Bulletin, Student Life

Valedictory 2019

Friday, 5 October, was an extra special day for the matrics, their parents, special guests and Union’s staff, as all came together for the Class of 2019’s Valedictory Ceremony.

Once everyone had gathered in the school hall, Headmaster Mr William Pringle extended a warm welcome to all, after which Deputy Headboy Khanya Butshingi and Deputy Headgirl Zintle Maki led the devotion.

In response to the Headmaster’s address, Head Prefects Peter Watermeyer and Jenna McNaughton spoke …on behalf of the class, delivering touching farewell messages.

The Class of 2019 then presented a song, ‘I was here’ by Beyoncé and a slideshow of their years at the school to those gathered.

The ceremony ended with the Grade 12s leading out and continuing a tradition which started last year, where each learner rings the Centenary Bell.

The matrics then enjoyed tea in the Tony Burrell Union, joined by their parents and the school’s staff, after which they took leave of the school by walking through a guard of honour, created by the rest of the school’s learners.

We wish our 2019 matrics all the best as they prepare for their final exams!

View photographs in the “Farewell, Matrics” folder on our FaceBook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/unionhighschool/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2987888364615252&ref=page_internal

 

 

 

Bulletin, Hostels

HAH Prefects 2020

We extend our congratulations to the girls who have been chosen as the leaders of Union’s Herby Arnott House for the coming year.

They have already taken up their duties, working in tandem with the Grade 12 prefects until they start writing their final examinations.

They are: (front) Jade Shires (Headgirl), Lauren Rose-Innes (Prefect) and Ayden Brown (Deputy Headgirl). They will be assisted by monitors (back) Soyama Mbetshu, Kaydn Retief, Hannah Watermeyer and Primrose Mutapati.

Bulletin, Hostels

HAH Matric Girls Treated

The Grade 12 girls at Union’s Herby Arnott House recently enjoyed a relaxing spa break at the Africology Spa at Drostdy Hotel.

The afternoon saw the girls take full advantage of the spa’s leisure facilities, with the world-class therapists sweeping them off their feet.

This was the ultimate way to unwind for the girls in anticipation of the final exams that lie in wait…

Bulletin, Cultural

Roses Of Hope For Cancer

Union High School’s Interact Club has undertaken to support the Graaff-Reinet Cancer Association with their ‘2000 Roses of Hope for Cancer’ project this October.

The Graaff-Reinet Cancer Association hopes to sell 2 000 artificial roses (at R20 each), which will then be “planted” on the lawns of the NG Grootkerk on Friday, 18 October, between 07:00 to 18:00 by their purchasers.

The rose closest to a predetermined secret spot will win its owner R5 000. At 18:00 the secret spot will be revealed and the winner announced.

The members of the Interact Club would like to assist the Cancer Association by helping them to sell the roses.

Roses can be ordered from Interact members (at R20 each) from tomorrow, 4 October, to Thursday, 10 October, during first break (09:40 – 10:00).

Parents, friends of the Union Schools and Old Unionites wishing to support this endeavour can do so by transferring the money for the roses they wish to purchase to the Graaff-Reinet Cancer Association’s bank account. The details are as follows:

Name of Bank account: Graaff-Reinet Cancer Association
Name of Bank: FNB
Branch Code: 210216
Account number: 62005169570
Reference: Rose UHS Interact

Proof of payment can be forwarded to deputy@unionschools.co.za so that the buyer’s details can be captured on the list of orders.

All the roses are numbered and must be collected on the day at the church where they will be planted by their purchaser. A cancer survivor will plant the roses of those who are out of town on the 18th or who are unable to attend.

Bulletin

Pool Ready And Set For Summer

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.

Bulletin, Student Life

Old Unionites For Life!

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.

 

Academic, Bulletin

Grade 11 Accounting Excursion

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!

Bulletin, Student Life

Gr 7 Ladies Treated To Tea

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!