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.

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.

Bulletin

Classroom Revamp

The teachers at Union High School play vital roles in the lives of the learners in their classrooms.

And, although the school’s teachers are best known for the role of educating the children that are placed in their care, they also serve many other roles in the classroom beyond that, such as creating a warm and happy environment for the learners in which to thrive.

Mrs. Louise Vorster, who teaches Grade 6 and 7 Afrikaans and Life Orientation (LO) at Union High School, demonstrated that recently when she spruced up her classroom by painting the desks and revamping the walls.

We hope that the learners will be happy in this new learning environment she created for them.

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Don’t Bin It, Bottle It

The ongoing EcoBrick project is one of Union High School’s constant endeavours to reduce litter by recycling.  EcoBricks are constructed out of recycled 2-litre plastic bottles that are filled with all sorts of non-biodegradable waste.

Suitable materials to fill EcoBricks with include plastic bags, laminated paper, polystyrene trays, plastic fruit punnets, silvery packets from chips and chocolates, wax paper and dog-food bags.

The litter must be stuffed inside the bottles in such a compact manner, that the bottles are rock-solid and resistant to breaking and denting.  Once filled, these bottles can then be used as a “brick” from which even school buildings and houses can be built. The compressed plastic waste does not disintegrate and provides hardy support, similar to normal building bricks, but at almost no cost.  Apart from reducing the amount of trash that reaches the oceans, eco-bricks are also highly insulating and water- and fire-proof.

Each classroom at Union High School has again been tasked with creating an EcoBrick this year.  The learners are encouraged to participate, and in so doing, take personal responsibility for their plastic waste.

Bulletin

Centenary Banquet

On the occasion of the Union High School’s centenary, we request the pleasure of your company for an evening of celebration.

Tickets for the Centenary Banquet – a glittering formal dinner dance event that will be held on Friday evening, 3 May, in a Marquee on UHS’s beautiful sports grounds – are available from Mrs. Shell or Mrs. Marais at the Union High School office. Those from further afield are welcome to call the office at 049 891 0262 or send an e-mail to secretary@unionschools.co.za to reserve a ticket.

The evening will feature top class catering, a cash bar, dancing and entertainment and promises to be a most memorable event.

Tickets are limited so get yours now to guarantee that you don’t miss out!

Bulletin

Schools That Rock

The Union schools are now part of the Schools That Rock news platform.

Established in 2015, Schools That Rock – a website, promoting various school activities – is an online medium in South Africa for schools, that boosts them by publishing, not only their achievements but also their fun and games.

Since its establishment, the website has become a very popular communication medium for schools through which to share their news with South Africa and the rest of the world

Visit https://easterncapepe.schoolsthatrock.co.za/ to have a look at some of Union’s articles on the Schools That Rock (Pty) website.

Bulletin

Stands for Sports Grounds

Union High School would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mr. William Biggs who gifted the school with five 60-seater stands for our sports grounds.

These new stands will enable us to increase the spectator seating capacity next to our sports fields and in so doing, give parents, visitors and supporters a better experience when they attend sports days hosted by the school.

A word of thanks is also extended to Mr. Shawn Botha of Botha’s Garage who provided transport for the stands to the school. It is immensely appreciated.