Bulletin

Centenary

For the past year, much planning and preparation has gone on behind the scenes to ensure that our Centenary year is one to remember! A Centenary Committee was formed, and together, this hard working team has done so much.

The Centenary logo was designed by Simon le Gras, Centenary clothing was designed by Diane Murray and Dave Stern, the Centenary Rose was planned by Alet Kingwill and propagated by Ludwig's roses, the Centenary arch was built with funding from the Matrics... of 2018, the Short Corner coffee station, funded by the de la Harpe family was erected. Mr Pringle has written a Centenary book, limited edition wine was ordered by Karin Marais and a beautiful label designed by Mieke Marais, rugby balls have been branded by our sports department and sports kit also specially branded, our choirs are practising hard.

The Centenary walkway was lain by a dedicated team of workers, and the Centenary stone was designed and engraved. Bunting has been sewn, a handmade banner lovingly made by Lynette McClaggan. Routes have been mapped out by Rory Kroon for the walk on Friday, the oldest Old Unionites have been tracked down by Buce Maree and Felicity Minnaar, historical icons have been identified for posterity and St James Church is ready for the special service on Friday. We are grateful to all these people who have done so much to make the year a memorable one.

https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/videos/2078035295819713/

Bulletin, Cultural

Cultural Awards

The following learners played the ABRSM piano exam in 2018:

Owethu Singeni – Passed Gr 1
Erin Gedult – Passed Gr 1 with Merit
Sasha Cochrane – Passed Gr 1 with Merit
Lana Bouwer – Passed Gr 2
Caytah-Leigh Koeberg – Passed Gr 3
Caitrin Spence – Passed Gr 4
Chloe Shires – Passed Gr 5 with Merit
Barbara McNaughton – Passed Gr 5
Hannah Watermeyer – Passed Gr 5
Shayna Japhta – Passed Gr 5
Jamie Jaftha – Passed Gr 5 with Merit
Jenna McNaughton – Passed Gr 7 with Merit

 

 

 

 

The following learners represented the local district Chess team at the SAJCC (South African Junior Chess Championship) in December 2018 and are awarded the following:

Liano Naidoo – Full Colours – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC and won 3 matches at SAJCC
Harun Wajid – Half Colours – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC
James Rose-Innes – Merit Certificate – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC and won 3 matches at SAJCC
Tracy Pettit  – Merit Certificate – represented the local districts’ team at SAJCC

Bulletin, Cultural

Primary Marimba

Yesterday, our brand new Primary Marimba band learned their first song. You can see the concentration on their faces as they try to remember the rhythms, notes and sequences. Max Blank, our exchange student from Salisbury Cathedral is especially proud to be part of the band this term and to learn a new instrument. He quickly caught on to the melody and played it almost flawlessly. Our Marimba band is looking forward to making more music together!

Sport Results, Tennis

EPCD Tennis

The following learners have made the Eastern Province Country Districts Tennis Team in their various age groups:

JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS

Matthew Paxton; Chloe Erasmus; Tara Ferreira; Misha Newton

U/12 Girls
Tara Ferreira
Misha Newton
Chloe Erasmus

U12 Boys
Matthew Paxton

 

 

 

 

SENIOR TENNIS PLAYERS

U/14 Girls

Back: Sara Kingwill; Noá Cilliers; Christine Harris; Micaela Loock; Anna Pringle. Front: Brent Hesselink; Caytah-Leigh Koeberg

Caytah-Leigh Koeberg
Anna Pringle (Reserve)

U/14 Boys
Brent Hesselink

U/19 Girls
Micela Loock
Sara Kingwill
Christine Harris (Reserve)

U/19 Boys
Noá Cilliers

 

 

Bulletin, Student Life

Grade 8 Camp

With Union committed to embracing their surrounding environment as a part of the education of their learners, the Grade 8 Orientation camp plays an important part in introducing the youngest members of the high school to the environmental ethos of the school.  71 excited grade 8s set off early on Thursday morning with the guides from the Camdeboo National Park, staff and prefects, and hiked to the Education Centre tucked behind Spandau.  It was tough going in the extreme heat, and teamwork and encouragement got everyone to their destination.  After lunch the grade 8s engaged in activities with educational team from the National Park, as well as a series of specially designed tasks that facilitated them working together as a grade and co-operating with the senior mentoring system in the school.

This was an excellent opportunity for the senior leaders of the school and boarding houses to get to know their young charges.  Respect, dignity, care and co-operation are also key factors to becoming a Unionite, and our leaders stressed this throughout their time together.

The grade 8s arrived home hot and tired on Friday having gleaned a little more about the Union way of life.  Grateful thanks are extended to the team at the Camdeboo National Park, Miss van Rensburg and Mr Ittershagen-Strauss, Mrs Sullivan and Mr Kingwill for food and logistics and the prefects who gave of their all to make the Orientation camp such a success.

Bulletin, Student Life

Second Tiekieaand

Tiekieaand is an age-old tradition at Union. Traditionally one of the major events for the grade 11 fundraising committee, it serves 2 functions:
1. For the entire Prep and Middle School to have an evening of good old fashioned fun together under the guidance of the grade 11s.
2. For the Grade 11s to learn about planning and executing a money making event in real life!
Much fun was had by all as they had their faces painted, played pillow fights, did some… dancing, threw some sponges at seniors and staff, tried their luck at tombola and indulged in tasty treats.

This year the grade 11s have had to work very hard in a short period of time as the Matric Dance (for which they fundraise), takes place on the 22nd of February.

The grade has worked so well together, pulling great things out of hats, (including 2 Tiekaands within a few monts of each other!) and is well on their way to achieving their target.
Please support their efforts in the next few weeks – the Mother-Daughter tea is their next event.

            

Bulletin, Cultural

Interact “Create a Blanket”

Union High School celebrated their new Interact committee with their first community activity by creating blankets for Narsing Street Hostel learners as part of the “Blanket Project” launched by Derek Light Attorneys. Mrs Michelle Kingwill trained sixteen Interact members and the group produced 8 blankets by the end of the session. Mrs Crankshaw served the group with much guidance throughout the session.

The committee elected Siphesihle Jali as chairperson, Jada Smith as deputy-chairperson, Kirsten King as secretary and Ethan Gedult as Treasurer. The executive will lead sixteen enthusiastic teenagers with a heart for the communities they live in.

We wish our Interact many a successful community project for 2019.

 

 

Sport Results, Tennis

Senior Tennis Quadrangular

The Top 8 Senior boys’ and girls’ tennis teams competed against our traditional Grahamstown rivals, St Andrews, DSG, Graeme College, Victoria Girls and Kingswood on Sunday 20 January 2019.

The girls beat both VG and Kingswood by 12 matches to 0, with only DSG providing any opposition. UHS won this clash by 7 matches to 5, winning the overall title by 2 matches. Special mention must be made of Micela Loock (number1) and Christine Harri…s (number 3) who were unbeaten on the day in both their singles and doubles matches. Congratulations to Micela Loock who is girls’ captain and Jenna McNaughton vice-captain.

The UHS boys who were competing for the Settlers cup, played tenacious tennis against strong opposition all day. While some individual matches were very closely contested, their fighting spirit saw them beating Graeme College by 10 matches to 2 and Kingswood, 9-3. Going into the final round, St Andrews were one match ahead of us. Losing 3 of the singles matches in tie-breakers, the boys fought hard but were beaten on the day by 8 matches to 4.St Andrews beat us into second place by 5 matches overall. While every member of the team contributed positively, excellent results were achieved by Noä Cilliers, Ebben Johnston and Bowen Langmead.