Academic, Bulletin

Learner Excels In Book Review Competition

Learners from all seven municipal regions within the Sarah Baartman district gathered in Addo on Thursday morning, 5 March, to compete on a district-level in a national reading competition.

This was the third round of a competition held to commemorate the 2020 SA Library Week, organised by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture.

Avid reader James Rose-Innes – a Grade 11 learner at Union High School – managed to outperform his competitors in the first two rounds of the competition to claim the honour of representing the Dr Beyers Naudé municipal region at this event.

James competed in the Book Review category which assessed the learners’ reading and comprehension abilities. Here he was given two minutes to review the book ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe.

James made the municipality and school exceptionally proud with his performance, placing third overall in the district.

James received a laptop bag, pen and wristwatch for his efforts.

Well done, James!

Bulletin

Matric Farewell 2020

On Wednesday evening, 18 March, the Botanics Sports Club will host one of the most exciting and glamorous nights of the year for Union High School’s bright-eyed soon-to-be high school graduates – the 2020 Matric Farewell.

The school extends and invitation to all those interested, to come and watch as the youngsters arrive at the event, emerging in their red carpet worthy outfits from rumbling hot rods, Italian exotics, supercars and the classics, to the dazzle of camera flashes, cheering and ululating crowds.

• Viewing tickets are available at R30 each from Mrs Elsebe Moos at Union High School’s reception.

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Eco Reps 2020

Every year, a representative of each class at Union High School is chosen to serve as Eco Representative.

These enthusiastic environmentally-minded learners are then tasked with raising awareness about ecological issues, encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour among their peers and planning related events and activities at the school.

Union’s 18 Eco-Reps for 2020 were announced and presented with their badges at Assembly this morning.

Congratulations to all those chosen to serve this year, they are:

Grade 5: Jordan Koeberg and Zoë Liesing
Grade 6: Rebecca Copeman and Ashleigh Shell
Grade 7: Tara Ferreira and Erin Gedult
Grade 8: Caytah-Leigh Koeberg (absent) and Imitha Nkwintya
Grade 9: Lwanda Ntlonti, Kaitlin Kenmuir and Precious Nobula
Grade 10: Tessa James, Sisipho Arnols and Liyabona Binqela
Grade 11: Primrose Mutapati and Tanya Mataba (absent)
Grade 12: Juandre Jaftha and Erin O’Halloran

The new Eco-Reps are seen here with the teacher in charge of this initiative, Mrs Danelle Botes.

May they inspire all to actively engage in practices of energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction, reuse, recycling and environmentally preferable purchasing!

Bulletin

Historic Moment

Historic moment as time capsule is buried

To mark the Union Schools’ 100th year, a time capsule was recently buried on campus, leaving a gift for future generations to unearth.

The capsule, which is to be opened in 50 years, is laden with memorabilia of the school’s 100th birthday celebrations – among other items – and it is hoped that it will provide future generations with the opportunity to see what life was like at the school today.

The time capsule was placed in the ground by the school’s principal, Mr William Pringle and the Headgirl and Headboy, Sakhe Booi and Bowen Langmead.

The space that was chosen lies beneath the Centenary Arch and is marked by a special plaque for all to see.

While many of the school’s birthday celebrations during last year were about looking back at the impressive history of the school, the burial of this time capsule served as a time for reflection on the future direction of the school and its journey towards success.

Bulletin

Stoep Tasting Accommodation

Due to the overwhelming demand for accommodation for the 2020 Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend, Union High School has made Arthur Kingwill House, one of the school’s boarding establishments, available for the weekend.

Single rooms, sharing rooms and dormitories (for group bookings) are available.

Anyone planning on visiting Graaff-Reinet for Stoep Tasting 2020 over the weekend of 29 to 31 May, are urged to contact Mrs Lyn Rose-Innes via WhatsApp at 082 572 2194 or by e-mail at roseinnes@intekom.co.za as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Bulletin, Cultural

Project ‘Love Sandwiches’ Gains Momentum

It was with much anticipation that Union High School’s Grade 9 learners arrived at school on Wednesday morning, 19 February.

It was their turn to participate in the Interact Club’s ‘Love Sandwiches’ project, so they arrived at school bright and early with all their necessary sandwich-making supplies in hand and – most importantly – a can-do attitude!

The learners, who were challenged to make as many sandwiches as possible in an hour’s time for Graaff-Reinet’s impoverished residents, managed to set a new record of 743 sandwiches!

Since its inception at the start of the term, the Interact Club watched with amazement as their project gained momentum with more and more sandwiches being delivered by the school’s respective grades each week.

“We are so proud of all our learners, teachers and parents for supporting this project so wholeheartedly,” said the Interact Club’s Teacher-in-Charge, Mrs Abigail Gedult.

The 743 sandwiches were delivered that same afternoon to the Camdeboo Hospice, the Umasizakhe and Horseshoe Clinics as well as the Khanyisa Day Care Centre.

“It was truly overwhelming for our Interact members to see the joy on every recipient’s face when they delivered the sandwiches,” concluded Mrs Gedult.

• Click on the following link to find out more about this project: http://bit.ly/LoveSandwiches

Academic, Bulletin

Gr 9 Learners Attend Performing Arts Workshop

Learners discover the wonder of improv

Last week, during their Creative Arts lesson, Union High School’s Grade 9s participated in a Performing Arts workshop, facilitated by Mrs Paula Kingwill.

This workshop was aimed at teaching the learners about improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv.

During their session with Mrs Kingwill, the learners were taught about connecting the art of improv with the adventure of everyday living, personal growth and creativity (with frequent bursts of laughter, of course).

They were also taught about different dramatic techniques, taking on a new character and lifting each other up as a group.

An inspirational and uplifting time was had by all and Union looks forward to the improvisations they will create as a part of their upcoming assessment.

Bulletin

UHS Cultivates Love of Reading

At Union, we’re obsessed with cultivating a love of reading in our learners!

It is, therefore, always wonderful to see a learner on campus with their nose deep in a book!

Seen here is Lebone Raula enjoying Maggie Stiefvater’s ‘The Raven King’, one of the many high-quality books available to learners at the school’s library.

Bulletin

Gappies Enjoying UK

Old Unionites Jenna McNaughton and Christine Harris – Class of 2019 – are enjoying a wonderful Gap year at Salisbury Cathedral School in England this year.

While abroad, they are soaking up all the new experiences and having a blast taking in the beautiful sights.