 – 0 in their respective encounters, it was the first team’s time to shine and continue their winning ways.

The game started off at a good pace with Union dominating possession which lead to a goal in the 5th minute by Laetitia Theron, putting Union 1 – 0 up. VGHS bounced back not long after with an equalizer. With the scores level, the scene was set for a feast of goals.The Union girls stepped their play up a gear with a goal by Henze Japhta in the 15th minute which saw the first quarter end with the score standing at 2 – 1 in Union’s favour.The second quarter saw Union extend their lead to 3-1 with another goal from Laetitia Theron which was as a result of a superb build-up from good accurate passing. Sara Kingwill then put victory firmly beyond VGHS’s reach with a fourth goal in the 35th minute, which ended the third quarter with Union 4 – 1 up.

“The water breaks in-between quarters in the new match format, caused the girls to lose some momentum and concentration which resulted in them missing out on possible goal opportunities,” says coach Alvin August. The fourth quarter only saw one goal by Henzѐ Japhta in the 59th minute to give Union a convincing and well deserved 5 -1 victory.

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Striving for Eco-Schools Excellence

Since partnering with the WESSA Eco-Schools initiative in 2014, Union High School has worked with perseverance and determination to shape the future generation to think and act green.

The Eco-Schools programme is an international programme that was developed to support environmental learning in the classroom and is aimed at creating awareness and action around environmental sustainability in schools and their surrounding communities.

Now in its sixth year as a part of this programme, Union is proud to say that through our continued endeavours in this regard, we have instilled a deep sense of responsibility within all of the leaners at the school, equipping them with the readiness to do more.

To get the ball rolling for this year, the Eco-School Committee for 2019 has been established and consists of: (back) Ms Jenny Street (co-ordinator of the WESSA Eco-Schools Programme and the Eco-Club at Union High School), Mr William Pringle (Headmaster) and Mrs Mariëtte Burger (PR and Marketing). Middle: Mrs Christina Nell, Ms Rosemary Scheepers (SANParks), Mrs Danelle Botes and Mrs Marsha Bouwer (parent). Front: Thokozani Mpanza (Grade 7), Liyema Sanjani (Grade 11) and Tsireletso Tsolo (Grade 11). Absent: Ann-Noleen Koeberg (Grade 7).

This initiative is sure to leave its green footprint upon the face of the Earth. We hope to continue doing this good work and paving the path for a sustainable future.

 • To find out more about our activities in this regard, visit and like our UHS Eco-life Facebook page.

Shooting, Sport Results

Shooting

In an exciting end to their school holidays, 11 Union High School competitive shooters participated in their very first ‘big’ competition – the Eastern Province Open Championships – this past weekend.

The event, held at the Koedoeskloof shooting range in Uitenhage on Friday and Saturday, 29 and 30 March, transpired in cool, windy weather but saw the shooters deliver excellent scores nonetheless.

“It was a stress-filled day for all involved, but the learners gave it their best and we couldn’t be happier with the results they achieved,” said coach Christelle van Eck. “The learners were well-mannered, never complained and helped where ever they could, truly keeping the Union flag flying high.”

Amber Bezuidenhout, Angus McGlaggen, Michaela Price, Megan Putter, Lauren Waddelouw, Amy Waddelouw, Tessa James, Tammy James and Kelly-Page Scott competed in the Air Rifle Open Sight event, with Corniel Vorster competing in the Air Rifle Open Sight, Air Sport Pistol, Air Pistol Standing and Air Pistol Freestyle events and Schea Johnson competing in the Air Rifle Open Sight, Small Bore Rifle Light Open Sight and Small Bore Rifle Silhouette Open Sight events.

Bulletin

Welcome to the Union Team

Union High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Mariëtte Burger as the school’s new PR, Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator.

With a background in communications and journalism, Mariëtte’s role will be to key in helping shape and enhance the Union brand while continuing to develop our communications and marketing activities. We are excited to have her on board and believe she will be a great asset to our team. Mariëtte said that she is looking forward to immersing herself in the community and working with the Union staff.

Hockey, Sport Results

EP Hockey Trials

Congratulations to the following hockey players who have made it through to the next round of EP trails.
U/18:  Jenna McNaughton;  Micela Loock;  Sara Kingwill;  Sakhe Booi;  Laetitia Theron
U/16:  Chloe Shires
U/14:  Leah Marais;  Sonwabisa Mroro

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Eco-Wise Day

Thursday, 14 April was Eco-wise day at Union and each grade spent time engaged in activities based on the theme of conservation of water and recycling. Our campus was abuzz with children filling up recycled bottles with rainwater for those in need; posters were made; desks refurbished; there was a trip to the dam where water and wetlands were discussed; the grade 7s walked to Mackie’s pit where our water comes from; stationery was upcycled; water filters made and a few even danced a happy holiday dance! We wish all our staff and learners a happy, restful holiday and please remember to save water wherever you can.

Rugby, Sport Results

U/16 Rugby – Westering Festival

On Thursday 14th March the u16A rugby squad left for Port Elizabeth to take part in the Westering co-ed festival. On Thursday we played a match against Andrew Rabie High School prior to the festival. With co-captain and pivot James Pienaar not available due to injury the reshuffle proved to be costly as we struggled to find our rhythm and we simply could not deal with the line speed of the opposition who put us under pressure throughout the match. Union lost the match 14-5.

On Thursday night we stayed at Muir College, checking out on Friday when we travelled to Port Elizabeth and had a training session on the beach. This the team thoroughly enjoyed and it gave the boys the opportunity to connect as a squad and good team spirit was established.
We had lunch at McDonalds and relaxed for a while the Boardwalk.

At 15h30 Union played their first match of the Co-ed festival against Grey High School invitational side. Union played a great game of rugby where they manned up and played their hearts out. With the game deadlocked at nineteen all, Grey’s fitness proved to be the difference. Union lost the match 38-24. The team than went for supper at Baywest Mall where they were spoiled for choice. On Friday night we stayed at Cape Recife. After a very long day the boys were happy to finally get in bed.

On Saturday morning we played our last fixture against Alexander Road. Union started in the worst possible manner and soon found themselves 19-0 behind. We then settled nicely into our pattern and after countless attacks we crossed the white wash twice to go into half time trailing 19-12. Union showed complete dominance in the second half running in 5 tries. It was entertaining and clinical. All the pieces of the puzzle were put together and one of the spectators said, “This has been the most entertaining and structured schoolboy rugby I have seen in a long time, an absolute pleasure to watch”.

Union won the match 45-19. The Union team were commended on their fine behaviour, good manners and the way in which they played their matches. As coaches myself and Mr Sparrius can definitely tick this off as a successful trip and also complement our boys of their good conduct and being fine ambassadors to our school.

I wish to express my sincere thanks to the staff of Muir College and Cape Recife who hosted the team over the two nights. A special word of thanks to our parents who supported us and assisted with washing playing kit and sponsoring energy drinks, the team greatly appreciate your commitment.
Grey High School invitational – Union lost the match 38-24