Accompanied by Mrs Nelia Read and Mr Hanno Sparrius, our learner leaders spent the weekend doing fun-filled activities geared towards fostering the development of key skills such as confidence, self-belief, communication and team spirit.
While most of us are enjoying a restful Saturday, Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s Grade 10s set off to test their minds, strength and endurance on their annual 5-day ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐.
This adventure brings not only breathtaking scenery but also ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐จ๐ฆ๐ต๐ต๐ข๐ฃ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐น๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฌ, ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ข ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ค๐ช๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ท๐ช๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต.
So far, our Grade 10s have been learning the nuances of cooking in the great outdoors! Each meal prepared during their 5-day ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ, however, is not just about nourishment, it’s about teamwork and creativity. With the crackling of fires as their backdrop, flour dusting their hands and the enticing aroma of roasting chicken wafting through the air, ๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฉ ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ช๐ณ ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ช๐ณ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฆ๐ด๐ด, turning the experience into a memorable adventure.
Wishing all competitors from the Union Schools and Hoรซr and Laer Volkskool the best of luck.
As we engage in friendly competition, let us remember the words of John Wooden: “๐๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต๐ด๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ๐ด๐ฉ๐ช๐ฑ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ซ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ธ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ. ๐๐ต’๐ด ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ข๐บ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ.”
1St Hockey Team L to R: Joy Merifield, Charlize Vorster, Katelyn Trollip, Amy Waddelow, Sarah Jacobs, Mia Botha, Leigh-Ann Murray, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, Sadรฉ May (captain), Aaminah Steele, Kenza Neill, Mecoli Vorster, Amber Slater, Misha Newton, Tyra Binney and Tara Ferreira
1st Rugby Team L to R: Trystan Hulleman, Uyanda Tele, Bulela Zonke, Ababalwe Matutu, Joshua Swartland, Peter Michaels, Makukhanye de Beer, Asemahle Sakati, Na’eem Mahomed (captain), Shaakir Kazi, Xavier Barlow, Muhammed Ahmed, Kyle Liebenberg, Christopher Nqumashe, Jayden Odendaal and Nangawethu Macanda
1st Boys Tennis Team Vincent Clarke, Joshua Neill, Peter-Daniel Clegg, Sobuhle Nyambali, Trystan Hope and Richard Murray
1st Girls Tennis Team Nadine Murray, Cayla Newton, Tara Ferreira, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, Misha Newton, Mia Botha
1st Chess Team Lina Tadesse, Ben Kroon, Jasmine Abercrombie, Gerda Clarke, Stephan Vorster, Nina Japhta, Josh Arends and Kwakhanya Ntlonti. Absent: Neelon Fourie
Quiz Team Na’eem Mohamed, Shaakir Khazi, Trystan Hulleman, Tara Ferreira and Erin Gedult
Senior SpeakersJunior Speakers
Joy Merifield and Asive Dwane (seniors), as well as Amber Bezuidenhout and Zusange Phehlukwayo (juniors) will proudly represent Union in the annual Speech Competition during this year’s ๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ข๐๐ฆ’ week.
U/13A Rugby BACK: Murray Hope, Midange Nazo(VC), Jordan Maritz(C), Joubert Vorster, Lukhona Bulembu, Dante Mills, Mbuso Tini and Lwandle Dali FRONT: Khwezi Molonga, Avethandwa Jack, Natneal Wakoyo, Khazimla Jantjies, Caleb Reid, Aidan Ferreira and Ryonn Naude
U/13A Hockey Miley Burger (Captain), Amelia King, (middle back) Klara van Jaarsveld, Kungawo Lisa, Maribel April, Hermon Wolde, Kari Stern, (middle front) Haley Krige, Chantรฉ Bezuidenhout, Abonani Matushe, Rachel Wenham, Logan Marais, Emma Burger and Taylor Jacobs.
1st Junior Boys Tennis Aidan Ferreira, Dante Mills, Jordan Maritz, Murray Hope, Ryonn Naudรฉ and Joshua Kingwill
1st Junior Girls Tennis Emily Marais, Taylor Jacobs, Miley Burger, Amelia King, Emma Burger and Lisa McEwan
Early Wednesday morning, 17 April (in fact, as early at 04:30!) saw an enthusiastic gathering at Union High School, Graaff-Reinet as the school’s boarders participated in a spirited ๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ก.
The event – which was inspired by this year’s Olympic Games – aligned with the start of the 2024 Olympic Torch Run, which commenced in the historic city of Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday, 16 April.
๐ฟ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐๐๐๐จ, the Grade 5 to 12 boarders from Arthur Kingwill House and Herby Arnott House embarked on an invigorating 8km relay along the R63 route into Graaff-Reinet.
After having navigated the darkness, the spirited runners were met by the younger residents of Max Kroon House outside the Union Pre-School as dawn broke, joining forces for the final stretch onto the school grounds.
๐ผ๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ช๐จ, ๐๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐๐จ’ “๐พ๐๐๐ง๐๐ค๐ฉ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ง๐,” the torch was ceremoniously passed to hostel head prefects, Joy Merifield and Sobuhle Nyambali, who ignited the cauldron in a blaze of excitement.
Following this, the participants were treated to a delectable bacon and egg breakfast bun at the Tony Burrell Union before commencing their regular school day.
We extend our grateful thanks to Mr and Mrs Kingwill for arranging this wonderful event, the local traffic department for their assistance and to all the members of staff who assisted!
Last night marked a delightful occasion as the 2024 prefects of Union High School, Graaff-Reinet and Hoรซr Volkskool Graaff-Reinet united for their annual start-of-year get-to-know-one-another social event.
This year, Volkskool’s head prefects took the reins of organisation, and they did not disappoint – ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ก๐๐ช๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐จ.
With the invaluable assistance of the talented bowlers from the Graaff-Reinet Bowls Club, the learners were able to fully immerse themselves in the sport and unleash their hidden potential. ๐๐ต ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ข ๐ด๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ด ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ช๐ฑ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ด ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ค๐ข๐ด๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ข๐ณ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฃ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฌ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ด, ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ท๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐บ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด๐ฆ๐ฅ.
The most heartwarming aspect of the event was witnessing the learners from these neighbouring schools come together and enjoy themselves. ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฎ ๐ท๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ด ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐น๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ ๐ท๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ.
This past Friday, 1 March, Mr Luphumlo Joka, a distinguished Old Unionite and the head of Global Leadership Consultants, exemplified the principles of servant leadership during his visit to Union High School, Graaff-Reinet.
Despite the scorching heat, Mr Joka selflessly devoted his time to ๐๐ช๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ฃ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐พ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐๐ช๐ง๐๐ก ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ.
The message of finding one’s own voice and confidently occupying leadership roles undoubtedly inspired our young leaders. It instilled in them a strong desire to fulfill their destined potential and become the leaders they were meant to be.
Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s Grade 7 boys recently had an unforgettable experience that marked ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ.
One afternoon after school, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ ๐ต๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ where they were able to marvel at the natural wonders around them.
But the adventure didn’t end there! After their hike, the boys headed back to school to enjoy some boerewors rolls and to cool down in the school swimming pool.
This adventure allowed the Grade 7 boys to come together, appreciate the beauty of nature and celebrate the bonds they have formed during their primary school years.
During the Winter Awards assembly on Friday morning, 18 August, the newly elected prefects were each presented with a prefect tie and badge.
๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ to Union High School, Graaff-Reinet’s new prefect body of 2023/24: Joshua Basson, Tyra Binney, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg, Ethan Linch, Nangawethu Macanda, Naโeem Mahomed, Bontle Mashiane, Sadรฉ May, Joy Merifield, Joshua Neill, Sobuhle Nyambali, Lolitha Saki, Camran Swartz, Uyanda Tele and Sarah Wilmot!
Back, left to right:ย Uyanda Tele, Sobuhle Nyambali, Nangawethu Macanda, Joshua Neill Front, left to right:ย Joshua Basson, Ethan Linch, Naโeem Mahomed, Camran SwartzBack, left to right:ย Lolitha Saki, Sarah Wilmot, Tyra Binney, Bontle Mashiane Front, left to right:ย Joy Merifield, Sadรฉ May, Caytah-Leigh Koeberg
We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing prefects. Your immense contributions, unwavering commitment and remarkable leadership have left an indelible mark on Union High School. You have been instrumental in guiding and inspiring your peers, and ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐จ๐๐ง๐ซ๐๐๐.
As we embark on this new chapter, let us remember the words of John C. Maxwell, “๐ ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐บ, ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐บ, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐บ.”
May this quote serve as a constant reminder for our new prefect body to lead with integrity, empathy and vision. Together, let’s create a legacy that inspires and empowers others!
Weโd like to give a special ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐จ๐ง to Union High School, Graaff-Reinet Grade 9 boarder ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ who, on Wednesday afternoon, 19 April, went beyond the average citizenโs call of duty!
During their weekly outing to town, Ronan and his fellow boarders were standing outside a grocery store in Graaff-Reinet, when he heard a commotion and then spotted a suspected shoplifter fleeing past them.
Without hesitation, Ronan chased the shoplifter down and apprehended him.
The end of the first term was celebrated with an explosive mix of colour, water, upbeat music and squeals of laughter as high-spirited learners gathered on the field on Tuesday afternoon, 28 March, for the Interact Clubโs end-of-term ๐๐ข๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐ fundraiser.
