Sport Results

Jnr Cricket Results vs Gill Primary

On Wednesday afternoon, 23 October, Union’s u/13A cricket team played a T20 match against Gill Primary.

Union won the toss and elected to bat first. The top order laid a solid foundation, putting the Gill bowlers under pressure.

Camran Swartz scored a super 75* off 59 balls to put Union well in control. The Union team ended their 20 overs on 175/4.

Consistent bowling then ensured that Gill struggled to get off the mark, with Shaakir Kazi and Makukhanya De Beer doing most of the damage.

Gill was bowled out for 26. Union won the match by 149 runs.

Academic, Bulletin

Holey Mole-y!

Union High School’s Grade 10 and 11 science classes celebrated Mole Day today (Wednesday, 23 October), with a series of fun and interesting activities focused on the mole.

And by ‘mole’, we don’t mean the furry little critters that burrow underground, but rather a useful unit of measurement in chemistry that all Grade 10 to 12s (should!) know well.

Mole, abbreviated mol, designates an extremely large number, 66.02 x 10^23, of units (be it atoms, molecules or other specified articles), and is central to many chemical calculations.

As such, the 23rd day of the 10th month between 6:02am and 6:02pm is used to celebrate all things molar, with the aim of helping the learners understand the importance of the chemical ‘mole’.

This year, the theme for Mole Day was ‘DespicaMOLE Me!’ and the learners had a lot of fun celebrating this molmentous occasion with various mole-related activities.

Bulletin, Student Life

Social Sciences Excursion

Based on their Social Sciences report marks, eight boys and six girls were invited to attend Union’s annual Grade 7 Social Sciences excursion held on Friday and Saturday, 19 and 20 October.

After arriving at Westbrook on Saturday, the group took a short hike to a huge poplar forest on Onbedacht farm, where they were pleased to see that the river was flowing, even though the area is experiencing the worst drought in 100 years.

The learners managed to catch a few crabs that they released again. (It was good to see that there was a lot of life present in the river.)

After supper, the learners headed to Langfontein for a late night dip in a saltwater pool.

A warm cup of hot Milo was the perfect way to end off the evening.

After breakfast the next day, the group headed to De Vrede Farms where Mr John Biggs showed them around.

He spoke to them about the challenges farmers are facing in the drought and suggested ways in which farmers can adapt to farming in areas with low rainfall.

Mr Biggs also informed the learners about the Pendoring bush which acts as a natural nursery for new trees, such as the Shepherd’s Tree.

The group then investigated the central pivot as a way of irrigation and discussed the effect it has on the water table.

Union extends its thanks to everyone who made this excursion possible – it was very educational and all the learners had a great time.

Bulletin, Cultural

Eco Club Outing

On Thursday and Friday, 17 and 18 October, ten loyal Eco Club members enjoyed an outing as a reward for their excellent attendance at this year’s Eco Club meetings.

They were treated to a 1-night stay at the Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, where they had loads of fun and even worked on an academic task in the peaceful setting.

Union extends its thanks to everyone who made this outing such a memorable one for all the learners involved.

Bulletin

Gideons’ Bibles for Gr 8s

Representatives of The Gideons International paid a visit to Union High School early this morning, Tuesday, 22 October, to distribute free copies of the Gideons’ Bible to all the Grade 8 learners.

The Gideons International is an interdenominational association of Christian business and professional men whose primary activity is distributing copies of the Bible free of charge.

Bibles were made available to all 73 of Union’s Grade 8s.

Should you wish to find out more about The Gideons International, you can visit their website: https://gideons.co.za/

Sport Results

Athletics vs HVS

For generations, the traditional derby days between Union High and Volkskool that conclude the winter and summer sporting seasons have served as the annual highlights of friendship, rivalry and competition for these two schools.

It is with shared pride that Union and Volkskool once again began the competitive athletics season in that same spirit, with the 17th annual Interschools Athletics Meeting held on Wednesday afternoon, 16 October.

A great afternoon ensued with the respective schools’ athletes participating in both track and field events.

Although the competition was held in the midst of a heatwave, the Union learners weren’t deterred – they participated in their numbers and achieved a number of podium places.

The last individual event of the day was the 400 Boys u/17 event. Here, Union showed great spirit, with Matthew Carelse winning the race by a very small margin to a Volkskool competitor.

The 4 x 100m Boys relay was another exciting race. Volkskool, unfortunately, passed Union on the home stretch, to win the relay.

Overall, Union’s athletes claimed 15 first places, 23 second places and 15 third places.

Special mention must be made of Sisipho Arnols and Mack Rubidge, who both succeeded in achieving three first places. Brigitte Oelofsen and Jade Shires each won two first places.

First places were awarded to the following learners:

• Sisipho Arnolds: Boys u/15 – 100m (11,88s), 200m (24,2s) and Long Jump (5,53m)

• Mack Rubidge: Boys u/17 – High Jump (1,70m), Shotput (12,88m) and Discus (23,45m)

• Brigette Oelofsen: Girls u/14 – 800m (3:18,80) and 1 500m (7:11,10)

• Jade Shires: Girls u/17 – 800m (3:14.48) and 200m (31,70s)

• Musa Zweni: Girls u/14 – Long Jump (3,49m)

• Bowen Langmead: Boys u/17 – Javelin (33,7m)

• Rosslyn Sparks: Girls u/19 – Shotput (6,62m)

• Ntsika Ngongoma: Boys u/16 – 100m (11,48s)

• Elia Railton: Girls u/17 – High Jump (1,05m)

• Mawande Hloyi: Boys u/14 – Discus (22,43s)

• Iviwe Ndamane: Boys u/19 – 800m (2:18,59)

• Leythan Carelse: Boys u/14 – Long Jump (4,92m)

• Lana Bouwer: Girls u/14 – High Jump (1,2m)

• Matthew Carelse: Boys u/17 – 400m (59,58s)

All the athletes must be congratulated on their excellent efforts, their willingness to participate and their good show of sportsmanship.

Visit our Facebook page to view photographs:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/unionhighschool/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3032256386845116&ref=page_internal

 

Bulletin

Little Hats, Big Hearts

The members of Union’s Crochet Club delivered their last batch of beanies to the Midlands Hospital in Graaff-Reinet on Tuesday afternoon, 15 October.

The beanies were crocheted with a lot of love for the premature babies at the hospital to ensure that they have the best possible chance of leading healthy, happy lives.

During their visit, the group was given a quick tour of the hospital’s maternity ward as well as the section where premature babies stay with their mothers.

“We were very pleased to see that some of the babies were wearing the beanies that we had donated during our last visit,” said Mrs Hanli Rose-Innes.

To date, the club has donated a total of 101 beanies.

“These learners have done a wonderful thing in giving up their time to help strangers,” enthused Mrs Rose-Innes. “If you want to be a part of our little group next year as a crochet coach or as a pupil, please contact the school at 049 891 0262. We are grateful to everyone who assisted with this project – especially the Prescient Foundation who sponsored all the wool and crochet hooks,” concluded Mrs Rose Innes.

Read more about this initiative here: https://www.unionschools.co.za/2019/08/22/the-crochet-club/

Biathlon, Sport Results

Biathlon Inter-provincial Event

This weekend (19 October 2019) Eastern Province hosted an Inter-provincial event in which we competed against other biathletes from Southern Free-State, Border and Eden. While 8 of our learners were selected to compete for EP in this event, only 5 were available to participate on the day.  Despite our diminished numbers, Union was able to place a commendable 9th out of the 19 schools represented at this event.

Although none of our girls managed to finish in the top three in their respective age-groups, every one of them improved on their previous bests in either, or both of the disciplines. Union is extremely proud of these athletes that continue to push themselves to achieve with every performance.  Well done, girls!

Bulletin

Youngsters Assist SPCA

A group of Union Grade 5’s have exceeded expectations with a special project they initiated this year, in which they committed to raise funds in aid of the Graaff-Reinet SPCA.

Through various fundraising endeavors, they managed to collect quite a hefty sum and, during a visit to the local Pick n Pay store last week, they used the money to purchase trolley loads of pet food and other items needed by the SPCA.

We are very impressed with the learners’ efforts and enthusiasm in this regard and hope that this encourages other youngsters to follow in their footsteps in lending a helping hand in their communities.

The donation was gifted to the SPCA on Wednesday, 16 October.

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington

Sport Results

Jnr Cricket Results vs Lorraine

On Friday, 18 October, an eager group of cricketers from Lorraine Primary School in Port Elizabeth arrived in Graaff-Reinet to play a T20 match under lights at the Botanics, followed by a limited over match on Saturday morning at Union.

Friday evening’s T20 started with Lorraine winning the toss and choosing to bat first. They posted a well worked 120/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Much needed rain interrupted play during the second innings, which resulted in the match being abandoned. While Union’s young cricketers enjoyed the opportunity to play under lights again, it was a first for the Lorraine side.

On Saturday morning, clear skies promised a full day’s cricket. Lorraine once again opted to bat first.

For the first time this term, Union’s u/13A cricketers managed to put together a well-executed bowling attack, led by Shaakir Kazi and Thokozani Mpanza, who put Lorraine under pressure from the start.

Union only conceded 15 extras and managed to bowl their opponents out for 91 in 26 overs. Unfortunately, all the hard work was undone by a poor bating performance and Union was bowled out for 49 in 13 overs, losing the match by 42 runs.