Sport Results, Tennis

Snr Tennis – Marco Wasserman Tournament

Union High School’s Top 8 boys’ and girls’ tennis players took part in the annual Marco Wasserman tennis tournament, played in Middelburg this past weekend.

Over the course of the two days, the players competed in a Round Robin doubles and mixed doubles format against six other schools.  Despite strong competition, the Union learners acquitted themselves very well, playing excellent tennis and coming away from the experience with plenty of lessons learnt.  Having lost 10 matric players, the team is entering a building phase, but the newcomers to the team definitely showcased their potential during the tournament.

While the Top 4 boys and girls played tenaciously, they were mostly outplayed in the A section which was won convincingly by Pearson High School.

The second team ended in a very admirable 3rd place in the B section, which was this year won by Aliwal North High School.

As always, the players made the school very proud with their impeccable behaviour and a special word of congratulations is extended to Bowen Langmead, who won an award for his excellent manners on and off the court, Brent Hesselink who received an award for his determination, Sara Kingwill who won the award for the player with the most potential and Chloe Shires who received an award for sportsmanship.

Bulletin, Cultural

Little Moves of Kindness

Little moves of kindness

How many of us have thought of doing something good for the world and making a difference in someone’s life but never found the time for it?

James Rose-Innes, a Grade 10 learner at Union High School, is not only contributing to the society in his own little way but in the process he is making use of his favourite game, chess, to make a difference!  His initiative to teach the game of chess to children at Vuyani Safe Haven originated as a Life Orientation project, but in time, turned into so much more.

A little while ago, five of Vuyani’s children had no idea what chess was about and now, little over two months later, some of them are representing their respective schools in Interschools matches.  “I am very grateful to the management of Vuyani for allowing me to discover these hidden talents in their kids. Without their hospitality and charitableness, this would not have been possible,” says James.  “I truly believe that an educational activity such as chess can play a vital role to empower and uplift a community,” he continued.  “In chess the learners are taught to think ahead and not just to make any move. Every move you make on the chess board must count – from the very first move in the opening game right through the middle game till the very last move in the end game you must think ahead. Why is it so important to think ahead in real life as in chess? If you do not think ahead and make the wrong moves (choices), such as taking drugs, the game is over and you are in checkmate!”

Union extends its thanks to Vuyani for facilitating James’ coaching sessions and for giving him the opportunity to make a difference while promoting the great game of chess.

Bulletin, Cultural

Chess – Final Trials

The final trials to select the players that will represent the Chris Hani District at the upcoming South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC), were held this past Saturday, 17 August, at Union High School.

The top players from various schools in the district participated.  At the end of the day’s play, nine bright Union minds were among those invited to be a part of the team.

The SAJCC, the largest junior sporting event of any sporting code in South Africa, will be held in Johannesburg from 4 to 12 January 2020.  The event will involve more than 2 300 participants, between the ages of six and 19 years, from across South Africa.

The nine Unionites who will be participating in this epic battle to outsmart each other for the title of national champion in their respective age groups, are (u/18A) James Rose-Innes, Tracy Petitt, Matthew McNaughton, reserve Mihan Campbell, (u/16) Cassidy Goliad, Wade Edwards, (u/14) Na’eem Mahomed, Camran Swartz and reserve Neelan Fourie.

Bulletin

The Crochet Club

Union’s Jayden Odendaal and Anebel Norval and Spandau’s Lukhanyiso Witbooi, Stephanie Swartz and Temia Jantjies at the Midlands Hospital.

Union High School has an array of after-school activities. Recently, however, another activity has been added to the mix.

Union’s Crochet Club, implemented by Mrs. Hanli Rose-Innes and Mrs. Bethia Feldon, meets once a week and offers learners the opportunity to acquire the skill of crocheting, while also contributing to a charity project.  Participation in the club’s activities isn’t limited to Union, with learners from Spandau Secondary School having also proven quite deft with the crochet hook.

The club’s first project was to crochet baby beanies for the patients at the Midlands Hospital – the first batch was delivered just this week.

Thanks to the support of the Prescient Foundation, the learners are able to purchase their crochet needles and wool from Loop Wool Boutique, who also supply all the necessary craft items at a welcome discount.  For every four beanies a learner completes, they are rewarded with a voucher for one ball of wool, in this way they can crochet with the aim of acquiring enough wool to create something for themselves.

The club hopes to knit about 30 beanies a month.

It is apparent that the club means a great deal to the learners as many of them have put in a lot of time and effort in refining this new skill and completing their beanies.

Although the immediate goal is to produce handmade projects, it is ultimately hoped that crochet will be a lifelong gift of creativity and giving for each participant.

 

Bulletin, Media Team

Union News

Union News – 22 August 2019

The UHS Behind the Scenes media team’s latest edition of ‘Union High School News’ is a very special one.

Not only does it feature a recap of Union’s Interschools activities, but it is also the very last news segment that the matric members of the team will be a part of.

As their high school careers draw to a close, we bid farewell to Peter Watermeyer, Taylyn Miller, Chevonne Prinsloo, Liano Naidoo, Chelsea Theron, Khanya Butshingi, Ethan Gedult, Sabrina Potgieter, Sihle Jali and Rosslyn Sparks.

https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/videos/741157156339613/

Sport Results, Tennis

Snr Tennis vs Cradock

On Monday afternoon, 19 August, Union High School’s Top 6 girls and boys tennis players battled it out on the courts against Cradock High School.

The boys beat Cradock convincingly with 9 matches to 0.

The girls, who played some very competitive sets against a strong Cradock side, also managed to claim victory with 5 games to Cradock’s 4.

Bulletin, Cultural

Fun Outing for Snr Chess Players

On Monday afternoon, 19 August, the members of Union’s senior chess team enjoyed a wonderful outing to Coldstream Restaurant.

The outing allowed the learners to break away from their regular old routine and served as a reward for their excellent efforts and great results throughout the year. Thanks to a generous sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous, the youngsters could also enjoy a meal and something to drink.

Union extends its grateful thanks to Mr. Christopher-John Koopman, who offered up his free time to assist with the coaching of these learners every opportunity he got.  In addition, he spoiled the team with a delicious cake for them to share.

Outings such as this one, are very important to Union’s Chess Club as it allows people to see that chess is alive and well as an extra-curricular activity at Union and goes to show just how much every participant enjoys it.

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