On Friday, 30 August, the members of Union’s Eco-Club met up once again for a most-enjoyable afternoon.
The learners were tasked with putting their knowledge about directions and orientation into practice by studying a map of Graaff-Reinet.
While the activity in itself was a ton of fun, it also served to increase the learners’ knowledge about the beautiful little town
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.
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.
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.