Gr 6 group at African Imprint Outdoor Centre near Kirkwood. Fun activities, beautiful weather.
In anticipation of the School’s centenary celebrations in 2019, it was decided that a centenary arch should be designed and constructed to commemorate the occasion. Mr Bernie Weyer of Waterston Weyer Roon Architects was commissioned to supply the drawings for the arch inspired by an arch that exists on the farm Lochdale, belonging to Mr and Mrs George Hope. The builder was Mr Charlie Moos.
The bell for the arch, originally from Rietpoort Farm, was kindly donated to the School by Mr David Stern (Class of 1998). The ironmongery to the bell and the frame which houses it was kindly done by Mr Gustav Grassman of Grassies Staal of Graaff-Reinet.
The three plaques on the walkway leading to the arch were inspired by the learner representatives on the Union 100 Committee, Taylyn Miller and Peter Watermeyer. They read: TRUTH PSALM 43:3 SEND FORTH YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH, LET THEM GUIDE ME; LOYALTY PROVERBS 3:3 NEVER LET LOYALTY AND KINDNESS LEAVE YOU! TIE THEM AROUND YOUR NECK AS A REMINDER; JUSTICE ISAIAH 1:17 SEEK JUSTICE, ENCOURAGE THE OPPRESSED
Contained in a vault in the arch and sealed with a plaque reading “BENEATH THIS STONE LIES A TIME CAPSULE WITH MESSAGES OF GOODWILL FROM THE SCHOOL TO BE OPENED IN 2069” is a container which houses information and messages to the School, which will hopefully survive for fifty years until it is opened in 2069. This was inspired by a time capsule that is rumoured to have been placed in the school building behind the foundation stone in 1919. This has, however, never been found.
Surrounding the arch is a garden of fifty of the Union 100 Rose, a rose that was commissioned specially for the occasion, and which will forever bear this name. This Union 100 rose project was managed by Mrs Alet Kingwill, and was paid for by an Old Unionite who wishes to remain anonymous.
The arch is a gift to the School from the Class of 2018 who paid for its construction.
Union High’s Junior Speech competition was held today. Congratulations to Melissa Swart, who finished in 1st place. Second place went to James Rose Innes and Catelyn Anthony was placed third. Sixteen learners took part in the competition. We also thank our adjudicators Moyra Marais, Garth Hitge and Rachel Pringle.
The Short Corner
The parents, friends and supporters of Union hockey will, from 2019, be able to enjoy a warm cup of coffee and other refreshments and eats at the new Union AstroTurf “Short Corner”, and will no longer have to walk all the way to the Tony Burrell Union to keep warm on chilly winter mornings.
This project was the brainchild of Mrs Liesl de la Harpe, then a serving School Governor, and Mr Stephen de la Harpe (Class of 1989) who kindly donated the capital for the project. Their daughter, Paige, represented the 1st Hockey Team and matriculated in 2017. Mrs de la Harpe indicated that she hoped that the project would contribute to the spirit around the AstroTurf.
The drawings for the project were supplied by Mr Bernie Weyer of Waterston Weyer Roon Architects and the builder was Jackson Faltein Construction. The building, with its gabled roof is in keeping with the existing standard of all of the facilities on our beautiful campus. The electrical work was done by Mr Grant Hobson of Ken’s Radio. The name for the facility, “The Short Corner” was coined by 2018 Headgirl and 1st Team Hockey Captain, Rebecca Langmead.