With this year’s Odyssey just around the corner, Union’s Grade 10s meet each Monday to get used to walking on rough terrain with their packs.
This enthusiastic bunch of girls enjoyed their hike yesterday afternoon on Mountain Drive. They also noted the amount of litter along the route and decided to take black bags with them next week to collect what unscrupulous people have left behind.
Little moves of kindness
How many of us have thought of doing something good for the world and making a difference in someone’s life but never found the time for it?
James Rose-Innes, a Grade 10 learner at Union High School, is not only contributing to the society in his own little way but in the process he is making use of his favourite game, chess, to make a difference! His initiative to teach the game of chess to children at Vuyani Safe Haven originated as a Life Orientation project, but in time, turned into so much more.
A little while ago, five of Vuyani’s children had no idea what chess was about and now, little over two months later, some of them are representing their respective schools in Interschools matches. “I am very grateful to the management of Vuyani for allowing me to discover these hidden talents in their kids. Without their hospitality and charitableness, this would not have been possible,” says James. “I truly believe that an educational activity such as chess can play a vital role to empower and uplift a community,” he continued. “In chess the learners are taught to think ahead and not just to make any move. Every move you make on the chess board must count – from the very first move in the opening game right through the middle game till the very last move in the end game you must think ahead. Why is it so important to think ahead in real life as in chess? If you do not think ahead and make the wrong moves (choices), such as taking drugs, the game is over and you are in checkmate!”
Union extends its thanks to Vuyani for facilitating James’ coaching sessions and for giving him the opportunity to make a difference while promoting the great game of chess.
The ground staff and cleaning ladies of Union High School and Union Preparatory School recently received brand new workwear, generously donated by GR Gear Manufacturing – represented here by Kim Spencer Primic and Arthur Langley.
The new overalls celebrate the contribution these valued members of staff have made over the years in shaping the Union Schools into what it is today.
The final trials to select the players that will represent the Chris Hani District at the upcoming South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC), were held this past Saturday, 17 August, at Union High School.
The top players from various schools in the district participated. At the end of the day’s play, nine bright Union minds were among those invited to be a part of the team.
The SAJCC, the largest junior sporting event of any sporting code in South Africa, will be held in Johannesburg from 4 to 12 January 2020. The event will involve more than 2 300 participants, between the ages of six and 19 years, from across South Africa.
The nine Unionites who will be participating in this epic battle to outsmart each other for the title of national champion in their respective age groups, are (u/18A) James Rose-Innes, Tracy Petitt, Matthew McNaughton, reserve Mihan Campbell, (u/16) Cassidy Goliad, Wade Edwards, (u/14) Na’eem Mahomed, Camran Swartz and reserve Neelan Fourie.
Union High School has an array of after-school activities. Recently, however, another activity has been added to the mix.
Union’s Crochet Club, implemented by Mrs. Hanli Rose-Innes and Mrs. Bethia Feldon, meets once a week and offers learners the opportunity to acquire the skill of crocheting, while also contributing to a charity project. Participation in the club’s activities isn’t limited to Union, with learners from Spandau Secondary School having also proven quite deft with the crochet hook.
The club’s first project was to crochet baby beanies for the patients at the Midlands Hospital – the first batch was delivered just this week.
Thanks to the support of the Prescient Foundation, the learners are able to purchase their crochet needles and wool from Loop Wool Boutique, who also supply all the necessary craft items at a welcome discount. For every four beanies a learner completes, they are rewarded with a voucher for one ball of wool, in this way they can crochet with the aim of acquiring enough wool to create something for themselves.
The club hopes to knit about 30 beanies a month.
It is apparent that the club means a great deal to the learners as many of them have put in a lot of time and effort in refining this new skill and completing their beanies.
Although the immediate goal is to produce handmade projects, it is ultimately hoped that crochet will be a lifelong gift of creativity and giving for each participant.
Union News – 22 August 2019
The UHS Behind the Scenes media team’s latest edition of ‘Union High School News’ is a very special one.
Not only does it feature a recap of Union’s Interschools activities, but it is also the very last news segment that the matric members of the team will be a part of.
As their high school careers draw to a close, we bid farewell to Peter Watermeyer, Taylyn Miller, Chevonne Prinsloo, Liano Naidoo, Chelsea Theron, Khanya Butshingi, Ethan Gedult, Sabrina Potgieter, Sihle Jali and Rosslyn Sparks.
https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/videos/741157156339613/
On Monday afternoon, 19 August, the members of Union’s senior chess team enjoyed a wonderful outing to Coldstream Restaurant.
The outing allowed the learners to break away from their regular old routine and served as a reward for their excellent efforts and great results throughout the year. Thanks to a generous sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous, the youngsters could also enjoy a meal and something to drink.
Union extends its grateful thanks to Mr. Christopher-John Koopman, who offered up his free time to assist with the coaching of these learners every opportunity he got. In addition, he spoiled the team with a delicious cake for them to share.
Outings such as this one, are very important to Union’s Chess Club as it allows people to see that chess is alive and well as an extra-curricular activity at Union and goes to show just how much every participant enjoys it.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/union-high-school-graaff-reinet/let-us-all-be-part-in-the-history-making-of-the-next-century-dr-isabel-van-der-m/2422445411159553/
It was a special occasion on Thursday evening, 15 August, at the Arthur Kingwill House annual dinner, when five young men were appointed to serve as the house prefects for 2019/20.
Jaden Brotherton was announced as the Head Boy, he is supported by Bowen Langmead (Deputy Head Boy), Sicelokuhle (SO) Sishuba, Buchele Siloti and Matthew Hesselink. Being a house prefect is the ultimate honour given in any school boarding establishment and means a great deal to all who are chosen.
With the honour of being a boarding house prefect comes great responsibility. The boys are expected to take on leadership tasks which sometimes require them to make decisions that may not be popular with their peers. This is very difficult for young men, but the badge presented to them is a symbol in the faith bestowed upon them by the school community and we are sure they will all do an excellent job!
Congratulations!
Next Saturday morning, 31 August, Union High School will be hosting a simultaneous chess tournament with local chess aficionado, Ian Kirstein.
(A simultaneous chess tournament is a contest in which one player plays multiple games at once against a number of other players.)100 players will have the opportunity to pit their skills against Ian’s formidable talent.
The event is being held to raise funds for local learners who will be participating in the South African Junior Chess Championship, which will be held from 4 to 12 January 2020 in Johannesburg.
The competition is open to any chess-loving individual – child or adult. An entry fee of R50 secures you your chess board for the competition.
Absolutely anyone is welcome to enter. If you are not planning on participating in this tournament, but would still like to make a contribution, you are welcome to sponsor a board at R50 each for someone else to play on.
To confirm your place in the competition, please contact Mrs. Hanli Rose-Innes at Union High School at rosehanli@gmail.com or 084 261 3815.
The entry fee can be paid in to the following account: ‘UHS Clearing Account’, Standard Bank, account number 082528330, branch code 050-116. Please use ‘C024’ and your name and surname as a reference.