Bulletin, Student Life

Sighting of snake recorded

A few weeks ago a group of boys from Union High was invited to the farm of Kevin and Lisa Watermeyer to collect flat rocks for a paving project as a part of their Centenary celebrations. As they lifted a rock they were surprised by what they thought may be a puffadder underneath. The boys took photos and a video of the snake before carefully leaving it alone. When Kevin Watermeyer tried to identify the snake from the photo, he realised that it might be a rarer snake, and s…ent the picture and other information to a conservation group known as ‘Bionerds’. They were delighted to report back that the snake was the elusive “Plain Mountain Adder” – a species with only 11 confirmed records at that time!

The Plain Mountain Adder is a dwarf adder, and has a distinctive triangular shaped head, growing to a maximum of 35cm and heavy bodied. It has plain grey/brown colouration, with indistinctive markings. It is thought that the snake is diurnal, but there is not yet enough research available to confirm this.

‘Bionerds’ is part of research group that visited the Sneeuberg a week prior to Kevin contacting them with his find. In 4 days, with 11 scientists and researchers, they managed to find 3 different snakes, all male. The boys’ find raised the confirmed records to 12 specimens.

According to Bionerds, “Plain mountain adders are data deficient, we still need to learn more about how venomous they are (we think it will be the same as other dwarf adders, causing potential swelling and severe pain), their prey preference, what habitat they prefer and their breeding and living habits.

Should anyone think that they have found a Plain Mountain Adder, or need assistance with a reptile identification, it is important to do the following:
• Take a cellphone photo
• Take a GPS reading
• Note the date and time
• WhattsApp the information to 063 461 5964 or email to alouise.lynch@bionerds.co.za

The Arthur Kingwill House boys from Union High can be very proud that they were a part of the 12th ever recording of the Plain Mountain Adder, and it is wonderful that the unique biodiversity of the Sneeuberg is treasured by organisations such as Bionerds.

All Landowners should be wary of anyone requesting access to find, research or photograph reptiles on their properties. There is an uprise in reptile poaching incidents in South Africa, and this species is highly sought after. Report and vetoe anyone who requests access, or found illegally on your property to the authorities. You can also contact Bionerds in this regard.

Bulletin, Cultural

Eco Wise Day

Union had their 3rd Eco-Wise day for the year. Rosemary, Demetri & Jesse from SANParks taught 48 Grade 5s and two educators about plastic. The theme was “Plastic Panic – Plastic Play”. Learning through a variety of ways was fun, interactive & creative.

The grade 6V class visited Vuyani Safe Haven to play with the children and donate some toys and clothes.

Mrs Gerber’s class went to the Camdeboo Daycare Centre. They played games with the children and took them some chocolate muffins.

The Grade 7Rs collected corks, elastic string and old t-shirts and made durable and fun cat and dog toys for the local SPCA.

Various other activities also took place on the school campus. Another active and fun-filled Eco-Wise day for Union High!

 

Bulletin

Bright Ideas Workshop

On the 25th September 2018 five of our learners attended the Bright Ideas Workshop held at the Panorama Hotel. After being served with a buffet style breakfast, the learners participated in various workshops that addressed the topics: What is innovation? What is entrepreneurship? What does it mean to start a business? During the afternoon the learners were given a workshop on how to develop a business pitch, and were given the opportunity to p…ractice pitching their own business proposals that they had prepared for this event.

Learners were then transported to the finish line of the Solar Car Challenge 2018 race, where they met with the Solar Car Team from Switzerland. After a buffet style dinner, the learners had to pitch their ideas at a Cocktail Event held during the evening where the judges made their final decisions and prizes were awarded to the winners of the Bright Ideas Innovation Challenge.

The Cocktail event was attended by The Ambassador of Switzerland, H.E. Mrs Helene Budliger Artieda and her co-hosts, the CEO of the Technology Innovation Agency, Mr Barlow Manilal, the Executive Mayor of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Ms Eunice Kekana and the Mayor of the Dr. Beyers Naude Municipality, Mr Deon de Vos.

Three Union High School teams entered their proposals for this exciting challenge: Chevonne Prinsloo and Rosslyn Sparks, Erin O’Halloran and Katherine Imrie, Siphesihle Jali and Mandilakhe Matotie. The team of Erin O’Halloran and Katherine Imrie won 3rd place, each receiving a tablet with an attachment keyboard. Siphesihle Jali and Mandilakhe Matotie received the Ambassador’s Award for pitching their “Terminator” proposal. This award gives them the opportunity to apply for the Technology Innovation Agency’s Youth Technology Innovation Programme. If they are successful in this programme they will join the best young entrepreneurs across South Africa to take part in the Swiss Business Development Programme in Cape Town where 10 top entrepreneurs will be selected and flown to Switzerland for another week of training and pitching to experts and investors.

Well done to all of our learners for their courage and innovative ideas. Each school that was represented at this event received a laptop for their participation.

Bulletin, Student Life

Grade 10 Odyssey

And off they go….

The journey began this morning for the Grade 10 class of 2018 when they set off on their Odyssey. The goal is to complete a five-day hike which begins near Nieu-Bethesda and ends in Graaff-Reinet. The mission is to walk with all they needed in their backpacks and face the elements, come what may, discovering much more about themselves and the others in their grade.

Enjoy this journey, Grade 10s. This is an experience of a lifetime!

Bulletin

Matric induction to OUA

The matric class of 2018 enjoyed their induction into the Old Unionites Association on Wednesday evening. Mr Derek Light, speaker and Chairman of the Union Trust, shared some tales of his time at Union High and sent the matrics off with special words of wisdom, encouraging them to always return to their Alma Mater and to remember the values instilled in them during their school years at Union High.

Bulletin

Biathlon

The following learners have been selected to represent EP in the upcoming Interprovincial event that will be held in Bloemfontein on the 29th of September.

u/15 girls:  Hannah Bodenstein and Drew Dobinson – EP B
Kendall Krige – EP Development team
u/19 girls:  Megan Doyle and Jenna McNaughton – EP B

 

Bulletin

Grade 6 Excursion

The grade six learners visited the African Imprint Outdoor Centre on the banks of the Sundays River, just outside Kirkwood, from the 10th to the 12th of September. This facility caters for outdoor learning activities which are facilitated by a group of well qualified instructors.

The children were put through their paces in a variety of activities which challenged them in various ways. They were taught the basics of rowing, balancing, turning and stopping canoes on the river; they had to overcome their fears on a zip-line over the river; they learnt to build flag poles and had to brave a stringent obstacle course. All activities were carried out in groups. Points were allocated to each group for performance, attitude and enthusiasm and healthy competition prevailed amongst the groups. Many other challenge, balancing and ball skill games made up the remainder of the activities.

The group also visited the Addo Elephant Park for a morning and were treated to sightings of two big bull elephants and a herd of buffalo. Many buck species, zebra, dung beetles and other wild life were spotted. For many this was a first time experience.

The weather treated us most kindly and the learners enjoyed their tasks in sunshine with no wind. A swim in the cement dam was enjoyed by many.

Our sincere thanks go to Mrs Wendy Venter and Mr Reinhard Gerber who willingly drove the buses and assisted us.