On Wednesday our u13A cricket team played a 20 over match against Volkskool. We were asked to bat and took full advantage, scoring freely around the field, our batsmen constantly took on the fielders and we managed to reach 133/9 after 20 overs. With our tails in the air our bowlers bowled with confidence and we bowled them out for 56 runs, winning by 77 runs.
AJ Victor 6/11 in 4 overs.
On the 10th of November EP Biathlon will be hosting a Biathlon event in Graaff Reinet. This is a great opportunity for any interested learners, teachers and parents to take part to see if they might enjoy the sport.
Biathlon is a multi-discipline sport comprising of running and swimming. The athletes complete the following distances depending on their age group.
Age Group – Run distance – Swim distance
u/8 boys and girls – 400m – 25m
u/9, u/11 boys and girls – 800m – 50m
u/13 and up Girls only – 1000m – 100m
u/13 boys – 1200m – 100m
u/15, u/17, u/19 boys – 1600m – 100m
All seniors – 1000m – 100m
There will be a tuck shop with delicious meals on sale, music and even a Chip ‘n Dip. It is going to be a fun-filled day for all and should be completed by 13:00.
A special, once-off entry fee of R30 will be charged for the day and we encourage parents to join in the fun by entering as individuals, or as mixed (relay) teams. Let’s see if Union can enter the most participants at this event!
We would like to have rough numbers finalised by the 1st of November in order to cater accordingly so please give your name in as soon as possible if you are interested in competing.
Please phone Mrs Karen Schoeman if you have any queries regarding this event: 082 644 0667
Tiekieaand is an age old tradition at Union and is eagerly looked forward to by
the juniors each year! It is a major fundraiser for the grade 10 class and this year they outdid themselves! The hall was full of fun games and activities, including a new item this year…a rap battle, which proved extremely popular! The juniors bobbed for apples, had their faces painted, were led dizzy through a maze, played tombola and had blowgun competitions amongst other fun things organised by the grade 10s. The main attraction seemed to be that the teachers and seniors made themselves available before the sponge throwing firing squad and much hilarity ensued! Outside, moms sold sweet treats to willing buyers with the popcorn machine being in high demand! Afterwards the grade 10s worked together, cleaning up as they closed the door on a fun filled festive evening!
On 13 October, eleven Union High athletes participated in the prestigious Bestmed TAMS Superspar Madibaz Top Ten Athletics Meeting held in Cradock. Various schools as far afield as Upington and Paarl, were represented. This event is attracting more and bigger schools, each year. The Union-team was placed 43th out of 83 teams.
The following learners received medals for outstanding performances:
Marché Green – 3rd place for Girls u/15 High Jump, with a height of 1,4 m
Soyama Mbobi – 3rd place for Men u/19 100 m, with a time of 11,01 seconds
The following learners came fourth:
Erin Mithchell – High Jump, Girls u/15
Rosslyn Sparks – Shot Put, Women u/19 and Javellin, Women u/19
Soyama Mbobi achieved 793 points on the ASA table for his 100 m. The u/19 Men’s race was a highlight, with a photo finish for the first three places.
Well done to all the athletes that travelled early in the morning and had to adapt to a programme running late.
The 2018/2019 prefect body of Union High School went on a prefect camp to Skietfontein, from 12 – 14 October. This camp is vital for them to get to know each other better and to form a strong team. A lot of fun was had by all with the many team building exercises. We look forward to this body leading the school in the Union High’s Centenary year.
The Grade 7R class paid another visit to the local branch of the SPCA last week. They handed over all the delightful toys they made for the cats and smaller breed dogs. The animals loved the new sources of stimulation and started playing with the new toys without delay. Our next aim is to raise money for three trees that would create some shade for the cat shelters. If you would like to donate a tree it would be very much appreciated!
Erin O’Halloran was very privileged to attend the first Bright Ideas Innovation Cafe workshop, organised by the Swiss Embassy and Education Department. During this one day course she was taught various entrepreneural skills and teamwork. The idea that she submitted was titled ‘Plasticity’. ‘Plasticity’ is in actual fact her business.
The idea of ‘Plasticity’ is to take plastic shopping bags and change them into products ranging from pencil cases to makeup bags. This idea will employ as well as feed some of the community and hopefully make a difference in our small town.
The submission of this idea was awarded third place in the competition. As well as a prize she got to take home, she have learnt alot from this experience and have big plans for Plasticity.
To have ideas is one thing, to make something of them is another.
On Friday and Saturday our u13A Cricket boys competed against the two top cricketing schools in Port Elizabeth. This was a great learning experience for our players, who unfortunately were out of their depth against strong opposition.
Friday 12 October
Our boys played their first ever match under lights in very cold condition on Friday evening. They struggled to get off the mark and only managed to score 67/7 in their 20 overs. Sunridge Primary made easy work of the case and surpassed our total in the 12 over. Union u13A lost by 7 wickets.
Saturday 13 October
On Saturday our boys travelled to Grey Junior where they let themselves down with a poor display of fielding and bowling conceding 68 runs in extras. We struggled to put our opponents under any real pressure and allowed Grey to score freely in their 45 overs. Union lost by 296 runs.
The annual Valedictory Service was held on Friday 12 October, and was a fitting farewell to the wonderful Grade 12 class of 2018. Deputy Head Prefects, Matt Harpur and Kelly Rose-Innes led the devotion, while the class presented a song, Queen of My Heart and a slideshow of their years at the School to those gathered. In response to the Headmaster’s address, Head Prefects Rebecca Langmead and Cameron Muir spoke on behalf of the class.
The ceremony ended with the Grade 12’s leading out and starting a new tradition, where each learner rang the Centenary Bell just once as they took leave of the school.
“I’ll always look back, as I walk away.
This memory will last, for eternity…”
– Westlife
Congratulations to the following boarders who were elected as the 2019 Arthur Kingwill House prefects:
Khanya Butshingi (Head Boy), Luke McNaughton, Peter Watermeyer, Iviwe Ndamane (Deputy Head), Lihlombe Qambata and Zusakhe Ngwane