Category: Hostels

Union High School is delighted to continue our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by acknowledging the generous support of KAROO FORD, a business with deep roots in the Graaff-Reinet community.

While a Ford dealership has been part of Graaff-Reinet since 1952, the business entered an exciting new chapter in 2022 when it reopened in its current College Road premises as 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗱.

Under the leadership of directors Jaco Le Roux, Rudi Liebenberg and Boertjie Oelofse, the dealership has continued to build on a proud legacy of reliable service, trusted vehicles and strong community relationships. 𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘬𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯, 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘰 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦.

What makes this partnership even more special is Karoo Ford’s heart for the community. Their chosen charity, NG Graaff-Reinet‘s 𝘉𝘦𝘫𝘢𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘴, supports elderly members of the community by providing small but meaningful essentials – the kinds of everyday items that can make life a little easier and more dignified for those who have given so much to the town over the years. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿.

We are incredibly grateful to Karoo Ford for joining the Goals for Good initiative and for reminding us that community spirit, like a good bakkie, is built to go the distance

If you would like to pledge your support, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱, please complete the following Google Form https://forms.gle/V3BMwrAsAudd8wYv8, contact us at uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za or WhatsApp 061 310 8343. You can also read more about the project here: https://www.unionschools.co.za/2026/02/16/17413/

We are very pleased to welcome 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗼 to the Union community as the new Head Kitchen Matron of Arthur Kingwill House.

She joins us with a wealth of experience, having previously served as matron of a boarding house at a private school in Bedford.

Samantha and her husband, Fanie, are proud parents to two children – Joshua, 10, who is in Grade 5, and Emily, 13, in Grade 8.

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 and we look forward to the positive energy, care and experience she brings to Arthur Kingwill House.

𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘

As Union High School prepares to bid farewell to Mr Donald Kingwill who will be retiring soon, we do so with immense gratitude for his years of dedicated service to Arthur Kingwill House.

𝘔𝘳 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦.

Replacing someone of his caliber is no easy task – his impact is woven into the very fabric of AKH.

𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻.

We are delighted to announce that, in 𝗠𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀, we have found an individual who embodies the values, energy and compassion needed to guide Arthur Kingwill House into its next chapter.

Mr Sparrius is no stranger to the Union family. Having joined Union High School in 2012 as a Life Sciences teacher, he quickly established himself as a respected educator and a mentor to our learners.

His involvement in rugby and athletics – 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 – has made him a favourite among our learners, who appreciate both his enthusiasm and genuine care.

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀, Mr Sparrius has also played an important leadership role on our Governing Body, where he currently oversees the discipline portfolio with fairness, integrity and a steady hand.

𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴.

Mr Sparrius and his lovely family will move into Arthur Kingwill House at the start of 2026 and we look forward to welcoming them into this special community.

As we prepare for this transition, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr Kingwill for his loyal service and 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘂𝘀’𝘀 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Arthur Kingwill House could not be in better hands.

This past weekend, the 2025 prefects of Arthur Kingwill House embarked on an exciting excursion to the charming village of Nieu-Bethesda.

𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱.

The group engaged in various activities that encouraged collaboration and communication, all while enjoying the stunning scenery and unique culture of the area.

𝘜𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Arthur Kingwill House’s annual 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 was a truly lovely affair.

The young men and ladies of Union High School, Graaff-Reinet went above and beyond to ensure that they looked their absolute best, and it was clear that they put a lot of effort into their appearances.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 ‘𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵’. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨.

Guests were treated to a delicious dinner that was prepared with great care and attention to detail. It was evident that the effort put into the culinary experience was greatly appreciated by all who attended.

However, it was not just the food that made the evening so special. It was the genuine warmth and camaraderie that filled the room. Conversations flowed effortlessly and laughter echoed through the air.

The speeches delivered by Mr Donald Kingwill, Shona Zana and Brent Hesselink evoked feelings of nostalgia, especially among the matrics, as it was a reminder that their time at Arthur Kingwill House was coming to an end.

𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 2023 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘧𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘳 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥.

𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦

Special recognition was given to individuals who excelled in various areas. The hostel’s 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘇 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 included Kirsten Collett (3rd juniors), Richard Murray (2nd juniors), Luca Kinghorn (1st Juniors), David Kinghorn (3rd seniors), Jude Langmead (2nd seniors) and Yayama Dali (1st seniors). These individuals demonstrated their knowledge and skills, earning them well-deserved accolades.

Richard Murray and Misha Newton were recognized as the 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻, while Jude Langmead and Ngomusa Zweni received the honours for 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻. Their dedication and achievements in the realm of sports were duly acknowledged.

The top 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 of Arthur Kingwill House were also celebrated. Samantha Charles, Richard Murray, Milani Pongoma, Matthew Oosthuizen, Joy Merifield, and Brent Hesselink were all commended for their excellent academic performance, highlighting their hard work and commitment to their studies.

The hostel’s 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 were awarded to Brent Hesselink, Shona Zana, Ndalo Qwalela, Ngomusa Zweni, Joshua Horne, Gemma Naude, Jude Langmead, Kaitlin Kenmuir and Siphosihle Thibane. These individuals demonstrated exceptional dedication and contributions to the Arthur Kingwill House community, and their efforts were duly recognized.

Sarah Wilmot and Sobuhle Nyambali were awarded the prestigious 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 for their deserving qualities. This scholarship acknowledges their character and conduct, as well as their spiritedness and leadership within the boarding community.

Shona Zana and Ngomusa Zweni were honoured with the 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆, which recognizes their exceptional contributions to boarding life at Arthur Kingwill House. Their character, conduct, spiritedness, and quality of leadership set them apart and made them deserving recipients of this special award.

Lastly, the Arthur Kingwill House 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 was presented to Brent Hesselink and Ndalo Qwalela. This award symbolizes their unwavering loyalty and commitment to the principles and values upheld by Arthur Kingwill House.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀

Union High School’s boarding house prefects for 2021/22 were announced during Arthur Kingwill House’s recent hostel supper.

These learners were elected by their fellow boarders to provide them with leadership and guidance during the upcoming year.

Being a house prefect is the ultimate honour given in any school boarding establishment and means a great deal to all who are chosen.

With the honour of being a boarding house prefect comes great responsibility, but the badge presented to them is a symbol in the faith bestowed upon them by the school community and we are sure they will all do an excellent job!

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 to (back) Bubele Thibini, Siya Badiwe, Kendall Krige, (middle) Tamsin James, Kathryn Odendaal, Simamkele Soyana, Chloe Shires, (front) Thembelihle Mxhunyelwa, Asa Matross and Lonwabo Sishuba.

They will be led by Asa Matross and Bubele Thibini as Heads of Hostel and Kendall Krige and Lonwabo Sishuba as Deputy Heads.