Debating vs Gill College

Today, Monday, 14 August, saw Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s talented orators travel to Somerset East to participate against Gill College, School of Excellence.

The Union learners’ remarkable ability to captivate the audience with their eloquence and persuasive skills impressed the panel of judges, securing them the top positions in both the prepared and unprepared sections of the competition.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 to Na’eem Mahomed on winning the prepared speeches, and Caytah-Leigh Koeberg on claiming second place.

Joy Merifield secured first place in the unprepared speech section, while Sobuhle Nyambali showcased exceptional talent to secure the second place.

𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.

Scouts Go Camping!

This past weekend, the Union boys affiliated to the Graaff-Reinet Scout Troop participated in one of Scouting’s best known and most loved traditions – camping!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

They honed their survival skills by learning how to build shelters, tried their hand at backwoods engineering and told stories around a crackling campfire, all under the watchful guidance of their seasoned scout leaders.

𝘈𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦, 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

Joy Merifield Wins OVK Art Competition

Union High School, Graaff-Reinet Grade 11 learner Joy Merifield celebrates her artistic triumph, as she gracefully accepts her R10 000 prize for securing 1st place in the recent Karoo Winter Wool Festival’s 𝗢𝗩𝗞 𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡.

Cor Uys, OVK’s area manager, is seen here presenting her with the giant cheque, accompanied by an extra R10 000 prize for her school.

𝘈 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯!

Grade 5 Class Excursion

On 8 August, a sunny Monday morning, Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s energetic Grade 5s embarked on 𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡.

𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘪𝘦𝘶-𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘥𝘢.

They strolled through the streets, admiring the charming Karoo-style architecture and engaging with the welcoming local community. From quaint shops that offered handmade crafts to delicious local treats, the learners had a chance to immerse themselves in the cultural fabric of this small rural hamlet.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮, however, was undoubtedly the fascinating fossil museum. Here, the Grade 5s got to witness the ancient remains of prehistoric creatures that once roamed the earth, learning about the rich natural history of the area. The passionate museum curator shared intriguing stories, sparking the learners’ imaginations and fostering a love for paleontology.

The Grade 5s left Nieu-Bethesda that afternoon with hearts full of memories, new friendships and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and history of their country. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢, 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙨.

Rockschool Practical Examinations

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 to junior music student, 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 (Grade 6), who successfully passed her recent Rockschool Graded Music Exam with aplomb.

𝗞𝗶𝗿𝗮 played a Contemporary Rockschool Grade 1 Performance Certificate Examination and aced it with Distinction.

𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘒𝘪𝘳𝘢! 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧!

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 Liso Sobantu, a senior music student in Grade 8, for passing his Rockschool Contemporary Practical Examination with a score of 94% (Distinction).

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝗼!

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘱, 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬, 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭, 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘬, 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯, 𝘫𝘢𝘻𝘻, 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦.

Liso has shown great improvement in technique, rhythm, coordination and musical understanding. In the examination, he performed eighteen Technical Exercises, three Chord Voicing Exercises, and three Performance Pieces.

Congratulations to senior music student, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 (Grade 9), who successfully passed her recent Rockschool Practical Examinations with assurance!

Samantha played a Classical Rockschool Grade 4 Graded Certificate Examination and achieved 93% (Distinction).

𝘈 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘲𝘶𝘦, 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 20𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 21𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘺.

Well done, Samantha!

Samantha mastered the key skills up to Grade 3 and subsequently acquired greater use of technique, more complex rhythms, co-ordination and musical understanding.

For the examination, she performed sixteen Technical Exercises (with legato feel), one Stylistic Study and three Performance Pieces presented as a continuous programme.

𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙖, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠! 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩!

Interschools 2023 Results

The 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 of the Interschools clash between Union and Volkskool has once again proven to be 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗-𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧.
The two schools have been neighbours, friends and rivals for more than a 100 years and, irrespective of the outcome, this annual encounter always fosters an intense feeling of school pride while evoking a lot of emotion and excitement. This year was no exception.
𝗪𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝟱𝟮 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝗸𝘀𝗸𝗼𝗼𝗹’𝘀 𝟰𝟲.
The cultural richness emanating from the unity between our three Union Schools and the school’s unwavering commitment to the spirit of diversity, inclusivity, participation and tradition resonated profoundly throughout the contest and we’d like to extend our grateful thanks to our exceptional senior role models who set a remarkable example for our entire community this Interschools, exemplifying the values ingrained within our institution.
𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘦’𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 – 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴’ 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴 – 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘬𝘴𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘭, 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 – 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶!
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠’𝙨 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨:
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀:
• Union Junior 1st team lost 1 – 6
• Union Junior 2nd team won 5 – 2
• Union Preparatory School won 5 – 2
• Union Senior 1st team won 4 -3
• Union Senior 2nd team won 6 – 1
𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘇:
• Union won 12 – 10.
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵:
• 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴: Union High claimed first and second place
• 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴: Volkskool won first place, Union won second place
𝘂.𝟭𝟬 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀:
• Boys lost 0 – 9
• Girls won 7 – 2
𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀:
• 1st Girls Team won 7 – 2
• 2nd Girls Team won 8 – 1
• 1st Boys Team won 5 – 4
• 2nd Boys Team lost 4 – 5
𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 (𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀):
𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴
• Union 1st Team won 5 – 4
• Union 2nd Team won 8 – 1
• Union 3rd Team won 8 – 1
𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴
• Union 1st Team lost 0 – 9
• Union 2nd Team lost 0 – 9
• Union 3rd Team lost 1 – 8
𝗛𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆:
• Union u/7A lost 1 – 3
• Union u/7B lost 0 – 2
• Union u/7C lost 0 – 4
• Union u/8 B won 6 – 1
• Union u/8 A lost 0 – 11
• Union u/9 A drew 2 – 2
• Union u/9B lost 0 – 4
• Union u/10A won 5 – 0
• Union u/13B won 2 – 0
• Union u/13A drew 1 – 1
• Union u/14A drew 0 – 0
• Union u/16B won 1 – 0
• Union u/16A won 9 – 0
• Union 2nd team drew 1 – 1
• 1st team won 2 – 1
𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆:
• Union u/7A won 50 – 5
• Union u/9B lost 0 – 29
• Union u/9A lost 5 – 43
• Union u/11B lost 5 – 53
• Union u/11A won 17 – 5
• Union u/13B lost 5 – 35
• Union u/13A lost 10 – 36
• Union u/15B won 22 – 10
• Union u/14A lost 5 – 21
• Union u/15A lost 12 – 18
• Union u/16A won 8 – 7
• Union 3rd XV lost 5 – 48
• Union 2nd XV won 19 – 17
• Union 1st XV lost 6 – 39

Interschools 2023 – Match Of The Day

Each year at Interschools, there is a match that stands out from the rest – whether it’s a game that showcases the underdogs and their triumphant victory, or one in which a team claws their way back to victory after trailing by double-digit points for nearly the entire contest.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧’𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, as Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s u/16A rugby team, led by their coach Mr. Hanno Sparrius, claimed an amazing 8-7 victory.

This is the first time that a Union u/16A side has won their Interschools’ encounter since 2013, making this a truly 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 for all the boys and their parents!

𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥!

Hockey – 50 Caps

We were incredibly privileged this morning, to present seven Union High School, Graaff-Reinet 1st team hockey players – Mecoli Vorster, Leigh-Ann Murray, Misha Newton, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, Anna Pringle, Sarah Jacobs and Sade May – with their well-deserved 𝟱𝟬𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗦 before the highly anticipated Interschools clash against Volkskool.

Anna Pringle, Sade May, Sarah Jacobs, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, Mr Beck (coach), Misha Newton, Leigh-Ann Murray and Mecoli Vorster.

These exceptional athletes have shown unwavering commitment to the team since donning their 1st team kit for Union and 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮 at the school on such a momentous occasion with a small token of our appreciation.

1st Rugby 2023 Season To Date

Union vs Asherville 5-10
Union vs Muir 0-10
Union vs Middelburg 0-0
Union vs Asherville 5-13
Union vs Kirkwood 10-12
Union vs Despatch 3-15
Union vs Spandau 13-18
Union vs St Andrews Bloem 18-8
Union vs Mary Waters  26-7
Union vs Cambridge 12-5
Union vs Asherville 12-17
Union vs Muir 7-38
Union vs Cradock 13-38
Union vs Jim Fouche 24-15
Union vs Stirling 18-10
Union vs Woodrige 22-26
Union vs Burgersdorp 10-7
Union vs Graeme 3-43
Union vs Clifton 8-31
Union vs St Charles 0-57
Union vs Free State Development 63-0
Union vs Gill 5-34

1st Hockey 2023 Season To Date

Season Overview
Union first hockey team had an exceptional hockey season during the 2023 season. The girls’ demonstrated exceptional grit and resilience, refusing to back down even in the face of tough challenges posed by tough opponents. They fought for every inch of the pitch, displaying remarkable determination and a never-say-die attitude. This unwavering spirit was the driving force behind their success.

Team Strategy
The success of the first team during the hockey season can be attributed to a well-executed team strategy, which emphasized the following elements:

Strong Defense: The team emphasized on a solid defensive structure, limiting the opponent’s scoring opportunities and providing a solid foundation to outlet from: Musa Zweni; Caytah-Leigh Koeberg; Anna Pringle; Sarah Jacobs; Tara Ferreira; Kenza Neill; Leigh-Ann Murray.

Counter-attacking Principles: we demonstrated impressive attacking options, combining skillful plays and quick transitions to create quality goal scoring opportunities: Brigette Oelofsen; Leah Marais; Sade May; Micole Vorster; Misha Newton; Lana Bouwer; Aaminah Steele Charlize Vorster.

Team Cohesion: The players exhibited a high level of chemistry and understanding on and off the field, which enhanced their ability to work together as a unit and support each other throughout the season.

The excellent hockey season is a testament to the players’ talent, hard work, and dedication. Their remarkable achievements, both individually and as a team, have brought pride to the School and joy to our supporters. we look ahead to the next season, it is evident that UNION FIRST HOCKEY TEAM will continue to be a force to be reckoned with, and their success will serve as an inspiration for future generations of hockey players at the school.

Union high school 1st team girl’s hockey results 2023

The first team played a total of 36 games won 19, drew 2 and lost 15 with 51 goals against us and 62 goals for us.

24-26 FEBRUARY VOORTREKKER FESTIVAL

  1. UNION VERSUS SASOLBURG HIGH SCHOOL: LOST 5-1
  2. UNION VERSUS ST ANNES:  LOST 1-0
  3. UNION VERSUS ST STITIANS: LOST 3-0
  4. UNION VERSUS GOUDVELD: WON 2-1
  5. UNION VERSUS LADY FATIMA: WON 3-2

5 MARCH SPAR FESTIVAL

  • UNION VERSUS CRADOCK: WON 2-0
  • UNION VERSUS BRADWAG: W0N 4-0
  • UNION 0 VERSUS 2 DGS: LOST 2-0

8 MARCH

  • UNION VERSUS PEARSON HIGH SCHOOL: LOST 4-1

17-19 MARCH GREGG BEILING FESTIVAL

  1. UNION VERSUS ELDORAINE: LOST 2-1
  2. UNION VERSUS COLLEGIETE: LOST 6-1
  3. UNION VERSUS MERRIFIELD: WON 2-1
  4. UNION VERSUS SASOLBURG HIGH: DREW 1-1

31-3 APRIL UNION HIGH SCHOOL FESTIVAL

  1. UNION VERSUS LANGENHOVEN GIMNASIUM: WON 3-1
  2. UNION VERSUS VICTORIA GIRLS: WON 2-0
  3. UNION VERSUS NICO-MALAN: WON 9-0
  4. UNION VERSUS JIM FOUCHE: WON 2-0
  5. UNION VERSUS FRAMESBY: LOST 1-0

FAIRMONT EASTER FESTIVAL

  1. UNION VERSUS EDGEMEAD: DREW 0-0
  2. UNION VERSUS DURBANVILLE CURRO: LOST 3-2
  3. UNION VERSUS SOMERSET COLLEGE: LOST 4-0
  4. UNION VERSUS WORCESTER GYMNASIUM: WON 3-0
  5. UNION VERSUS STELLENBOSCH HIGH: WON 2-0
  6. UNION VERSUS HIGH SCHOOL DROTSDY: LOST 3-1
  7. UNION VERSUS SETTLERS HIGH SCHOOL: WON 2-0

SECOND AND THRIRD TERM FIXTURES

  • 22 APRIL UNION VERSUS CRADOCK: WON 5-1
  • 6 MAY UNION VS JIM FOUCHE: WON 1-0
  • 13 MAY UNION VS STIRLING: LOST 4-0
  • 20 MAY UNION VS WOODRIDGE COLLEGE: WON 2-1
  • 27 MAY UNION VS ST MICHAELS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS: WON 3-0
  • 10 JUNE.UNION  2VERSUS 0 FRAMESBY: WON 2-0
  • 16 JUNE UNION 2 VERSUS 0 QUEENSTOWN GIRLS HIGH: WON 2-0
  • 21 JULYUNION 1VS 2 KINGSWOOD: LOST 2-1
  • 22 JULY UNION 0 VS 1 DSG: LOST 1-0
  • 29 JULY UNION 1 VS YORK 2: LOST 2-1
  • 5 AUGUST UNION VS VOLKSKOOL: (tbc)
  • 10 AUGUST UNION VS DE AAR: (tbc)
  •  12 AUGUST UNION VS BRANDWAG: (tbc)