Union’s Grade 6 learners set off on their annual excursion to Kirkwood this morning, Monday, 2 September.
Upon their arrival at the African Imprint Outdoor Centre on the banks of the Sundays River, the fun immediately got underway with the group of experienced facilitators putting the learners through their paces in a variety of tasks which test their agility, skills, perseverance and team spirit. We hope the learners enjoy the next couple of days and make lasting memories!
DAY 1
DAY 2
Union’s Grade 6 learners are having a muddy ball on Day 2 (Tuesday, 3 September) of their Kirkwood excursion.
DAY 3
The Grade 6s are on their way home after an action-packed couple of days in Kirkwood.
Before hitting the road, however, they managed to fit in a quick early morning rowing session.
Union’s Grade10s are getting stronger and fitter by the week.
Today they walked Mountain Drive with heavy-laden backpacks to get used to the weight on their shoulders in preparation for this year’s Odyssey adventure.
At this time, two weeks from now, they will be setting up camp for their second night in the canyon.
This past Saturday, 31 August, Union High School hosted the first ever simultaneous chess exhibition to be played in the Karoo.
The only learner who managed to beat Kirstein, was Rowan Swemma from Asherville Secondary School – he walked away with a handsome prize of R500.
The competition saw chess aficionado, Mr. Ian Kirstein, playing against 40 chess-loving individuals – at the same time! Kirstein had to walk from player to player, making his moves after only having had a short chance to assess the board. His competitors, however, had plenty of time to consider their position and strategy while he was playing the other 39 players.
The day’s longest match lasted 3½ hours, while the majority of the matches lasted 2½ hours. Kirstein didn’t falter under the pressure and managed to win 36 out of the 40 matches. He conceded two matches to chess coaches JP Kruger (Union High School) and Morne Naudé (Karel Theron Primêre Skool).
The only learner who managed to beat Kirstein, was Rowan Swemma from Asherville Secondary School – he walked away with a handsome prize of R500. The last match of the day ended in a draw, with Siphosethu Fortuin playing ’till the bitter end.
This was an inspiring morning of pure chess brilliance and Union would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions that made this event possible: the Prescient Foundation, Blue Magnolia Nursery, Drostdy Toyota, Mrs. Kruger, Dr. Larson, Mrs. Jill Rose-Innes and Karoo Living.
Union hopes to, in future, host more events of this nature to promote chess in the district.
This past weekend, a maths retreat in Nieu-Bethesda proved a winning formula for Union High School’s Grade 11s.
During this annual excursion, the learners do more than just the regular run-of-the-mill high school mathematics. Here, they take a look at the world of mathematics beyond what is covered in the syllabus.
During this year’s camp, the Grade 11s built their confidence in the Fibonacci Sequence, The Golden Ratio and two and three-dimensional fractiles. The learners also had some time to apply their knowledge of Grade 11 mathematics by solving problems and cracking codes which were designed by maths teacher, Mr. Elrich Jantjies.
On Saturday, 31 August, they took a walk to find fractiles in the real world – this activity was however cut short by rain. Most of the learners then made use of this time to study for their upcoming tests. Later that evening, they watched a movie called “Hidden Figures” which they all found very inspirational.
Every year, this maths camp is a tremendous success and thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. It would, however, not be possible without the generosity and kindness of Ian and Katrin Alleman and their staff, who always host and accommodate the group at their backpacker accommodation establishment in Nieu-Bethesda.
At Union, we continuously strive to nurture a love of reading among our learners by providing them with access to current and relevant collections of fiction and non-fiction books at the school library.
Although Union has wholeheartedly embraced the digital revolution, the school’s traditional library services remain strongly integrated into the learning fabric of the school.
Author Alan Landau
It therefore goes without saying that we were extremely excited when we were recently gifted two complete sets of the Langbourne novels by author Alan Landau.
The Langbourne novels, a series of five books, consist of: #1 Langbourne, #2 Langbourne’s Rebellion, #3 Langbourne’s Empire, #4 Langbourne’s Evolution and #5 Langbourne’s Loyalty.
All five books reached Amazon’s Top 10 Best Seller List shortly after being released.
Based on a true story, the learners at Union will undoubtedly enjoy following David and Morris Langbourne on their epic African adventure.
#1 Langbourne:
Fleeing persecution in Poland, a young Jewish family settled in England where two brothers (aged only 15 and 16) begin work in a cigarette factory. Enduring poverty and scant support from their father after their mother dies, the brothers, Morris and David, decide to take matters into their own hands and set sail for Africa. Without friend or family at their destination, they start a tobacco business and learn to adapt to the way of life, the cultures and wildlife of a very new and strange world.
#2 Langbourne’s Rebellion:
After selling their tobacco business, Morris and David set off to open a business as general traders north of the Limpopo River, at a settlement called Bulawayo, in a new country called Rhodesia. With unbelievable courage, these two boys risk their lives to walk northwards into the African bush for three months. What they don’t know is that tensions are rising between the Matabele nation and the European settlers.
#3 Langbourne’s Empire:
After losing almost everything in the Matabele rebellion, the brothers begin to rebuild their devastated business. With Morris’ sharp brain, and David’s limitless energy, they begin in earnest, taking massive risks. But no one could have seen plague, drought, disease and war on the horizon.
#4 Langbourne’s Evolution:
As their business matures, so do the boys. Morris decides the time is right for them to expand the business into Europe and he leaves his younger siblings to grow the African operation while he returns to his homeland in Ireland. But, Africa works in her mysterious ways; good plans are always put to the test, and this is no exception for the Langbourne brothers.
#5 Langbourne’s Loyalty:
Early 1900, and the Anglo Boer War is almost over, or so everyone thinks. It is also a time for joy, marriages and family, but also sorrow and sadness. The early years of 1900 bring opportunities for prosperity, and in true Langbourne style, they take risks and knuckle down to capitalise on them. But to do this, loyalty is paramount, and it comes in all sorts of ways, and from some very unexpected quarters.
In South African creative circles, winning a Loerie Award is an incredible honour.
The Annual Loerie Awards ceremony is the biggest gathering of creative heavy-hitters in Africa and the Middle East, bringing a variety of industries together to compete for the highest accolade recognising creativity and innovation across these regions.
With over 2 500 entries submitted in a variety of categories, including television, radio and print, graphic design, architecture, direct marketing and digital media, it is truly an impressive achievement to walk away with an award on the night. Of the 296 Loeries awarded at the 41st Loerie Awards held at the Durban ICC this past weekend, one of them was presented to a very recent alum of Union High School.
Rebecca Langmead, Union’s Head Girl of 2018, was awarded a bronze Loerie in the Student Category for a ‘Peter and the Wolf’ book cover she designed. Rebecca is a first-year student at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography where she is studying towards a degree in Visual Communications, majoring in Illustration and Graphic Design.
Union High School would like to congratulate Rebecca on this wonderful and impressive achievement, especially considering the strong competition she was up against. An accolade of this nature being awarded to a past Head Girl of the school has created huge excitement. We’re extremely proud of Rebecca for demonstrating her creative dexterity and delighted that her work has been recognised.
Rebecca hopes to follow a career as graphic designer – we foresee a long, industrious and awarded career!
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.
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.
On Friday, 30 August, the members of Union’s Eco-Club met up once again for a most-enjoyable afternoon.
Rebecca Langmead, Union’s Head Girl of 2018, was awarded a bronze Loerie in the Student Category for a ‘Peter and the Wolf’ book cover she designed. Rebecca is a first-year student at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography where she is studying towards a degree in Visual Communications, majoring in Illustration and Graphic Design.
The ground staff and cleaning ladies of Union High School and Union Preparatory School recently received brand new workwear, generously donated by