On Tuesday, the 22nd of January, Grade 8’s and 9’s were invited to attend the first Debating/Public Speaking evening for 2019. Enthusiastic learners were encouraged to engage with peers in preparation for panel discussions on a variety of current affairs.
Those in attendance received valuable feedback from the audience and this was sure to encourage learners – building confidence in a public speaking environment under the guidance of Ms Phillips.
There was much excitement during break today as the Matrics received their invitations to the Matric Dance which takes place in a few week’s time. A whimsical …fruit drink including candy floss and jelly babies accompanied the invitations and made the occasion an auspicious one as a start to this traditional rite of passage!
Our 2019 Eco-Representatives have been elected by their peers to uphold our school’s commitment to the environment. Congratulations! We thank you for taking on this awesome responsibility and know that you will serve our school well.
Grade 5: Josh Arends; Ashleigh Shell; Mecoli Vorster; Leigh-Anne Murray
Grade 6: Emma Short; Shaakir Kazi; Erin Gedult; Aaminah Steele
Grade 7: Caytah-Leigh Koeberg; Thokozani Mpanza; Ann-Noleen Koeberg; Na’eem Mahomed
Grade 8: Hilary Jacobs; Matthew McNaughton; Caitrin Spence; Elihle Robile; Xhamla Magubeni; Andrue Victor
Grade 9: Asa Matross; Liam Langeveldt; Lauren Waddelow; Liyabona Teysie
Grade 10: Sayma Wajid; Kyle-Luke Du Preez; Kaydn Retief; Joshua Calitz; Primrose Mutapati; Tracy Petitt
Grade 11: Tsireletso Tsolo; Juandre Jaftha; Somila Batala; Liyema Sonjani
Grade 12: Chevonne Prinsloo; Ryan Hobson; Kia Hoffman; Liano Naidoo; Jenna-Mare Brotherton; Matthew Price
Please take note of all times for FOUNDERS WEEKEND on Friday! All parents, Old Unionites and friends of Union are invited to the Centenary Church Service and Centenary Walk from 8am on Friday. Please join our staff and learners for this very special morning.
The following learners played the ABRSM piano exam in 2018:
Owethu Singeni – Passed Gr 1
Erin Gedult – Passed Gr 1 with Merit
Sasha Cochrane – Passed Gr 1 with Merit
Lana Bouwer – Passed Gr 2
Caytah-Leigh Koeberg – Passed Gr 3
Caitrin Spence – Passed Gr 4
Chloe Shires – Passed Gr 5 with Merit
Barbara McNaughton – Passed Gr 5
Hannah Watermeyer – Passed Gr 5
Shayna Japhta – Passed Gr 5
Jamie Jaftha – Passed Gr 5 with Merit
Jenna McNaughton – Passed Gr 7 with Merit
The following learners represented the local district Chess team at the SAJCC (South African Junior Chess Championship) in December 2018 and are awarded the following:
Liano Naidoo – Full Colours – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC and won 3 matches at SAJCC
Harun Wajid – Half Colours – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC
James Rose-Innes – Merit Certificate – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC and won 3 matches at SAJCC
Tracy Pettit – Merit Certificate – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC
Yesterday, our brand new Primary Marimba band learned their first song. You can see the concentration on their faces as they try to remember the rhythms, notes and sequences. Max Blank, our exchange student from Salisbury Cathedral is especially proud to be part of the band this term and to learn a new instrument. He quickly caught on to the melody and played it almost flawlessly. Our Marimba band is looking forward to making more music together!
Our branded Centenary Rugby Balls, seen here with Senior Sports Administrator, Mr Raymond Hamilton, have arrived! These match balls will be used at home matches throughout the season.
With Union committed to embracing their surrounding environment as a part of the education of their learners, the Grade 8 Orientation camp plays an important part in introducing the youngest members of the high school to the environmental ethos of the school. 71 excited grade 8s set off early on Thursday morning with the guides from the Camdeboo National Park, staff and prefects, and hiked to the Education Centre tucked behind Spandau. It was tough going in the extreme heat, and teamwork and encouragement got everyone to their destination. After lunch the grade 8s engaged in activities with educational team from the National Park, as well as a series of specially designed tasks that facilitated them working together as a grade and co-operating with the senior mentoring system in the school.
This was an excellent opportunity for the senior leaders of the school and boarding houses to get to know their young charges. Respect, dignity, care and co-operation are also key factors to becoming a Unionite, and our leaders stressed this throughout their time together.
The grade 8s arrived home hot and tired on Friday having gleaned a little more about the Union way of life. Grateful thanks are extended to the team at the Camdeboo National Park, Miss van Rensburg and Mr Ittershagen-Strauss, Mrs Sullivan and Mr Kingwill for food and logistics and the prefects who gave of their all to make the Orientation camp such a success.
Tiekieaand is an age-old tradition at Union. Traditionally one of the major events for the grade 11 fundraising committee, it serves 2 functions:
1. For the entire Prep and Middle School to have an evening of good old fashioned fun together under the guidance of the grade 11s.
2. For the Grade 11s to learn about planning and executing a money making event in real life!
Much fun was had by all as they had their faces painted, played pillow fights, did some… dancing, threw some sponges at seniors and staff, tried their luck at tombola and indulged in tasty treats.
The grade has worked so well together, pulling great things out of hats, (including 2 Tiekaands within a few monts of each other!) and is well on their way to achieving their target.
Please support their efforts in the next few weeks – the Mother-Daughter tea is their next event.
