A bunch of matrics enjoyed the bizarre, yet fun, tradition of cross-dressing in their uniforms today (Thursday, 3 October) to mark their last full day of school before they commence with their final examinations.
The Class of 2019 Valedictory Ceremony will be held tomorrow, Friday, 4 October at 11:00 in the school hall.
Union High School’s swimming pool, which underwent extensive maintenance and repair work during the winter months, is finally ready to help beat the heat this swimming season.
The first lesson of the season, held yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 3 October) was terrific, with 25 excited learners taking the plunge and getting back into action.
An enormous word of thanks is extended to everyone who worked tirelessly to get the swimming pool ready for use, especially to Mr Donald Kingwill and his hardworking ground staff.
On Tuesday evening, 1 October, Union High School’s Grade 12 class of 2019 were welcomed into a new chapter of their Union story as they were inducted into the Old Unionites Association (OUA).
Held at the Tony Burrell Union, this annual event saw all the matrics gathered together for what might most-likely be one of the very last times they will be spending time together as a class.
The Grade 12s were welcomed by Headmaster Mr William Pringle, after which they were addressed by guest speaker Mr Kevin Watermeyer, an OUA committee member and father of this year’s Headboy, Peter Watermeyer.
Mr Watermeyer shared with the learners some very special words of wisdom, encouraging them to always return to their Alma Mater and to remember the values instilled in them during their years at Union High School.
The evening culminated in each Grade 12 learner receiving a OUA lifetime membership card and a small gift, where after they were all treated to a tasty dinner.
Not everyone is cut out to be an accountant. You need to enjoy both technology and numbers as well as working with people and being a leader. You need to be able to sweat the details, yet understand the big business picture.
Aside from a penchant for numbers, do you have the personality it takes to be an accountant?
This was a question a group of Grade 11 aspiring accountants were asking themselves during a recent educational excursion to Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, aimed at providing the learners with a better understanding of how accounting is used in a business environment.
The group left Graaff-Reinet early Wednesday morning, 18 September, for their 3-day trip.
Although the learners had to get up long before the sun decided to make its appearance, the fun got off to a quick start with a lot of singing, laughing and what must have been close to a million ‘selfies’ being taken on the bus, while the kids munched on their packed breakfasts.
Upon their arrival in Port Elizabeth, the group stopped at Pioneer Foods where they were taken on a very informative tour of the SASKO factory. After the tour, they were given free goody bags and treated to some snacks.
The learners then enjoyed lunch at the Greenacres Shopping Centre’s food court, which was followed by a seminar at KPMG – an international accounting firm.
Here, the learners were lectured about the challenges and benefits of the real accounting world.
The guesthouse they stayed in for the duration of the excursion, the Treetops Guesthouse, was very accommodating and all enjoyed their stay tremendously. Union extends its thanks to the establishment for their efforts in ensuring the learners’ comfort.
Day 1 was concluded with an eventful evening at the Boardwalk.
Day 2 turned out to be just as, if not more, educational and fun as Day 1.
The learners visited the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) plant in Uitenhage and attended a seminar at NMU hosted by Dr Heloise Sathorar, the Head of Program, B Ed FET/PGCE at NMU.
It most-definitely had the learners thinking about their future and the all-important decisions they need to make. Here, the learners also received gift packs and a packed lunch which they thoroughly enjoyed.
The group then spent their last night in Port Elizabeth at the Baywest Mall where they enjoyed a lovely sit-down dinner. The learners bonded over their shared love of accounting and got to know each other better as they enjoyed some delicious pizzas.
The excursion was concluded with a day at the beach on Friday, 20 September. Although the weather wasn’t ideal, the learners made the most of the opportunity.
A special word of thanks is extended on behalf of the learners by Meghan Basson, “We all would like to thank Mr Christopher Felix and his lovely wife for allowing us to have this experience – we hope to go on a similar, if not more exciting, trip next year”.
This trip succeeded in providing the learners with a better, more complete understanding of what the job of an accountant actually entails and the problems they might face when working in one of those jobs.
Union extends its thanks to everyone who made it possible for the learners to go on this excursion and especially to the learners for their impeccable behaviour throughout!
Well-done to Erin Gedult on passing her ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Grade 2 Piano examination with distinction!
Grade 7 ladies treated to tea… and some life lessons
The girls in Union’s Grade 7R class were recently invited to afternoon tea at the Drostdy Hotel by their class teacher, Mrs Hanli Rose-Innes.
With femicide and gender-based violence making headlines these past few weeks, Mrs Rose-Innes used this opportunity to discuss these very relevant issues with the girls. She also spoke to them about proper conduct around boys.
In addition to this, the girls enjoyed a lively discussion about proper manners and etiquette.
As a keepsake, Mrs Rose-Innes presented the girls with a ribbon that they could wear to school that serves as a reminder that being a woman is incredible – it’s exciting, inspiring and empowering!
Union High School 1st XI to play in the Cape Schools’ Cricket Week 2019:
Front row: Luke McNaughton, Jaden Brotherton, coach Stephen Bezuidenhout, Trevor Moos and Zusakhe Ngwane.
Back row: MJ Newton, Kyle-Luke du Preez, James Pienaar, Matthew Hesselink, Caerwyn Spence, Lunga Zantsi, Bowen Langmead, Brett Amsterdam and Thembelihle Mxhunyelwa.
Good luck!
MERIT CERTIFICATE FOR CULTURE:
Amber Bezuidenhout
Anna Bouwer
Ashleigh Shell
Balisa Mduduma
Jemma Grootboom
Katelyn Trollip
Leigh-Ann Murray
Liyabona Ndamase
Megan Miller
Melissa Naude
Rebecca Copeman
Sakeenah Hajie
Samantha Charles
Sinelizwe Mcilongo
Taegen Hamid
Tristan Hope
Aaminah Steele
Anna-May Hayes
Hlumelo Kwini
Leshay Fourie
Noah Edwards
Simo Booysen
Tara Ferreira
Terry Mabuni
ACHIEVEMENT BAR FOR CULTURE:
Azisa Mduduma
Erin Gedult
Khumo (Kananelo) Kometsi
Sasha Cochrane
Zara Deysel-Douman
Ann-Noleen Koeberg
Caytah-Leigh Koeberg
Dumisa Mala
Max Price
Owethu Singeni
Tyra Binney
Vivian McEwan
ACHIEVEMENT BAR FOR CHESS:
Neelon Fourie
Camran Swartz
Na’eem Mahomed
SENIOR DEPARTMENT AWARDS
MERIT CERTIFICATE FOR CULTURE:
Anna Pringle
Arno Nel
Brigette Oelofsen
Cadee Arends
Caitrin Spence
Lana Bouwer
Asa Matross
Lisakhanya Mata
Musawenkosi Kedamile
Lisakhanya Mvandaba
Precious Nobula
Simamkele Soyana
Yandisa Sinyanya
Keratile Nqabeni
Asemahle Wellman
Ayabulela Goliath
Buhlebethu Rolomane
TEAM AWARD FOR CULTURE:
Shayna Japhta (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Benito Vers
Lwambeso Majiza
Tumelo Teys
Elizabeth Afful-Packson
Jemimah Mangunda
Chantelle Bantom (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Mekisha Manzana (Grade 10 – away on Odyessey)
Siphe (Sipheyena) Gwenxane (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Zoë May (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
HALF COLOURS FOR CULTURE:
James Rose-Innes (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Ethan Gedult
FULL COLOURS FOR CULTURE:
Hannah Watermeyer (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Lathitha Ngcwangu (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Melissa Swart (Grade 10 – away on Odyssey)
Jade Shires
Khanya Butshingi
Kiah Hoffman
Sabrina Potgieter
Siphesihle Jali
Zintle Maki
Jenna McNaughton (Re-award)
Taylyn Miller (Re-award)
Peter Watermeyer (Re-award)
The members of the 2018/19 prefect body enjoyed a fun evening with the newly elected 2019/20 prefects in the Tony Burrell Union on Monday evening, 16 September.
The evening saw the prefects engage in several fun activities and games, during which the old prefects sharing some of the knowledge they’ve acquired and lessons they’ve learned over the past year with the newly inducted prefects.
Steve and Belinda Grewar recently gifted Union High School a large canvas, with a scriptural reference that reads as follows:
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3”
The canvas was mounted in the school’s main quad and bears testament to the school’s inherent Christian ethos which is promoted in all aspects of school life.
The school thanks them for this thoughtful gesture!