Rugby, Sport Results

Snr Rugby Results – UHS vs Aliwal North

Union and Aliwal North go head-to-head

It was a tough day on the rugby field for all the Union teams this past Saturday, 27 April, as Aliwal North proved to be a worthy adversary.The junior teams struggled a bit with the intensity, physicality and directness with which Aliwal North played.

The second team completely dominated their match, which encouraged the first team boys to give it everything they’ve got.

The first XV’s match started off with a bang with both teams playing at an incredible pace and intensity.  Lapses in concentration and defensive structures quickly saw the ‘Mighty Whites’ 12 – 0 down.  After calming the storm and regaining composure, the boys soon found their rhythm and got onto the scoreboard through a try by Bowen Langmead.

Aliwal North once again capitalised on one of Union’s mistakes and converted to make the score 19 – 5.  Good interplay between Ashton Dawids and Zusakhe Ngwane saw Union cross the line again.  Brilliant pressure from the base of the scrum saw Brett Amsterdam charge down a kick in the Aliwal North goal area which led to a try by Khanya Butshingi.

Union trailed 19 – 15 at halftime.

UHS regained control of the game in the second half and were first to score in the second half.  A brilliant maul followed up by great play by the backline saw Junior Duba score in the corner.  The scoreboard now read UHS 22 – 19 ANHS.  With confidence growing and good ball possession, Jaden Brotherton created space and put Bladen Jacobs away to score under the poles. Jaden converted to take the score to 27 – 19 in Union’s favour.

Aliwal North once again scored as a result of a blunder by Union and converted to make the score stand at 27 – 26 in favour of Union.  Union held on well and kept their heads in this seesaw battle. The boys showed tremendous character and a fighting spirit to the bitter end.  The final score was Union 27, Aliwal North 26.

Union’s try scorers were Bowen Langmead, Zusakhe Ngwane, Khanya Butshingi, Junior Duba and Bladen Jacobs.

Jaden Brotherton successfully converted 1 from 5.

Other Results

U/14A lost 14 – 17

U/15A team lost19 – 17

U/16A team lost43 – 14

2nd Team won 44 – 12

All teams are encouraged to work hard this week in preparation for the weekend’s fixture against Burgersdorp where the same type of rugby is expected.

Bulletin

Classroom Revamp

The teachers at Union High School play vital roles in the lives of the learners in their classrooms.

And, although the school’s teachers are best known for the role of educating the children that are placed in their care, they also serve many other roles in the classroom beyond that, such as creating a warm and happy environment for the learners in which to thrive.

Mrs. Louise Vorster, who teaches Grade 6 and 7 Afrikaans and Life Orientation (LO) at Union High School, demonstrated that recently when she spruced up her classroom by painting the desks and revamping the walls.

We hope that the learners will be happy in this new learning environment she created for them.

Bulletin, Eco-Schools

Don’t Bin It, Bottle It

The ongoing EcoBrick project is one of Union High School’s constant endeavours to reduce litter by recycling.  EcoBricks are constructed out of recycled 2-litre plastic bottles that are filled with all sorts of non-biodegradable waste.

Suitable materials to fill EcoBricks with include plastic bags, laminated paper, polystyrene trays, plastic fruit punnets, silvery packets from chips and chocolates, wax paper and dog-food bags.

The litter must be stuffed inside the bottles in such a compact manner, that the bottles are rock-solid and resistant to breaking and denting.  Once filled, these bottles can then be used as a “brick” from which even school buildings and houses can be built. The compressed plastic waste does not disintegrate and provides hardy support, similar to normal building bricks, but at almost no cost.  Apart from reducing the amount of trash that reaches the oceans, eco-bricks are also highly insulating and water- and fire-proof.

Each classroom at Union High School has again been tasked with creating an EcoBrick this year.  The learners are encouraged to participate, and in so doing, take personal responsibility for their plastic waste.

Bulletin

Centenary Banquet

On the occasion of the Union High School’s centenary, we request the pleasure of your company for an evening of celebration.

Tickets for the Centenary Banquet – a glittering formal dinner dance event that will be held on Friday evening, 3 May, in a Marquee on UHS’s beautiful sports grounds – are available from Mrs. Shell or Mrs. Marais at the Union High School office. Those from further afield are welcome to call the office at 049 891 0262 or send an e-mail to secretary@unionschools.co.za to reserve a ticket.

The evening will feature top class catering, a cash bar, dancing and entertainment and promises to be a most memorable event.

Tickets are limited so get yours now to guarantee that you don’t miss out!

Bulletin

Schools That Rock

The Union schools are now part of the Schools That Rock news platform.

Established in 2015, Schools That Rock – a website, promoting various school activities – is an online medium in South Africa for schools, that boosts them by publishing, not only their achievements but also their fun and games.

Since its establishment, the website has become a very popular communication medium for schools through which to share their news with South Africa and the rest of the world

Visit https://easterncapepe.schoolsthatrock.co.za/ to have a look at some of Union’s articles on the Schools That Rock (Pty) website.

Shooting, Sport Results

Shooting

On Wednesday afternoon, 17 April, Union High School hosted its very first competitive shooting league event.

Twelve UHS competitors took part in this sporting contest against the top shooters from Hoër Volkskool and Marlow Agricultural High School.

The event – which was held at the HVS shooting range – was a great success and saw the Union shooters achieve some very good results.

Bulletin

Stands for Sports Grounds

Union High School would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mr. William Biggs who gifted the school with five 60-seater stands for our sports grounds.

These new stands will enable us to increase the spectator seating capacity next to our sports fields and in so doing, give parents, visitors and supporters a better experience when they attend sports days hosted by the school.

A word of thanks is also extended to Mr. Shawn Botha of Botha’s Garage who provided transport for the stands to the school. It is immensely appreciated.

Academic, Bulletin

Integrated Learning Therapy

Mrs. Christine Scott, an educator as well as school and career guidance counsellor at Union High School, recently successfully obtained her certification as an ILT practitioner.

Developed by Educational Psychologist, Dr. Shirley Kokot, Integrated Learning Therapy (ILT) strives to uncover the root causes of children’s learning difficulties and behavioural challenges in order to help them overcome them.

Mrs. Scott, who has always sought ways to widen the scope of help available… to learners at UHS, completed the ILT practitioner course in order to empower her with the knowledge needed to recognise the possible causes of learning difficulties in children and to then, initiate remedial movement and other activities in order to help.

Mrs. Scott encourages parents of children who experience learning and behavioural challenges to visit the ILT website to find out more about the efficacy of ILT: https://www.ilt.co.za/

Bulletin, Cultural

Music In The Mountains

The Union delegation with a few members of the Drakensberg Boys Choir.

A small delegation from Union High School’s music department headed to the mountains of KwaZulu-Natal on Easter weekend to attend the annual Music in the Mountains festival.Music in the Mountains, hosted by the Drakensberg Boys Choir School, is held over three days at the end of April each year and offers a quality craft market and performances by well-known South African artists and the Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS).

This year, the main events were a performance by Loki Rothman, the Saturday Pop Gala performed by the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and the Drakensberg Boys Choir as well as the Mozart Requiem by the Drakensberg Boys Choir, St David’s Marist Inanda, Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, and the Drakensberg Boys Choir Old Boys.

The Union learners and staff enjoyed their adventure in the Drakensberg tremendously.

Apart from attending the spectacular shows, the excursion also saw the group explore the beautiful region surrounding the Drakensberg Boys Choir School.

On Friday, they drove to Monk’s Cowl – one of the most unspoilt areas of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.  From there, they hiked to Sterkspruit Falls where they were rewarded with beautiful views. Some brave souls even ventured a swim in the crystal clear, but ice cold, rock pools.

The excursion was enjoyed by all and the group, who arrived back in Graaff-Reinet on Monday evening, returned enriched after the varied three-day programme of jazz, pop, gospel and classical music that included Bach and Beethoven right through to African folk.