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, 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.

 

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!

Bulletin, Student Life

Passing The Torch

The members of the 2018/19 prefect body enjoyed a fun evening with the newly elected 2019/20 prefects in the Tony Burrell Union on Monday evening, 16 September.

The evening saw the prefects engage in several fun activities and games, during which the old prefects sharing some of the knowledge they’ve acquired and lessons they’ve learned over the past year with the newly inducted prefects.

Bulletin, Student Life

Gr 6 Excursion

And the fun begins!

Union’s Grade 6 learners set off on their annual excursion to Kirkwood this morning, Monday, 2 September.

Upon their arrival at the African Imprint Outdoor Centre on the banks of the Sundays River, the fun immediately got underway with the group of experienced facilitators putting the learners through their paces in a variety of tasks which test their agility, skills, perseverance and team spirit. We hope the learners enjoy the next couple of days and make lasting memories!

DAY 1

DAY 2

Union’s Grade 6 learners are having a muddy ball on Day 2 (Tuesday, 3 September) of their Kirkwood excursion.

DAY 3

The Grade 6s are on their way home after an action-packed couple of days in Kirkwood.

Before hitting the road, however, they managed to fit in a quick early morning rowing session.

Bulletin, Student Life

Prepping for Odyssey

Union’s Grade10s are getting stronger and fitter by the week.

Today they walked Mountain Drive with heavy-laden backpacks to get used to the weight on their shoulders in preparation for this year’s Odyssey adventure.

At this time, two weeks from now, they will be setting up camp for their second night in the canyon.

Bulletin, Student Life

Cleaning Up While Preparing For Odyssey

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.

Bulletin, Student Life

Prefect & RCL Induction

School elects proud new prefects

Union High School 2020 prefects were inducted during the Winter Awards Assembly held on Friday, 16 August.  The learners were extremely excited about being elected as prefects and they have promised to do their duty to the best of their abilities. The learners received a prefect tie and badge as well as a prefect pledge which they all signed.

The UHS prefects for 2019/20 are (in alphabetical order):

Brett Amsterdam, Somila Batala, Sakhe Booi (RCL representative), Jaden Brotherton, Matthew Hesselink, Katherine Imrie, William Kayster, Sara Kingwill, Bowen Langmead (RCL representative), Lauren Rose-Innes, Mack Rubidge, Jade Shires, Buchule Siloti (RCL representative), Laetitia Theron (RCL representative), Benito Vers and Deger Williams.

 

Representative Council of Learners (RCL) for 2019/20:

The RCL consists of learners from Grade 8, 9, 10 and 11 who have been selected by their peers to represent them.

The RCL is the voice of the school and serves as the link between the school’s learners and the management of the school along with the governing body. The RCL also plays a big role in maintaining discipline at Union High School.

The following learners were elected to serve on the RCL:

Grade 8:  Brigette Oelofsen, Caitrin Spence, Xhamla Magubeni, Andrue (AJ) Victor,

Grade 9:  Asa Matross, Barbara McNaughton, Mohamed (Aashiq) Hartley, Ruzhe Hendricks,

Grade 10:  Catelyn Anthony, Hannah Watermeyer, Kyle-Luke du Preez, Rogan Odendaal

Grade 11:  Sakhe Booi, Laetitia Theron, Bowen Langmead and Buchule Siloti.

These young leaders have a busy year ahead and we welcome them into their new positions.

 

Bulletin, Student Life

Gr 5 Excursion

To extend learning beyond the classroom, Union’s Grade 5s enjoyed a day excursion to the Ganora Guest Farm and the small village of Nieu-Bethesda on Tuesday, 13 August.

This trip provides unique opportunities for the children to learn in a new environment and to make real world connections to the knowledge they’ve gained in class.  Their day started bright and early with breakfast on the bus while en route to Nieu-Bethesda.

Upon arrival at Ganora, the children were split into two groups: boys and girls.  The girls first visited the Fossil Museum, where they were taught about plant and animal fossils, including the fresh water fish fossils found in the Karoo.  The fossilization process astounded many of the learners and they were also reminded of the differences between herbivores and carnivores, as they examined the fossil samples.  While this was happening, the boys hiked to the Khoi-San caves with Henry Witbooi, better known as Punky.  Punky entertained the children with his Khoi-San heritage stories and extensive rock art knowledge.

After the groups had swapped activities, everyone enjoyed a lovely lunch on the lawn and some free time.  Next on the agenda was a visit to Nieu-Bethesda’s community artists to do some shopping.

Freddy Jacobs, aka “Die Goggaman”, taught all the children how to upcycle a can and a piece of wire to make a candle holder – an item which will most definitely be useful during load-shedding.  In a heartwarming gesture, seven Grade 5s then showed compassion for a disabled artist and his two loyal dog companions, when they – of their own accord – bought and gave them gifts of water and food, including a dog bowl.  It was really affecting to hear the learners reflect on the experience.  Amber Bezuidenhout, one of the kindhearted learners who participated in the act of goodwill, described how she felt: “When we gave it to him, I started to feel a warm, tingly feeling and when I saw him smile, I just couldn’t stop smiling.”

The school extends its grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this excursion.