The grade 10 Geography learners investigated the factors affecting climate change and global warming this term. Raising awareness of these issues with our learners is the first step towards trying to make a difference.
In Geography this term the Grade 11s explored “Drought and Desertification”. The learners applied their knowledge of these environmental issues to: identify places in Africa that are at risk for drought and desertification, discover the causes of it, and discuss management strategies to contain or rectify it.
On 21 February the Grade 10 Tourism class of Union High School visited the Drostdy Hotel. The learners were welcomed by the Food and Beverage manager, Mr Izak van Rooyen. He gave them a tour of the 5-star facility and enriched them with information about the history of the hotel. The in-room technology of this establishment was something that the learners had only seen in books. The key-card gives access to all facilities in the room and it switches everything off within 10 minutes of leaving the room. The heated towel rails were just one of the luxuries that stood out in the bathrooms. Learners were informed of what is needed to qualify for 5-star grading by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. The facilities and surrounding areas are of the finest quality. This was a wonderful experience. Many learners hope to be in the position to stay at or maybe even own a hotel like this one day.
This year the date of the Matric Farewell Dance was brought forward to February, setting the tone for a year of beauty, unity and the hope of some Rain for our Matric class of 2019! The Grade 11’s had the challenging task of raising as much money as they could in a very short time, and under pressure pulled off an excellent event very close to the start of the year.
The venue changed to the Botanics, which proved to be a fitting backdrop to showcase the beautiful young ladies and handsome gentlemen as they alighted from their carefully selected modes of transport against the backdrop of the Karoo. Parents and supporters streamed in to view the Matrics and their partners as they were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Ashwon Davids, Brett Amsterdam and William Kayster.
Head convenors Bowen Langmead and Jade Shires led the cavalcade
Head prefects Jenna McNaughton and Peter Watermeyer and ther partners arrived in style
On entering the outside venue, delicious canapés made by Muller House were served under a starry sky and welcome drinks were enjoyed by all on this sultry summer’s evening. The outside courtyard had been transformed into an elegant welcome lounge and the guests had some time to admire one another’s outfits and mingle with their classmates and teachers. The theme this year was ‘Rain’ which was made evident on entering the Botanics hall. Puffy clouds with ploppy drops swirled around the gorgeous dresses as they entered the venue. The hall had been transformed into an elegantly simple celebration of rain, with an installation of 100 umbrellas forming a fitting centrepiece over the dancefloor. The décor was light, white and elegant – a perfect backdrop to the trending colours of maroon, teal and deep reds in which the matrics were adorned.
Head convenor, Jade Shires welcomed the guests before Head Girl Jenna McNaughton paid tribute to the grade – reminding everyone that this was the beginning of a wonderful year, and a start to beautiful memories. Hoër Volkskool Headboy, Chris Burger, gave a speech of gratitude and Bowen Langmead said grace before the meal. Muller house provided a delicious feast of fillet steaks and chicken pie, and the dessert was out of this world – complete with a delicious raindrop! Decorating and raising funds aside, the Grade 11s also performed a fun dance which fitted well with the theme of ‘rain’, and grateful thanks go to Mrs Putter who choreographed the dancers. Then the dancing began! As always, the dancing is always a colourful mix of all styles and music, and everyone had a ball! Towards the end of the evening, Sakhe Booi made a speech of gratitude to all those who had made the evening possible, and a beaming Lauren Rose-Innes proposed a toast to ‘The amazing class of 2019’!
The Matric Dance is an important rite of passage in the lives of all matriculants. It is a celebration of precious children on the cusp of adulthood and much thought and energy is put into each little detail from the dress to the shoes, to the tiepin, hair, makeup and hat and car. Congratulations to the Grade 11 committee, Ms Vona van Rensburg and the team of hardworking parents who provided the platform for this night to remember, ‘Dancing in the Rain.’’
Matrics class of 2019The grade 11s worked hard this week to create a beautiful venue for the Matric Dance. The theme was ‘Rain’ and the Botanics hall was transformed into a place of elegance and beauty! Well done grade 11’s!
The two upstairs bathrooms at Herby Arnott House are currently being renovated by Colin Warner Plumbing. The girls’ boarding House was officially opened in 1959 and has served the school and its community faithfully over all these years.
Now it is time to give the inside of the building a facelift and our girls will be able to make use of two refurbished modern bathrooms. The bathrooms will be ready for use by the beginning of term 2 of this year.
Mr Kingwill supervising the groundstaff who are planting one hundred pallets of grass on the Puttick and Murray Field cricket pitches. We are grateful to the Old Unionite Association for financing this project and to Montego Pet Nutrition who transported the grass to Graaff-Reinet from the South-Western Cape. The persistent drought and the quality of available water has had a devastating effect on our cricket pitches.
The Eco Club learns about water and land management from Rosemary Scheepers at the Camdeboo National Park. They also had fun modelling with clay from the Sundays River.
Each year, on Valentine’s day, the Arthur Kingwill House gentlemen invite the Herby Arnott House ladies (and the Max Krooners!), over to their lawn for a sunset picnic. Mr Kingwill and Mr Sullivan welcomed everyone and paid tribute to our amazing house mothers and matrons, and a beautiful evening was enjoyed by one and all!
The grade 10 Geography learners investigated the factors affecting climate change and global warming this term. Raising awareness of these issues with our learners is the first step towards trying to make a difference.
In Geography this term the Grade 11s explored “Drought and Desertification”. The learners applied their knowledge of these environmental issues to: identify places in Africa that are at risk for drought and desertification, discover the causes of it, and discuss management strategies to contain or rectify it.
Mr Kingwill supervising the groundstaff who are planting one hundred pallets of grass on the Puttick and Murray Field cricket pitches. We are grateful to the Old Unionite Association for financing this project and to Montego Pet Nutrition who transported the grass to Graaff-Reinet from the South-Western Cape. The persistent drought and the quality of available water has had a devastating effect on our cricket pitches.
