Determined to make a mathematical difference to Maths formal learners at Union High, Ian and Katrin Alleman have hosted the top set of learners each year in the Nieu-Bethesda for the past 5 years. During this time, engineer Gustav Weich inspires these learners and expands their thinking – unravelling how exciting and stimulating maths can be. With Ian and Katrin overseas this year, Ronel and Charmaine at ‘The Karoo Lamb’ ensured that the group were fed and housed comfortably for their 2 night stay in the little village.
This year Gustav took the group into his world of structural engineering. Through his skills of simplifying what he learned studying the subject for 6 years, he taught learners how to measure the weight that the bridge can withstand per meter. Bethesda has its very own suspended footbridge, so the topic was literally and figuratively right underneath their feet! The group also explored other bridge structures and how to measure how much weight certain types of bridges can withstand – allowing them to calculate what is needed to build bridges to carry desired mass. Learner Chevonne Prinsloo said, “Maths camp was a mathematical brain adventure. We questioned our knowledge and we have grown closer as a group. Thank you to those who made us laugh, and to those who helped us solve the problems. We hope to have more adventures like this one!”
Roslyn Sparks summed up the camp in a creative manner, “ By subtracting ourselves from our ordinary lives and adding some adventure to the equation, we learned a very special type of maths this weekend. I couldn’t help but wonder that if we multiplied the time we spent there, just how much more we could have learned. Thanks to everyone who invested time in us to make this camp possible!”
Maths teacher, Elrich Jantjies, explained how they also looked at Game Theory – a common principle used in everyday life that many are unaware of. Game theory is the process of modelling the strategic interaction between two or more players in a situation containing set rules and outcomes.
Today, game theory applies to a wide range of behavioural relations, and is now an umbrella term for the science of logical decision making in human, animals and computers. Yu-Pei Rong expressed, “ I have never experienced a more intense level of frustration than sitting hours on end with a maths problem, only to find out that the answer was wrong the entire time! But maths camp has taught me resilience and perseverance and has given me the will to try again and again!”
Mr Jantjies says that each year the group does something completely different under the guidance of Gustav, but the main objective stays the same: “Even if they don’t remember everything they’ve learnt, we want learners to fall in love with mathematics, and know that it’s not about getting the right answer, but about their journey getting there. We also want the grade to grow closer and work together, because this is the way the world works.” Thanks to the generosity of people like Ian and Katrin, and the expertise of Gustav and Mr Jantjies, they have managed to achieve this over the past 5 years.
“Challenging yet motivational, I’m thankful to everyone who I shared it with and the friendly Nieu-Bethesda locals too! This weekend was certainly a reminder that even if we aren’t the best at maths, it can be fun!” (Kirsten King), and to sum it all up perfectly, Zintle Maki said, “Maths camp was phenomenal, it formed a bridge between the fun and factual side of maths. I just wish it could have been longer!”
The gentlemen of Arthur Kingwill House held their annual dinner in the Tony Burrell Union on Thursday evening, 30 August. The Union was beautifully decorated by Mrs Kingwill and the hostel matrons.
On Friday 24 August Union High’s Eco Club visited the Camdeboo Nasorgsentrum, which is excellently managed, with passion, by Marinda Colyn. They were warmly welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed playing with the little ones while Mrs Nell and Ms Street showed the teachers how to make eco bricks. Union presented the Centre with three eco brick seats that were made by the Union High learners and the materials to make one more. The teachers were very excited to learn this skill and they immediately set to work. The Eco Warriors had a wonderful time playing with the young ones and exploring their vegetable and herb garden. The Union learners gave the little ones of Camdeboo Nasorgenetrum a tasty treat, but more importantly they gave of their time and love. It was such a happy visit that the decision to visit again next term was unanimous. One cannot measure the value of giving one’s time and love but it was clearly visible in all the smiles and happy attachments formed. Thank you to the whole school for willingly taking part in the Eco Schools eco-brick project and thanks also to Mrs Nell for joining the outing.
On Thursday evening 10 senior speakers participated in the Annual Speech Competition. They delivered interesting speeches and the audience certainly enjoyed an entertaining evening.
The Union High School community is, once again, excited at the prospect of being a part of the energy of the annual Interschools clash. We are very proud of the traditions that have developed around this occasion since its inception in 1919 and we are extremely pleased to share the day with so many people who travel from all over South Africa and, for that matter, from abroad, in order to be a part of the excitement and drama that inevitably accompanies the clashes.
The build up to Interschools can never be explained, only experienced. It is a time in the life of learners when all else seems to come to a standstill and focus shifts to the rivalry that has created unforgettable memories over many years.
Mr Pringle also took the opportunity to thank the sponsors: College Motors Caltex Graaff-Reinet and Fresh Stop, Hyundai Graaff-Reinet, SupaQuick, the Desert Springs Spur, Pick n Pay, Merino Pharmacy and Mica Graaff-Reinet for their contribution in making this sports festival possible. Caltex and College Motors were the main sponsors of the event, and Clive Berlyn, CEO of Caltex Eastern Cape Marketers, and himself a proud Old Unionite, also spoke at the function. He paid special tribute to the sports coaches, managers, umpires, referees, teachers and parents, whose commitment paved the way for the youngsters to understand the importance of teamwork, dedication, determination and dealing with adversity in achieving their goals. These attributes and attitudes learned and applied in the good times and the bad, are ones that learners can develop and benefit from through the opportunity to play sport at any level.
The generous sponsorship from Caltex College Motors/ Fresh Stop and Hyundai Graaff-Reinet has afforded the Union High School and all involved this wonderful opportunity in Sport, and for this we wish to thank Mr Pierre le Grange most sincerely for his support of this highlight of the winter season. We take pride in our association with his companies.
There was plenty of excitement on Friday afternoon, 8 June, amongst the eight teams that took part in this year’s Eco-Amazing Race. Once again, SANParks and Spur also joined in and hosted stations consisting of varied and interesting eco activities.
Another notable achievement was celebrated at a function at the Scout Hall in Graaff-Reinet last Friday evening, when Cameron Muir was presented with his Springbok Award for Scouts. Cameron grew up scouting under the guidance of Bruce Maree. At a young age, he found solace in the natural world, and found his true self there. Strong and self-assured, Cameron is passionate about the outdoors and comes into his own in nature. He was also elected as Headboy at Union High where he displays true leadership skills beyond the school environment.
Two of Union’s music teachers, Mrs Sanet Brink and Mrs Zelda van Rooyen had the opportunity to attend the ATKV Applous Workshop in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
Union High School hosted a very successful chess tournament on Saturday 16 June. They invited all the primary schools in Graaff-Reinet to join them, whether they are actively playing chess at their school or not. The idea is to promote chess at all schools in Graaff-Reinet so that they can establish a dynamic chess culture in the town. This would not be possible without the generous sponsorship from the Prescient Foundation.
Riders on the Unogwaja Challenge left Willowmore on Sunday morning and will be hosted at our boarding houses tonight! Union High salutes these amazing athletes who are riding from Cape Town to Kwa-Zulu Natal, where they will then end their journey by running the Comrades Marathon, in aid of the worthy charities that they support!
“I would like to draw your attention to one of our learners, EIi Robile, who acted with absolute integrity and honesty. I was sitting in my classroom after having had a chess meeting one afternoon this week. Eli was waiting for his lift home in Caledon Street, when he noticed that the boot of my car was not properly closed. He also noticed that my handbag was in the boot. Eli closed the boot immediately and ran to me to tell me that he had closed it. He could have left it, but instead he did the right thing. I think that Eli should be commended for his honesty and integrity. Thank you, Eli!”
Mr Raymond Hamilton joins the Sports Department as Senior Sports Administrator. He has 8 years’ experience in high school teaching and 10 years’ experience coaching Rugby and Cricket at 1st team level.
Mr Alvin August joins the staff as Professional Hockey Coach. He has a Diploma in Sports Management and has represented Eastern Province Hockey and Eastern Province Age-group Cricket. Mr August is a husband, father of one child, avid sports fan and passionate Christian who loves children and coaching sport, and has extensive experience in cricket and hockey at senior level. He enjoys playing golf, and currently plays off a 12-handicap.
Congratulations to the following learners who have been selected to play for the Karoo U/15 rugby team at a tournament in Aliwal North on 22 and 23 June:
The provincial round of the Minquiz competition was held last week in Port Elizabeth where schools from the around the Eastern Cape participated. A team of three Grade 12 pupils, Amanda Brink, Michael Krige and Kelly Rose-Innes, represented Union High School at the competition.
Congratulations to the following girls on their selection to Eastern Province Hockey Teams:
