Bulletin

Earlier this week, the prefects of Union High School’s boarding houses, Herby Arnott House and Arthur Kingwill House, were treated to a truly special 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣 at Asante Sana Private Game Reserve.

𝘚𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 treated the group to incredible wildlife sightings, followed by a relaxed braai in a beautiful setting, surrounded by nature at its best.

As night fell, the sky came alive with countless stars, setting the scene for meaningful conversations, plenty of laughter, board games and – as always – non-stop talking.

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱, strengthening leadership skills and building bonds that will carry into house life back at school.

𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

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.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢-𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺.

Erin’s success shows what is possible when talent meets hard work, perseverance and a genuine love of learning.

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.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 Trystan Hulleman, Lwandile Memani, Ndodana Speelman, Demi Kretzmann, Aaminah Steele, and Muhammad-Ismail Ahmed – 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 2025.

Subject excellence was evident across the curriculum. 𝗧𝗼𝗽-𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀: English HL – Erin Gedult, Afrikaans FAL – Erin Gedult, Mathematics – Erin Gedult, Mathematical Literacy – Matthew Oosthuizen, Accounting – Erin Gedult, Business Studies – Unam Vumazonke, Computer Applications Technology – Alexander Neill, Geography – Trystan Hulleman, History – Someleze Ntshuca, Life Sciences – Erin Gedult, Physical Sciences – Erin Gedult and Tourism – Chloe Tainton.

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.

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.

𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 94,44% 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 2025 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 – 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 – 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥.

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.

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.

We are pleased to share our final 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥’𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 for the year, as our school community heads into the festive season and a well-deserved break.