Join us for a magical ”๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ’ ๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด staged by theย Union High School, Graaff-Reinetย Primary Department.
๐๐น๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐น๐ต๐ณ๐ข๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข๐ณ๐บ ๐ต๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ 5 ๐ต๐ฐ 7 ๐ฑ๐ช๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ด, ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ค๐ถ๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ท๐ฐ๐ค๐ข๐ญ๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ด on Wednesday evening, 12 June, at 18:00 in the Union High School Hall.
Don’t miss this unforgettable musical celebration!
Early Wednesday morning, 17 April (in fact, as early at 04:30!) saw an enthusiastic gathering at Union High School, Graaff-Reinet as the school’s boarders participated in a spirited ๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ก.
The event – which was inspired by this year’s Olympic Games – aligned with the start of the 2024 Olympic Torch Run, which commenced in the historic city of Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday, 16 April.
๐ฟ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐๐๐๐จ, the Grade 5 to 12 boarders from Arthur Kingwill House and Herby Arnott House embarked on an invigorating 8km relay along the R63 route into Graaff-Reinet.
After having navigated the darkness, the spirited runners were met by the younger residents of Max Kroon House outside the Union Pre-School as dawn broke, joining forces for the final stretch onto the school grounds.
๐ผ๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ช๐จ, ๐๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐๐จ’ “๐พ๐๐๐ง๐๐ค๐ฉ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ง๐,” the torch was ceremoniously passed to hostel head prefects, Joy Merifield and Sobuhle Nyambali, who ignited the cauldron in a blaze of excitement.
Following this, the participants were treated to a delectable bacon and egg breakfast bun at the Tony Burrell Union before commencing their regular school day.
We extend our grateful thanks to Mr and Mrs Kingwill for arranging this wonderful event, the local traffic department for their assistance and to all the members of staff who assisted!
Earlier today, Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s Grade 11 Geography learners enjoyed an educational outing to the Valley of Desolation, led by their teacher, Mrs Danelle Botes.
Filled with anticipation and curiosity, the learners eagerly delved into the rugged terrain, putting their classroom knowledge into practice. With Mrs Botes guiding them, they navigated through the unique geological formations, marveling at the towering dolerite columns that characterize the valley.
With manic choreography, light-hearted humour, an amusing love story and sweet, singable songs, Union High School, Graaff-Reinetโs 2024 stage production โ โSeven Brides For Seven Brothersโ – offered a warm and lighthearted evening out to all those lucky enough to have secured a ticket for the show.
Along the way, the audience was treated to some irresistibly lively dancing and more than a few laughs as Milly guided Adam and his brothers through the wilderness of etiquette and courtship to the peaceful valley of requited love.
Caytah-Leigh Koeberg played lead bride Milly and Finn Cilliers portrayed lead brother Adam Pontipee.
Of the brothers, Gideon was played by Peter Michaels, Benjamin by Naโeem Mahomed, Caleb by Dylan Kivedo, Daniel by Josh Basson, Ephraim by Dumisa Mala, and Frank by Peter Michaels. (๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ช๐น ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ท๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ถ๐ฏ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏโ๐ด ๐ด๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ค ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ช๐ฏ๐จ, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ข ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต.)
Of the brides, Alice was played by Amber Bezuidenhout, Dorcas by Lolitha Saki, Ruth by Lelomso Ngceba, Liza by Aaminah Steele, Martha by Jemae-Mari Davids, and Sarah by Joy Merifield.
๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ง๐จ ๐ผ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ก๐ก๐ ๐๐ช๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง, ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ค-๐๐ฃ๐-๐๐๐ก๐-๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐จ๐จ๐ก๐ฎ, highlighting the heart-warming essence of the story, with each member of the ensemble bringing depth and vibrancy to the stage, captivating the audience with their strong vocals and harmonious melodies.
The infectious energy of the Going Courtinโ sequence, where Milly teaches the brothers proper manners and dance moves, resonated long after the curtains closed, leaving smiles etched on the faces of all those in attendance. The town social scene, brimming with lively dance-offs and comedic antics, also stood out as a true highlight, showcasing the talent of our performers.
Moreover, the fight choreography was fun with lots of moments where the brothersโ tendency to break out into a brawl made the audience laugh.
Overall, the cast of brothers, brides, competing suitors and townfolk – in fact too many talented learners to mention – delivered an uplifting visual feast – the only thing missing was an invitation to get up there and join the party!
๐๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น, ๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ๐ป’๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐น๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ. Their passion and dedication shone brightly on stage, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of witnessing their artistry.
Congratulations to ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ฒ๐, a Grade 10 music student, for passing her recent ABRSM Performance Grade 5 Examination with an impressive 83% (Merit).
Samantha performed four pieces seamlessly, demonstrating excellent stage presence and confidence, as noted by the examiner.
Congratulations to ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐น๐, a Grade 11 music sturdent, for passing her ABRSM Grade 6 Performance Graded Practical Examination with a score of 81% (Merit).
She also showcased her ability to improvise and showed maturity and authenticity in her performances.
Erin’s music educator, Ms Zelda Oosthuizen, praised her diligent work, especially considering that Erin takes music as an additional module while still achieving subject music standard.
The Union Schools’ rugby coaches, from prep school through to high school level, had the privilege of attending ๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ “๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐ณ-๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐” ๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ this afternoon.
The session, held on the Union High School, Graaff-Reinet sports grounds, was presented by Decision Making & Scrumhalf Specialist Coach, Deon de Kock, from Ratel Rugby Academy.
A scrum-half himself, De Kock was capped twice for the Springboks on the 2001 tour of Europe and the United States. He debuted off the bench against Italy in Genoa and was starting scrum-half against the United States in Houston. De Kock also played in the Super 12 for the Bulls and Lions during his career.
Our coaches and players were fully engaged in the interactive session, as the knowledge and expertise shared by coach Deon de Kock was truly exceptional.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น๐ ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ณ๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ Coach Deon de Kock for sharing his expertise with our boys and coaches.
“Despite our initial intention to conduct this workshop on a much larger scale, we are appreciative that we were able to deliver it to our coaches. We eagerly anticipate organising future clinics that will encompass a wider range of positions and include all enthusiastic coaches from the larger community,” stated Union’s Head of Junior Sport, Mr Mpilo Njoloza.
Picture a wall filled with hundreds of plaques inscribed with moving, humorous and inspiring messages at the heart of our campus.
Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s new ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐๐ง will serve as a continuation of our ‘Legacy Plaque’ project featured on the perimeter wall of our school and will provide additional opportunity for alumni, staff, learners and families to make their long-lasting mark and to become part of Union history, at the same time boosting support for Unionโs fundraising endeavours.
๐๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ฑ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐พ๐๐ฒ, your personalised metal plaque (sized 15cmx15cm) can record you or your childโs time at the school; celebrate your reunion; carry an inspirational message to future learners; contain a fun quote, or a dedication to the person(s) who most inspired you here or elsewhere.
PLEASE NOTE: The Legacy Project will be unveiled during this yearโs Interschools. Deadline for this yearโs plaques is June 30th. Contact uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za with any queries.
The 35th annual ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐๐ด๐ฏ๐ & ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น at Union High School, Graaff-Reinet began with a festive cocktail function in the Tony Burrell Union this evening, Thursday, 21 March.
Meanwhile, the coaches and managers relished in great company and savoured the delicious eats prepared by the Union moms.
๐๐๐๐จ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ซ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐๐ช๐ก ๐ค๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐จ๐จ ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐๐ to all those who are attending the festival and to wish them the best for the exciting three days of competition ahead.
It was also a chance to extend heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors – Bothaโs Garage and Astron Energy Eastern Cape – and the hardworking individuals behind the scenes who made this event possible.
Mr Dewald Niemand (Cluster Manager of Astron Energy Eastern Cape), Mr Patrick Piater (Regional Sales and Operations Manager of Eyona Energy), Union High School Headmaster Mr William Pringle and Mr Shawn Botha of Botha’s Garage at Thursday evening’s cocktail evening.
ย ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ at 082 927 0282 or e-mail jenmayhope@gmail.com to secure your spot.
