Bulletin

Banquet Preparations In Full Swing

Preparations are well underway for Union’s much-anticipated Centenary Banquet being held this evening (Friday, 3 May) on the school’s beautiful sports grounds.

The Marquee has been pitched, the décor is being put up, the preparations in the kitchens are in full swing and the excitement has reached new heights.

This black-tie event, which promises to be a most memorable evening, will see close to 300 guests celebrate the school’s 100th birthday with top class catering, a cash bar, dancing and entertainment.

The banquet starts at 18:30 with guests being greeted upon arrival by the beautiful sounds of the school’s choirs and marimba bands.

Please note that entry to the banquet will be through the Bruce Maree Gates, with parking being available in Caledon Street and in the parking areas of the boarding house.

Bulletin, Student Life

Anti-Bullying Campaign

Anti-bullying campaign kicks into high gear

In 2017, Union High School’s Interact Club launched an anti-bullying campaign.  Over the past two years, their initial campaign has grown into a long-term project with a proactive, multi-faceted whole-school approach to the problem of bullying.

At first, a number of awareness campaigns were undertaken, including the introduction of a Bully-Bin to the school’s campus.  Since then -, supported by an effective anti-bullying policy – the focus has been on creating a safe and positive environment for the learners in the classrooms and on the school grounds with everyone working together to create a climate where bullying is not acceptable.

On Wednesday, 1 May, Old Unionite Ingrid Kingwill joined forces with Union in this initiative by training 13 peer counsellors to support the emotional and academic wellbeing of fellow learners.  This has been implemented as a support scheme to reduce bullying and as a means of reducing the psychological effects thereof on learners.

Union’s sincere gratitude is extended to Ingrid for her willingness to invest in the wellbeing of the school.

All peer counsellors who participated in the training found it an enriching experience and we have no doubt that this project will grow from strength to strength.

Bulletin, Hostels

HAH Doughnut Derby

The boarders at Union’s Herby Arnott House had a blast this past Wednesday, 1 May, celebrating the mid-week public holiday by competing amongst each other in some fun games.

Seen here are some of the girls participating in ‘Doughnuts on a String’ which is like “bobbing for apples” in reverse. Instead of dunking your head into water, you’re stretching as high as you can to nibble on dangling doughnuts. The doughnuts bob and sway, which is challenging enough, but then add the extra touch – no using your hands!

Bulletin, Media Team

Union News

Union News – 2 May 2019

The UHS Behind the Scenes media team’s latest edition  of ‘Union News’  features a segment on the Elevate Education group and their activities at Union. Watch it here:

https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/videos/2186069865025368/

Academic, Bulletin

Salisbury Connection 2019

The two UHS learners participating in the 2019 Salisbury Exchange Programme, Matthew Davenport and Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, have officially started their schooling at the Salisbury Cathedral School in the UK.

They have been issued with their new uniforms, explored the school (which is spectacularly located on the beautiful grounds of Salisbury Cathedral) and are very excited about all that lies in store for them these next three months.

It is tradition for exchangees and gappies to leave their names on a brick in the boarding house of the Salisbury Cathedral School. Upon arrival, Matthew quickly found that of Brent Hesselink and Jude Langmead, who travelled to the UK in 2018. Mrs. Gerber’s (then Miss van Zyl) name is also on the wall, reminding us of her time as a gappie a few years back!

 

 

Bulletin

Top Matriculant Still Achieving

Anje Oelofsen, Union High School’s top matriculant of 2017, is now also excelling at university.

Anje, who matriculated from Union with 6 distinctions, was recently presented with a Merit Award from the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) School of Accounting for her 1st place in the 2018 academic year on the 1st Year level of the BCom (Accounting Sciences) Programme

Anje, who had Accounting with Mr. Christopher Felix while at Union, achieved a 97% for the subject in her final matric examinations.

Bulletin, Hockey

EPHF Umpiring Course

UHS learners Kyle-Luke du Preez and Kendall Krige recently attended an umpiring course hosted by the Eastern Province Hockey Federation (EPHF) in Port Elizabeth.

After successfully completing the course and the online examination shortly thereafter, each candidate was awarded an official SAHA “Level 0” umpire’s certificate.

This is in effect a “learner’s license” for umpiring which gives the newly-qualified umpire access to a number of opportunities within the province for gaining practical experience and receiving further coaching from umpires’ coaches.

 

Bulletin, Student Life

Learner Leaders Improving Together

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The members of Union High School’s RCL (Representative Council of Learners) share a dream of inspiring the youth of Graaff-Reinet.  In pursuit of this dream, the RCL invited the leaders of Union’s neighbouring schools (the Asherville, Nqweba and Spandau secondary schools as well as Hoër Volkskool) to enjoy a fun-filled evening together.

This event – the first of its kind to be held by the schools ever – will hopefully pave the way for regular engagements of this nature in future.

The evening started with an inspirational message on the important distinctions between managing and leading people delivered by pastor Dolan Cochrane. He shared some powerful information about the influence of leaders with the group, keeping the learners thoroughly engaged throughout the whole session.

Union’s Head Boy, Peter Watermeyer, then shared the idea behind the evening with all those present, and in so doing, portrayed true leadership as defined by John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”.

Zintle Maki, head prefect of Union’s Herby Arnott House, then led various activities in a very professional manner.

This evening was not only a celebration of youth leadership but also served as an amazing team building opportunity.

Thanks are extended to all the leaders and the educators who accompanied them for participating in the evening’s programme.

Rugby, Sport Results

Jnr Rugby Results – UHS vs Adelaide

On Saturday, 27 April, Union’s junior rugby teams travelled to Adelaide for their first away fixture of the second term.  All the teams played to the best of their ability and managed to record positive results

The u/9B team won 27 – 15, the U/9A team lost 0 – 24, the U/11As won 27 – 5 and the U/13Bs won 32 – 12.

The u/13A rugby team played a challenging match against a strong Adelaide team. The game was played at a frantic pace with both teams playing exiting rugby.  Union’s boys managed to stick to their game plan, keeping the ball alive for numerous phases.  Continuous pressure on their opponents led to some brilliant team tries, with Union coming out the victors with a final score of 34 – 0.

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Eco Club Members Attend to Local Nursery

The members of Union High School’s Eco Club recently paid a visit to the Camdeboo National Park.  During the visit, the learners only had one goal in mind – to clean and revamp the small plant nursery located in the park.

Upon arrival, the learners were divided into three teams – one cleaned the garden shed while the other two each cleaned a seedling structure.  This involved weeding, raking, sorting litter and organic materials for discarding or re-use, cleaning, dusting and a lot of organising.  The groups worked hard and laughed a lot while getting down and dirty – giving new life to the nursery.

The group will return to the park soon to start planting new plants.

• This activity formed part of the Biodiversity theme of Union’s Eco-Schools project.